2009 PrenticeHall Inc 1 Technology in Action Chapter

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 1

Technology in Action Chapter 1 Why Computers Matter to You: Becoming Computer Literate © 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 2

Chapter Topics • • Computer literacy Computers and careers Future technologies Challenges of a digital society © 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 3

What Is Computer Literacy? • To be computer literate you must: – Understand a computer’s capabilities and limitations – Know how to use a computer © 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 4

Being a Savvy Computer User and Consumer • • Avoid hackers and viruses Protect your privacy Understand the real risks Use the Internet wisely Avoid online annoyances Maintain your computer Make good purchase decisions Integrate the latest technology © 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 5

Computers in Your Career? • Information Technology (IT) involves: – Information handling – Information retrieval – Computers – Telecommunications • Seven fastest-growing occupations are computer related © 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 6

Computers in Your Career? • Computer careers in: – Business – Retail – Shipping – Arts – Education © 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. –Medicine –Law Enforcement –Legal System –Agriculture –Sciences 7

Computers in Business, Retail, and Shipping • • • Data mining Personal Shopper Systems Package tracking © 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 8

Computers in the Arts • • • Web site galleries Virtual dance Computergenerated art © 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 9

Computer Gaming Careers • Programming • 3 D animation © 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 10

Computers in Education • Computers in the classroom • Distance education • Computerized research • The Internet • PDA-guided tours © 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 11

Computers in Law Enforcement • Computers find records and possible suspects • Computer forensics growing © 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 12

Computers in the Legal System • • Surveillance cameras capture crimes Forensic animations based on evidence High-tech courtrooms Handheld wireless devices used to display evidence © 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 13

Computers in Agriculture • Programs assist in managing complex farming business and information systems • RFID tags track and record animals in case of diseases • Computerized sensors and equipment activation protect crops © 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 14

Computers in Medicine • Patient simulators and surgical robots • Physiome Project © 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 15

Biomedical Implants • Technological solutions to physical problems • Identity chips © 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 16

Simulations • Supercomputers used to create simulations: – Archeology – Meteorology © 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 17

Computers in Sports • Improved training • Timing and scorekeeping • Data storage and statistics • “Smartballs” sense when soccer goals are scored © 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 18

Nanotechnology • Nanoscience: Study of molecules and nanostructures • Nanotechnology: Science of use of nanostructures © 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 19

Affective Computing • Computing that relates to emotion or tries to influence emotion • Emotional-Social Prosthesis (ESP) device © 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 20

Challenges Facing a Digital Society • • • Privacy risks Personal data collection Email monitored Copyright infringement Reliance on computers for security • Digital divide © 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 21

Chapter 1 Summary Questions • What does it mean to be “computer literate”? © 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 22

Chapter 1 Summary Questions • How does being computer literate make you a savvy computer user and consumer? © 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 23

Chapter 1 Summary Questions • How can becoming computer literate help you in a career? © 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 24

Chapter 1 Summary Questions • How can becoming computer literate help you understand take advantage of future technologies? © 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 25

Chapter 1 Summary Questions • What kinds of challenges do computers bring to a digital society, and how does becoming computer literate help you deal with these challenges? © 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 26