Discussion 6
NOTE: Because of this module’s heavy reading assignment I am giving you a few extra days to complete this discussion.  I am going to give you until 11:59 PM on 31 OCT to get it completed.
The Discussion Assignment
After completing this weeks reading assignment, answer two of the following questions (one from each module), and then read and comment on at least four of your fellow students postings. Note that two of these questions come from last weeks reading and two from this weeks reading. You may answer a third questions for up to 30 points extra credit!  In addition to your textbook, you are encouraged to use the FTCC Library database resources (NC Live, Issues and Controversies, Opposing Viewpoints, etc) as a source of supporting information for your posts. If you use an outside source, be sure to mention what it was and where you found it.  For information on accessing the FTCC Library databases, see the Resources in the weekly assignments folders.

Note: All this weeks questions come from the module ten reading assignment. The 1 question from each module rule will not apply.

One of the major trends in the world today is the spread of literacy. In many parts of the world, only a small percentage of the population could read a generation ago; today, the majority of the population is literate. What sort of social, political, and economic effects will this produce? Will all of them be good?
Some social critics are of the opinion that the spread of electronic media is destroying literacy. Standardized test scores of reading and writing ability have in fact gone down in recent years. Are the new media the main cause? If so, is the slow destruction of the printed media by the electronic media a bad thing?
Do you think that digital technologies in the form of e-books, tablets, and smartphones will soon replace newspapers, magazines, and books, to include textbooks? Do conventional printed materials have a future? What, if any, advantages do they have over digital media? Do you prefer reading assignments in printed books or e-books? Share your thoughts.
Discuss the rise of early radio broadcasting.  What were some of the early intended purposes of radio?  Who took it in other directions and why?  What were the social repercussions?  Do you think we have witnessed any similar phenomena in recent decades and if so, what?  What are some similarities and/or differences?

Grading Criteria
NOTE:  Your answers to 2 of these topics/questions are 60% of the grade for this discussion board and your responses to at least four other students and days of participation make up the remaining 40%! Answers to topic questions must be at least 100 words in length and at least four responses to classmates must be at least 40 words in length.  You must post to this DB on at least 3 separate days to get full credit. If both questions answered are from the same module you will lose five points.
Late posts answering two of the topic questions will be eligible for no more than 60% if made within one week of the discussions closure. After one week this cannot be made up.
Resources
Course Textbook: Society and Technological Change (8th edition) by Rudi Volti  ISBN: 978-1-319-05825-8
FTCC Library Databases (scroll down on library web page for complete list) https://www.faytechcc.edu/campus-life/library/ (Link opens in new window)

Using Discussion Boards – Blackboard Student Help (opens in a new window)
To Submit
Post your opening response to the question early in the assignment period so that others have time to respond to you.
A thoughtful opening response will feature your own views on the subject matters supported by factual material from the reading.