Internet Exercises

"Trust" in technology is at the heart of modern life. Many people "trust" that computers, cars, medical equipment, and cellular phones will work as specified. Sometimes, that "trust" is misplaced, with results that range from annoyance to tragedy. Visit AirDisaster.Com, which provides an online examination of recent and past airplane accidents and crashes.

What is the "latest accident" featured on the site?
Did you hear about this story on television or in the newspapers?
Does the cause of any of the crashes featured on the site connect to your chapter's discussion of "Technological Accidents" and Charles Perrow's concept of "normal accidents"?
Choose a "Model" of aircraft or an "Airline" and review the statistics provided. How many "Events" has your choice been involved in? How many flights has the model or the airline made?
Choose the "Click Here for accident statistics by Year" link in "Statistics." How would you describe the frequency of accidents, fatalities, and departures occurring over time as presented on the site?
Take the "air safety web poll." How does your answer match up to others who have visited the site?
What did you find most surprising about the statistics and information presented on the site?

Sociologists interested in technological change are currently studying the effects the Internet is having on such aspects of daily life as work, relationships, and health. Another area of interest is in how the web is being utilized in education. Use a search engine such as Lycos® and see if your college offers any online courses. If not, or if you cannot access these sites without a password, try examining some of the classes featured on the Illinois Virtual Campus.

What kinds of classes are offered online?
How do the students and teachers interact? What are some of the assignments and how do students turn them in?
What kinds of classes-if any-do you think should not be offered online? Why?
What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of taking classes over the computer?
In what ways would the experience of taking an online course be different from taking a "live" course? In what ways would it be the same?
How might the issues of "global disconnect" and "privacy" play a role in online education?
In what other ways have you seen technology change education over the course of your academic career?

PBS offers an online exploration of the "digital divide". Visit the site after reading your chapter, taking time to examine the links, viewpoints, and stories presented, and then answer the following:

What is meant by the term "digital divide"? How does this concept compare to your book's discussion of "global disconnect"?
How has life in classrooms and at work been changed by technology and computers? In what specific ways might current costs, use patterns, designs, and policies regarding technology perpetuate and even increase gender, racial, and social class inequity and stereotypes?
What can be done to alleviate the "digital divide"?
Be sure to participate in the "Interact!" activities on the site. How well did you do on the "gender quiz"? What important facts did you learn about technology and computers through your activities?
What will the jobs of the next few decades look like, and what skills must we have in order to compete for them?

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