Information technology has fundamentally changed most aspects of our lives and will continue to do so at an ever-increasing pace. As most people use this technology without even understanding its most basic concepts, our information society faces a new problem: digital illiteracy. How do computers process information? What is the difference between the Internet and the Web? And how can I protect myself online?
During this weekend, you will learn about the functioning of hardware and software, the communication protocols of the Internet and the Web, and the protection of information through cryptography. We will also cover newer developments such as machine learning and blockchains. Additionally, we will visit the Museum of Communication in Bern on Saturday afternoon to get a historical perspective on these topics.
Lecturers:
– Kaspar Etter, Master of Computer Science at ETH Zurich, former scholar of the Swiss Study Foundation
– Stephanie Stroka, Master of Computer Science at University of Salzburg, software engineer at Google Zurich
Coordination: Dr Barbara Dankwa
Administration: Nathalie Ellington
Language: The seminar will be in English (probably except the guided tour through the museum).
Location: Best Western Hotel, Zeughausgasse 9, 3011 Bern (www.hotelbern.ch)
Time: Saturday, 17 October, 9:15 am until Sunday, 18 October 2020, 5:00 pm
Preparation: Though not mandatory, skimming through the lecture slides in advance is recommended.
Target audience: Primarily students from non-technical fields. No prior knowledge about IT is required.
Website: www.it-course.ch
Number of Participants: max. 20
