Module #3: "Communication Technologies in a 'Connected' World"

Computers, cell-phones, handhelds, Mp3 players, terabyte workstations. How, and with what, do we communicate and transfer information effectively, from an engineer's standpoint (although some philosophical wrangling might be useful here), in a world that is literally flooded with data? Since robotics is going to get it's own course this should focus on the technology we use, and take for granted, everyday. See the attached CSTA 2003 computer science curriculum report for activity ideas and general guidelines for k-12 comp. sci.

Links:

• Basic Electric circuit lesson: http://www.swe.org/iac/LP/electricity_01.html
• Basic Magnetism and Energy conversion: http://www.swe.org/iac/LP/magnets_01.html
• Computer programming (maybe at a high level, but who knows, we have bright kids): http://www.hackerhighschool.org/lessons.shtml
• Interactive programming language created by the "kids" up at MIT. Teaches technological fluency, collaboration, design, etc.: http://scratch.mit.edu/
• Java programming for youngsters and illiterate oldsters: http://www.drjava.org/
• 3-D programming for students thanks to the folks at Carnegie Mellon U.: http://www.alice.org/