Can the Internet be controlled? Should it be? How does the history of the Internet help predict what we should expect for its future? Is net neutrality a lost cause or something worth fighting for? The Internet continues to surprise us as a force for change and disruption in our daily lives and society at large. While it seems as though these significant disruptions are a recent phenomena, in reality we have seen these profound societal disruptions since the 1990s. In this Teach-Out, participants will learn how the Internet has affected human communication, the sharing and discovery of information, and social interactions. Discussions on current trends and potential ways the Internet will continue to affect society will also be explored, as well as how learners can empower their own productivity and impact in the ever-evolving landscape of the Internet.

A Teach-Out is:

-an event – it takes place over a fixed, short period of time

-an opportunity – it is open for free participation to everyone around the world

-a community – it will be joined by a large number of diverse individuals

-a conversation – an opportunity to give and take ideas and information from people

The University of Michigan Teach-Out Series provides just-in-time community learning events for participants around the world to come together in conversation with the U-M campus community, including faculty experts. The U-M Teach-Out Series is part of our deep commitment to engage the public in exploring and understanding the problems, events, and phenomena most important to society.

Teach-Outs are short learning experiences, each focused on a specific current issue. Attendees will come together over a few days not only to learn about a subject or event but also to gain skills. Teach-Outs are open to the world and are designed to bring together individuals with wide-ranging perspectives in respectful and deep conversation. These events are an opportunity for diverse learners and a multitude of experts to come together to ask questions of one another and explore new solutions to the pressing concerns of our global community. Come, join the conversation!

Find new opportunities at teach-out.org.