In this module, you will explore how digital technology affects individuals, organisations, and wider society. You will consider the ethical, legal, cultural, environmental, and privacy issues created by the increasing use of digital systems, and examine how the same technology can create both benefits and disadvantages for different stakeholders.
You will explore issues such as monitoring and surveillance, automated decision-making, bias in algorithms and artificial intelligence, the digital divide, censorship, automation and employment, e-waste, energy use, and the collection and use of personal information. You will also consider how the impact of technology can vary depending on who is affected and how it is used.
Next, you will study key UK legislation relevant to computer science, including the Data Protection Act 2018, the Computer Misuse Act 1990, and the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. You will learn what each law is designed to protect and the responsibilities or restrictions it places on individuals and organisations.
Finally, you will explore software licences and how they control the use, copying, modification, and distribution of software. You will compare open-source and proprietary software, consider their benefits and drawbacks, and learn how to recommend a suitable type of licence for different users and organisations.
Lessons
3
Completed
0/3
Proficiency