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Overview
This course explores technology and its impact on the world around us. Technology influences society and society influences technology, creating a feedback loop between them. You will critically analyze a feedback loop in this project through social, historical, and cultural approaches to technology with the aid of the four general education lenses: history, humanities, natural and applied sciences, and social sciences. From this enhanced understanding, you will be equipped to draw connections among technology, self, and society. These skills are often necessary to achieve personal and professional goals across many disciplines.
Directions
For this project, you will write a 10-page paper that examines a social, cultural, or global event where a technology plays a significant role. In the paper, you will describe your chosen technology and event, construct a thesis statement, perform a critical analysis that makes use of at least one of the general education lenses, and reflect on how your analysis can inform your personal life and experience. You will demonstrate your ability to think critically, investigate, and communicate clearly.
Specifically, you must address the following rubric criteria:
Evidence:You will use evidence to support your analysis throughout the project.
Integrate reliable evidence from varied sources throughout your paper to support your analysis. Use at least two resources from the Module Resources sections of this course and two resources that you find through your own research using the Shapiro Library.
Reliable evidence from varied sources should be interwoven throughout the paper itself, while citing and attributing sources will be represented as APA in-text citations and a reference list at the end of your work.
You will be evaluated on both criteria.
Describe a social, cultural, or global event where a technology plays a significant role. Include information such as how the event originated and what it is about.
Describe the technology significant to this event. Include information such as what the technology does and how it may help influence change.
Critical Analysis: In this section, you will analyze your technology’s role in the event using one of the general education lenses and recommend strategies for using this kind of analysis to meet your personal and professional goals.
Analyze your technology’s role in the event through one of the general education interdisciplinary lenses to determine the technology’s impact on various institutions.
Analyze how social practices have been shaped by the technology involved in the event.
Recommend strategies to address the limitations of the technology involved in the event.
Assess at least two significant factors that could affect how individuals understand the role of technology in the event, such as biases, beliefs, assumptions, and/or values.
Assess the benefits and challenges of critically analyzing technology in society.
What might this look like in your everyday life? Consider how critically analyzing technology influence on a particular event can be used to address day-to-day responsibilities.
Describe how critically analyzing a technology’s role in an event has informed your individual framework of perception.
Describe how examining your bias may alter the way you use or don’t use certain technologies.
Explain how critically analyzing a technology’s role in your event can influence your field of study or profession.
How can studying technology inform your understanding of the next big topic of study in your field or profession?
Explain how analyzing the technology’s role in your event can help interactions with those of a different viewpoint, culture, and perspective.
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Technology and Event Introduction
Fatima Zohra Benkhouaja
SNHU
IDS 403
01/15/2022
2
Social Media during Covid19 Pandemic
In the last decade, communication has evolved at a tremendous rate, especially
when information exchange is taken into account. The processing of messages utilizing
a plethora of alternatives such as radio, social media, and telegraph incorporates an
identical concept. Irrespective of the time, people are allowed to communicate freely at
their convenience (Ahani & Nilashi, 2020). In the past three years, coronavirus has been
wreaking havoc around the globe, impacting the application of social media
significantly. As the pandemic dominated every corner of the world, it forced the
incorporation of containment measures to thwart its spread, as it threatened to wipe out
the human population. People were restricted from face-to-face conversation prompting
the introduction of additional applications, such as video and messaging, to ensure
constant virtual contact (Effendi et al., 2020). In the process, online shopping and
marketing surfaced as physical contact was minimized, leading to the development of
new ventures while others lost their jobs as the effects of the pandemic dominated
(Wong et al., 2021). As such, the spread of coronavirus prompted the advancement of
social media technology, shifting people to online culture while new businesses
developed and organizations transformed client relationships.
Coronavirus was a significant global outbreak that transformed the utilization
of social media in general society. According to CDC, the virus originated from Wuhan
province in China and spread quickly worldwide. The health experts advised various
containment measures as the number of deaths from the pandemic kept soaring, and
more countries became affected (Tso et al., 2021). Containment measures, such as
social distancing and restriction of movement, provided a platform for social media to
evolve. Workers were forced to retreat to their rural settings as roles and responsibilities
were carried out remotely, promoting increased adoption of internet connection and
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provision of digital devices (Vogels, 2021). Social media became a tool through which people
could interact, pass significant information concerning the pandemic, and consequently carry
out their deliverables as they utilized the benefits associated with the technology (Economist,
2016). Various organizations became obsolete while new ones emerged as they exploited the
development of various social networking platforms. As such, the pandemic saw increased
adoption and utilization of social media technology, impacting society’s significant social and
cultural aspects.
The advancement of social media technology prompted society to incorporate
networked systems leading to the development of a new online culture as virtual communities,
and digital centers thrived. The connection elevated the integration of entrepreneurs and
investors into the new culture to advance their activities (Wong et al., 2021). Creative industries
and content creation platforms emerged as digital platforms became a new way of transactions
and conducting business. Regarding an interdisciplinary lens, social science applies to
technology development more effectively, as the social and cultural impacts are highly
intertwined with people’s behavior (Little et al., 2016). The lens helps inform various impacts
of social media development, increased adoption of digital platforms, and its impact on human
behavior, which ultimately determines cultural shifts. Increased adoption of social media
transformed human interactions as the online and virtual community was born, shifting the
cultural and social landscape.
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References
Ahani, A., & Nilashi, M. (2020). Coronavirus outbreak and its impacts on the global
economy: the role of social network sites. Journal of Soft Computing and Decision
Support Systems, 7(2), 19-22.
Effendi, M. I., Sugandini, D., & Istanto, Y. (2020). Social media adoption in SMEs impacted
by COVID-19: The TOE model. The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics, and
Business, 7(11), 915-925.
Little, W., McGivern, R., & Kerins, N. (2016). Introduction to sociology-2nd Canadian
edition. BC Campus.
The medium is the messengers. (2016, March 5). The Economist.
https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2016/03/05/the-medium-is-themessengers.
Tsoy, D., Tirasawasdichai, T., & Kurpayanidi, K. I. (2021). Role of social media in shaping
public risk perception during COVID-19 pandemic: A theoretical review.
International Journal of Management Science and Business Administration, 7(2), 3541.
Vogels, E. A. (2021, October 19). Some digital divides persist between rural, urban and
suburban America. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/facttank/2021/08/19/some-digital-divides-persist-between-rural-urban-and-suburbanamerica/.
Wong, A., Ho, S., Olusanya, O., Antonini, M. V., & Lyness, D. (2021). The use of social
media and online communications in times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of
the Intensive Care Society, 22(3), 255-260.
1
3-2 Activity: Critical Analysis
Fatima Zohra Benkhouaja
SNHU
IDS 403
01/22/2022
2
Technology through interdisciplinary lenses
Social media usage skyrocketed during the covid-19 pandemic as people were restrained
in their homes. This technology is interwoven with other disciplines, including communication,
policy and governance, social science, transport, and education. Since social media relies on the
internet, the recent trends on the internet have affected its usage. Recently, the world has witnessed
an explosion of the internet, with innovations emerging every day (Warf, 2018). Today, the
internet is associated with the change in how people socialize and interact. The pandemic
accelerated this internet revolution as social interactions shifted from physical to online
interactions (Wong et al., 2021). Transportation and education disciplines were also affected
during the pandemic as most governments restricted movement to curb the spread of coronavirus.
Impact on various institutions
From the general education interdisciplinary lenses, the impact of social media on various
institutions can be examined through the lens of the social sciences. This lens focuses on the social
relationships between people. The pandemic affected how people interact as it limited physical
interactions, but social media technology helped people interact more online. Therefore, increased
social media usage during the pandemic impacted other institutions like education, family, and
community. Physical learning was halted during the pandemic. However, social media technology
ensured that education continued through online platforms (Pratama et al., 2020). Family and
community interactions were affected because the pandemic separated some families. They could
only interact on social media. Physical interactions in the community were also interrupted, and
some community members suffered from psychological distress. However, social media
technology helped families and communities interact despite the physical restrictions.
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Social practices
Social media have also shaped social practices during the pandemic. Communication
increased during the pandemic due to the presence of social media technology. Since people were
locked up in their homes, they had more time to communicate with others through social media.
Additionally, the cultural expression grew as people interacted more through social media. People
could exchange their culture and express themselves to people from other cultures using social
media. Transportation in the 21st century has also been transformed by building highways,
spaceships, and supersonic jets (Sultana, 2014). These transport routes facilitated social
interactions. However, they were not useful during the pandemic because the movement was
restricted. Not even social media technology could facilitate physical transportation during the
pandemic, but it facilitated virtual interactions.
Technology limitations
Technology has its limitations that often involve negative impacts on the users. Social
media had negative implications during the pandemic. Social media was used to create panic and
spread misinformation during the pandemic. Consequently, it became challenging to inform people
about the pandemic and contain it before it spread. Social media technology would have been
helpful during the pandemic if it had been effectively regulated. Effective regulation would have
changed social media into a source of truth and reliable information during the pandemic.
References
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Pratama, H., Azman, M. N. A., Kassymova, G. K., & Duisenbayeva, S. S. (2020). The Trend in
using online meeting applications for learning during the period of COVID-19 pandemic:
A literature review. Journal of Innovation in Educational and Cultural Research, 1(2), 5868.
Sultana, S. (2014). Encyclopedia of Transportation: Social Science and Policy. Sage.
Warf, B. (Ed.). (2018). The SAGE Encyclopedia of the Internet. Sage.
Wong, A., Ho, S., Olusanya, O., Antonini, M. V., & Lyness, D. (2021). The use of social media
and online communications in times of COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of the Intensive Care
Society, 22(3), 255-260.
1
4-2 Activity: Critical Analysis
Fatima Zohra Benkhouaja
SNHU
IDS 403
01/29/2022
2
Critical Analysis
Strategies to Address Limitations
Investing in Innovation
A tech company has to invest in innovations that can track fake news and recognize it for
users through crowdsourcing and algorithms. There are technologies in hoax and fake news
detection crucial to media platforms. For instance, social media companies could automate fake
news detection to aid users to avoid misinformation (West, 2022).
Online Accountability Strengthening
Social media companies can also enforce strong real-name policies against fake accounts.
This is possible through real-name registration. Internet users must provide companies with their
true identities to allow society to hold people accountable for what they disseminate or post online.
This will prevent individuals from hiding behind fake accounts whenever they engage in banned
activities (Liao, 2016).
Significant Factors
Tech use data reveals that several factors, like technology access, benefits, attitudes,
socioeconomic status, and education affect technology adoption. For instance, Internet and
computer use are lower among disabled individuals, minorities, and older adults. Major reasons
that contribute to low tech use among older individuals include security concerns, lack of interest,
lack of skills, and increased costs (Czaja et al., 2006).
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Benefits and Challenges
Benefits
Communication
Critically analyzing technology, in general, reveals that it enhances fast and more reliable
communication (Burgess et al., 2018). Companies that run on an international scale need reliable
communication. Fast networks allow for the transmission of various information forms across huge
distances in seconds.
Cost reduction
Technology’s increased productivity and efficiency decrease operating costs. They also
lead to profit increases (Hopwood, 2022).
Challenges
Resistance to change
Some individuals want to avoid anything that goes beyond what they are accustomed to
(Hopwood, 2022). The fear of trying new things should be investigated by companies.
Wrong tech choice
Selecting an inappropriate application platform, solution, or equipment may cause workers
to develop an undesirable perception of technology (Hopwood, 2022).
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Recommended Strategies
Action plan development
Action plans are vital since they give one a framework for analyzing how one will
efficiently complete a project. They aid one in completing activities in a sensible order and ensure
one avoids missing vital steps (“Action Plans,” n.d.).
Bad habit elimination
One should eliminate bad habits since they interrupt one’s life and prevents one from
reaching objectives (Clear, n.d.). They also compromise health, physically and mentally, and waste
one’s energy and time.
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References
Burgess, J., Marwick, A., & Poell, T. (2018). The sage handbook of social media.
https://doi.org/10.4135/9781473984066
Clear, J. (n.d.). How to Break a Bad Habit and Replace It With a Good One. James Clear.
Retrieved from https://jamesclear.com/how-to-break-a-badhabit#:~:text=Bad%20habits%20interrupt%20your%20life,waste%20your%20time%20an
d%20energy.
Czaja, S. J., Charness, N., Fisk, A. D., Hertzog, C., Nair, S. N., Rogers, W. A., & Sharit, J.
(2006). Factors predicting the use of technology: Findings from the Center for Research
and Education on Aging and Technology Enhancement (CREATE). Psychology and
Aging, 21(2), 333–352. https://doi.org/10.1037/0882-7974.21.2.333
Hopwood, S. (2022). Council post: Five benefits and three challenges technology can bring to
global companies. Forbes. Retrieved from
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinessdevelopmentcouncil/2019/06/07/five-benefitsand-three-challenges-technology-can-bring-to-global-companies/?sh=1dfa7ac06f64
Liao, Z. (2016). An economic analysis on internet regulation in China and proposals to policy
and law makers. International Journal of Technology Policy and Law, 2(2-4), 242-256.
West, D. M. (2022). How to combat fake news and disinformation. Brookings. Retrieved from
https://www.brookings.edu/research/how-to-combat-fake-news-and-disinformation/
1
6-2 Activity: Reflection: Society
Fatima Zohra Benkhouaja
SNHU
IDS-403
02/12/2023
2
Technology and Society
General Education Lens
Analyzing the impact of social media on human interactions during the pandemic through
a historical lens reveals how negative the consequences were, especially on learning. The social
media scene today appears to be significantly unique from its humble past versions due to a
dramatic evolution (Harvey, 2014). History has shown that in-person learning is much more
effective than virtual learning. Technology’s role during the pandemic was to facilitate virtual
learning from a social science general education lens. However, looking at the issue from a
historical perspective, social media may have done more harm than good since children continued
to advance to other grades and levels of education without going through the complete learning
experience since they were studying through phone screens and computer monitors.
Interactions
There is little doubt that technology came to the aid of most people, helping them cope and
survive during the pandemic. Social media has particularly facilitated data collection in
ethnographic research practices (Warf, 2018). However, critically analyzing technology’s,
especially social media’s, role during the pandemic will sway the views and opinions of people
who oppose my beliefs. I believe that facilitated data access in ethnography has significant
negative effects. When one critically analyzes this statement, one will see that there is genuine
truth to it. First, Warf (2018) correctly states that the two most significant contributions of
technology to ethnographic research are speeding up and increasing access to researchers. But
what do people really do on sites like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram? They pour their hearts
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out discussing their memories, thoughts, and opinions on public platforms. This transforms
millions of users into unwitting ethnographic informants for (Warf, 2018). Second, when I suggest
technology did more harm than good for students, I do so because I have critically analyzed the
role of technology on the mental and physical health of children. Everyone knows virtual learning
entails sitting in front of a computer and listening to people all day. But there is more to learning
than just obtaining knowledge through a webcam. Children need physical education and exercise.
Real-life physical interactions develop personal skills that could perhaps be the thing that will
allow them to earn a living in the future.
Greater technology awareness strengthens individual conversations. Technology is an
integral part of our daily lives. With greater awareness of technology, both people and businesses
can strengthen their conversations and increase productivity. The more you understand about the
new technologies, the greater your ability to engage in meaningful conversations. For example, I
rely on various types of technologies when volunteering at my local community center to advise
at-risk youths about the dangers of several vices like substance abuse. I must log in to TikTok and
other apps like Instagram to see what is trending so that I can know how to relate to those kids and
ensure my message goes through. We can improve the dialogue around ethical, social, and
environmental issues by building on this increased understanding.
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References
Harvey,
K.
(2014).
Encyclopedia
of
Social
Media
and
Politics.
https://doi.org/10.4135/9781452244723
Warf, B. (2018). The sage encyclopedia of the internet. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781473960367
The Four General Education Lenses
Each time we approach a question or project, we are informed by certain perspectives, or “lenses.” At
any given time, we are looking through multiple lenses, but often, one may be more dominant than the
others. Throughout your academic journey, these lenses coincide with disciplines or fields of study.
Here at SNHU, we’ve prioritized four of these lenses: humanities, history, the sciences, and the social
sciences. Professionals in these fields all ask questions in order to gain information, but they may ask
them in different ways that will help them examine different aspects of a topic. We can think of these
as four different telescopes, and each lens has different characteristics. Thus, depending on the lens we
are looking through, the cultural artifacts we encounter—the constructed items that convey the
benchmarks of a particular culture or social group—will tell a different story.
The Humanities
At the core of the humanities is human creativity, and they explore the things that humanity creates and
how they offer insight into the way people experienced their present, interacted with their culture, and
comprehended abstract concepts and big questions about humanity’s place in the universe. The
humanities broaden perspectives and promote an understanding of multiple experiences, cultures, and
values through various mediums of creative human expression–such as literature, fine art, dance,
photography, philosophy and religion, film and television, music, even the internet and social media—
many of which are taught as separate academic disciplines. Within the humanities, both the artist’s (or
creator’s) intent and audience reception of a creative artifact are considered to help understand cultural
values and why they matter. They celebrate cultural diversity while also highlighting cultural similarity.
View these brief videos for more on the lens of the humanities:
Video: What Are the Humanities and Why Are They Important? (CC) (1:53)
This closed caption video gives the viewer an overview of the importance of the study of humanities in
higher education.
Video: Humanities (3:22)
This video gives the viewer a visual representation of what the humanities are.
• A captioned version of this video is available: Humanities (CC)
History
Many of us are familiar with history as being a list of dates, events, and people to memorize, but
history is so much more than simply dates and memorizing facts. Your primary exposure to history
could have been in grade school required classes or in documentaries about subjects you find
interesting. There is so much more to history, however. History tells the stories of our past to help us
better understand how we got to the present. In addition to dates, events, and people, history
encompasses firsthand accounts of experiences that include artifacts from an era (tools, clothes, toys,
etc.), letters or diaries from people who lived during a certain time, documents from a time period,
photographs, and, when possible, interviews with people who lived through the events that historians
study. Together, these historical remnants help write a story of a particular time, which is then folded
into the stories of history we are living and making today. View these brief videos for more on the lens
of history.
Video: Thinking Like a Historian (CC) (8:47)
This closed captioned video uses the idea of developing a “story” and using cause and effect to give an
overview of ways to think like a historian.
Video: What Is History For? (CC) (4:13)
This closed captioned video helps the viewer understand the importance of studying history and not
just focusing on “current events”.
Video: What Is Historical Thinking (CC) (7:41)
This closed captioned video discusses five aspects of historical thinking to get an accurate picture of
what has happened in the past.
The Natural and Applied Sciences
The natural and applied sciences study the physical world to help us better understand ourselves and
our place in nature, and nature’s role in shaping us. The natural sciences include fields such as
biology, chemistry, and physics, while the applied sciences include STEM-related fields such as
mathematics and technology. Together these fields explore the questions and curiosities humans
have been pondering for ages, and scientists often develop questions and use a scientific process—
the scientific method—to describe, predict, and observe the natural world. This method of
developing and researching hypotheses can also be applied to the other lenses as a way to organize
the questions one might ask to gain a deeper understanding of our world and experiences. View
these brief videos for more on the natural and applied sciences:
Video: The Scientific Method (4:05)
This video provides the viewer with an overview of the scientific method and how it is used.
• A captioned version of this video is available: The Scientific Method (CC)
Video: What is Science? (2:01)
This video provides the viewer with information about what science is and what we can learn from it.
• A captioned version of this video is available: What Is Science? (CC)
Video: Scientific Literacy – Neil deGrasse Tyson (2:52)
This video, narrated by Neil deGrasse Tyson, describes scientific thinking.
• A captioned version of this video is available: Neil deGrasse Tyson Describes Scientific
Thinking (CC)
The Social Sciences
As people are social beings, social science is the study of society and the relationships between people.
Subjects included in this lens are psychology, sociology, anthropology, political science, economics, and
geography. This study of human behavior and interaction can sometimes overlap with the humanities
lens, which also studies different cultures. Studying society, culture, and human relationships will lead
us to an understanding of how people live and how to improve our lives. Social scientists use a variety
of methods to arrive at conclusions within this lens, such as interviews, participant observation, and
primary and secondary sources. The social sciences can also intersect with the other lenses. For
instance, like for the history lens, social scientists may look at the past to gain an understanding of the
social relationships that took place. How did we interact? How did we work together? Asking questions
similar to these has given us the opportunity to evaluate causes and effects related to people in our
society. Consider how the social science lens helps us interact with the world around us and uses
cultural artifacts to make changes in our lives to promote better living or promote interactions we
normally would not have with others. View these brief videos for more on social science:
Video: An Animated Introduction to Social Science (CC) (4:35)
This closed captioned video gives the viewer an overview of the different aspects of the social sciences
including anthropology, political sciences, sociology, psychology, and geography
Video: What Is Social Science? Part 1 (CC) (2:50)
This closed captioned video is part one of a two part series on an in-depth explanation of the social
sciences.
Video: What Is Social Science? Part 2 (CC) (2:37)
This closed captioned video is part two of a two part series on an in-depth explanation of the social
sciences.
