MODULE 6 – WHEN TECHNOLOGY AND HUMANITY CROSS

OVERVIEW:
This module presents that good life entails living in a just and progressive
society whose citizens have the freedom to flourish, become more rational when we are
able to value and apply the principles of logic and science in our lives in the face of
changing conditions.
Topics:
1. Technological Devices
2. Ethical Dilemmas in Using Technology
3. Robotics and Humanity
Time Allotment Week 9- November 2022
Student Learning Outcomes: Expected Outputs
At the end of the lesson, the students can:
1. discuss the development of science 1. Position Paper: “Humans vs
Robots: Progress or end of
2. identify the different technological humanity?
advancements in society; and 2. Reflection Paper on Ethical
Dilemmas in Using Technology
3. discuss the effects of the interplay
between technology and humanity
through the dilemmas they face
4.
Learning Activities
I . UNCOVER:

Picture Analysis
Note: Given the picture below, do you believe in the following statement?

II. BRAINSTORM:

INTRODUCTION
We need to understand better how past technologies have fundamentally
changed human existence, and how future technologies may impact human beings and
their society. This refection will help to design technologies with maximal value and
minimal friction in a responsible way.
Common methodologies for this research theme are related to modeling humans from a
psychological, economical, historical, philosophical, ethical and transition perspective,
based on a combination of reviewing existing literature and experimenting "in the wild".

I. TECHNOLOGY

Concepts like machines and tools were also attached to the word “technology”. A
discourse on art. (Buchanan, 2010). It comes from “techne” and “logos”. Technology is
already an inevitable part of the society. Most people survive their everyday lives with
great reliance to the different technological advancements already available to the
masses. In one way or another, each person in the society is directly or indirectly
affected by technology whether he wills it or not.

A. TECHNOLOGICAL DEVICES

Television sets, Mobile Phones, Computers and Humanity

Households with tv set reached 15.135M (Noda, 2012). According to Kantar Media,
in the Ph, 92 percent of urban homes and 70 percent of rural homes own at least one
television set.

1. TELEVISION
The technology of television has evolved since its early days using a mechanical
system invented by Paul Gottlieb Nipkow in 1884. Every television system works on the
scanning principle first implemented in the rotating disk scanner of Nipkow. This turns a
two-dimensional image into a time series of signals that represent the brightness and
color of each resolvable element of the picture. By repeating a two-dimensional image
quickly enough, the impression of motion can be transmitted as well. For the receiving
apparatus to reconstruct the image, synchronization information is included in the signal
to allow proper placement of each line within the image and to identify when a complete
image has been transmitted and a new image is to follow.
Television plays a great role in the lives of the people. Almost all use this particular
type of device. It is the ultimate medium for advertisement placements. “electric
telescope” – 18 lines of resolution.
Television is a very familiar and attractive source from the point of view of buyers. It is
also part of our daily life. One of the important disadvantages of television is that it does
not provide instant feedback. It’s too hard to capture the viewers’ reactions about the
program. For this reason, the producer does not have a chance to control if the program
is not watched by the viewer. In the meantime, broadcast television isn’t interactive. So
that participating of the viewers are getting low. Producer is never forgetting these
important disadvantages when producing an educational television program.

➢ The Good Things About Television

Television is an inescapable part of modern culture. We depend on TV for

entertainment, news, education, culture, weather, sports—and even music, since the
advent of music videos.
With more and more ways of viewing TV available we now have access to a plethora
of both good quality and inappropriate TV content. In this crowded television
environment, the key is to provide young children with a guided viewing experience and
to model and teach them the critical thinking skills they need to be active,
engaged viewers.
Television offers lots of benefits:
1. Because of its ability to create powerful touchstones, TV enables young people
to share cultural experiences with others.

2. TV can act as a catalyst to get kids reading—following up on TV programs by

getting books on the same subjects or reading authors whose work was adapted
for the programs.
3. Television can teach kids important values and life lessons.

4. Educational programming can develop young children’s socialization and

learning skills.

5. News, current events and historical programming can help make young people
more aware of other cultures and people.

6. Documentaries can help develop critical thinking about society and the world.

7. TV can help introduce youth to classic Hollywood films and foreign movies that
they might not otherwise see.

8. Cultural programming can open up the world of music and art for people.

Televised lessons can be used to supplement other course material or can be

stand-alone lessons. Such lessons have progressed over the years from simply
being television programs showing teachers talking, to being more engaging,
interactive programs which incorporate issues relevant to the learners.
Educational television programs are often accompanied by printed materials and
other resources to enhance learning and interaction.

2. MOBILE PHONES

More than half of the Filipino population own cellphones. Filipinos love to use their
mobile phones anywhere, anytime. 2010, Synovate declared 67 percent product
ownership in the country. least one mobile phone regardless of type. 1 out of 3 Filipinos
cannot live without a mobile phone – Ipsos Media Atlas Philippines Nationwide Urban
2011-2012 survey. Mobile phones are considered a must-have among young Filipinos
(ABS-CBN News, 2010).
Cell phones were once considered a distraction in the classroom. While that still
remains true, educators have slowly found that phones can be turned into learning
tools. Phones have evolved over the years into powerful teaching aids that, when used
appropriately, can improve learning outcomes.

➢ History of Using Cell Phones in the Classroom

Lisa Nielseon, an educator who started her career as a librarian and eventually went on
to be an education blogger and speaker, broke down the history of cell phones in the
class. From the day they were introduced, cell phones were considered a nuisance to
educators, which is why schools banned all electronic devices in the 1990s. This was
also partly because school administrators feared that these devices would be used by
students who were attempting to do things that were illegal.

By 2007, educators conceded that cell phones could play an important part in
learning. Universities started using text messages to reach out to students, indicated
that parents believed text messaging helped to improve communications with children.
The following year, and by 2010 there was a significant shift toward embracing cell
phones as educational tools. Text messaging had previously played a role in keeping
students connected with their schools, but cell phones were now being used for
increasingly broad educational purposes as they became just as powerful as laptops
while occupying a fraction of the space.

The history of cell phones in the classroom is therefore one in which cell phones
transitioned from being devices that educators feared to tools that educators embraced.
Cell phones became not only increasingly ubiquitous but increasingly powerful, making
them capable of replacing devices like laptops and computers. It should be no surprise
then that school administrators and educators shifted toward embracing these devices
as classroom tools.

BENEFITS OF CELL PHONES IN LEARNING:

Researchers have pointed to the increasing power of cell phones and their
capabilities as reasons why they can make effective language learning tools.
Many modern cell phones have the power and potential of computers from past decade
and require only a fraction of the energy to operate. For years, the United States
conceptualized computers in traditional terms: as personal computers and laptops.
However, recent decades have seen more and more people switching to personal
devices for personal computing.
Did you know that?

The PC market continued to decline in 2019. Computer sales have been

declining every year since the year 2012. On the other hand, the number of
smartphones used globally increased to 3.2 billion in 2019 and were expected to reach
3.8 billion in 2021. In short, in the classroom, students may be increasingly more
accustomed to using the tools they have available on their personal devices than they
are looking up information over the internet.

This provides several avenues by which they may be able to benefit when
attempting to use cell phones in the classroom.

1. First, they will be working with a population that is already accustomed to using
their phones to perform different tasks. Attempts to do something as simple as
use an internet search only require turning on a phone and opening the browser.
For teachers, this means saving on time that would otherwise be dedicated to
having to teach students how to use the device. This allows teachers to move
quickly into their lessons instead of having to introduce new tools to the students
and train them on those tools.

2. The second advantage is that, with the modern generation of cell phones, even
many basic models have performance power that outstrip those of computers
from previous generations. In some cases, and particularly in disadvantaged
schools working with outdated technology, this may mean access to tools that
are more powerful than might be found in the computer lab. Of course, teachers
cannot make this assumption.

➢ Ways of Using Cell Phones in the Classroom

1. The most obvious way is by using cell phones as research tools. Phones
can be used to link to the internet and find information from reputable sources
that can be used in reports.

2. One of these ways was Twitter. Teachers can use a Twitter feed made
specifically for the classroom to post assignments and due dates, which can
help students stay connected. Teachers can also use Twitter feeds to field
questions from students who might be otherwise too shy to ask. Students can
ask a question using the class Twitter feed and teachers can respond in-class
without singling out the student. This is made easier when the teacher creates
a recognizable hashtag that students can use. Other forms of social media
can be used for similar purposes, such as maintain a classroom Facebook
page to keep students updated.

❖ Advantages of Using Cellphones in Classroom

1. Class wide texts can keep students up to date on assignments, and students can use
their phones as a class planner to record important dates. For projects, cell phones can
also play an important role in gather media. Cell phones can be used to take photos,
record video, and make audio log.

2. Photos and video can be added to Power Point presentations. Or, students can make
entire videos, post them to YouTube, then share them with the class. These video
projects can document historic sites in the city or act like running documentaries of
research they’re doing. Audio recording can be used to similar effect, acting as a voice
over for projects. However, the basic recording function of a cell phone can also be
used to record classroom lectures and refer to them when they’re studying.

GUIDELINES FOR IMPLEMENTING CELL PHONES IN LEARNING

1. Many features of a mobile device were not sufficient for encouraging

increased learning outcomes. Instead, appropriate instructional strategies had
to be developed that would help support learning. For instance, teachers still
need to ensure that students aren’t simply idling on their phones. So, using
wireless communications broadcast between all class members could be
used to caution students to stay on task and alert them to how much time was
left to work on a project. In general, the researchers cautioned teachers to
remain vigilant and to ensure that students remained on task.

2. The use of mobile phones in classrooms should be purposeful. The

researchers found that in many cases, teachers used mobile technology for
only a few units of teaching instead of integrating the technology into lessons
throughout the semester. By increasing the use of mobile technology,
teachers might uncover new instructional designs that were optimal under
different circumstances.

Conclusion

Mobile phones have taken a long path from once being perceived as distractions
in the classroom to now being seen as tools that can educate students. There are
multiple benefits to using cell phones as a teaching aid, including improved
learning outcomes, increased engagement among students, and an easier ability
to keep students up to date about assignments. However, as with all tools,
teachers need to plan ahead to ensure these devices are used appropriately
within the classroom.

3. COMPUTERS AND LAPTOPS

Growing number of Internet users in the Ph, problems regarding the Internet
providers. Most profits gained by computer and laptop manufacturers come from
offices, businesses, or schools. Not possible for all Filipino families to own at least one
computer or laptop. Charles Babbage released in June 1981 by the Osborne Computer
Corporation, the Osborne 1 is considered to be the first true portable, full- featured
computer. Fastest-growing application market in SEA47M active FB accounts
1. Philippines has one of the highest digital populations in the world
2. 3.2 hours on mobile and 5.2 hours on desktop daily
3. Mobile phone subscription is at 119M

Some of the benefits of using laptops in the classroom include:

• Fostering online collaboration with other students
• Providing curriculum support and additional information to students
• Promoting better organization: Laptops help students keep track of their
assignments and utilize an online school calendar
• Allowing students to receive and view assignments online and submit their work
via e-mail rather than being required to print them
• Improving the review process: Teachers may edit student papers and return
them digitally to provide more detailed feedback
• Improving students’ computer skills
• Making learning more interesting for technology-savvy students

Using Computers to Assist in Teaching and Learning

Ways In Which Teachers Are Using Computers To Assist In Teaching And

Learning:

1. To replace writing on the chalkboard/white board/overhead:

• Instead of writing on the board, instructor or a student takes notes on the

computer and projects this onto the screen so the whole class can see this.
Purposes:
o Enables the students to read what has been written more easily than
instructor's handwriting.
o This can then be saved as a record of class (summary of class discussion
or group work) then e-mailed to the whole class or posted on the course
web page.
o Students can work in small groups and use laptop computers to take
notes on their group's discussions (replacing the use of poster paper or
handwritten overhead transparencies). When they share their group's
findings with the whole class, they copy their work to disk and bring it up to
the front of the class to project using the instructor's computer.

2. PowerPoint - to replace slides, pre-prepared overhead

transparencies, and even video:

• Creating own presentations for class.

• Having students create PowerPoint presentations to give presentations in class
and for presenting assignments
II. ETHICAL DILEMMAS

1. Most parents would argue that these devices make their children lazy and unhealthy
2. People are freely exposed to different things on televisions, mobile phones, laptops
or computers.

III. ROBOTICS and HUMANITY

IV. ROBOT
A robot may be classified according to its intended application as an industrial robot
or a service robot. A robot that performs useful tasks for humans or equipment
excluding industrial application.
Examples:
1. domestic servant robot, automatic- used for a noncommercial task, usually by
laypersons.

2. Service robot for personal use

3. Personal Service Robot -personal mobility assist robot, pet exercising robot

4. cleaning robot for public places,

5. delivery robot, firefighting robot, rehabilitation robot,

6. surgery robot used for a commercial task, usually operated by a properly trained
operator.

ROLES PLAYED BY ROBOTS

Law One
1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human
being to come to harm.
Law Two
2. A robot must obey orders given it by human beings except where such
orders would conflict with the First Law
Law Three
3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not
conflict with the First and Second Law.

ETHICAL DILEMMA/S FACED BY ROBOTICS

1. Safety
Who should be blamed, the robot, the agent using the robot, or the
maker/inventor of the robot? Who should be held accountable if someone’s safety is
compromised by a robot?
2. Emotional Component
It is not completely impossible for robots to develop emotions.
3. Thinking Component
If the robot think by itself, the robot itself should be held responsible.

SUMMARY

Once largely the province of science fiction, robotics already permeate our daily
lives. We may not realize it, as science fiction novels, television, and film have shaped
our expectations of the appearance and function of robots. And those popular images of
robots – machines like Wall-E, C-3P0, or the Terminator, do not yet exist. We do not live
in a society where robots are as common in every household as silverware. However,
not only are we headed there, already, robots of astounding functionality are in use
around the world. Moreover, many corporations are racing to not only develop robots
that meet our preconceived notions of what a robot should be, but also make them as
ubiquitous as cellphones. Governments are striving to enhance their viability as
weapons. In addition, academics are vigorously searching for singularity –
the point at which robot intelligence will outstrip human intelligence

III. INSTILL:
Position Paper: “Humans vs Robots: Progress or end of humanity?

IV. APPLY:
THINK ABOUT IT! “Is google making us stupid?”

V. NUTSHELL : Module Test

REFERENCES:

1. https://www.dailysabah.com/feature/2017/11/02/humans-vs-robots-
progress-or-end-of-humanity
2. https://reasonandmeaning.com/2013/12/19/aristotle-on-the-good-and-
meaningful-life/
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ra1Dmz-5HjU -good life
4. https://opinion.inquirer.net/112217/meaning-good-life
5. bhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYByTqu1tBs
https://www.tue.nl/en/research/research-areas/humans-and-technology/
Nelia G. Prieto, LPT, PhD, et al (2019) Science, Technology and Society, Lorimar
Publishing Inc.
Mc Nacamara, Daniel Joseph, SJ, et al (2018) Science, Technology and Society, C&E
Publishing Company
Aldea, Kathryn Idrisha, et.al. (2018), Science, Technology, and Society, Mandaluyong
City. Books Atbp.Publishing Corp.
Serafica, Janice Patria Javier, 2018. Science, Technology and Society, Rex Book
Store, Inc.

Prepared by:

DR. PRECIOUS NAJ C. ALCANTARA

UBLC Faculty

Address: Governor Feliciano Leviste Road, Lipa City 4217, Batangas, Philippines
Telephone Numbers: +63 43 757 5277
Website: www.ub.edu.ph
Address: Governor Feliciano Leviste Road, Lipa City 4217, Batangas, Philippines
Telephone Numbers: +63 43 757 5277
Website: www.ub.edu.ph