Assignment
Write your answers to the following questions in Short Essay Format. Be sure to include reasons and facts as required to support your answers. Total length of response for this assignment needs to be a minimum of 2 full pages for both parts; maximum response is 4 pages for both parts. Use MS Word or its equivalent. File formats that are acceptable for this assignment include: doc, docx, txt, and pdf.
Background:
Historically when we talk about the effects of technology upon society, we speak of the golden spike, Kitty Hawk, UNIVAC, the horseless carriage, The Bomb - events somewhat removed from our personal knowledge and experience. But during the 19th century and early 20th century important interactions between technology and society took place closer to home, indeed in the home, at play, and where we work. This technological revolution, transformed our daily lives in a myriad of ways, new ideas led to new inventions, new technologies and to new products and gadgets.
"Everything that can be invented has been invented," proclaimed Charles Duell, director of the U.S. Patent office, arguing in 1899 for the closure of his department. It seems he was wrong. The U.S. Patent Office is still busy, in fact busier than ever. (There still seems to be plenty of new ideas.)
Task: Answer the following two questions. Here is your opportunity to be creative and invent:
Innovation is nothing more than finding a better way to do something. Choose an everyday job that you dislike, but must perform, and be innovative in discovering a new way to accomplish the same task.
If you had the resources and the time, what innovation, invention (technology) or gadget would you create? Why?
Formatting:
Text Size: All of the text in this assignment needs to be set in 12-point size. Resist the temptation to mix and match point sizes. If you doubt your applications intentions, just select all of your text and insure that it is in 12-point size.
Double Spacing: For this class select all of your text and set it for double spacing. This includes the name block, title and body of your work. This allows space for marking up or making notes while I am reviewing what you have written.
Margins: One-inch margins mean one (1") on all sides. The only text that ends up on the outside of the one-inch margin is the page number.
Name Block: Place the name block in the upper right corner of the page. In this class, the name block only needs to be on the first page. Put your name first, then the class title and then the date. Example:
Technology in World Civilization
Title: All homework assignments have a title. Place the title just below the name block. The title for thisassignment is "Project 3".
Spelling/Grammar Checking: Remember to do your spelling and grammar checking before turning your assignments in. When doing the spelling/grammar checking keep in mind that some words such as mush and must, woods and words, or here and cow, will not be caught by either check. To correct these problems, you will need to proofread your work.
Paragraphs: The first word of the first sentence in a paragraph needs to be indented. At the end of a paragraph, do notinsert an extra blank line. The indentation serves as the visual clue that there is a new paragraph.
Page Numbers: Any homework that has more than one page, needs to have page numbers on it. Please place your page numbers on the bottom of the page. In MS Word, use the footer selection and place the page number in the bottomcenter or bottom right of the page.
Content:
Opinion: When a question asks for your opinion, its answer is exactly that - your opinion. Feel free to use your ownopinion.
Stating the Question before Answering It: While some reports require that you state the question before your answer, please refrain from this in this class. If you place the question before your answer, the space that it takes up will not count towards the minimum of 2 pages worth of writing.
Short Essay Format
Short essay format is a format that requires at least 2 paragraphs for each answer. Please remember that a paragraph is not just one, two, or three sentences in length.
Saving & Naming Your File for Canvas:
When you save your file, make sure that your name and the project number are included in it. Due time for Canvas turn in is 11:59 PM on the due date canvas.