Innovation Exploration

Due: Must be submitted on Canvas by March 3 at 3:30pm, and presented in section on March 3 or March 5.

Goals

Your goal for this assignment is to explore a topic in the broad field of computing and its implications on society. You will give a 3-5 minute presentation aimed at teaching others about a computing-related innovation that is interesting to you. You will have a large degree of freedom concerning the topic of your presentation and you will be presenting to the rest of the class on March 3 or March 5 during section.

Picking a Topic

Think of an innovation in computing that has changed the world socially, economically, or culturally. This post will be focused on the impacts this innovation has had, with a strong focus on the technical details of how your chosen innovation works, and how data is used or manipulated. You're welcome to choose any type of innovation which has a significant computing component. The goal of this presentation is for you to learn about something new and cool and then share it with your peers! With this in mind, we encourage you to choose a topic that you personally are excited about and want to explore further 😀.

Feel free to run your topic by your TA if you are concerned about its relevance. Chances are high that it is good if it is related to technology and falls into one of the categories mentioned above.

Presentation Guidelines

Your presentation should contain the following main components:

  • Purpose: What is your chosen innovation and its intended purpose (i.e. the problem it solved, the opportunities it created, etc.)?
  • Effects and Impacts: What are some benefits and any harmful effects of the innovation you explored? For example, are there any security or privacy concerns of the social implications of your innovation? What is one of the impacts your innovation has had or could have on society, the economy, or culture?
  • Technical Aspects: Describe at a high level the technology behind your chosen innovation. This can include levels of abstraction, relevant algorithms, and any relationships to other innovations (i.e. the Internet). Additionally, how is data utilized as input, output, or transformed in relation to your innovation?
Feel free to use diagrams, tables, embedded videos, or any other media if you think that it helps to communicate your point, but the use of media and images are not required. Please cite sources for media used if they are not your own creation.

Spend some time thinking about what you're going to present before you start. Since the length requirement for the presentation is relatively small (see Requirements), we're looking for quality over quantity in your work. Quality implies that you have well-researched and insightful observations and speak meaningfully about the topic you've chosen to discuss.

You may use PowerPoint or other presentation software to create your presentations, but if you would prefer a different format (e.g., writing on a whiteboard) that is also fine as long as you meet the requirements (see below).

Requirements

  • Your presentation must be at least 3 minutes.
  • You must properly cite at least three (3) different sources. Feel free to use printed texts, readings from class, or textbooks from other classes. You can also use news articles from reputable sources or Wikipedia if it is appropriate for your topic.
    • At least one source must be from somewhere other than Wikipedia.
    • At least two sources must have been created or updated after January 2018.
    • In your citation, please include the author, title, source, and, if possible, publication date. For online references, also include the URL and date accessed.
    • Please consider using websites such as easybib.com for correct citation etiquette.
    You should include the citations at the end of your slides, if you choose to use them. If you choose not to use slides, you should submit a document on Canvas containing your presentation topic and your list of sources.
  • You have to create the Innovation Presentation yourself. Do not copy and paste someone else's work. Plagiarism is a serious issue and is not tolerated in CSE 120. For our policy on academic honesty, please refer to the Policies page.

Submission

  • Make sure that your presentation file is submitted on Canvas by March 3 at 3:30pm. You may submit a pptx, pdf, or Google Drive link if you choose to use slides. Otherwise, submit a pdf document containing your topic and citations.
  • Make sure you are ready to present for 3-5 minutes on March 3 or March 5 in front of your classmates.
  • Make sure you include at least 3 different, complete citations.