INFO 202 Lecture 2: Week 2
Document Summary
1/23 - what is a theory/intro to theories of it. Objective: identify + critique major interdisciplinary theories underpinning the provision of info tech. Review technological divides: technological access physical availability of suitable equipment + infrastructure, social access know-how, mix of professional knowledge and economic resources, technical skills, to use technologies in ways that enhance practices and social life. On to technological development, but integral to the process of development. What is a theory: a theory can be, framework for explanation why does something happen, orienting lens for understanding phenomena, theories provide, concepts, explanations, such as casual, practical, person-centered, situation-centered, etc. What do theories do: organize + summarize, focusing function, clarify, observational aid, predict, heuristic function, communicative function, control function, generative function. How do you evaluate theory: theoretical scope, appropriateness, heuristic value, validity, parsimony, openness. Social construction of technology: one should never take the meaning of a technical artifact or technological system as residing in the technology itself.
