METU 2023-2024 Fall Semester

ENG101 Graded Discussion 1 Guidelines

Week 6

Task Design:
 As it is an informed discussion, you are expected to study the source materials before the discussion day and
discuss the questions given below by referring to ideas in the sources. (2 videos and 3 reading texts covered in
Module 2)

 During the discussion, you are expected to

- display a full understanding of the source materials,

- personalize & reflect on the ideas,

- demonstrate full engagement by listening attentively & responding meaningfully.

Ground Rules:
 Students must be present in class at the specified time of the task (announced beforehand). If the student’s discussion
time is scheduled for Monday first lesson, for example, they cannot join another group without presenting a valid
excuse.
 If a student does not attend the discussion(s), they get a 0 unless they have a valid excuse such as a medical report.

 Go to the following document to pick a slot (one of the four sessions) and write your name on the chart:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PpUMi4qDUUetUmGBG1GBjZUBQaCuE0uZ3kkfemficFo/edit

Possible Questions for the Graded Discussion 1

1. How does the consumption culture affect our lives and our cities today? Is this mostly a positive or a negative

effect?

2. How does a city contribute to the happiness of its citizens? Do you think cities today can make citizens happy?

3. Do we lead individual and isolated lives because we prefer to, or are external factors primarily responsible for our

isolation? Explain how our physical surroundings may contribute to the isolation we experience today.

4. What do you remember about your childhood? Would you play outside? Did you interact with your neighbors? Is

it possible today? Why/Why not?

5. To what extent do you agree that smart city technologies should be adopted?

6. What can be the benefits of smart cities?

7. What can be the risks of smart cities?

8. Do you think smart cities offer effective solutions to the problems cities are facing today?
9. In which areas should smart city technologies be adopted? (e.g. free internet kiosks, garbage sensors, parking

sensors, smart streetlights, city buses connected to the system, police officers wearing body cameras, police

officers with cameras installed, cameras installed in public squares, e-governance apps)

10. “Today, whoever holds data has enormous power.” Do you agree with this statement? Who do you think benefits

from this power, and how?

11. How can risks/threats of smart cities be eliminated or minimized?

12. Do you agree that immense data accumulation is an issue we need to consider? Why/why not?

13. Who will be affected by immense data accumulation, and in what ways?

14. How does immense data accumulation affect the freedom and social justice?

15. What can be the potential threats when big data is combined with advanced biometric technologies and AI?