Uploaded for ETT234

1. z
Advancing Political
Science Learning via
Technological Tools
By Joshua D. Zambrano
Instructor Ellen Lawrence
Due Date: 12/11/2017

2. z
Major: Political Science
 Technology has considerable potential to advance the field of
Political Science.
 For example, members of Congress could use technology like
FeatureUpVote to vote on bills or legislative concepts in
achieving consensus.
 Members of the public can already vote on White House proposals,
and can use voting booth technology to vote on ballot referendums.
It is only a matter of time until voting moves online.
 Wikis can eventually be used for the public to collaborate
together in crafting legislation.

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A History of Ancient Technology
in Political Science
 Technological advances crucial to learning have historically played a vital
role in the field of political science.
 The earliest known world map dates to the sixth
century B.C. Maps delineate state borders and provide the global
knowledge needed by rulers to engage in international relations.
 Stone stelae such as the Merneptah Stele pictured above
preserve invaluable knowledge about past governments.
 The printing press was invented in 1440 A.D. by Johannes Gutenberg. It
revolutionized communication and allowed for rapid dispersal of information
worldwide, which along with intensive agriculture was a key factor in
producing modern technology and democracy.

4. z
Modern Technological Advances and Their
Impacts on the Field of Political Science
 Educational technology continues to play a role in the field of political science.
 A modern example would be communications satellites which transmit information around
the world almost simultaneously. The first satellite, Sputnik I (pictured top left), was launched
in 1957. Satellites are vital to political power, allowing rulers a degree of knowledge about
the globe and its people hitherto unknown.
 The internet descended from networking systems in the 1980s but definitely began in 1990
when Sir Tim Berners-Lee created a browser called the World Wide Web and the world's first
web server. The internet allows rapid communication and a struggle for power and cyber
espionage engaged in by global political powers.
 A final example would be Blackboard which was founded in 1997. The online learning
environment is not only used for this course but in universities nationwide.

5. z
Blackboard
 Blackboard (symbolized above) is a widely used online virtual
environment which simulates classrooms.
 Blackboard furthers knowledge of numerous fields of study
including both education and political science.
 Blackboard Learn was founded in 1997 by education
advisors Matthew Pittinsky and Michael Chasen.
 Blackboard can be used by teachers to instantly send
announcements to all class students, create assignments, place
students into study groups, and generate discussion boards and
live chats.

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Blackboard Problems and Solutions
 Problem 1: Assignments are not automatically added to student calendars. It should be a
simple matter for Blackboard to fix this, and automatically add assignments uploaded to
calendars.
 Problem 2: Work can be lost when the backspace key is pressed. I once had an exam
submitted too early because I accidentally clicked outside of a textbox in an exam, and then
thinking I was typing an answer in the textbox pressed the backspace key, thereby going
back a page and submitting the exam. Blackboard by making a prompt show up when the
backspace key is pressed, and only allowing clicking for confirmation (not button presses
such as backspace or enter to confirm it) could easily resolve the problem.
 Problem 3: Videos lack transcripts. For visual learners like myself this is particularly vexing,
and could be addressed through voice recognition software which auto generate transcripts.
 Problem 4: Blackboard discussion board posts and assignments can be lost entirely due to
Blackboard logging out after a set amount of time. Auto saving, alerts that a session is about
to end, or removing the auto logout would all prove suitable resolutions.

7. z
Bibliography
 Hardy, Q. (2016, June 7). "The Web's Creator Looks to Reinvent It." New
York Times.
 "The Map of the World." British Museum.
 Lehmann-Haupt, H.E. "Johannes Gutenberg." Encyclopaedia Britannica.
 BAS Staff (2012, January 17). "Does the Merneptah Stele Contain the First
Mention of Israel?" Biblical Archaeology Society.
 Garber, S. (2007, October 10). "Sputnik and the Dawn of the Space
Age." NASA History.
 "University Test Legislation." FeatureUpVote.