Living in the IT Era

Module 5 – Activity

Essay: Read the statement/s carefully. Answer the given statement/s concisely.

1. Discuss how digital technology change society in the area of:

a. Business

Businesses in today’s life have promoted a lot with the coming of ICT. Its impact
cannot be over emphasized. It empowers people to share knowledge and advice
instantaneously and set up an online shop or website at a low cost, dramatically lowering the
barriers to starting a business. As such, ICT maturity is closely linked to economic growth.
Online platform has been the marketplace where people can transact and communicate. It
has made social impact affordable, social impact scalable, and enables new ways to connect
to and engage with local communities.

b. Job

Beyond income security, employment fulfils several important roles for human
wellbeing, such as time structure, social contact, a sense of purpose, a valued social
position as well as an opportunity for skill use. The labor market effects of the digital
transformation are among the most significant for people’s well-being. The digital
transformation has the potential to generate substantial changes in the composition of the
labor market as jobs that require certain skillsets are replaced by a combination of
technology and higher skilled labor, or even completely automated. At the same time,
digitalization yields opportunities by creating employment in new and existing industries, with
greater job-to-job mobility facilitated by online job search tools.

The digital economy also fundamentally changes the nature of work for many people,
with fewer jobs exerting physical demands on workers but more jobs placing an emotional
strain on desk-workers. New jobs in ICT and in other sectors become available. Efficiency
gains and cost-savings may induce job creation within industries by expanding the market
and therefore increasing demand. Increased productivity in one sector can also have
positive spillovers in other sectors, if this translates into lower prices and higher demand
across the economy.

Digital technologies may destroy jobs at risk of automation. Automation may, in the
future, have much more impactful consequences on the need for human labor than it has so
far. For the moment, while a shift away from manufacturing jobs has been observed, this has
not translated to overall losses in employment, as middle-skill jobs have been replaced by
new high-skill and low-skill jobs.

Teleworking (Work from Home) allows people to save time and combine their work
and personal lives, may present an opportunity for work-life balance as it improves time
management and may reduce time spent commuting. A variety of studies have found that
employees who engage in telework have higher job satisfaction. Among positive effects,
teleworkers report reduced commuting times, more flexibility in organizing their working time,
and better overall work-life balance

c. Health

Digitalization can affect people’s health status through the emergence of new
physical and mental health risks and through its impact on the health-care delivery system.
Health risks associated with the digital transformations include mental health problems
associated with the extreme use of digital technologies, especially among children and
teenagers and the crowding out of other activities such as physical exercise. The way
healthcare is provided is also impacted by new digital technology including electronic
records, new treatment options, telecare, and teleconsultation. A key aspect of digitization is
the generation and use of medical data to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of
healthcare systems. Medical and health data must, nevertheless, abide by stringent security
and protection laws due to their sensitivity. Although less widely studied, these modifications
to healthcare delivery might have a big impact on health disparities.

Extreme use of digital technologies may have negative mental health effects The
effects of mobile phones, video games, and the pervasiveness of ubiquitous screens on the
mental health of children and teenagers have drawn significant attention in the public debate
because they may present risks of addiction. There is evidence of a direct link between
extreme Internet use and depression and anxiety, but the nature of this relationship is
disputed and is likely to be bi-directional, as people with anxiety, depression and other
mental health problems are also potentially more likely to spend time online.

d. Lifestyle

The way we carry out our everyday tasks has changed as a result of technology,
making life easier and more practical. It has sped up everything and made everything more
pleasant. And as we advance in our lives, technology advances as well. We cannot deny
that we are reliant on one or more forms of technology since we are surrounded by it
everywhere we look. If we discuss how technology has improved our life, there are still more
advantages to be listed.

Technology affects almost every aspect of 21st century life, from transport efficiency
and safety to access to food and healthcare, socialization and productivity. The power of the
internet has enabled global communities to form, and ideas and resources to be shared
more easily. It improved communication across the world, that is made possible to be on
real time even when they are miles away from each other. It made shopping more
accessible and easier even in the comfort of our own homes. It also allows us to access all
the information that we need and be able to learn/acquire new knowledge and skills, even at
the comfort of our home and based on our availability.

e. Entertainment

Digital broadcasting has completely changed the way we experience television and
radio. Cinema can now be found at the comfort of your home through application such as
Netflix, iFlix, etc. We get entertained by the content that we see in Facebook, YouTube, and
Instagram. Computer gaming has also been an important influence in the development of
graphical interfaces. Technology has been at the forefront of changes in production and
distribution of music. We can now listen to music and podcast using Spotify. These are some
of the many technologies we use for entertainment that arise in the Digital Age.
f. Education

The impact of ICT on teachers, trainers, learners, researchers, and the entire
education society is tremendous. It is changing the way of the education delivery system in
the world by enhancing access to information for all. It also ensures effective and inclusive
education. ICT supports the concept of open learning where the thrust is upon enhanced
student access and the development of student autonomy.

It supports teachers, clarifies fundamental ideas in the subject matter, and dispels
myths. It stimulates critical thinking and promotes integrative study. It establishes
connections between a student and peers and experts and fosters a collaborative
environment. It serves as a mentor and guide by offering instructions that are specifically
crafted to address each person's needs. Modern ICT solutions imitate formal learning
experiences through virtual learning in addition to delivering the information. The purpose of
virtual classrooms is to provide students with access to the organization and support
systems that come with formal education programs outside of the traditional classroom
setting. It provides the independence and freedom that come with working independently of
a learning environment or teacher. No matter where someone lives or what resources they
have available, it opens access to education for everyone. \

Digital resources in classrooms can help prepare students for a digital society and
economy Digital technologies can unlock new learning opportunities in the classroom by
giving students access to a wider range of resources, by complementing the teacher in
learning processes (computer-assisted learning) and by providing other advantages to
students, such as access to motivational and informational resources associated with access
to tertiary education programs.

2. Differentiate Technological Determinism and Social Constructivism. Elaborate and give

concrete examples.

Technological Determinism is the theory which strongly believe that technology

shapes the culture, values, social structures of a society. The main reason why society
progresses is because of the kind technology the society has. On the other hand, Social
Constructivism is the opposite of the Technological Determinism. Social Constructivism
believes that humans play a main role in shaping technology rather than technology shaping
society.

Technology has power over society, which includes human behavior, culture, and
values. Human cognition and behavior are strongly influenced by technology. In other words,
technology is causing social change. On the other hand, social constructivism holds that
human behavior shapes technology rather than the other way around. We develop these
technologies because of our natural inclinations toward inquiry, expansion, and efficiency.

3. Describe the process of technological change. How technological evolution takes place?

Technological change refers to the idea of improving existing technologies and

developing new ones to improve the existing products and to create new products in the
market. This whole process helps in creating new markets and new market structures, and
destroying obsolete markets.
 Invention is the first step in the technological transformation process. The invention
then undergoes developments, where it is enhanced and put to use. Diffusion, the last stage
of the process, is when technology is disseminated throughout industries and civilizations.
Technical advancement is one of the phrases used to describe technological evolution, and
it may be examined through two different lenses. The first is the value-judgment lens, in
which we see technical progress as a key contributor to rising economic prosperity. The
second lens does not prioritize wellbeing. It sees technical advancement as nothing more
than the application of engineering and scientific knowledge to the creation of effective
products.

The first step is the expansion of scientific knowledge, the second is the use of this
information for practical reasons, and the third is the innovation that comes from the
commercialization of invention. This is very important for the development process.
Innovation and invention have different definitions according to Schumpeter. Innovation is
the practical use of invention in manufacturing for the market, whereas invention entails the
discovery of new technology. You may refer to it as commercialization that results from
scientific development. While innovation is an economic truth, invention is a scientific fact.
Large capital investments are made by the inventors at every stage of the invention process
since it requires not only a scientific mindset but also a community mentality and a high level
of entrepreneurial expertise.