RESOURCES:  The following are only basic resources. You may have to search for others for additional information.

Basic definitions: A. http://whatis.techtarget.com/
B. http://www.atis.org/tg2k/
C. Basics of how almost all technologies work (How DVDs work, how digital television works, and much more).  You might start with the tabs “computer stuff ” or “electronic stuff,” or maybe do a search:  http://www.howstuffworks.com/

Each of the above has advantages and disadvantages. For example, A provides a definition for “frequency ” but not “frequency response” whereas C provides a definition for “frequency response.” A,B and C are good for simple definitions, but D is good for explaining the applications of technical devices.

Goal:  To start to understand the basics of technologies, including understanding information in the form of electrical signals.  Also, to think about the history of technologies.

DO the following:  

I. Read about the following topics: signals, frequency response, the electromagnetic spectrum and electromagnetic field, channel, bandwidth. 

Also read about “Old Technologies.” You might want to read about advantages and disadvantages of print: http://www.uidaho.edu/eo/dist7.html 

Come to class prepared to answer the following questions about the topics above:

1. What is the frequency response of the human ear?
2. In your own words: define “signal” and “frequency response.”
3. Give an example from your own use of electronics where frequency response is important.
4. In your own words: define “electromagnetic spectrum.”
5. How are light and TV transmissions the same? How are they different?
6. In your own words: define “bandwidth.”
7. In your own words: define “channel.”
8. What is the difference between channel and bandwidth?
9. What is the bandwidth of your favorite radio station?
10. What is the part of the EMS (in frequencies) of your favorite TV station?
11. Which has more bandwidth: a telephone channel or an FM radio channel? What are the implications of this difference in bandwidth?

13. Identify one technology that is over 100 years old that we still use today.
14. Identify one technology that is 50-100 years old that we still use today.
15. Identify one technology that is 25-50 years old that we still use today.
16. What are the advantages and disadvantages of print?
17. How do the characteristics in “16” relate to the usefulness of other technologies?