Critical thinking

Topics for One-Pager and Classroom Discussion
Write a paper, single-spaced, Times (or Times New Roman) font, 12 point, that is at least a full
page printed out (8.5X11”) on the topic you choose for each day. You must read at least 20 full
pages (8.5X11” if printed out, not screen pages), and list your references at the end of your paper
(not to be included in your one-page of discussion). Be sure to both grammar- and spell-check
your paper. You can access examples of the APA Style of referencing at
www.umanitoba.ca/libraries/units/dafoe/media/cite_apa.pdf. Your papers will be marked for
using the correct reference style as well and for using in-text citation as well.
Your paper should show that you understand the topic, but it must do more than simply
summarize the topic. You should use the critical thinking skills you have learned from other
courses and that you bring on your own, to discuss your chosen topic. You may, for example,
want to point out what you could not find about the topic or what you view differently about the
topic than the materials you read.
You will be marked a +1 to a 0. +1 indicates you discussed the topic, including a sufficient
amount of critical thinking; 0 indicates you merely summarized the paper, wrote a poor paper, or
were a “little short” in the length of either the reading or writing of your content. 0 also indicates
that you either did not turn your paper in or that your paper fell at a D or F level (e.g., read too
few pages, wrote significantly too little, did not furnish a complete reference list (a simple URL
will NOT suffice), wrote very poorly, or did not turn in a paper).
Each paper is worth 2% of your overall term mark. Papers are to be written individually with
absolutely no help from others. Students may use the writing tutors available on campus for help
with the actual language, spelling, grammar issues you may encounter. In addition to the 2% that
can be earned for the paper, you can also receive a participation mark for the day we discuss the
topic if you talk in class about your topic.
Be sure to interpret the topic as it is stated, particularly where there are parenthetical notes. If
you would like to write about and discuss a different topic, please contact Professor Brabston for
approval of your choice of topic.
Tips on Choice of References: Use either Google Scholar or the Proquest online database
(available through the UofM Libraries Web site) to find references. Do not use books as
references, and do not use references that are more than 5 years old.

Day One: Technology (mostly IST) and MIS Careers
Bitcoin
Web 3.0
$100 computers (including why they are needed)
Mobile security (related to BYOD: bring your own device)
Big data
Smart cars

Smart homes (Wifi-connected home appliances, Internet-enabled appliances, Nest)
Apple vs. Android operating systems
Google Glasses
Google Fiber
Oculus Rift
“Black” phone (for top security uses)
Phone Box (customizable phone)
Snapchat and Cyberdust (implications)
Tap card technology for credit cards (including implications)
Wearable technology (do not include smart watches)
Digital dropboxes
Light bulb data transmission
IS certifications for IS professionals

Day Two: IST Applications and Issues
IST entrepreneurship start-ups
IST businesses in Winnipeg’s Exchange District
IST in agribusiness
Online vs. print publication (implications for periodicals and newspapers)
E-Health at the WRHA (and/or elsewhere)
Network neutrality
Business uses (i.e., use by businesses) of Facebook, LinkedIn, and other social media sites
Use of IST in mapping the human genome
Robotic surgery
Tracking metadata at Canadian airports (what is happening; what are the issues)
Winnipeg-wide Wifi hotspots (issues; why this is not happening, or is it?)
Issues associated with electronic documents
Artificial intelligence systems or neural networks (pick one, not both)

Day Three: Systems Development
Agile development
Open-access development (operating systems or applications: you may choose one of these, but
not both)
Software Prototyping
RAD (rapid application development)
JAD (joint application design (or development))
Object-oriented programming
Web services
Testing software (among other issues, when has enough testing been done?)
Business process re-engineering
Total quality management (including six sigma)
What should go into a proposal for a new or changed IS?
How do you manage change?

Day Four: IS/Computer Ethics
PIPEDA
Privacy ethics
Codes of computer conduct (when should there be one; what goes into one: Note: This paper
calls for both aspects)
Hacking versus cracking: Is either ever right?
Ethics of posting in social media
Ethics of sharing through social media
Piracy: Is it ever right?
Piracy laws: Do they differ between countries (e.g., the USA and Canada)?
Copyright of software: What is copyright? When does it apply? Is it ever OK to violate
copyright?
Copyright law (in Canada) and how it applies to software
Effect of computer usage on quality of life (see Chapter 4)
Liability: Who is liable for what regarding computer usage today?
The Digital Divide