This 3 credit course on technological forecasting is taught online by Dr. Cori Zuppo. The course will examine how emerging technologies may be used and their potential impacts. Students will learn to identify tools for forecasting technology, evaluate indicators of change, and apply critical thinking to analyze old, current, and emerging technologies. The course will be delivered through Canvas and include readings, discussions, and papers. Students will work independently and in small groups to analyze case studies. The syllabus outlines the course objectives, structure, assignments, policies and resources for support.

1. Course Syllabus
INSTRUCTOR
Dr. Cori Zuppo, SPHR, GPHR
Department of Visual Communication & Technology Education
Email: czuppo@bgsu.edu
Office hours: TBD or by appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION
TECH 4210, Technological Forecasting (3) involves examining different technologies
and technology systems as they pertain to the information technology (IT) industry
and other industries; determining how these technologies will be used, what kind of
demand there may be for them, and assessing the likely positive and negative
consequences associated with implementing them.
REQUIRED COURSE TEXT
Teich, A. (2013). Technology & the Future, 12th edition. Wadsworth. ISBN-13:
978-1-111-82854-7.
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2. COURSE OVERVIEW
“Digital is different.” -- Nicholas Negroponte
Information-related technologies are rapidly evolving, and are largely dictating every
element of our lives, from what we eat, to where we live, to how we learn. Since our
society and many others have transitioned from agrarian and / or industrial, to
information and information technology-based ones, it is critical that we understand
the likely positive and negative impacts that current and emerging technologies will
have at home, in the workplace, and society in general.
The purpose of this course is to provide students with an understanding of the
significant factors involved in implementing new technologies and assessing their
potential usefulness and impact. This course will cover the theory and principles used
to forecast emerging technologies that impact disseminating audio, video, and text-
based information. It will examine the ever-increasing speed in which information
technologies are developed and implemented, and are then in turn used to distribute
information.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
This course will enable students to:
• Identify and evaluating various tools used to forecast technology
• Identify and evaluating and evaluate leading indicators of change
• Utilize critical thinking skills in the analysis of leading indicators and other evidence
of change
• Apply the above sets of tools in the assessment and analysis of old, current, and
emerging technologies
• Explore the positive and negative consequences, both intentional and
unintentional, of old, current, and emerging technologies
INSTRUCTIONAL PHILOSOPHY
Students will work independently and engage in small group activity to analyze,
problem solve and make decisions relative to case studies and situations presented
by the instructor. Students are expected to use critical thinking skills as they assess
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3. published writings and case studies; as well as in their routine dialog with the
instructor and fellow students. Students are expected to be able to articulate specific
learnings from class; and potential applications of those learnings at work and in life.
COURSE DELIVERY
Course delivery will be entirely online through BGSU’s Canvas Learning Management
System.
Students will participate online with the instructor and other students to create a
collaborative learning community. Communication will occur through email and
online discussion forums. The Canvas course will contain study documents, detailed
assignment descriptions and communication tools.
Due to the nature of distance education, student participation online is mandatory.
Students must complete assignments on or before due dates, respond to discussion
questions and engage with fellow students through discussion forums.
ASSIGNMENT OUTLINE
Unit 1: Thinking about Technology
Unit 1 will have the following components:
Text Readings (Technology & the Future by Albert Teich, Part 1)
Selected Course Documents (Files)
Class Participation (Discussion Boards)
Unit 2: Debating Technology:
Unit 2 will have the following components:
Text Readings
Selected Course Documents (Files)
Class Participation (Discussion Boards)
Paper #1
Midterm Exam
Unit 3: Contemporary Technological Dilemmas of New Technology
Unit 3 will have the following components:
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4. Text Readings
Selected Course Documents (Files)
Class Participation (Discussion Boards)
Paper #2
Unit 4: Contemporary Technological Dilemmas of New Technology (cont.)
Unit 4 will have the following components:
Text Readings
Selected Course Documents (Files)
Class Participation (Discussion Boards)
Final Exam
GRADED COURSE ACTIVITIES
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5. Grading Scale (using %)
A = 92 -100
B = 82 – 91
C = 72 – 81
D = 62 – 71
F = less than 62
EXTERNAL SUPPORT LINKS
Library Guide: http://libguides.bgsu.edu/LDT
Writers Lab: For assistance with written work contact the writer's lab
writers@bgsu.edu
ORGANIZATION OF THE COURSE
On the front page (Home page) of the course, you will see course navigation icons for
the following:
• Discussions: access to course discussion questions.
• FAQ: a discussion thread for student Q&A
• Guides: link to various Canvas guides
• Support: link to BGSU’s Technology Support
• People: class participants.
• Grades: access to your grades.
• Assignments: all course assignments, including due dates, module location and
grading value
• Supplements: any additional links or items of interest relating to the course
• Library: a link to BGSU’s library
• Announcements or Latest News: Welcome and periodic messages from your
professor
• Syllabus: your syllabus the TECH 4210
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6. On the side navigation of the Canvas course you will see a link to the Home page as
well as a link to the weekly course modules.
SUBMITTING ASSIGNMENTS
When you submit your assignments be sure to compose and save as Microsoft Word
Documents. Please include your full name and the assignment title at the top of all of
your documents; double-space your papers, follow APA style when citing and listing
references, and. save the file with your last name, and the assignment title, e.g.
“SmithAssignment.1.doc”.
Be sure to submit assignments no later than midnight of the due date. Assignments
will be penalized if advance arrangements have not been made (see written
assignment guidelines).
CLASS MEETINGS
Occasionally the professor will have non-mandatory online chat sessions or hangouts.
While these meetings are not required, they will help you interact and dig deeper into
the material and course requirements. More information will be contained in relevant
announcements.
MIDTERM CONTACT WITH PROFESSOR
Sometime during the middle of the course students will be required to meet with the
professor either in an online chat format or by phone. This required contact is
intended to provide students a one-to-one opportunity to check in with the instructor
and ask for clarification or additional information. The professor will also have the
opportunity to gauge individual student progress through the interaction. Details will
be outlined in relevant announcements.
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7. CODES OF CONDUCT AND ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY
The instructor and students in this course will adhere to the University’s general
Codes of Conduct defined in the BGSU Student Handbook. The Code of Academic
Conduct (Academic Honesty Policy) requires that students do not engage in
academic dishonesty. For details, refer to:
• BGSU Student Handbook (http://bgsu.edu/downloads/sa/file15768.pdf)
• The Academic Charter, B.II.H (http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/facsenate/
page471.html)
• Student Discipline Programs (http://bgsu.edu/offices/sa/studentdiscipline/
index.html)
DISABILITY POLICY
In accordance with the University policy, if the student has a documented disability
and requires accommodations to obtain equal access in this course, he or she should
contact the instructor at the beginning of the semester and make this need known.
Students with disabilities must verify their eligibility through the Office of Disability
Services for Students, 413 South Hall, 419-372-8495. (http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/
sa/disability/)
RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS
It is the policy of the University to make every reasonable effort allowing students to
observe their religious holidays without academic penalty. In such cases, it is the
obligation of the student to provide the instructor with reasonable notice of the dates
of religious holidays on which he or she will be absent. Absence from classes or
examinations for religious reasons does not relieve the student of responsibility for
completing required work missed. Following the necessary notification, the student
should consult with the instructor to determine what appropriate alternative
opportunity will be provided, allowing the student to fully complete his or her
academic responsibilities. (As stated in The Academic Charter, B-II.G-4.b at: (http://
www.bgsu.edu/downloads/bgsu/file919.pdf).
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8. STUDENT VETERAN-FRIENDLY CAMPUS
BGSU educators recognize student veterans’ rights when entering and exiting the
university system. If you are a student veteran, please communicate with your
instructor so reasonable accommodations can be made for absence when drilling or
being called to active duty (See http://www.bgsu.edu/veteran/ for more information).
UNIVERSITY CLOSURE
In most cases, the University will not close for winter conditions unless the Wood
County Sheriff’s Department declares a Level 3 emergency.[1] Information about
University wide closures is communicated by the Office of Marketing and
Communications, which will notify the University Fact Line, local FM & AM radio
stations and the four Toledo television stations (see Weather Policy for lists). For
changes in individual class meetings, please refer to the class Blackboard site for
postings by the instructor.
________________________________________
[1]A Handbook of Commonly Shared Employment Policies for BGSU Faculty,
Administrative and Classified Staff, “Severe Weather Closing Policy and Procedures,”
http://www.bgsu.edu/downloads/execvp/file8135.pdf
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