ECommerce in Agribusiness Student Learning Objectives Instruction in

E-Commerce in Agribusiness

Student Learning Objectives. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following objectives: 1. Describe the uses of computing in agribusiness. 2. Identify terminology related to electronic commerce. 3. Explain costs and issues associated with electronic commerce.

How are computers used in agribusinesses? I. Computers can be used for a number of applications in the agriculture business. There are five main uses; accounting, management, telecommunications, education, and recreation.

A. Computers can be used in accounting to replace handwritten ledgers.

B. For management purposes, computers can be used to produce flow charts and to organize data.

C. Telecommunications refers to the combination of the computer and the telephone. Data from around the world can be accessed in this way.

D. Education and training is available through computer programs and Internet websites.

What are some of the terms related to electronic commerce? II. A vast new vocabulary has emerged with the popularity of electronic commerce and the world wide web. Glossaries and dictionaries are located at several websites on the Internet to help define these terms. The Internet is the computer network that provides communications and services to businesses and individuals worldwide. The world wide web (www) is the most popular system used to find information on the Internet. Understanding electronic commerce terms will help agribusiness owners better understand the significance of electronic commerce and its use in agribusinesses.

A. In order to find and share information, computers must be tied into a network. A network refers to the connection of two or more computers for the purpose of sharing information. Computer users can share information via a network or while online with other computer users. To be online is to be in contact with a local network or on the Internet. To be offline is to work without a connection to a local network or the Internet.

B. Computer and Internet safety is a concern for all computer users. The commerce department is the government agency in charge of the exportation of cryptography. Cryptography refers to encrypting and decrypting data for storage or transmission over computer networks or the Internet. Encryption means to put into code. Decryption means to decode. Secure web servers utilize encryption and decryption to transmit data safely over networks and the Internet. Hypertext markup language (html) is the format used to send documents over the Internet.

C. It is also possible to send and receive graphic information via computer networks and the Internet. Two examples of image transfer are the graphic interchange format and joint photographic expert group. Graphic interchange format (GIF) is the standard format used to exchange graphics over the Internet. Joint photographic expert group (JPEG) is the standard format for exchanging graphic files over the Internet.

What are the costs and issues associated with e commerce? III. Electronic commerce can be a costly but efficient way to do business. Costs can be overcome with increased revenue resulting from a wider customer base. As computer usage in homes and schools increase, electronic commerce is likely to increase, also.

A. Costs related to electronic commerce include hardware, software, connections, personnel to handle marketing, accounting, and sales, and public relations and advertisement. Initial set-up costs in each of these areas may decrease after the first year. Employeetraining in computer use should also be considered.

B. The benefits of electronic commerce should not be overshadowed by the initial investment. Agribusiness has unlimited potential in the areas of sales, services, and auctions on the Internet. Purchases can be made quickly and easily and deliveries can be made overnight using the new computer technology. Many farmers will adapt to changes in computer technology just as they adapted to changes in machinery technology.

a. online c. network e. decryption b. offline d. encryption _______ 1. Working while in contact with the local network or Internet. _______ 2. The connection of two or more computers for the purpose of sharing information. _______ 3. To work without a connection to a local network or the Internet, _______ 4. To put into code _______ 5. To decode.

1. ________________ utilize encryption and decryption to transmit data safely over networks and the Internet. 2. The ________ is the government agency in charge of the exportation of cryptography. 3. The _________ is the computer network that provides communications and services to businesses and individuals worldwide. 4. __________ refers to encrypting and decrypting data for storage or transmission over computer networks or the Internet.

Part One: Matching 1. a 2. c 3. b 4. d 5. e Part Two: Completion 1. Secure web servers 2. commerce department 3. Internet 4. Cryptography