Foundations of Digital Curiosity

This unit introduces students to a digitally curious mindset and foundational concepts in modern digital communications, including the history and near‑term trajectories of AI, Web evolution, networking, and basic cybersecurity. Students will assess their own curiosity, learn tools and heuristics for staying informed, and begin applying that knowledge to identify opportunities and next steps in digital communication contexts.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze major milestones and distinctions across Web 1.0, the rise of mobile (4G), the history of AI, and metaverse origins by constructing a timeline that identifies at least six key developments and explains their impact on digital communication
• Evaluate the capabilities, limitations, and near‑term trajectories of AI (including conversational AI and the concept of AGI) by comparing at least four real‑world use cases and assessing ethical, business, and societal implications
• Demonstrate digitally curious practices by completing the Curious Five and Starbucks Test self‑assessments and producing a one‑page action plan that lists at least three concrete behaviors to sustain continuous learning
• Apply foundational digital communication skills by implementing basic cybersecurity practices (designing and justifying a strong password scheme), summarizing differences between analogue and digital networking, and proposing two ways to leverage current AI trends for personal or professional growth