TRENDS, NETWORKS, AND CRITICAL THINKING IN THE 21ST CENTURY

Lesson 1: Definition of a Trend

“When looking at the world, you can divide much of it into fads, trends or principles. A little
mantra for this is that we should play with fads, work with trends, and live by principles. This is
easier said than done because in modern times we are too often seduced by fads, ignorant of
trends and resistant to Principles.” - David Zach
TREND - A pattern of continuing change in condition, output, or process of something that
affects people, lifestyle, economy, sports, government and all other aspects of life. According to
Mckinney (2010), trends are characterized by change. Trend is understood as change as a
change or tendency in the visual expression of fashion cause by various trend mechanisms.
(Andrada, 2017)
CATEGORIES OF TREND
1. Macro trends - are the smallest of the major trend movement. Assigned to the respective
mega-trends, they describe developments that are backed up with concrete innovations.
Example:

 Climate
 People
 Connectivity
2. Micro trends - are the children of Macro-trends. They are the most active, diverse and
appearing very fast one after another. The list of micro-trends is the most lengthy and diverse,
and that’s because they are the “solutions” that directly address the consumers. These micro-
trends can also be segmented into categories such as the following:

 Marketing and media innovations

 New technologies
 Service innovations
 New products
 Innovative business models
 International start-ups.
Trend is an emerging phenomenon that last for a long period of time and transmit
existing ventures to the future generations.
TREND ANALYSIS is an examination of these phenomenon and speculations on the likely
impact they will have in the future? Any given phenomenon and prediction which likely to
happen or any craze/fad or trend that would likely emerge needs to be examined.
a. Trends are composed of wide variety of information from an existing field of complex
ideas.
b. Trends use overwhelming recognition and pattern identification to create presages in
knowing the future.
c. Trends evolution are being evaluated and observed by the use of timeframes.
TRENDING is a phenomenal scenario that is currently popular to the eyes and taste of the
many. It allows preemptive judgments and reactions up to future events. It is something that
people follows either in social media or in fashion. Trends are considered as “complex fusion” of
yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
FAD is a very popular form of interest or fashion that only exist for a short span of time. Fad is
an exquisite societal pattern but did not last longer. It spreads widely and effectively to the
demands of every individual. Moreover, it is a temporary form of fashion, interest, or any crazing
activity that people become enthusiastic.
DIFFERENCE OF TREND FROM FAD
Trends and fads are actually existing in their respective phenomena that will last depending on
the performance of the people who follows the trends and fads. During this scenario a trend will
become a fad and this make a difference between the two.
Trends are:
a. Long life span
b. A style for longer years
c. Rising slow in popularity
Fads are:
a. Short life span
b. Emerge and go quickly
c. Rising quickly in popularity
SPOTTING A TREND
Trend spotting is seeking to overlook or foresee the situation of the future in the present. Trend
is a continuous event that gives impact to the people and leaves a particular effect. The
following statements spot what trend is.
A gradual change or development that produces a particular result that is known as a trend is:
a. trend towards/to: “Devices are trending toward touch screen mobiles and laptops.
b. trend in: “The latest trends in social media is….”
c. an upward/downward trend: “Wars, famines, epidemics and so could cause reversals on
the downward trend in morality.”
d. follow a trend: “Everyone seems to be following the trend for planting indoor plants.”
e. buck the/a trend (not to be affected by a general trend): “Although industry profits were
down, MFG is expected to buck the trend and increase profits.
ELEMENTS THAT MAKE UP A TREND
Whether it’s memes, viral videos, catchphrases, or the latest design trends, why do certain
ideas or activities capture the public imagination? What define a trend as opposed to a short-
lived fad?
It is often difficult to spot the start of trends because they boil down to social forces among
which styles or tastes change. Once the changes have been shared and adopted by a critical
mass, they gain a footing, become firmly embedded in the public psyche, and may even find
themselves returning as part of a cyclical process.
There’s no magic involved. According to Henrik Vejlgaard, the author of Anatomy of a Trend:
“There is nothing mysterious about it and it never just happens out of the blue; though it may
sometimes appear to be so. That it is a social process means it’s created by human beings.
A trend becomes a trend through a constant cycle of innovation and emulation. It’s the way
people embrace one another and interact with one another. People are obsessed with trends
because joining a trend means your part of a group; you are in, you belong.
ELEMENTS OF TRENDS
a. Duration of Time
The lifespan of products or ideas that become trends do not disappear quickly. Trends
have long staying power and enjoy a long period of time.

b. Acceptability
Trends are popularly accepted by many industries and people.

c. Cultural Basis
A trend is rooted on the people’s cultural traditions, beliefs, and values. A trend persists
and continues because people have seen it as part of a society’s culture.

d. Transitory Increase or Decrease

A trend shows a transitory increase or decrease of a particular idea, event or
phenomenon.

e. Driver, Enabler, Blocker

Agents in trend.
CHARACTERISTICS OF TRENDS
What is a characteristic?
It is a special quality or trait that makes a person, thing, or group different from others. Its shows
special qualities or traits of a person, thing or group.
a. Innovation
A trend should introduce changes and something absolutely new to a community. It is
the cat or process of introducing something new like ideas, devices, or methods.

b. Consistency
One thing after the other, people can still recognize that this style or trend or culture or
language is a trademark or a mark of a country or a place. Identity has become a part of
it.

c. Versatility
A trend always appreciated by people despite the difference in culture, place and race. It
is the quality or a state of being versatile (able to do many things).
PARTS OF A WHOLE OF AN EMERGING PATTERN
Trend is a movement or behavior geared towards a certain direction. Furthermore, a trend also
implies change.
Pattern is a series of data that repeats in a re- cognizable way period. It can be identified in the
history of the asset being evaluated or other assets with similar characteristics. Patterns can
occur within a downward or upward trend, or they can mark the beginning of a new trend.
Emerging Patterns are sets of items whose frequency changes significantly from one dataset to
another. They are useful as a means of discovering distinctions inherently present amongst a
collection dataset and have been shown to be a powerful method for construction accurate
classifiers. Time is a moment, hour, day or year as indicated by a clock or calendar. It is the
most important factor which ensures success in a business. It’s difficult to keep up with the
speed of time. Time Series Forecasting is used to predict future values based on previously
observed values.
Parts that Emerge a Trend
The entirety is understood by their component consciousness. The parts, as products of the
total division, can only be understood through understanding of the whole. The classical
German philosophers F. Von Schelling and G. Hegel introduced the distinction between the
inorganic and the inorganic (self-developing) whole; the organic whole, however, was
associated with nonmaterial development only, and not with matter.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, in the frequent principled schools of thought, such as
neovitalism, holism, and intuitivism, the connection between parts and whole was viewed in
similar terms.
Emergence of Trends
How do we distinguish that a trend is preliminary emerging? The capacity to recognize
emerging trends is engrained in our capacity to distinguish patterns. This, of development, lies
in the inside works of the human brain, which are established in our intellectual processes. Our
encounter with patterns was helped by involvement and managed by the mind through concept
and simplification.
According to the philosopher John Locke, there are no innate ideas. All of the philosophies that
we have are resulting from involvement and that every composite idea that we have in our mind
can be drawn back to a simple idea. Experience, for Locke, is contained of awareness and
reflection.

STAGES OF AN EMERGING PATTERN

According to Duin and Pekalska (2007), outline recognition is categorized by three phases,
namely, representation, generalization and evaluation. Adaptation, which serves as an
intermediary phase is also involved in the development. Identifying the emergence of trends is
categorized by our capacity to identify patterns. The procedure of pattern recognition is
characterized by three stages, namely:
1. Representation – real world objects have to be represented in a formal way in order to
be examined and associated. Representation is an essential aspect of pattern
recognition and is different from classification. It largely influences the success of the
stages to come.
2. Generalization or Inference – in this stage we learn a concept from a training set, the set
of known and appropriately represented examples, in such a way that prediction can be
made in some unknown properties of new examples. The most common property is the
class of pattern it belongs to, which is the above mention classification task.
3. Evaluation – in this stage we estimate how our (pattern recognition process) performs on
known training and validation data. If the results are unsatisfactory, then the previous
steps have to be considered. Adaptation is an intermediate stage between
representation and generalization, in which representations, learning methodology or
problem statement are adapted or extended in order to enhance the final recognition. It
may reduce or simplify the representation, or it may enrich it by emphasizing particular
aspects. Exploratory data analysis may be used to guide the choices of suitable learning
strategies.

TYPES OF DATA EMERGING PATTERN

Types of Data Emerging Patterns
A. Trend
1. Linear Trend is a continuous decrease or increase in numbers over time.
 Upward Trend is the increase in the quantity or price.
 Downward Trend is the decrease in the quantity or price.
2. Exponential Trend are non-linear curved lines where the data rises or falls not at a
steady rate, but at a higher rate. Thus, instead of a straight line pointing diagonally up,
the graph will show a curved line where the last point in later years is higher than the
first year, if the trend is up.
3. Damped Trend - is a curved line that shows data values rise or fall initially, and then
suddenly stops rising or falling.

B. Seasonal
 It is when fluctuations repeat over fixed periods of time and are hence predictable and
do not extend beyond a year. Seasonality may be caused by various factors, such as
weather, vacation, and holidays and usually consists of periodic, repetitive, and
generally regular and predictable patterns.

C. Cyclical
 It is when fluctuations do not repeat over fixed periods of time and are hence
unpredictable and extend beyond a year. In a recession, for example, employment,
production and many other business and economic series are below the long-term trend
lines. Conversely, in periods of rise they are above their long-term trend lines.
 D. Random or Irregular or Error
 These are fluctuations in time series that are short induration, erratic in nature and follow
no regularity in the occurrence pattern. In prediction, the objective is to “model” all the
components to some trend patterns to the point that the only component that remains
unexplained is the random component.

CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES OF A TREND IN SPECIFIC DISCIPLINE

Cause – a reason for doing or feeling something. Something that brings about an effect or a
result.
Consequence – is what happens as a result of the cause. Technology – the use of science in
industry, engineering, etc.
Education – the action of process of teaching someone especially in a school, college, or
university.
Social Media – forms of electronic communication (such as web sites) through which users
create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, other content (such
as videos). Fashion – a prevailing custom, usage, or style.
Medicine – substance or preparation used in treating disease.
CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES OF A TREND
‘Causality’ is the connection of the phenomena in which one thing is the cause gives rise to or
causes something else the effect under certain circumstances. Its essence and importance lie in
the generation and determination of one phenomenon. – Alexander Spirkin.
Meanwhile, regarding cause and effect, it appears, that many of the things that we experienced
in the world are characterized by the cause and effect. This is also crucial for us in identifying
patterns. Interestingly, cause and effect can be useful in recognizing patterns. Example, change
in oil prices can cause changes in the price of commodities as their consequences. From this,
we can say that the pattern or trend is: high oil prices = high prices of commodities whereas low
oil prices = low prices of commodities. This relationship between cause and consequences and
the emergence of trend or pattern have proven to be very useful to us in many occasions.
Apart from the seeming nature of the world to be organized in a particular pattern that enable us
to see and analyzed to identify emerging trends, there are other external factors that influence
such emergence. These factors also play a vital role in the promotion and endurance of trends.
These factors are technology, education, social media, fashion and medicine.
TRENDS, NETWORKS, AND CRITICAL THINKING IN THE 21ST CENTURY
Lesson 2: Understanding Local Networks
“The intuitive mind is sacred gift and the rational mind is faithful servant. We have created a
society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.” - Albert Einstein
A NETWORK is a group of people whom we interact daily. Our relationships are networked. If
you look at nature, networks are everywhere. The cellular network in the human brain, for
instance, is an amazing network that makes human life possible. (Mabagos, 2017)
This introduces us to the idea and importance of a network for us human beings. A gathering of
individuals we interface consistently family, companions, neigbors, intructors and managers.
Network is a group of people whom we interact daily.
Networks are analyzed in terms of density, hierarchy, complexity, interdependence and
embeddedness (Kilduff and Tsal, 2003, pp.3off).
1. Density
The density of a network is based on the number of connections between and among the
actors. According to Kilduf and Tsai, the higher the number, the denser the system.The
density of a network depicts the potential associations in a system that are genuine
associations while a potential connection is an association that could possibly exists
between two “hubs” paying little respect to regardless of whether it really does.

2. Hierarchy
Actors in the network can pull their investments in social relations by establishing relations
with a diverse set of groups in the community (preferably groups that are not connected to
each other), rather than establishing all of their relationships with members of one group.

3. Complexity
Complexity is the extent to which a link between actors served a multiplicity of interests in
the community. The more complex relations have considered have higher tie strength.
Complexity also represents the extent to which two people are bound to each other in
different social grounds.

4. Interdependence
The ties in the network can be useful in facilitating change and reform. The
interdependence of social ties in a community produces benefits for actors and members.
Interdependence facilitates cooperation and creates social capital necessary for the
progress of the community. Social capital is the accumulated benefits as a result of the
maintenance of a positive relationship between different groups and associations in the
community.

5. Embeddedness
The networks of relations within each person is rooted include family, friends, and
acquaintances. To be sure, business associations themselves are held together by formal
relations of power as well as by casual connections that interface individuals crosswise over
departmental and progressive limits.
STRATEGIC ANALYSIS
It is a process of examining and identifying a problem/threats using rational thinking,
conceptualizing with systematic and step-by-step process. It is use to analyze an organization to
formulate a strategic planning in achieving goal/aims. A process of conducting research to
identify problems in the environment to formulate a strategy for creating solutions.
Strategic-analytical thinking involves time, uses abstract and criteria, brain-centered to see the
big picture of the environment to formulate strategy in achieving goal.
INTUITIVE THINKING
It is a “quick and ready insight” (Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary). A kind of thinking that
examines and understands a certain problem without using logical reasoning or rational
thinking. It referred to as your gut feeling, your instinct, senses and years of experiences that
can help to create solutions in a certain problem in an organization or in the community.
The following are great quotes from great personalities (Timeforchange.org):
1. Albert Einstein- “There is no logical way to the discovery of these elemental laws. There is
only the way of intuition, which is helped by a feeling for the order lying behind the
appearance.”
2. Alexis Carrel- “All great men are gifted with intuition. They know without reasoning or
analysis what they need to know.”
3. Lao Tzu- “The power of intuitive understanding will protect you from harm until the end of
your days
KEY COMPONENTS OF STRATEGIC ANALYSIS
There are lot of factors to be a strategic thinker. Strategic thinking understands and examines to
see the big picture of an organization or a community.
The following are the key components of strategic analysis

1. Tool analysis – it uses to help in the formulation of strategy. The common tool analyses
use is the SWOT analysis and the PEST analysis.
2. Rational – means being logical in examining a situation.
3. Systematic - there is a step-by-step process in identifying problems.
4. Goals - talks about the purpose of the organization.
5. Strategic Planning - clarifies the ways in which our daily work will help move the goals
forward.
Tools analysis Rational Systematic Goals Strategic Planning
KEY COMPONENTS OF INTUITIVE THINKING
Intuitive thinking helps you understand reality because of its components.

1. Lack of Rationalization - creates solutions without logical reasoning.

2. Non-sequential - there is no step-by-step process in planning.
3. Insights - uses to understand a person, thing or a situation with the help of senses.
4. Gut feel - a quick reaction without logical rationale.
5. Experiences - can help to understand the situation because trained experiences.
APPLYING STRATEGIC ANALYSIS
Strategy is important in solving problem. Being strategic means, you are logical. Applying
strategic analysis will help a community or an organization. It takes time to create solution
because of there are steps and processes to be followed. One of the components of strategic
analyses is the use of tool analysis or the different methods to identify and address the threats
and problems. The two common tool analyses used are the SWOT analysis and the PEST
analysis.
SWOT Analysis - is a tool analysis used to know the strength, weaknesses (internal factors),
opportunities and threats (external factors) in an organization to achieve a goal. Internal factors-
are factors within the company, the strength and weakness of the company/organization.
External factors -are affecting factors outside the company that affects the plan of the
company/organization.

Example of SWOT analysis for Jollibee

PEST Analysis- (political, economic, social and technological) is tool used in an organization
that can assess major external factors that influence its operation in order to achieve goal and
be competitive

Example of PEST Analysis for Coronavirus

CREATIVE SOLUTIONS USING INTUITIVE THINKING

Intuitive thinking is the ability to understand the reality without using logical reasoning. It uses
years of experiences and your senses to create solution to a certain problem in the community.
Intuitive thinking can actually create solution without using tool analysis as long as there’s a lot
of experiences and expertise and at the same time social networks can be used to create
solutions.
A social network is a set of social actors (such as individual or organization, institutions) in a
social structure that interacts with each other. In the map of social networks, it helps us to
examine and understand situations which can identify problems/threats in a certain community,
since these networks are interrelated. Institutions like politics, economic, cultural and even
kinship ties help to examine and identify problems in making creative solutions.

TRENDS, NETWORKS, AND CRITICAL THINKING IN THE 21ST CENTURY

Lesson 3: Global Networks
GLOBALIZATION
The speedup of movements and exchanges of citizenry, goods, and services, capital,
technologies or cultural practices, everywhere in the world. One of the effects of globalization is
that it promotes and increases interactions between different regions and populations around
the globe. It aims to standardized income distribution through its economic integration schemes.
It shows that globalization have advantages and drawbacks.
Examples of Globalization
Globalization includes a much wider field than just flowing of goods, services or capital. Often
referred to as the globalization concept map, some examples of globalization are:
A. Economic globalization is the development of trade systems within transnational actors
such as corporations or NGOs;
B. Financial globalization can be linked with the rise of a global financial system with
international financial exchanges and monetary exchanges.
C. Cultural globalization refers to the interpenetration of cultures which, as a consequence,
means nations adopt principles, beliefs, and costumes of other nations, losing their
unique culture to a unique, and globalized supra-culture.
D. Political globalization is the development and growing influence of international
organizations such WHO which means governmental action takes place at an
international level.
E. Sociological globalization is information moves almost in real-time, together with the
interconnection and interdependence of events and their consequences.
F. Technological globalization is the phenomenon by which millions of people are
interconnected thanks to the power of the digital world via platforms such as Facebook,
Instagram, Skype or YouTube.
G. Geographic globalization is the new organization and hierarchy of different regions of the
world that is constantly changing.
 H. Ecological globalization is an account for the idea of considering planet Earth as a single
global entity – a common good all societies should protect since the weather affects
everyone and we are all protected by the same atmosphere.
EFFECTS OF GLOBALIZATION
The effects were widely seen in every economy because of the borderless concept of
globalization such as:
1. We are enjoying imported products and the best services from foreign companies. And
those products are extremely helpful for every task we used to do.
2. Knowledge became easily shared by the brightest minds through the internet.
3. Technologies become an aid in communication, transportation, education, and finance.
This means that economic globalization contributes a lot to everyday life of an individual
or group of people. In spite of its good effects, globalization has also bad effects that
hinder equality among people. The consequences of globalization in economic are also
visible, especially in the gap between poor and rich and it is an advantage to those
developed countries that manipulated regulation in global trade.
GLOBAL NETWORKS
Globalization made people for liberal, open, dynamic, innovative and mature with the exchange
of ideas and practices between people of the world. Global networks include the following:

 Development of the WWW through the internet.

 Networks of individuals, communities and organizations that operates globally.
 Use of cyberspace and other technological innovation that gave rise to global village.
Factors gave rise to Globalization
a. Advancement in education
b. Advancement in Science and Technology
c. Social and Political Liberation
Free Market Economy – Unified international economies through universal and inter-financial
institutions through global policies and international trading agreements. – E.g. BPO’s (Business
Process Outsourcing Companies)
Collaboration and Cooperation
An illustration below shows the difference of collaboration and cooperation.
Cooperation is the two people carrying their own “similar” baskets to a common destination for
mutually beneficial individual gain, increasing impact, volume and leverage. Meanwhile,
Collaboration is a two people carrying their two baskets (or maybe even more and often very
different) by sharing the load between them, to a shared destination for the mutual benefit of the
individuals, collective and entity. For a more in depth and pragmatic treatment of the two
concepts, including when each is best suited for use, keep reading.
Cooperation

 more or less active assistance or willingness to assist;

 collective exertion of force, power, or influence; agency. Requires Co-alliance;
 an act or instance of working or acting together for a common purpose or benefit; joint
operation or action;
 the combination of persons partaking in activities for purposes of a particular process,
course or procedure of productive or industrial activity shared for their joint or mutual
benefit.
Collaboration

 to work, usually willingly, with an enemy.

 to work with another or others on a joint project, as in Coalition.
 structured methods of collaboration encourage introspection of behavior and
communication
 to working with others to do a task, and to achieve shared purpose. It is a recursive
process where two or more people or organizations work together to realize shared
goals, (this is more than the intersection of common goals seen in co-operation.
LABOR AND MIGRATION
LABOR is the quantity of physical, mental, and social effort castoff to create goods and services
in an economy. It provides the expertise, manpower, and service needed to generate raw
resources into finished stuffs and services.
Labor is measured through the means of labor force or labor pool. To be considered part of the
labor force, one must be legible, willing to work, and are on the right age to do so because there
are some who are not ready to work however, turn themselves in working just to provide for
their families.
Types of Labor
1. The Unskilled - This job does not require intensive training because it is more on skills or
manual labors such as farm workers, it can also be service work, such as janitorial or
others.
2. The Skilled - This kind of labor requires some educational degree or training. An
example is manufacturing jobs.
3. Part-time Labor - It is categorized by the nature of the relationship with the employer.
This means they are managed or supervised by a boss. They also receive a set weekly
or bi-weekly wage or depending on the number of hours of service and its equivalent
amount.
4. Contract Labor - It is when a contract stipulates the work to be done. It’s up to the worker
to define and identify on how his/her works gets done. The amount paid is either
contract or a set fee for the work. Benefits are not included.
5. Slave Labor - It is an illegal employment. It happens when the worker is forced to work
without consent or against their will.
6. Professional Labor - These are referred to individuals with highest level of knowledge-
based education and managerial skills. These people have usually invested the most of
their careers and make the highest wage earners.
MIGRATION
Ever since, people have been on the move in search of jobs or economic opportunities, to join
family, or to study. Some people have to move to run away conflict, harassment, terrorism, or
human rights violations. Still others have to move in response to the opposing effects of climate
change, natural disasters, or other environmental factors such job related and social status.
Migration as it stands has been one of the causes of the said mean.
Types of Migration
1. Permanent Migration- It refers when someone moves from one place to another and has
no intention to return to their original place.
2. Temporary Migration- It is limited by time. This happens because of work related or this
could be for seasonal employment.
3. Forced Migration- It involves the migrant having no choice but to move. Some of the
examples are refugees migrating due to conflicts or disasters such as earthquakes,
tsunamis, floods, typhoons or wars.
Indeed, globalization has brought a great impact both in labor and migration due to its powerful
force which caused a change in the world today affecting all people in societies.
CHALLENGES FACED BY MIGRANT WORKERS
Migrant workers come to the different parts of the world in search of jobs, usually in farming or
domestic work. They face challenges that are not present for native workers. Many of them do
not have the required paperwork to stay in the country legally, so they face the constant threat
of deportation.
1. Coercion
Undocumented migrant workers may not be willing to report a workplace injury because
they are afraid of being reported to immigration authorities or losing their jobs and not
being able to find another employer willing to take them on.

2. Lack of Benefits
Because they are often paid in cash off the books, migrant workers are not eligible for
company benefits such as pensions and insurance plans. They also miss out on
unemployment, disability and Social Security benefits from the government. Breaks,
overtime, sick pay and minimum wage laws may not be followed because there is no
recourse for the worker.

3. Dangerous Conditions
Workers may be housed in unsanitary conditions, which are especially dangerous for
children. If the company provides food for its employees, it is often low quality and not
very nutritious. Migrant workers are also subject to harsh conditions on the job, such as
working in extreme weather for long hours with no breaks.

4. Cultural Differences
Cultural differences present problems for migrant workers even when they are away
from the job site. Local residents may discriminate or resent migrant workers for taking
the available jobs in the area. Migrant workers are often isolated from their neighbors
because they do not speak the language and shop mostly at ethnic stores. The
language barrier can also make it difficult to understand legal documents such as leases
and tax forms.

5. Educational Issues
Children of migrant workers often miss school and fall behind their peers because they
have to work along with the rest of the family. Child labor laws are typically not enforced
among the migrant population, so there is no protection for the children. Even when the
child does not perform any actual work, he may spend the day at the job site with his
parents because there is no available daycare. Families tend to move according to the
seasons, which makes it even more difficult for the children to keep up in school.
TRENDS, NETWORKS, AND CRITICAL THINKING IN THE 21ST CENTURY
Lesson 4: Planetary Networks: Climate Change
Change is inevitably. The era of globalization certainly contributed in changing the landscape of
the world and its inhabitants. Amid this growth and advancement in technology, the environment
seems to bear and suffer the consequences. Every day, we are confronted with issues and
problems related to the environment. The issue on climate change is one concrete
manifestation and realization that the age of globalization and the rapid industrial and
technological advancement has taken its toll on the natural environment. (Arasa, 2017)
Climate Change is "a change of climate which is attributed directly or indirectly to human
activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere" (United Nations Forum Convention
on Climate Change)

Global Warming

The ecological crisis is a moral issue ...Respect for Life and for the dignity of the human person
extends also to the rest of creation...We cannot interfere in one area of the ecosystem without
paying due attention both to the consequences of such interference in other areas and to the
well-being of future generations. - John Paul II 1990
Global warming causes serious problems that will greatly affect human beings.
Air and water pollution, toxic wastes, improper garbage disposal, destruction of wildlife habitats,
deforestation, mining are some of the problems that relate to environmental destruction. The
many typhoons and strong rains were indeed devastating. The pollution of international waters,
the irreversible destruction of the world's forests and increased toxic emissions in the air we
breathe, among other things, leave us to ponder our relationship with the environment.

(WOLLERSHEIM, 2020)
One concrete effect of this lifestyle is global warming. The use of coal and oil in generating
electricity for industrial and residential settings is a big factor in increasing levels of carbon
dioxide in the atmosphere, which contributes to the warming of the planet. The increasing level
of carbon dioxide also contribute to what scientists call the "greenhouse effect". The
greenhouse effect takes place when gases are trapped in the atmosphere and retain heat from
the sun. Warming of the planet causes serious problems that will greatly affect human beings.
"The most important things about global warming is this: Whether humans are responsible for
the bulk of climate change is going to be left to the scientists, but it is all our responsibility to
leave this planet in better shape for the future generations than we found it. - Mike Huckabee

PLANETARY NETWORKS: CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change, also called global warming, refers to the rise in average surface temperatures
on Earth. An overwhelming scientific consensus maintains that climate change is due primarily
to the human use of fossil fuels, which releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases
into the air.

EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE

Global climate change has already had observable effects on the environment. Glaciers have
shrunk, ice on rivers and lakes is breaking up earlier, plant and animal ranges have shifted and
trees are flowering sooner.
Effects that scientists had predicted in the past would result from global climate change are now
occurring: loss of sea ice, accelerated sea level rise and longer, more intense heat waves.

1. Change will continue through this century and beyond

Global climate is projected to continue to change over this century and beyond. The
magnitude of climate change beyond the next few decades depends primarily on the
amount of heat-trapping gases emitted globally, and how sensitive the Earth’s climate is
to those emissions.

2. Temperatures will continue to rise

Because human-induced warming is superimposed on a naturally varying climate, the
temperature rise has not been, and will not be, uniform or smooth across the country or
over time.

3. Frost-free season (and growing season) will lengthen.

The length of the frost-free season (and the corresponding growing season) has been
increasing nationally since the 1980s, with the largest increases occurring in the western
United States, affecting ecosystems and agriculture. Across the United States, the
growing season is projected to continue to lengthen.
In a future in which heat-trapping gas emissions continue to grow, increases of a month
or more in the lengths of the frost-free and growing seasons are projected across most
of the U.S. by the end of the century, with slightly smaller increases in the northern Great
Plains. The largest increases in the frost-free season (more than eight weeks) are
projected for the western U.S., particularly in high elevation and coastal areas. The
increases will be considerably smaller if heat-trapping gas emissions are reduced.

4. Changes in precipitation patterns

Average U.S. precipitation has increased since 1900, but some areas have had
increases greater than the national average, and some areas have had decreases. More
winter and spring precipitation are projected for the northern United States, and less for
the Southwest, over this century.
Projections of future climate over the U.S. suggest that the recent trend towards
increased heavy precipitation events will continue. This trend is projected to occur even
in regions where total precipitation is expected to decrease, such as the Southwest.

5. More droughts and heat waves

Droughts in the Southwest and heat waves (periods of abnormally hot weather lasting
days to weeks) everywhere are projected to become more intense, and cold waves less
intense everywhere.
 Summer temperatures are projected to continue rising, and a reduction of soil moisture,
which exacerbates heat waves, is projected for much of the western and central U.S. in
summer. By the end of this century, what have been once-in-20-year extreme heat days
(one-day events) are projected to occur every two or three years over most of the nation.

6. Hurricanes will become stronger and more intense

The intensity, frequency and duration of North Atlantic hurricanes, as well as the
frequency of the strongest (Category 4 and 5) hurricanes, have all increased since the
early 1980s. The relative contributions of human and natural causes to these increases
are still uncertain. Hurricane-associated storm intensity and rainfall rates are projected to
increase as the climate continues to warm.

7. Sea level will rise 1-4 feet by 2100

Global sea level has risen by about 8 inches since reliable record keeping began in
1880. It is projected to rise another 1 to 4 feet by 2100. This is the result of added water
from melting land ice and the expansion of seawater as it warms.
In the next several decades, storm surges and high tides could combine with sea level
rise and land subsidence to further increase flooding in many of these regions. Sea level
rise will not stop in 2100 because the oceans take a very long time to respond to warmer
conditions at the Earth’s surface. Ocean waters will therefore continue to warm and sea
level will continue to rise for many centuries at rates equal to or higher than that of the
current century.

8. Arctic likely to become ice-free

The Arctic Ocean is expected to become essentially ice free in summer before mid-
century.

STEPS TO ADRESS THE PROBLEMS IN CLIMATE CHANGE

Save the Planet!

1. Climate Change Mitigation
2. Sustainability without compromise
3. Give up the Use of Fossil Fuels
4. Fermentation of Sugars
5. Transterification of Vegetable Oils
6. Hydro Treating of Vegetable Oils
7. Upgrade the Infrastructures
8. Move closer to Work
9. Consume Less
10. Be Efficient
11. Eat Smart, Go Vegetarian
12. Stop Cutting Down Trees
 13. Unplug
14. One Child
15. Terraforming Mars (last option)

TRENDS, NETWORKS, AND CRITICAL THINKING IN THE 21ST CENTURY

Lesson 5: Democratic Interventions

“Ideology” has come to refer to a set of ideas that tries to link thought with action. That is,
ideologies attempt to shape how people think and therefore how they act. As we shall use the
term, then, an ideology is a fairly coherent and comprehensive set of ideas that explains
and evaluates social conditions, helps people understand their place in society, and
provides a program for social and political action.

FOUR FUNCTIONS OF IDEOLOGY

EXPLANATORY An ideology explains why social, political, and economic
conditions are as they are, particularly in times of crisis. At
such times people will search, sometimes frantically, for
some explanation of what is happening.
EVALUATIVE The second function of ideologies is to supply standards for
evaluating social conditions. There is difference, after all,
between explaining why certain things are happening and
deciding whether those things are good or bad.
ORIENTATIVE An ideology supplies its adherent with an orientation and a
sense of identity of who he or she is, the group (race, nation,
 sex, and so on) to which he or she belongs, and how he or
she is related to the rest of the world.
PROGRAMMATIC An ideology, finally, tells its followers what to do and how to
do it. It performs a programmatic or prescriptive function by
setting out a general program of social and political action. If
an ideology provides a diagnosis of social conditions that
leads you to believe that conditions are bad and growing
worse, it will not be likely to win your support unless it can
also supply a prescription or program for action that seems
likely to improve matters.

HUMAN NATURE
Some conception of human nature some notion of basic human drives, motivations, limitations,
and possibilities to present, at least implicitly, in every ideology. Some ideologies assume that it
is the “nature” of human beings to compete with one another in hopes of acquiring the greatest
possible share to scarce resources; other hold that people are “naturally” inclined to cooperate
with one another and to share what they have with others.
So, for example, a classical liberal or a contemporary libertarian is likely to believe that human
beings are “naturally” competitive and acquisitive. A communist, by contrast, will hold that
competitiveness and acquisitiveness are “unnatural” and nasty vices nurtured by a deformed
and deforming capitalist system a system that warps people whose “true” nature is to be
cooperative and generous. Still other ideologies take it for granted that human beings have a
natural or innate racial consciousness that compels them to associate with their own kind and to
avoid associating or even sympathizing with members of other races.
Thus, Nazis maintain that it is “natural” for races to struggle for dominance and “unnatural” to
seek interracial peace and harmony. They also deny that there is a single, universal human
nature shared by all human beings, each race, they say, has its own unique “nature”. These
competing conceptions of human nature are important to the understanding of political
ideologies because they play a large part in determining how each ideology performs the four
functions that every ideology must perform. They are especially important because each
ideology’s notion of human nature sets limits on what it considers to be politically possible.
FREEDOM
Strange as it seems, every ideology claims to defend and extend “freedom” (or “liberty,” its
synonym). Freedom figure in the performance of both the evaluative and programmatic
functions, with all ideologies condemning societies that do not promote freedom and promising
to take steps to promote it themselves. But different ideologies define freedom in different ways.
A classical conservative’s understanding of freedom differs from a classical liberal’s or
contemporary libertarian’s understanding, for instance; both, in turn, disagree with a
communist’s view of freedom; and all three diverge radically from a Nazi’s notion of freedom.
This is because freedom is an essentially contested concept. What counts as being free is a
matter of controversy, in the other words, because there is no one indisputably correct definition
of “freedom”. Because every ideology claims to promote freedom, that concept provides a
convenient basis for comparing and contrasting different ideologies.
According to MacCallum (1967), every conception of freedom includes three features: (A) an
agent, (B) a barrier or obstacle blocking the agent, and (C) a goal at which the agent aims.
The agent is the person or group that is or should be free. But an agent is not simply free; to be
free, an agent must be free to pursue a goal, whether it is speaking one’s mind, practicing one’s
religion, or merely going for a stroll in the park. No one can be free to pursue a goal, however,
unless he or she is also free from particular obstacles, barriers, or restraints. These may take a
wide variety of form walls, chains, prejudices, and poverty, to name a few but the point is that no
one can be free when there are obstacles that prevent him or her from doing what he or she
wants to do. So “freedom” refers to a relationship involving an agent who is both free from some
obstacle and free to achieve some goal.

THE ORIGINS OF DEMOCRACY

“Democracy”, the word and democracy the form began in ancient Greek. The word comes from
a combination of the Greek noun demos, meaning “people”, and the verb kratia, ”to rule”. For
the Greeks, demokratia meant specifically “rule or government by the common people” that is,
those who were uneducated, unsophisticated, and poor. Because these people made up the
majority of the citizenry, democracy was identified, as it often is today, with majority rule.
CRITICISMS OF ATHENIAN DEMOCRACY
In the fifth and fourth centuries BCE, however, those who favored democracy found themselves
facing a different criticism. This was the complaint that democracy is a dangerously unstable
form of government.
Plato believed that democracy is dangerous because it puts political power into the hands of
ignorant and envious people. Because they are ignorant, he argued, the people will not know
how to use political power for the common good. Because they are envious people they will be
concerned only with their own good, which they will seek to advance by plundering those who
are better off. Because they are both ignorant and envious they will be easily swayed by
demogogues – literally, leaders are the demos – who will flatter them, appeal to their envy, and
turn citizen against citizen.
From democracy, in short, comes civil war and anarchy, the destruction of the city state. When
democracy has left the polis in this wretched condition, according to Plato’s analysis, the people
will cry for law and order.
This argument against democracy found favor with a number of political thinkers, including
Plato’s student Aristotle. Aristotle maintained that democracy is one of six basic kinds of
political regimes or constitutions. Governing power, he said in his Politics, may be in the hands
of one person, a few people, or many; and this power may be exercised either for the good of
the whole community in which case it is good or true or solely for the good of the rulers in which
case it is bad or perverted.
Aristotle’s classification of constitutions or regime-types is the inclusion of polity, the good form
of rule by the many. For Aristotle, polity differs from democracy because it mixes elements of
rule by the few with elements of rule by the many. The virtue of this mixed constitution or
government is that each group can keep an eye on the other the well-to-do few on the many,
the many on the well-to-do few – so that neither class can pursue its interest at the expense of
the common interest.
THREE CONCEPTIONS OF DEMOCRACY
 LIBERAL DEMOCRACY
- Liberal democracy emerged from liberalism. As with liberalism in general, liberal
democracy stresses the rights and liberal of the individual and it is this form of
democracy that characterizes most Western democracies. For liberals, democracy is
certainly rule by the people, but an essential part of this rule includes the protection of
individual rights and liberties. This means that majority rule must be limited. Democracy
is rule by the majority of the people, in this view, but only as long as those in the majority
do not try to deprive individuals or minorities of their basic civil rights. The right to speak
and worship freely, the right to run for public office, the right to own property these is
among the rights and liberties that liberals have generally taken to be necessary to
realize the demographic ideal as they interpret it (Ball et al., 2014)

 SOCIAL DEMOCRACY
- Within the Western democracies, especially in Europe, the main challenge to the liberal
conception in social democracy. This view is linked to the ideology of socialism. From a
“social democratic” or “democratic socialist” perspective, the key to democracy is
equality, especially equal power in society and government. Social democrats argue that
liberal democracy puts poor and working-class people at the mercy of the rich. In the
modern world, they say, many is the major source of power, and those who have wealth
have power over those who do not. Democracy is rule by the people, and such rule
requires that every person have a roughly equal influence over the government, in
keeping with the principle “one person, one vote.” But we will not really have this equal
influence, social democrats say, unless we take steps to distribute power including
economic power in a more nearly equal fashion. That is why the program of social
democrats typically calls for the redistribution of wealth to promote equality, public rather
than private control of natural resources and major industries, and workers’ control of the
workplace. Like liberals, then, social democrats want to preserve civil liberties and
promote fair competition for political office. Unlike liberals, however, they deny that most
people can be truly free or political competition fair when great inequalities of wealth and
power prevail. (Ball et al., 2014)

 PEOPLE’S DEMOCRACY
- People’s democracy is theoretically closer to the original Greek idea of democracy rule
by and in the interests of the demos, the common people than liberal or social
democracy. From a communist perspective, the common people are the proletariat, or
the working class, and democracy will not be achieved until government rules in their
interest. This does not necessarily mean that the proletariat must itself directly control
the government. As communists once called for the dictatorship of the proletariat, a
form of dictatorship that Karl Marx described as ruling in the interest of the working
class. The immediate purpose of this dictatorship would be to suppress the capitalists or
 bourgeoisie who have previously used their power and wealth to exploit the working
class. By suppressing them, the dictatorship of the proletariat supposedly prepares the
common people for the classless society of the communist future, when the state itself
will “wither away.” In the meantime, people’s democracy is to consist of rule by the
Communist Party for the benefit of the working majority. This is the sense in which Mao
Zedong spoke of a “people’s democratic dictatorship” in the People’s Republic of China
(Ball et al., 2014).

CORE DEMOCRATIC CHARACTERISTICS

1. Democracy is government in which power and civic responsibility are exercised
by all adult citizens, directly, or through their freely elected representatives.
2. Democracy rests upon the principles of majority rule and individual right.
Democracies guard against all-powerful central governments and decentralized
government to regional and local levels, understanding that all levels of
government must be accessible and responsive to the people as possible.
3. Democracies understand that one of their prime functions is to protect such basic
human rights as freedom of speech and religion; the right to equal protection
under law; and the opportunity to organize and participate fully in the political,
economic, and cultural life of society.
4. Democracies conduct regular free and fair elections open to citizens of voting
age. Citizens in a democracy have not only rights, but also the responsibility to
participate in the political system that, in turn, protects the rights and freedoms.
5. Democratic societies are committed to the values of tolerance, cooperation, and
compromise. In the words of Mahatma Gandhi, intolerance it itself a form of
violence and an obstacle to the growth of a true democratic spririt.

DEMOCRATIC PRACTICES
Majority rule must be coupled by guarantees of individual
human rights that, in turn, serve to protect the rights of
MAJORITY RULE AND minorities and dissenters whether ethnic, religious, or
MINORITY RIGHTS simply the losers in political debate. The rights of
minorities do not depend upon the good will of the majority
and cannot be eliminated by majority vote.
In a democracy, government is only one thread in the
social fabric of many and varied public and private
institutions, legal forums, political parties, organizations,
PLURALISM AND
and associations. This diversity is called pluralism, and it
DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY
assumes that the many organized groups and institutions
in a democratic society do not depend upon government
for their existence, legitimacy, or authority.
SPEECH, ASSEMBLY, AND Freedom of speech and expression, especially about
PROTEST political and social issues, is the lifeblood of any
 democracy. Democratic governments do not control the
content of most written and verbal speech. Thus,
democracies are usually filled with many voices
expressing different or even contrary ideas and opinions.
All citizens should be free to follow their conscience in
matters of religious faith. Freedom of religion includes the
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AND right to worship alone or with others, in public or private, or
TOLERANCE not to worship at all, and to participate in religious,
observance, practice, and teaching without fear of
persecution from government or other groups in society.
Citizenship in a democracy requires participation, civility,
patience – rights as well as responsibilities. Political
scientist Benjamin Barber has noted. Democracy is often
understood as the rule of the majority, and rights are
CITIZEN RESPONSIBILITIES understood more and more as then private possessions of
individuals. For democracy to succeed, citizens must be
active, not passive, because they know that the success
or failure of the government in their responsibility, and no
one else’s.
Free and fair elections are essential in assuring the
consent of the governed, which is the bedrock of
ELECTION democratic politics. Election serves as the principal
mechanism for translating that concept into governmental
authority.
The rule of law protects fundamental political, social, and
economic rights and defends citizens from the threats of
both tyranny and lawlessness. Rule of law means that no
EQUAL ADHERENCE TO LAW individual, whether president or private citizens, stands
above the law. Democratic governments exercise authority
by way of the law and are themselves subject to the laws
constraints.
In every society throughout history, those who have
administered the criminal justice system have held power
with the potential for abuse and tyranny. In the name of
state, individuals have been imprisoned, had their property
seized, have been tortured, exiled, and executed without
legal justification and often without formal changes ever
DUE PROCESS being brought. No democratic society can tolerate such
abuses. Every state must have the power to maintain
order and punish criminal acts, but the rules and
procedures by which the state enforces its law must be
public and explicit, not secret, arbitrary, or subject to
political manipulation and they must be the same for all.
This is what is meant by due process.
 IMPORTANCE OF DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION
Citizen’s participation is a process which provides private individuals an opportunity to
influence public decisions and to be a component of the democratic decision-making process.
Nowadays, more and more people are taking the initiative to make their local neighborhood
more livable, for instance by helping to maintain playgrounds and green spaces. As a result,
the relationship between society and government is changing. Sometimes the government
supports the engagement of the society but sometimes they don’t. Well, it depends on certain
conditions.
 Enrich and renew democracy
 Help promote sustainable political decisions, action and policy by recognizing and
communicating the needs and interests of all involved
 Strengthen understanding and action for human rights, and have a positive impact on
efforts to eradicate poverty and hunger and to achieve international development
goals.
 Empower and protect citizens, and realize the fundamental democratic right of
participation
 Promote people’s wellbeing and development of their skills
 Ensure and increase active members of political parties – which are vital organizations
in a strong democracy
 Promote peace and foster transitions to democracy.

PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY AND REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY

Representative democracy is a process involves an electorate selecting and voting on political

candidates and/or political parties, who in turn make policy. Citizens entrust their elected
leaders to act in accordance to how they wish to be represented. Candidates who behave
irrationally or unethical will likely not return to office after losing favor with the voting public. In
practice, this system of governance is also referred to as a republic. Certain people are
established as eligible voters based on their age or other qualifications. Eligible voters then elect
representatives to serve as government officials, such as members of a chamber, senate or
parliament. These officials typically are elected y voters in a certain area, such as a region of a
country. An elected official represents the citizens of his or her area and tacitly agrees to serve
their interests. Often, a representative must balance competing interests in his or her jurisdiction
and will try to satisfy the greatest number of his or her constituents.

Participatory democracy (also known as direct democracy) puts policy responsibilities directly
in the hands of citizenry. Every citizen plays an active role in the government. Many people
believe that for this type of government to be successful, it must be in a localized region with a
relatively small population. This is because large numbers of eligible citizens might clog the
working of the government, sparking endless debates and votes but never actually achieving
anything. Citizens must also have an active interest in the success of their governments for
participatory democracies to work as intended.
RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

RIGHTS RESPONSIBILITIES
Say what you think (freedom of opinion and Inform yourself (so you can make reasoned
expression; legitimate restrictions on hate choices)
speech and incitement to violence)
Join with other people (freedom of Vote (in elections at different levels; formal
assembly; development of civil society; participation)
increasing influence)
Express your preferences (vote in Have political conversations (develop your
elections; speak in public meetings and own ideas; exchange ideas with others)
enquiries, at local or national level)
Call for change (petition; propose; lobby; Respect other people’s views (political
debate; protest peacefully) tolerance)
Become a representative (go further in your Stay engaged (don’t think that no-one is
political engagement; stand for election, set listening and remember that change will only
up a group; campaign for a political come because people make it happen)
candidate or party)

TRENDS, NETWORKS, AND CRITICAL THINKING IN THE 21ST CENTURY

Lesson 6: Information Communication Technology (ICT)

ICT is technology that supports activities involving information. Such activities include gathering,
processing, storing, and presenting data. Increasingly these activities also involve collaboration
and communication. Hence IT has become ICT: information and communication technology. A
good way to think about ICT to consider all the uses of digital technology that already exist to
help individuals, businesses, and organizations use information. ICT covers any product that will
store, retrieve, manipulate, transmit, or receive information electronically in digital form.

TECHNOLOGY consists of manufactured objects like tools and containers. Their purpose is
either to enhance human capabilities (e.g., with a hammer you can apply a stronger force to an
object) or to enable humans to perform tasks they could not perform otherwise (with a pot you
can transport larger amounts of water; with your hands you cannot). Engineers call such objects
“hardware.” Anthropologists speak of “artifacts.” But technology does not end there. Artifacts
have to be produced. They have to be invented, designed, and manufactured. This requires a
larger system including hardware (such as machinery or a manufacturing plant), factor inputs
(labor, energy, raw materials, capital), and finally “software” (know-how, human knowledge and
skills). The latter, for which the French use the term technique, represents the disembodied
nature of technology, its knowledge base. Thus, technology includes both what things are made
and how things are made.

CHARACTERISTICS OF TECHNOLOGY

1. UNCERTAINTY – is a basic fact of life, and technology is no exception. The first

source of technological uncertainty derives from the fortunate fact that there always
exists a variety of solutions to perform a particular task. It is always uncertain which
might be “best,” considering technical criteria, economic criteria, and social criteria.

2. DYNAMIC – technology keeps changing all the time. Change includes a

continuous introduction of new varieties, or “species,” and continuous subsequent
improvements and modifications.

3. SYSTEMIC - Technological evolution is systemic. It cannot be treated as a

discrete, isolated event that concerns only one artifact. A new technology needs not
only to be invented and designed, but it needs to be produced. This requires a whole
host of other technologies. And it requires infrastructures.

4. CUMULATIVE – Technological change is cumulative. Changes build on previous

experience and knowledge. Only in rare cases is knowledge lost and not
reproducible. A new artifact, like a new species, is seldom designed from “scratch.”
DIMENSIONS OF TECHNOLOGY
Hence, technological knowledge INTEGRATION
and the stock IN THE CLASSROOM
of technologies in use grow
continuously.
I. CONTENT INTEGRATION
The first dimension of integrating a new technology is identifying how you will be able to
integrate your content into the technology. This has to be considered first to ensure that the
technology is suitable disseminate the content in the most productive way possible.

II. KNOWLEDGE CONSTRUCTION

Mastery of the new technology is vital to its success in your classroom. This is why
knowledge construction is the second dimension of proper technology integration.
Knowledge construction exists on several levels:
1. First, it is very beneficial to construct some background knowledge regarding other
possible tools that perform similar functions as the technology tool you are
interested in using with your students. There are several positives to this
methodology:
 1) You have the opportunity to find a resource that may actually work together.
2) You have a backup in the off chance that your tech tool is out of service the
day you want to use it in your classroom.
3) if students are expected to do work outside of class, giving them several
options will plan ahead for one or more technology tools not working with
varying systems at students’ homes.
2. The second important part of knowledge construction is learning the resource inside
and out. Once you have primary technology tool chosen, submerge yourself in the
resource and ensure that you have a complete understanding of the functionality.

III. EQUITY PEDAGOGY

After learning the technology inside and out, determine if this is something that all your
students could handle. If out of classwork is required, will student have access to the
technology outside of school? Answer to these questions will determine whether or not you
should continue moving forward with your plan. What is worth considering is how long you
will have to spend training your students in order to productively interact with your chosen
tool. Remember the key word of this tent, equity. Ensure that all students will be able to
perform your expected task in a reasonable amount of time and that if any outside work is
necessary, students will have access to the required tools to complete the assigned work.

IV. PREJUDICE REDUCTION

Students and staff are bound to have hesitation towards change or new methodologies.
Because of this, the fourth dimension of technology integration requires you to reduce
prejudices by offering training for all the stakeholders (students, staff, parents) prior to
requiring use of the technology. Teach the staff that will be using the technology what it is,
why it is beneficial, and how to teach it to their students. Teach the parents by sending
home information via email or a handout that details the tools being covered and provides
several tutorials that may come in handy.

V. EMPOWERING SOCIAL CULTURE

1. Empowering the use of this technology in ways that can better society and social
culture. More than anything, when introducing a new technology to the classroom,
never limits its worth to simply the task at hand. Explore with students the other
ways in which the tool is relevant in society and culture and how learning the
various uses of the tool will help to improve their functionality in the future on related
tasks.
2. Creating social environment that stimulates communication and growth among
peers. Socialization is wildly important to the development of our students. Step five
forces the educator to determine what aspects of the chosen tool could be
manipulated to be socially constructed and collaboratively built upon.

BENEFITS OF TECHNOLOGY TO THE SOCIETY

Improved Communication Advance communication technology tools
Easy Access to Information At anytime and anywhere
 Improved Housing and Lifestyle Most of the items that we have in our homes
today are automated
Improved Entertainment We have more video games now, good music to
listen and visual systems like smart TV’s
Social Networking Great improvement for individuals and
businesses.
Convenience in Education Online and mobile education
Convenience of Traveling Very important in our lives and in the business
world.
Changed the Health industry Modern technology in hospitals, reducing the
mistakes made by doctors and evolving the
patients’ treatment.
Efficiency and Productivity Helping businesses increasing production,
saving time and money in the industry.
Encourages Innovation and Creativity It is very easy to start a job today (while at home)

NEGATIVE IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY

The impact of technology on our social, mental, physical, and environmental health can be
devastating if don’t keep ourselves in check,

1. ISOLATION - Social isolation is characterized by a lack of contact with other people in

normal daily living, such as, the workplace, with friends, and in social activities.
2. LACK OF SOCIAL SKILLS – The use of online social media outlets causes us to meet
face-to-face with much less frequency resulting in a lack of much social skills. We lose
the ability to read body language and social cues in other people.
3. OBESITY – The more time people are spending engrossed in video games, talking to
friends online and watching funny cat videos on YouTube, they are spending less time
being active or exercising.
4. DEPRESSION – Technology creates the perfect recipe for depression with the lack of
human contact, overeating, and lack of exercise.
5. POOR SLEEP HABITS – Technology can be linked to the effect it has on sleep habits.
We get sucked into online activities that keep us up too late and the constant stream of
information can make it difficult to turn off our brains.
6. POLLUTION – With the rapid-changing world of electronics and technology, the turnover
rate for upgrades is staggering. This constant stream of our with the old, in with the new
is adding to the levels of toxicity in our air and land.
7. INCREASED BULLYING – The use of technology has caused an increase in bullying
and escalated the degree of severity. Kids are no longer able to escape their tormentors
once they reach the safety of their own homes,
8. LACK OF PRIVACY – The internet has stripped the world of privacy. Long gone re the
days of having an unlisted telephone number and staying offline to keep your information
safe from prying eyes. With a few flicks on a keyboard the average person can find
anyone’s address and contact information.
9. HIGHER LEVEL OF DECEIT – On the flip side side of having no privacy, people use the
internet to deceive others. Most people don’t dig too deeply when doing a search on
someone to check them out. By creating a few false profiles, people are able to pretend
to whomever they want.
10. WARPED SENSE OF REALITY – Using the internet as an escape from real life is very
easy to do.
11. STRESS – Constantly being “plugged in” and “connected” causes an extra layer of
stress that wasn’t present before the overuse of technology.
12. BLACKBERRY/IPHONE THUMBS – Tendonitis in the thumb, a.k.a. Blackberry/Iphone
Thumb is a form of repetitive strain injury caused by frequent use of thumbs to press
buttons on mobile devices.
13. LACK OF SOCIAL BOUNDARIES – Much in the same way that people over share on
social media sites; there is an increasing tendency to cross social boundaries. Cyber-
stalking someone or sending unsolicited nude photos are examples of grossly crossing
social boundaries.
14. LACK OF SEXUAL BOUNDARIES – Exposure to sexual content is more likely to
happen at a much younger age. Before the internet the only chance child had of being
exposed to pornography was if their father didn’t hide his Playboy magazine well
enough.
15. LACK OF SOCIAL BONDS – Creating a lasting bond with other people requires face-to-
face interaction. The more we isolate ourselves with technology the fewer bonds we will
form. People are expected to do more work at home which takes away time they would
be spending with their families.
16. CONSTANT DISTRACTION – When we are focused on a device instead of what’s going
on around us we miss a great deal. There is also a rise in the number of injuries incurred
by people texting while walking.
17. NECK AND HEAD PAIN – Constantly looking down at devices can cause neck pain and
over time will cause the neck to lose its natural curve. Eyestrain can also cause
headaches, blurred vision and migraines.
18. SHORTENED ATTENTION SPAN – The use of social media has shortened our
attention span from 12 minutes to 5 minutes. Constant news feeds, getting information in
140 characters and videos that are 10 minutes or less has literally rewired our brains.
19. ADDICTION – People are not only dependent on technology they are also addicted to it.
Studies have shown that when cellphones are taken away subjects heard or felt fathom
vibrations, continuously reached for phones that weren’t there and become fidgety and
restless.
20. LACK OF EMPATHY – The constant stream of violent scenes on video games, TV,
movies, and YouTube causes people to become desensitized to destruction of any kind.
The normalizing of bad things happening and the culture of narcissism created by social
media creates a society of people who lack empathy.
21. MORE VIOLENCE – After people lose empathy and are accustomed to violence, it
becomes the social norm.
22. HIGHER ENERGY CONSUMPTION – Although individual devices are becoming more
energy efficient. Also, manufacturing all of these high-tech toys causes an increase in
 greenhouse gas emissions.
23. DEVELOPMENTAL ISSUES IN CHILDREN – Children are using more technology now
than they have ever used in the past. All of the negative effects that social media and
television is having on adults are far greater when it comes to the developing minds of
children.
24. NEUROSIS – Technology causes people to suffer from mental and emotional
disturbances, such as anxiety, phobias and delusions, which are all symptoms of
neurosis.
25. LOSS OF HEARING AND EYESIGHT – Using headphones and ear buds can cause
people to lose their hearing over time. Likewise, straining your eyes looking of computer
and device screens can cause people to need glasses much earlier in life.

BENEFITS OF ICT

ICT has become accepted due to huge benefits for businesses that if ignored would become
massive disadvantages in the competitive marketplace. Email with its time saving cost effective
nature was unused ten years ago, but now most businesses panic if their internet connection
stop working. Computers have replaced the traditional system of of typewriters which were
unforgiving if you made a mistake. Now backup copies and spell checkers make that process
easier. Filling space has been reduced with computerized records taking up the space of a PC
instead of several cabinets. These benefits and others have helped ICT become embedded in
today’s industries. The development of the World Wide Web has given commercial enterprises
a new business avenue to go down. The whole area of commerce involving the internet termed
E-commerce and has been used (not always successfully) since the arrival of the internet during
the id-nineties.

ICT FOR IMPROVEMENT OF HUMAN LIFE

 ICTs can contribute to poverty alleviation by: making markets more accessible to
household; improving the quality of public goods provision, such as health services;
improving the quality of human resources, primarily through education; allowing more
effective utilization of existing social networks, or extending them; and creating new
institutional arrangements to strengthen the rights and powers of poor people and
communities.
 The reduction of the information gap at a low cost is of central importance to the poor.
ICTs can be a powerful tool in removing the information asymmetries that often prevent
the poor in remote areas accessing markets, thereby leading them to lower income
outcomes.
 The potential role of ICTs for enhancing public health is also clear. Cross-country
analysis indicates that telecommunications investment may well be associated with
improved health status. Prominent applications for health include the creation of
“telemedicine” centers that offer medical advice or health information to rural inhabitants.
 ICTs promote greater inclusion of individuals within networks and, even more important.
Increase the diversity of participants by overcoming the barriers of physical distance and
social standing. They have been used for educational purposes by providing educations
 programs through virtual classrooms and video and audio lectures.
 By providing access to a range of “fun” and “edutainment” activities such as learning
about AIDS through mobile games, ICTs are playing a significant role in bridging the
social rural-urban divide – an aspect that cannot be ignored in any discussions about the
widening rural-urban socio-economic divide (Ramey, 2008).

TRENDS, NETWORKS, AND CRITICAL THINKING IN THE 21ST CENTURY

Lesson 7: Neural and Social Networks
Identify Connections, Relationships, and Networks
A network is a group of people or organizations that are closely connected and work with each
other to achieve connectivity as a purpose. Creating a network is significant for various reasons.
It can be formal or informal. The former involves structured meetings or processes, while the
latter consists of the relationships you develop and build over time with colleagues in the form of
facts, gossip, or rumors about issues affecting your workplace.
It creates relationships with other people, and with this, people tend to adjust or adapt more
easily to changes that may happen within their surroundings. It provides an exchange of
knowledge and information. This manifests how learning through linkages and connections
works for individuals and organizations, especially in the advent of technology in the 21st
century. Moreover, professionalism is one important factor to consider when establishing
relationships in networks.
Having social connections can help us get rid of anxiety and depression.

Illustrate How the Brain or Neural Networks Work

Our brain is composed of nerve cells, which we call neurons. Its role is basically to spread
messages from one nerve cell to another. These nerve cells are set together in our brain to form
a network of nerves. These nerves pass electrical impulses from one neuron to the other.
The dendrites take the impulse at the end button called the synapse of the next neuron.
Dendrites are the ones that carry the impulse to the nucleus of the neuron, which is called the
soma. At this point, the electrical impulse starts to move and is passed on to the axon. The axon
is the longer branch among the dendrites, which carries the impulse from the soma to the
synapse. The synapse then passes the impulse to the dendrites of the second neuron, hence
bringing about a complex network of nerve cells or neurons in the human brain.

Three Main Parts of the Brain:

a. Cerebrum- The largest part of the brain, consisting of right and left hemispheres. Divided into
4 lobes:

 Frontal lobe: Responsible for speech, emotions, and personality.

 Parietal lobe: Responsible for language interpretation, word processing, sense of touch,
temperature perception, and more.
 Occipital lobe: Interprets vision.
 Temporal lobe: Responsible for understanding language, memory, hearing, sequencing,
and organization.
b. Cerebellum - Functions to coordinate muscle movements.
c. Brain Stem - The relay center connecting the cerebrum and cerebellum. Performs autonomic
functions such as breathing, heart rate regulation, temperature control, wake and sleep cycles,
digestion, sneezing, coughing, vomiting, and swallowing.

Compare Neural Networks with Social Networks

Relationship of Neural Networks with Social Networks
The brain's function is analogous to that of people in society. Society
comprises individuals with various attitudes and characteristics who seek happiness and
peaceful coexistence. To function effectively in society, they need to connect and interact with
one another. In essence, interaction and interconnectedness are fundamental aspects of human
existence.
Much like our human brain, which regulates the entire body's system, each
part has its distinct function. However, one part cannot function effectively without the other;
thus, they need to connect to ensure a person's overall well-being. Similarly, in human society,
each of us must stay connected to sustain a well-functioning and happy life. We cannot live in
pure isolation; hence, we always stay connected.
In contemporary times, people are increasingly drawn to social media
platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and others. We can even refer to ourselves as
the "online society" of the 21st Century due to our profound interest in the internet world. The
internet has become a basic necessity for many because it offers numerous opportunities.
However, much like our brain regulating bodily functions, people using the internet are now
subject to cybercrime laws aimed at protecting users and maintaining peace, as conflicts may
arise otherwise.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Social Networking
Most people nowadays use various types of social media platforms. Do you
think the use of social media makes your life productive, complicated, or even a waste of your
time? Here are some advantages and disadvantages of using social networking:
Advantages:

 You can connect with the world.

 You can make new friends.
 You can advertise products and sell them.
Disadvantages:

 Bullying online/cyberbullying.
 Strong public reactions or opinions on certain issues.
 Susceptibility to identity theft.
 Susceptibility to the invasion of a person's privacy.
Linkage between Self and the Social Network one belongs to

SOCIAL NETWORK AND

YOURSELF
Everyone has the right to
connect from other people all
around the world. The idea
was seemed to be impossible
before, now happened to be within
reach of everybody. While
people enjoy the beauty of the
internet with its full glory, only
few is aware of its
disadvantages it creates. By the
power vested on technology with
social media accounts as
weapons, almost everyone has the
power to abuse the use of freedom
of expression. This
abuse has pushed through
judgements, bashing statements,
edited photographs and
merciless criticisms that fall into
the area of cyber bullying.
The relationship built
between oneself and social
networking sites have found a way
into seeking self-validation
through reactions from other
people. Take for example you
upload your picture in social media
that tends to show reactions from
people by liking or
disliking it and giving undesirable
comments. They are into thinking
of some standards of
beauty that is impossible for a
normal person to achieve hence,
falling themselves into
depression.
Establishing connection
between oneself and social
network is not bad, but one
should set limitations for what is
real from what is expected. Use the
social media wisely and
use those links that can uplift your
well-being and go through life
normally.
SELF-ESTEEM AND SOCIAL
MEDIA
Self-esteem means how one sees
himself or herself. It may be
described as how one
respects himself or herself.
According to studies, self-esteem
increases in a person’s
childhood years but it may
decrease when one reaches the age
of adolescence. Another
team of researchers have found out
that low-self-esteem is more
common in girls than in
boys. They also reported that those
people whether male or female
who spend a lot of their
time in social media has also lower
self-esteem. This may be because
of the social
standards set forth by people in the
social media world. Girls who
always use the internet
may have higher rates of suicide
because of cyber bullying
particularly if they have not
reached the standard set, which in
turn develop anxiety and
depression that leads to that
miserable thing of ending their
lives.
The use of social media by
anybody whatever stage of life you
belong must be
regulated in order to avoid dangers
of suicide. One must develop self-
confidence by treating
yourself well, believing that you
can do things better and believing
that God is always there
to give us a helping hand.
Social Network and Yourself
Everyone has the right to connect with people from all around the world. What once seemed
impossible has become a reality within reach for everyone, thanks to the power of the internet
and social networking sites. While people enjoy the beauty of the internet in all its glory, only a
few are aware of the disadvantages it can bring.
With social media accounts as powerful tools, almost everyone has the ability to misuse the
freedom of expression. This misuse often takes the form of harsh judgments, hurtful comments,
edited photographs, and ruthless criticisms that fall into the category of cyberbullying.
The relationship individuals build with social networking sites often leads to seeking self-
validation through reactions from others. For instance, consider when you upload a picture on
social media and await reactions in the form of likes, dislikes, and comments. People often set
unrealistic beauty standards, causing individuals to feel inadequate and leading to depression.
Establishing a connection between oneself and social networks is not inherently bad, but it's
crucial to set limitations and distinguish between reality and expectations. Use social media
wisely, and engage with content that uplifts your well-being, allowing you to lead a balanced life.
Self-Esteem and Social Media
Self-esteem refers to how one perceives oneself and the level of self-respect they hold. Studies
indicate that self-esteem tends to increase during childhood but may decrease during
adolescence. Furthermore, research suggests that low self-esteem is more prevalent in girls
than in boys. Additionally, spending excessive time on social media has been linked to lower
self-esteem.
This phenomenon may be attributed to the social standards set by individuals in the realm of
social media. Girls who frequently use the internet may face higher rates of cyberbullying,
especially if they don't conform to the societal standards imposed online. Such experiences can
lead to anxiety and depression, and in extreme cases, even thoughts of suicide.
The use of social media, regardless of one's stage of life, should be regulated to avoid the
potential dangers it poses to mental health. Building self-confidence involves treating oneself
with kindness, believing in one's abilities, and having faith that support is available, including
from a higher power.

How Thinking Process are shaped by Social Relationships

The Importance of Social Interaction and Relationships
The best way to learn is through interaction. Social relationships play an immensely significant
role in every person's life. They are the means by which people connect with others, setting
aside differences and bringing order to their lives. Interaction allows people to broaden their
horizons and grow into better versions of themselves.

Social Relationships and Interaction:

Interaction is essentially a form of communication, the exchange of messages between two or
more individuals. Engaging in conversations with others enables us to consider the best
possible responses. When we interact, we engage in socialization. Our relationships and
interactions with others significantly impact and shape our thought processes. This is because
our behaviors are influenced and modified based on the people we interact with. Therefore, it is
safe to say that social relationships have a profound impact on one's thinking, behavior, and
overall interaction.
One of the most compelling reasons why social relationships influence how someone thinks is
the influence of peers. Consider, for instance, the way young people of today's generation
dress, behave, and respond, which often differs significantly from older generations. This
transformation occurs due to the individuals that surround them and the evolving societal norms.
Social relationships also have a notable impact on our physical health, much like factors such
as smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes. Studies have demonstrated that people
with strong social relationships tend to have a higher survival rate, regardless of age, gender, or
country of origin. Therefore, while social interaction is crucial, it is also important to be
discerning about the individuals with whom we choose to interact.
Significant Social Roles students plays within the Community
Every person is an integral part of society, and students are no exception. They cannot exist in
isolation from the community they belong to. Going to school should involve connections and
interactions with other people. Students, in particular, play a significant and pivotal role in
strengthening society. As Dr. Jose Rizal once emphasized, "Ang Kabataan ay Pag-asa ng
Bayan" (The youth is the hope of the nation).

The Role and Importance of Students in Building a Stronger Society:

Students have a vital role in contributing to the betterment of society. The community is a place
where students actively participate to make it a better and more livable place for all. Therefore,
regardless of gender, age, profession, or background, everyone should contribute positively to
society. Studying and education are the primary responsibilities of students because they
represent the future of our country. It is our duty to instill good values and foster a sense of
spirituality in them, shaping them into responsible and morally upright citizens of our nation.

The 21st Century Youth and Common Misconceptions:

One of the greatest misconceptions about today's youth is that they are overly consumed by
social media. This stereotype has evolved into a widespread argument that questions the ability
of young people to contribute to their nation. It seems to challenge the idea that the youth are
the hope of the fatherland. But are they truly without hope?
When it comes to the involvement of youth in nation-building, numerous youth organizations
have taken initiative to lead and empower the younger generation through congresses that
engage with the legislative aspects of government. These opportunities allow young individuals
to practice their diplomacy skills and express their perspectives on important national issues. In
this manner, young people can voice their opinions and work toward solutions for the challenges
facing their country.
While the stereotype perpetuated by society holds some truth about youth and their use of
social media, the term "blinded" does not fully apply to all young individuals. Many youths use
social media as a platform to encourage everyone to contribute to their communities in small yet
effective ways. This may involve responsible waste disposal, the conscious use of plastic
products, or simply being diligent and hardworking students.
The future of the nation's youth is far from bleak. It continues to burn with a passion for change
in a positive direction. There are still young people who are deeply committed to witnessing
meaningful and positive transformations in society.

Roles and Status in Society

Each one of us holds a specific status within our community, and we assume various roles
associated with the status we occupy. People are often judged by their societal status,
profession, or level of education. We play multiple roles within society, and some of us may
simultaneously fulfill not just one, but two or even three roles. Therefore, maintaining a balance
between these roles is of utmost importance.

Roles in the Community:

Within our society, we belong to various social groups, each of which assigns us a particular
status and role to fulfill. Status refers to the position we hold within a group, while role denotes
the part we play in the community—a role that society expects us to perform. Some of us
undertake multiple roles concurrently. For example, a woman may have the status of a wife, and
as such, she is expected to fulfill the role of caring not only for her husband but also for her
children.
Conversely, one individual may play several roles at the same time, such as being a wife, a
mother, and an employee, or an aunt to others. Similarly, a student may not only take on the
role of attending school but also assume additional roles like being a brother or a sister to
someone.
However, these overlapping statuses and roles are common for people in society. Being a
member of a social group assigns us a set of statuses and roles that provide people with
expectations of our behavior in those roles. Regardless of how many roles we take on, we have
corresponding responsibilities for each of them. It is our duty to manage these roles effectively;
otherwise, conflicts between roles may arise.