The book is designed to inspire the learner to explore problems from every angle (or 360-degree problem-solving, as Roman refers to it). Teachers are encouraged “to urge their students to identify and evaluate how these technologies affect the entire fabric of civilization — from the technical to the economic, environmental, social, political, safety and legal fibers of this fabric.” Above all, Roman asserts, “The activities in this book are designed to get young minds thinking and asking questions.”
The first in an Engineering Activities in the Classroom series, the author designed this book for teachers and students to explore how the union of communications and computer technology has changed the world, and investigate what “tremendous opportunities for beneficial changes” might be in store for the future.
For students to understand the implications of faster and more intense communications, Roman lays out a series of activities teachers might guide their students through, starting with how early humans communicated; the impact of the printing press (and the mass availability of books); the emergence of newspapers (and, I would add, the rapid decline of the daily paper, in importance); and finally to the internet, computers and texting.
In the chapter on computing, Roman lays out questions ranging from the early days of computing up to issues of today, such as artificial intelligence (AI). He asks students to research what drove the rapid cost reduction in computation — both with hardware and software, as well as looking at the various ways computers have revolutionized the workplace.
In the chapter on telecommunications and computers, Roman observes, “Our world and its ability to communicate went into warp speed when we combined communications with computers.” He continues, stating that connecting computers “has given our society a whole new perspective of itself, and our place in the world.”
The author suggests having students explore the advent of email, the internet and cell phones — as well as the legal, environmental and social implications of the widespread adoption of each of these technologies. Further, he recommends a student might investigate what role these technologies played in expanding the global economy.
In the final chapter, Roman looks back on the recent period of remote learning and remote working during the Covid pandemic. He proposes traversing the ongoing impact on the workplace, and whether remote work might change where people choose to live. But Roman puts forward many other areas of exploration as well — what has been the impact on energy use, leisure activity, tax revenues — and even the crime rate (did more people at home result in fewer break-ins?).
While these are broad-based issues, Roman says they are “designed to make students think about the world they live in, its interconnectedness, and the various sectors of it.” He believes such tasks prepare students for “real-world challenges that professionals tackle, when they consider introducing new products and services.”
The new IEEE-USA Audiobook, Engineering Activities for the Classroom Volume 1: Telecommunications and Computers is available to download for free at the IEEE-USA Shop. The complete set of E-Books in the Engineering Activities in the Classroom series is also available. The E-Book series includes:
- Volume 1 – Telecommunications and Computers
- Volume 2 – Energy in Our World
- Volume 3 – Engineering
- Volume 4 – Robotics
- Volume 5 – Invention and Entrepreneurship
Harry T. Roman is a prolific writer authoring numerous articles for IEEE-USA Insight on engineering and education, as well as an award-winning comic book series on robots working with engineers, to tackle real life industrial challenges. Harry T. Roman holds 12 U.S. patents. He has received numerous engineering, invention and teaching awards. Roman was named a Distinguished Technology Educator by New Jersey Technology Education and Engineering Association. IEEE has honored him with a Meritorious Achievement Award for developing continuing education products for IEEE members — as well as with an Outstanding Engineer award. Throughout his engineering career, Roman has worked with schools, bringing the excitement of real-world problem solving to the classroom.
