LAB 1: HISTORY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES
[pdf version]

GOAL

1. To gain an understanding of the history of information technologies and the development of the Internet.

OVERVIEW

In this lab, you will work in groups of 4-5 to put in chronological order certain events or developments in the history of information technologies, assign approximate dates to these events, and articulate your reasoning for the order and dates you propose.  As a class we will then pool our “speculation” to discuss more broadly the history of modern information technologies.

HOW TO PROCEED

1. Form a group with 4-5 people.

2. Get an envelope containing the events to be ordered.

3. As a group, discuss the order the events most likely took place in.  Estimate the year in which each event occurred, and record your reasoning for the order and dates you choose.

4. Prepare a "timeline" in which you order the events, give the approximate year and your reasoning for the ordering and the dates you've proposed.

5. Be prepared to participate in a class discussion of these events and the broader history of information technologies.

WHAT TO TURN IN

Turn in a hard copy of your timeline.