CMN 170V Midterm Exam 2025-2026 –
Communication and Technology – Questions &
Answers Latest University of California
What three areas have converged into ICT?
Communication, information storage, and computation
Who is Claude Shannon?
Father of the information and digital age
"Digital convergence" or "ICT convergence" on the bit refers to the fact that...
Three previously separate technologies trajectories (Communication, Information
Storage, and Computation) converges on the digital paradigm
True or False. Time online has dramatically decreased.
False. Time online has dramatically INCREASED.
,True or False. Technology is a tool and a means to an end.
True.
What is technology determinism?
Technology determines the outcome
Is this an example of technology determines or social construction of technology?
Example: internet implies freedom and democracy, the internet is inherently good,
or, technology implies a informational dictatorship, total control, surveillance,
internet is inherently bad
Technology determinism
Is this an example of technology determinism or social construction of technology?
Example: "The internet increases productivity"
Technology determinism
What is social construction of technology?
technology has different outcomes and they have to be socially constructed,
technology is a tool like a hammer
,Is this an example of technology determines or social construction of technology?
Example: "The internet can be used in a way to increase productivity"
Social constructivism
What is ICT?
Information and Communication Technology
True or False. The invention of the telephone was not the world's first "tele-
communication" or "distance communication" device, smoke signals can and were
used for distance communication
True
How has communication evolved?
Smoke signals → Trumpet, horns (100 B.C.) → News paper (1502)→Chappe
Telegraph (1794)→Electromagnetic Telegraph (1837)→Telephone (1876)→Radio
(1918)→TV (1927)→Cellular (1973)
How has information storage evolved?
, Wall-painting→Chinese paper (105 A.D.)→Printing Press (1450)→Punch cards
(1801)→Magnetic disk (1956)→CD-Rom (1982)
How has computation evolved?
Abacus calculator → Mech. Calculator (1500 A.D.)→Relay (1935)→Vacuum tube
(1942)→ Transistor(1959) → Microprocessor(1973) → Laptop (1975) → Mac
(1981)
What is the Cube Framework?
Frame of reference that enables us to sort out the intricate relationships between
information and communication tech. and development
What does the Cube Framework focus on?
-interdependency among technology
-policy interventions
-socioeconomic sectors
What are the horizontal layers of the Cube Framework?
-Infrastructure: tangible like hardware, computers, mobile phones, cables
-Generic services: software, apps, email services, social networks
Communication and Technology – Questions &
Answers Latest University of California
What three areas have converged into ICT?
Communication, information storage, and computation
Who is Claude Shannon?
Father of the information and digital age
"Digital convergence" or "ICT convergence" on the bit refers to the fact that...
Three previously separate technologies trajectories (Communication, Information
Storage, and Computation) converges on the digital paradigm
True or False. Time online has dramatically decreased.
False. Time online has dramatically INCREASED.
,True or False. Technology is a tool and a means to an end.
True.
What is technology determinism?
Technology determines the outcome
Is this an example of technology determines or social construction of technology?
Example: internet implies freedom and democracy, the internet is inherently good,
or, technology implies a informational dictatorship, total control, surveillance,
internet is inherently bad
Technology determinism
Is this an example of technology determinism or social construction of technology?
Example: "The internet increases productivity"
Technology determinism
What is social construction of technology?
technology has different outcomes and they have to be socially constructed,
technology is a tool like a hammer
,Is this an example of technology determines or social construction of technology?
Example: "The internet can be used in a way to increase productivity"
Social constructivism
What is ICT?
Information and Communication Technology
True or False. The invention of the telephone was not the world's first "tele-
communication" or "distance communication" device, smoke signals can and were
used for distance communication
True
How has communication evolved?
Smoke signals → Trumpet, horns (100 B.C.) → News paper (1502)→Chappe
Telegraph (1794)→Electromagnetic Telegraph (1837)→Telephone (1876)→Radio
(1918)→TV (1927)→Cellular (1973)
How has information storage evolved?
, Wall-painting→Chinese paper (105 A.D.)→Printing Press (1450)→Punch cards
(1801)→Magnetic disk (1956)→CD-Rom (1982)
How has computation evolved?
Abacus calculator → Mech. Calculator (1500 A.D.)→Relay (1935)→Vacuum tube
(1942)→ Transistor(1959) → Microprocessor(1973) → Laptop (1975) → Mac
(1981)
What is the Cube Framework?
Frame of reference that enables us to sort out the intricate relationships between
information and communication tech. and development
What does the Cube Framework focus on?
-interdependency among technology
-policy interventions
-socioeconomic sectors
What are the horizontal layers of the Cube Framework?
-Infrastructure: tangible like hardware, computers, mobile phones, cables
-Generic services: software, apps, email services, social networks
