CIT 111: Introduction to Databases

Team Activity: Big Data

Overview

There is so much data in the world today. Everything we do is recorded in some way or another. This "big data" is changing our world, how will you use it?

Instructions

  1. Start with a prayer to invite the spirit to help you with your studies
  2. Create a MS Word document in your Group's Channel in MS Teams named Team Activity 02 to record your teams thoughts.

  3. To help you understand Big Data and it's impact on the world watch the following video.

  4. As a group spend 15 minutes discussing the following Question: How is the church using Big Data to help build the kingdom and gather Israel?. Record some of your thoughts in the Word document.

    President Nelson has said that 'the gathering is the greatest challenge, the greatest cause, and the greatest work on earth today' Databases play a huge role in this process. If you have not visited it recently take a look at the FamilySearch web site. Imagine how much data is needed to drive this site!

    This is a good example of a very large amount of data stored in a database that is helping to gather Israel and build the kingdom. We can help place data into the database with indexing and we can query the database to find ancestors that need ordinances. It's an amazing use of data.

    Companies also use Big Data to help them achieve their goals. Companies love to personalize your experience with them. This requires them to collect a lot of data on how you interact on line, what you purchase, where you go, etc. Adding personalization takes a lot of storage.

  5. Spend 15 minutes discussing the following questions: (Record your ideas in the Word document (you can all edit the document at the same time), be specific about the data)
    • What types of data about you is stored in databases?
    • What type of data do companies like Amazon, Instagram, and Google store about you?
  6. Companies share data! It is common for companies to share data about you with one another. Advertising agencies are very good at this. What do you believe are some of the impacts of data sharing? Discuss and record your thoughts.
  7. As with all things, big data can be used for good, or bad. Discuss the impact that the mis-use of big data might have on you, or society as a whole. Record some thoughts in the Word document
  8. Use your remaining time to discuss what you think might be ethical or unethical use of big data. Record some of your thoughts in the Word document.

During your career you may be asked to do unethical things with data. How will you respond?

Data is helping to build the kingdom (gather Israel) with Genealogy data. President Nelson said the gathering is “the greatest challenge, the greatest cause, and the greatest work on earth today". Databases play a huge role in this process. 

Submission

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