Professional Documents
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COMPUTER
COMPUTER
COMPUTER
Legario)
1. What are the effects computer technology in our society today? (Discuss in at least 150 words or more).
It is not difficult to get computer professionals to agree that computers have a significant impact on society. It is rather more difficult to get
them to agree on why they impact as they do. There are several characteristics of computer technology that may be at the center of the
effects. It is intended that this list become a focal point around which the design of new technology can revolve, in order to anticipate the
social consequences of a new product and mitigate any potential negative effects it may have on society.
Traditionally, courses that deal with computers and society issues focus primarily on enumerating the various ways in which computers
impact society. This is done by listing categories of topics such as privacy, computers in medicine, military uses of computers, etc. Classic
cases of computer abuse or errant systems are typically described in detail, as a way of simply making students more aware of how
computers affect society. These examples are meant to serve as warnings to future professionals, in the hopes that they will practice their
profession with greater care.
The intent of developing a list of these characteristics is that it could lead to a better understanding of the nature of the social impact of
computers. In this way, it might be possible to examine a new computer project at the time of its design (not, as is the usual case, a long
time after the project has been implemented and disseminated) to determine its potential impacts as a social change agent.
The characteristics given below are not necessarily unique to computer technology. However, in many instances computers have created
situations that were previously impossible to accomplish (such as space flight), were essentially inconceivable until the technology was
applied, or at least were very difficult to achieve without the aid of computer technology. Furthermore, even though other technologies may
have had impacts similar to computers in many ways, computer technology has greatly amplified their effects to the point of entirely
overshadowing any previous technology's impact.
Finally, the term computer technology is meant to be inclusive of any device that is essentially controlled by a basic computer (CPU,
program, etc.). This would include, therefore, modern telephones, VCRs, microwave ovens, CAT scanners, supermarket scanners, and the
like.
The following are in no particular order. Also, some devices or examples are likely to fit into more than one of the categories below:
(1) Ubiquity. It is perhaps stating the obvious that computers appear to be everywhere today. Even when we don't encounter them directly in
their various forms of modern convenience devices, such as digital watches, microwave ovens, VCRs, and the like, we generate
transactions that are processed via computers without actively doing anything: the utility companies are recording our usage, the phone
company records incoming calls, our answering machine might be recording a message while we are doing something else, someone is
performing a credit check on us, etc.
(2) Magnification. Computers tend toward magnification in several different ways. First, the explosion of the availability of information is due
in large part to the computer's ability to generate, collect, and store an ever increasing amount of raw data. Since the ability to create and
collect data is growing exponentially, so too is the generation of information that can be synthesized from this data. Second, the types of
negative impacts a single error can have has grown enormously with computer technology. Finally, the number of people directly affected by
a system error has also grown enormously, to where a single software system literally can affect millions directly.
(3) Accessibility. Access to information continues to increase at hard to believe speeds. To begin with, the vast quantities of information
available on-line (through, for instance, the Internet) appears to be growing exponentially. In addition, we now have unprecedented
accessibility to information and communications from nearly anywhere we happen to be. Next, information is available to an unprecendented
number of people. Finally, the promises of the "information superhighway" to open up new lanes of access, including text, voice, graphics,
and video increases the types of information to which we have access to include all media.
(4) Reproducibility and Distributability. The major concern of the recording industry regarding the introduction of digital audio tape (DAT)
systems was the ability to make exact duplicates of digital material, indistinguishable from the original. The concern, of course, has been that
DAT technology would cause unprecedented bootlegging of recordings, to the obvious detriment of the recording industry, composers, and
performers. Clearly, any digital file can just as easily be duplicated. Many information resources are available only in digital form, via, for
instance, the Internet. As more information is converted to digital form (e.g. voice and video), the ability to duplicate and distribute such
information increases enormously. Indeed, there are some forms of publishing that can exist only within the context of a computer system.
The concept of hypertext and hypermedia (including audio and video), the ability to create non-linear accessibility to information, was
conceived out of the ability to randomly access information via computers. Its increasing success easily shows how important information in
a digital form has become already. (Oz, 1994).
(5) Lack of Accountability. It has become a popular complaint that it is getting more and more difficult to locate a human being who is willing
to accept responsibility for an error made by a computerized system. While it is tempting to blame such problems on incompetent
employees, in truth the problem may be a poor user interface, lack of training, or an error in the software, none of which can be solved by
those providing the front-line service. Another difficulty is finding someone who will, indeed, fix an error in an account. It is often the case that
service representatives are reluctant to accept the responsibility for making a necessary change. In addition, it can often be difficult to even
find a human being to deal with a problem. Getting lost in a voice-mail system has become a modern urban legend. (Nissenbaum, 1994).
(6) Temporality. Computers have several effects on time and the timeliness of information. It seems that computer technology is to blame in
large part for the "speed up" of modern society - everything has to get done faster, be there sooner, be available immediately. Another form
of temporality in computer systems is that information can be retained over long periods of time, even when they appear to have been
destroyed (consider the classic case of Col. Oliver North). There is little reason that information should be entirely lost any more, even due to
accident. And it is reasonable to suspect that every scrap of information generated today will be available virtually forever. Another temporal
shift for which computers have been responsible is that people who work together do not necessarily have to do so at the same time. Finally,
services and information are more frequently available on a 24-hour basis. This allows people to request a service or seek information when
it fits their schedule, rather than when it fits the service provider's schedule.
(7) Spatiality. Computers have done more to shorten distances than any previous technology, even the supersonic jet. It is possible to send
large amounts of data, messages, video, etc. virtually anywhere in the world via networks such as Internet. Long distance learning, using
information databases or video feeds of courses via satellite, is a reality for a growing portion of our modern society. We can now even be on
the move when we talk with someone on the phone, or receive a fax.
(8) Surveillability. Is there any doubt that computers have made surveillance easier than at any time in history? In addition to the usual
surveillance equipment such as cameras and microphones, transactional data is increasingly being collected for virtually all types of
transactions, even cash purchases and the acquisition of services. There has even been discussion by the government of using a universal
health card, which is seen by many as the first step toward finalizing the move (begun with the co-opting of the social security number) in the
US toward a national identification card.
(9) Shifting of Relationships/Changes in Intercommunication Protocols. One of the more difficult characteristics to track is how computer
technology has changed communication between people and groups of people. In particular, the use of email has been shown to eliminate a
lot of the usual visual and verbal cues we often use in communicating with one another (whch can be viewed as both an advantage and as a
disadvantage). In addition to removing such cues, computer-mediated communications mask attributes such as race, gender, age, or
physical disability, in addition, perhaps, to the person's social or management status within an organization. (Grudin, 1994; Perrole, 1987).
(10) Illusion of Precision. It is not difficult to make many (perhaps even most) people who are not in the computer field believe that any
numeric result generated by a computer is correct. Those not well versed in the hardware of computers have little understanding of the fact
that numbers must be converted back and forth between decimal and binary forms, or that there is a limitation on the accuracy of numbers
due to memory constraints. As a result, they willingly accept values generated by a computer as infinitely accurate. (Liffick, 1985).
Conclusion
The characteristics described above are factors in the social impact of computer technology. For most there is at least anecdotal evidence of
their existence (with seemingly countless examples). For some, there is also experimental evidence. It has finally become widely accepted
that technology is not value neutral, as originally thought. By examining this list and using it as a set of landmarks for evaluating new
systems, it may be possible to better anticipate the social impact of new systems, prior to their dissemination. Perhaps this will help achieve
the development of what some have called a Social Impact Statement, which is intended to be analagous to the Environmental Impact
Statements required by the Environmental Protection Agency prior to most building projects.
Technology transfer is the process by which a technology, expertise, knowhow or facilities developed by one individual, enterprise or
organization is transferred to another individual, enterprise or organization. Effective technology transfer results in commercialization of a
new product or service or in the improvement of an existing product or process.
Depending on the nature of technology and the capacity of the recipient, the process of technology transfer may be simple and
straightforward but usually is iterative, collaborative, and fairly complex. In the latter case, it may require the users to acquire new
information and skills and change old habits and ways of doing things. It may even require changes in the technology being transferred, to
improve the chances of “fit” and optimal performance in the new situation. Technology transfer may happen from country to country, from
industry to industry or from research laboratory to an existing or new business. It may be facilitated by financial or other types of assistance
and support that may be provided by government or other agencies at national, regional, local or institutional levels.
The creation or absorption of new technology has become a vital component for companies to improve or maintain their competitive position
in the market place. Companies operating in sectors where competition takes place on the basis of price alone, such as the extraction or
commercialization of raw materials, may rely on new technologies to improve their efficiency in the extraction of raw materials by improving
their productive processes or acquiring new machinery and equipment. They may also use new technology to better commercialize their
products or to improve their management structure, control and communication.
In other sectors, where the market evolves incessantly as new products with new functions or designs appear on a regular basis, companies
are forced to innovate by acquiring or developing new technologies. Technological innovation is therefore a crucial element of the
competitive strategy of any enterprise, big or small, high-tech or low-tech. The ongoing integration of domestic and international markets
through continuing deregulation and liberalization of markets has enhanced competitive pressure for all firms, and especially increased the
technological needs of small enterprises worldwide while also improving their access to new technologies and capital goods.
Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) have to decide whether to develop technology in-house or to obtain it from others. While
investing in technology creation may be expensive and risky, as there are many uncertainties linked to the innovation process, it has the
advantage of preventing technological dependence on other companies and enables the company to enhance its technological capability
and to innovate according to its own specific needs. In a large number of cases, firms, including SMEs (especially high-tech SMEs) will rely
on both (in-house innovation as well as on technology purchased from others) as necessary machinery is bought from large firms to make
technical improvements to the company’s products, processes and/or services.
Computer programming
Everyone knows that this is the age of computer and vast majority of people are using computer. Development of science and technology
has direct effect on our daily life as well as in our social life. Computer technology has made communication possible from one part of the
world to the other in seconds. They can see the transactions in one part of the world while staying in the other part. Computer development
is one of the greatest scientific achievements of the 20 th century. Computers are used in various fields as well as in teaching and learning.
Some of the major computer application fields are listed below.
An aid to management: The computer can also be used as a management tool to assist in solving business problems.
Banking: Branches are equipped with terminals giving them an online accounting facility and enabling them to information as such things as
current balances, deposits, overdrafts and interest charges.
Industrial Application: In industry, production may be planned, coordinated and controlled with the aid of a computer.
Engineering Design: Computer help in calculating that all the parts of a proposed design are satisfactory and also assist in the designing.
Meteorology: Data is recorded at different levels of atmosphere at different places, using remote sensors carried on a satellite.
Air Travel: Small computers are installed as a part of the plane's equipment.
Road Traffic Control: Computers assist with the control of traffic lights.
Telephones: Computerized telephone exchanges handle an ever increasing volume of calls very efficiently.
Medicine: Computers are widely used in hospitals for such task as maintaining drugs, surgical equipments and linen, for payroll and also for
checkup and treatment of diseases.
In addition computers are also used for recording and film studios, research, military, etc.
Computers have both positive and negative impact in our daily life as well as in our social life. But the gross development of the nation is
faster with the application of computers in industries and education. The both positive and negative impacts of computers are listed below.
Positive Impact of Computer -
The work can be done in very less time.
More information can be stored in small space.
Multitasking and multiprocessing capabilities of data.
Easy to access data.
Impartiality.
Documents can be kept secret.
Error free result.
It can be used for various purposes. i.e. It can be used in any type of work.
Technology has improved communication: Technology has improved communication: Communication is used for a number of purposes.
Both society and organizations depend on communication to transfer information. People use technology to communicate with each other.
Electronic medias like radios, televisions, internet , social medias have improved the way we exchange ideas which can develop our
societies. In many countries, radios and televisions are used to voice the concerns of the society, they organize live forums where the
community can contribute through mobile phones or text service systems like tweeter. During political elections, leaders use radio, television
and internet medias to reach the people they want to serve.
Technology has improved education and learning process: Technology has improved education and learning process: Education is
the backbone of every economy. People need well and organized educational infrastructures so that they can learn how to interpret
information. Many schools have started integrating educational technologies in their schools with a great aim of improving the way students
learn. Technologies like smart whiteboards, computers, mobile phones, ipads , projectors and internet are being used in classrooms to
boost students moral to learn.
“Technology is the wave of the future.” There’s no denying that. It’s actually the wave of the present.
> Because technology has increased the intensity and complexity of literate environments, the twenty-first century demands that a literate
person possess a wide range of abilities and competencies, many literacies. These literacies—from reading online newspapers to
participating in virtual classrooms—are multiple, dynamic, and malleable. As in the past, they are inextricably linked with particular histories,
life possibilities and social trajectories of individuals and groups. Twenty-first century readers and writers need to:
> 1. Develop proficiency with the tools of technology
> 2. Build relationships with others to pose and solve problems collaboratively and cross-culturally
> 3. Design and share information for global communities to meet a variety of purposes
> 4. Manage, analyze and synthesize multiple streams of simultaneous information
> 5. Create, critique, analyze, and evaluate multi-media texts
> 6. Attend to the ethical responsibilities required by these complex environments
Importance Of Technology For Teachers
Technology For Teachers
Technology is evolving with a lightning speed. Imagine when learning is mixed with technology wonderful outcomes will be there. Education
would be evolving with the impact of technology when in student & teacher’s hand. Teaching in a physical classroom remained the dominant
form of delivering lectures for a good number of centuries. But setbacks of traditional teaching styles led to the development of online
learning or multimedia teaching.
Computer based effective teaching offers powerful, interesting and new way of providing knowledge to students. So, for effective teaching
with new technology every teacher needs to know about technology. Teachers need to know how to operate & integrate the tools effectively.
Effective teachers maximize the potential of the technology to develop student’s understanding and stimulate their interest to improve
subject proficiency. Technology can be used strategically to provide better access for learning and concept clearance.
Today all the educational institutes maximize the potential of student learning through the implementation of computational tools. They
ensure that not only students but teachers must have better access to technology and knowledge of the tools. Multimedia approach of
education like use of audio-visual tools & devices for better understanding of concepts has widely been set up in almost all the institutes.
This led to speedy and effective learning and that might be non-volatile. Today, the teacher’s role is not merely limited to reading books, for
conceptual clearance they might refer to internet technology and so share the same with their students By the use of technology educator
can:
Make the boring lectures far interesting by delivering dynamic presentations using MS PowerPoint.
Through advocating videos, a student’s interest can be enhanced in a particular topic . There are abundant lectures on teachertube, edutube
etc. that could be reviewed in reference.
Use of internet tools like RSS feed, virtual world or classroom, Workgroup tools opens up wide edges of learning. The list just goes on & on
and the potential is endless.
WiZiQi enables teachers & learners to teach and learn online trespassing the barriers of distance, time and cost.
Students use internet tools on a regular basis and using internet technology by a teacher for educating students in a classroom means that
teachers will be talking to them in their language that leads to broad understanding. So learning a little about these tools is not a bad deal.
These tools are low cost and might be free that come for a trial run. These tools can be used to support classroom teaching or distance
learning. So it goes beyond the geographical and physical barriers to provide learning. Technology opens vast opportunities that could never
have been possible previously.
Technology has the ability to enhance relationships between teachers and students.
When teachers effectively integrate technology into subject areas, teachers grow into roles of adviser, content expert, and coach.
Technology helps make teaching and learning more meaningful and fun. Students are also able to collaborate with their own classmates
through technological applications.
Multitude of resources
Computers, tablets, and other forms of technology bring multiple resources for the teacher that’s not in the book. They not only keep
students engaged with exciting new features and apps, but also have other ways to teach students material. Every kid learns differently, and
technology helps with this gap as well.