BR3008 - Responsible Technology

At The Bridge you learn through a blended approach where short, focused and interactive face-to-face sessions are underpinned by guided and independent online learning. Your attendance for scheduled activities is monitored regardless of whether you are on campus or joining the session remotely. This ensures you access all of the learning opportunities which have been purposefully designed for your success.

A range of teaching and learning approaches are adopted to accelerate your learning in this module.

During the first week of this module, you will receive information about the module and Teaching & Learning Plan. The teaching and learning plan (TLP) sets out
• Learning outcomes and overall module and programme aims
• Teaching, learning and assessment strategy
• Teaching schedule
• Directed reading references (text and journals) and core texts for the module
• References to data sources and details of lab activities

You will also receive the assessment brief which sets out the formative and summative assessments throughout the module.

There are three key sources of academic support available to you during your time at the Bridge in addition to Ask4Help who are available 24/7 for general queries related to your studies.

Your Module Tutor
Your module tutor is responsible for your learning outcomes on the module. They deliver the workshops and provide guidance in relation to learning and assignments. They develop all of the key resources and make them available through the eLP (electronic learning portal module) Blackboard, which is used to provide support materials, interactive learning tasks and give you regular opportunities to test and get feedback on your learning. You will be given both written and verbal feedback and guidance on your work and progress during the semester by your module tutor.

Your Learning Mentor
On programme, you will have your in-person and online engagement activity tracked against the learning plan with key check-in points built into the academic calendar to ensure you maximise your learning potential. Engagement with formative assessments will also be used by the learning mentor to discuss any action planning required to ensure success.

Academic Skills Team
The Bridge aspires to build a range of student skillsets, including digital skills, academic writing and discourse, working alone and in teams. Your learning mentor may refer you a dedicated academic skills team which is based in the centre. Here you can attend drop-ins or schedule 1-1 sessions on issues which have been identified at the diagnostic stages of the programme however you may also have self-identified areas for your own growth and self-refer yourself for support.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
MLO1: To understand the concepts of legal and ethical practice, social responsibility and sustainability specifically relevant to the field of digital and technology with emphasis on professional bodies and their standards.
MLO2: Understand the specific ethical challenges of a common and current ethical dilemma in technology.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
MLO3: To develop planning skills by gathering and presenting research from different perspectives
MLO4: To develop oral presentation skills by presenting information in a clear and persuasive manner

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
MLO5: To consider complex problems through the lens of professional standards and reflect on your personal need for continuing professional development

You will receive formative feedback throughout the module including at the following checkpoints:-

•Week 2: Navigating the course materials
•Week 4: Completing the in-module reflective tasks
•Week 6: Completing the in-module knowledge checks and tasks

This module is assessed via a live, tutor-managed debate. You will be assigned a topic and a perspective and will be required to debate this in class in the final week of term.

You will be marked on your ability to demonstrate that you have researched your topic by making a contribution to the debate (MLO4). In addition the preparation you do for the debate is also assessed and is submitted prior to the debate to aid the tutor in steering the debate (MLO1,2,3,5).

Universal Design for Learning

If you are unable to attend the debate you may submit an alternative assessment in the form of a 1,000 word transcript of a debate on the allocated topic. This will be agreed with your Leanring Mentor in Week 4 as part of your ongoing mentoring dicussions.

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This module explores what it means to act responsibly within the fast-moving world of digital and technology. Through a simulated dilemma grounded in real tech-sector scenarios, you will apply your understanding of legal and ethical issues to practical decision-making, exploring the tools, approaches, and strategic models that organisations use to navigate responsible technology practice. You will also examine how digital and technology businesses report on their activities and manage their reputation with both internal and external audiences, developing a clear understanding of the positive and negative impacts technology can have on society. Indeed, the module encourages you to consider ethical issues from multiple perspectives, including the individual (as manager, developer, or stakeholder), the organisation, and society as a whole, building a well-rounded view of responsibility in a digital context grounded in both theory and practical application.