eBook
1.0 Introduction to Digital Society
Welcome to the study of Digital Society. This course is very different from other International Baccalaureate subjects because of the pace at which changes in a digital society take place and their immediate
1.1 What is Digital Society?
In one sentence, how can we concisely define what the Digital Society course is all about? One possible statement is: However, it is important to examine the details related to our ‘working’ definition
1.2 Digitization, Digitalization, and Digital Transformation
There are three types of processes that use digital systems and data to change from a physical or analogue state to a digital state: digitization, digitalization, and digital transformation. The terminology,
2.0 Digital Society Concepts
According to the IB Digital Society Guide, “Concepts are powerful, pervasive and debatable perspectives that provide insight for inquiry.” In another words, Concepts are big ideas that help us explore
2.1 Change
Before the 1980s, the mail service was the most common way to send long-distance text messages. Fax machines became popular in the 1980s and offered a much faster alternative to this service. However,
2.2 Expression
In the early days of communication over the Internet, messages were made solely of texts. Many messages quite often were misunderstood due to the lack of gestures and expressions. Then, in 1999 Japanese
2.3 Identity
In a digital society, people often have multiple identities. There is the identity they use at school or work—the way others see them: for example, serious, dedicated workers or students who rarely waste
2.4 Power
On most social media platforms, algorithms decide what you see and what you do not see. Based on your preferences—such as watch time, liked posts, and interactions—the algorithm builds a profile of you
2.5 Space
The concept of space is very different online compared to face-to-face interactions. Consider the example of a videoconference. In a face-to-face setting, people are together when they share the same
2.6 Systems
Systems are a way to understand how things are organized and how they work together in human, natural, and man-made environments. A school is a system: students, teachers, rules, and schedules all work
2.7 Values and Ethics
The concept of values and ethics is present throughout the course of Digital Society. It seems that every time a new technology emerges or an existing one evolves, new ethical dilemmas arise. These are
3.1 Data
Data consists of numbers, characters, images, and other elements that can be organizedto create meaningful information.In this chapter, you will learn about the differences between data, information,...
3.2 Algorithms
An algorithm is a set of steps that a computer follows to solve a problem or do calculations. It’s like a recipe that tells the computer exactly what to do, step by step.Formally, an algorithm is a...
3.3 Computers
A computer is an electronic device that processes input data based on a set of instructionsprovided by the user and produces the desired output. It has various capabilities, including storage, computation,...
3.4 Networks and the internet
Computer networking, is the process of connecting two or more computing devices, such as desktop computers, mobile devices, routers or applications, to enable the transmission and exchange of information...
3.5 Media
Digital media encompasses any form of content that uses electronic or digital technology to connect with an audience.This technology is often used to create, edit, consume, store, and distribute such...
3.6 Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a branch of science dedicated to developing computers and machines capable of simulating human intelligence, including learning, reasoning, problem-solving, decision-making,...
3.7 Robots and autonomous technologies
A robot is a machine, often computer-programmable, designed to automatically perform a series of complex tasks. It can operate under external control or through an internal system.An autonomous system...
4.1 Cultural
In today’s interconnected world, technology has fundamentally transformed how we experience, create, and understand culture. From the rise of media art to the global influence of internet fandoms, the...
4.2 Economic
The digital revolution is transforming industries, business models, and organizational strategies at an unprecedented pace. This transformation, driven by technologies such as artificial intelligence...
4.3 Environmental
Digital technology is often underestimated as a significant source of carbon emissions, yet its influence on global sustainability is extensive and stems from diverse activities. From video streaming...
4.4 Health
Digital technologies have become inseparable from modern life, connecting people and systems on a global scale. While innovation in the digital sphere is advancing rapidly, its potential to improve health...
4.5 Human and knowledge
The purpose of education goes far beyond transmitting knowledge. It should nurture compassionate and creative individuals who can contribute to a just society where people live fulfilled lives with minimal...
4.6 Political
The digital era has profoundly reshaped democracy, and its influence will only grow as technology advances at an unprecedented pace. This transformation introduces both significant opportunities and serious...
4.7 Social
Personal identity refers to what makes each individual unique. It encompasses all the social identities we hold — such as age, ethnicity, gender, religion, and socioeconomic background — along with...
5. HL EXTENSION
The HL Extension consists of conducting ‘extended inquiries’ into real-world Challenges and Interventions.It is important to note that the HL Extension topics have a completely different starting... Challenges