Technology In The 21st Century is a discussion forum that focuses on the information and communications revolution and what will be available in the near future. Business, education, communication leaders and high school students participate in a discussion on how breakthroughs in communication technology will shape the future of the world. Included in the discussion is how the communications revolution will change the way people conduct business, consumer behavior, methods of education and how the revolution will touch all aspects of life in the 21st century. Technology In The 21st Century would be useful for classes on Science and Technology, Communications and Computer Science. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

• augments
• chaos
• conceive
• digression
• entrepreneurs
• espouse
• ether
• impede
• incipient
• infrastructure
• monolith
• neurology
• obsolete
• perceptual
• phenomenon
• portfolio
• proliferation
• shackle
• simulated
• ubiquitous

1. The rapid changes and advancements in technology are referred to as a communications revolution. What is meant by this term? Are we truly in the midst of a revolution?

2. What is artificial intelligence and how is it applied?

3. The Internet, or its moniker, The Information Superhighway, enables people from all over the world to communicate with each other. But does it improve communications and relations between people? If so, how does it do this? Does the Internet hinder communications between people in any way?

4. One of the topics of discussion in this forum is how the communication revolution will change the ways in which people learn. What are some of the ways the communication revolution will affect students and teachers? What might be some of the drawbacks?

5. How might unlimited access to communications infringe on some privacy rights? What steps can be taken to ensure that individual privacy is respected?

6. While the communication revolution had vastly enlarged the amount and type of information that people can access, you need to have the proper equipment to enjoy these benefits. What about people and schools who can not afford the sophisticated and expensive equipment necessary to access The Information Superhighway?

1. If your students have access to the Internet, assign them a topic to research. Have them compare their results and how they arrived at them. Discuss how their results illustrate how varied and expansive the Internet is, and how different perceptions of the topic lead to different results.

2. Write an essay on how the communications revolution has already altered your life, and how it will alter your life in the future.