Digital Technology Basics Digital Technology Basics includes two lessons: Lesson 1: The Modern Digital Experience Lesson 2: Digital Technology & Career Opportunities                       1

The Modern Digital Experience Lesson: 1 The Modern Digital Experience Digital technology is used in all areas of life today. It has changed the way people work and entertain themselves. This module explains the scope of digital technology at home, at work, and at play. It also identifies the different career opportunities made available because of the extensive use of computers in various fields. 2

Lesson 1 – The Modern Digital Experience Objectives In this lesson, you will be able to: Identify the benefits of the expanding scope of digital technology. Explain how merging technologies expand the features of digital devices. The modern digital experience involves the transition from traditional devices to multipurpose digital devices. For example, earlier, traditional wired phones were used to communicate with people. With the introduction of digital technology, cell phones — small wireless phones — came into the market. These phones were not only used to communicate with people, but also to store telephone numbers of contacts and send messages to other cell phone users. Today, some of the latest cell phones help you do all this and also connect to the Internet or take pictures by using a built-in camera. This lesson introduces you to digital technology and its benefits. It also introduces you to merging technologies.

Expansion of Digital Technology Digital technology is evolving at a rapid rate. It has changed the way you: manage your work communicate with others entertain yourself. Digital technology has changed the way people work and play. Due to the advancement in digital technology, there are various digital devices available in the market today. Before buying a digital device, such as a portable audio player or video player, you should do extensive research on the various devices available in the market. It is also important to understand the different features of each digital device. In addition, it is important to familiarize yourself with the various digital devices and digital terminology. 4

Audio Technology Change Old New For example, you use traditional devices, such as a transistor radio or a walkman, for listening to music. Now, with the use of digital technology, you can download music from the Internet to your computer. You can then copy these songs on a recordable compact disc (CD) and listen to them by using a CD player. 5

Telephone Technology Change New Old The latest models of cell phones use merging technologies that allow you to take pictures, record videos, listen to songs, or even watch movies and videos downloaded from the Internet. You can connect these cell phones to a computer and transfer the pictures and videos to the computer. 6

Video Technology Change New Old You can also use digital technology to record video. For example, you can use a digital camcorder to record a video of family occasions and parties. The video is recorded and stored in a digital format.   You can transfer the recorded videos to a computer and then share them with your friends by copying the videos to a recordable CD or digital versatile disc (DVD). 7

Merging Technologies & Digital Media Devices Today, the functions of different digital technologies are being merged in a single multipurpose digital device. 8

Audio and Video Players Examples of audio and video players: MPEG Audio Layer 3 (MP3) players CD players DVD players You can use MP3 players to play audio whereas you can use CD players and DVD players to play audio or video. If you have multipurpose CD players or DVD players, you can use them to play audio, video, and MP3 files. 9

Cell Phones A cell phone is a wireless device that provides the capabilities of a traditional wired phone and allows you to make a call from almost any location. The latest models of cell phones allow you to: take pictures, record videos, listen to songs watch movies and videos downloaded from the Internet. TA cell phone is a wireless device that provides the capabilities of a traditional wired phone and allows you to make a call from almost any location.

Cell Phones Use a Web-enabled cell phone to: connect to the Internet check your e-mail messages download songs and games from the Internet Use a cell phone that has camera and multimedia features to: take pictures record short video clips, and play music and games transmit pictures and videos You can use a Web-enabled cell phone to connect to the Internet, check your e-mail messages, or download songs and games from the Internet. If you have a cell phone that has camera and multimedia features, you can take pictures, record short video clips, and play music and games. You can transmit pictures and videos from one phone to another or to another person by using e-mail. 11

Video Game Systems Microsoft® Xbox ® is an example of a video game system that is similar to a personal computer. An Xbox has a motherboard and a hard disk and supports online gaming. You play games on an Xbox by using an Xbox game disk. Microsoft® Xbox ® is an example of a video game system that is similar to a personal computer. An Xbox has a motherboard and a hard disk and supports online gaming. You play games on an Xbox by using an Xbox game disk. You can also transfer audio files from audio CDs to the hard drive of an Xbox. Therefore, you can use an Xbox as an audio player. You can also play movie DVDs by using a latest Xbox system. 12

Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) A PDA is a handheld computer that is used as a personal organizer. A traditional PDA includes features, such as an address book, task list, and a calculator. You can connect a PDA to a computer to transfer information. A PDA is a handheld computer that is used as a personal organizer. A traditional PDA includes features, such as an address book, task list, and a calculator. You can connect a PDA to a computer to transfer information. If you have a Web-enabled PDA, you can connect it to the Internet and play multimedia files over the Internet. A smart phone is a cell phone that provides the functions of a PDA in a phone. You can use a smart phone to access the Internet, play games, and listen to songs. 13

Digital Cameras A digital camera stores images digitally on a memory device, such as a flash memory card or a mini hard disk, whereas a traditional camera stores images on film. Some digital cameras allow you to print images by connecting your digital camera directly to a digital printer. A digital camera stores images digitally on a memory device, such as a flash memory card or a mini hard disk, whereas a traditional camera stores images on film. Some digital cameras allow you to print images by connecting your digital camera directly to a digital printer. 14

Digital Video Cameras You can use a digital video camera to record video and store it in a digital format. Examples: Digital camcorders Webcams A digital camcorder to record both video and audio and store it in a digital format on a storage device, such as a recordable DVD. A webcam is also a digital video camera that captures images and transmits the images across the Internet. You can use a digital video camera to record video and store it in a digital format. Digital camcorders and Webcams are examples of digital video cameras. You can use a digital camcorder to record both video and audio and store it in a digital format on a storage device, such as a tape or a recordable DVD. A Webcam is also a digital video camera that captures images and transmits the images across the Internet. The images are transferred either continuously or at regular intervals of time. Webcams can be connected to a computer, or they can be wireless. 15

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Lesson: 2 Digital Technology & Career Opportunities Digital technology has changed the way people work. Today, work is no longer a place where you have to go. It is a task that has to be completed, or a job that has to be done. Advanced digital technology allows people to work from remote locations such as their houses or regional work centers that minimize commuting distances. This saves travel time and increases productivity. A variety of career options are available for people who have adequate knowledge of computers. With more computer knowledge, more opportunities become available in the Information Technology (IT) industry. You can work as an information worker, an IT professional, or as a developer. This lesson introduces you to these career options. 17

Lesson Objectives After completing this lesson, you will be able to: Explain how digital technology helps people work remotely. Identify the different career opportunities available for information workers. Identify the different career opportunities available for IT professionals. Identify the different career opportunities available for developers. A variety of career options are available for people who have adequate knowledge of computers. With more computer knowledge, more opportunities become available in the Information Technology (IT) industry. You can work as an information worker, an IT professional, or as a developer. This lesson introduces you to these career options. 18

Digital Technology and Your Work Place Due to the developments in digital technology, people can work from remote locations. People do not have to necessarily travel long distances to reach their office every day. Telecommuting is an arrangement that allows people to work from home or from a remote office. Due to the developments in digital technology, people can work from remote locations. People do not have to necessarily travel long distances to reach their office every day. Telecommuting is an arrangement that allows people to work from home or from a remote office. Telecommuters, or employees of companies that practice telecommuting, communicate with their colleagues or contacts by using the companies’ intranet, the Internet, or other telecommunication services. In some cases, they can also use technologies like videoconferencing and VoIP to communicate with their colleagues. 19

Telecommuting Two types of telecommuting: Home Office Remote Office 20

Home Office Home office is an arrangement that allows people to work from home. In such an arrangement, people can communicate with their colleagues or contacts by using a company’s telecommunication services, such as instant messaging and e-mail. Consider a scenario. Christie Moon has a 3-year-old child and is finding it difficult to manage her work and take care of her child. She cannot decide whether to quit her job or keep it. She discusses this problem with her boss. He advises her that she can work from home. He also tells her that she can use the telephone, e-mail, and instant messaging to update her colleagues about the status of her work. Home office is an arrangement that allows people to work from home. In such an arrangement, people can communicate with their colleagues or contacts by using a company’s telecommunication services, such as instant messaging and e-mail. 21

Remote Office Regional work centers are remote offices that are connected to the company’s head office by using either the company’s network or the Internet. Regional work centers allow telecommuters to access tools and technology that they may not have at home. Consider a scenario. Christie Moon is working from home these days because she has to take care of her 3-year-old child. She wants to give a presentation to her colleagues but does not want to go all the way to office, which is far from her house. She decides to go a nearby regional work center, which her company owns, to give the presentation by using videoconferencing. Regional work centers are remote offices that are connected to the company’s head office by using either the company’s network or the Internet. Regional work centers allow telecommuters to access tools and technology that they may not have at home. Also, in some cases, if people do not want to travel long distances, they can go to a nearby regional work center. Companies can have their own regional work centers, rent a regional work center, or share them with other companies. 22

Career Opportunities as Information Workers The wide-ranging use of computers has led to a number of career opportunities for people who are computer literate. With relevant computer knowledge, you can work as an information worker, whose basic work is to gather and record information. The wide-ranging use of computers has led to a number of career opportunities for people who are computer literate. With relevant computer knowledge, you can work as an information worker, whose basic work is to gather and record information.   Typists, receptionists, warehouse managers, travel agents, and desktop publishers are some examples of information workers. Typists use computers to create documents such as memos, letters, and files. They also use computers to maintain records. Typists use software programs to analyze these records and generate reports. Receptionists are responsible for answering and diverting telephone calls. They are also responsible for planning and updating schedules of meetings. Receptionists use computers to maintain records, which could be bills, customer queries, and general information necessary to answer customer queries. Warehouse managers are responsible for keeping account of the warehouse stocks. With the help of a computer, the warehouse manager also plans the schedules and working hours for all the people working in the warehouse. Travel agents use computers to provide their customers with information on various holiday destinations and details about any specific location. The details may range from information on weather to accommodation facilities. Desktop publishers use applications such as Microsoft Office Word 2003 and Microsoft Office Publisher 2003 to create newsletters, magazines, brochures, and books. They also edit photographs and sketches. They are responsible for placing these photographs in the brochures and magazines that they publish. 23

Career Opportunities as IT Professionals IT professionals are people who have the technical knowledge, experience, and qualifications to work in the IT industry. Network administrators, database administrators, Web administrators, computer graphics professionals, and technical writers are some examples of IT professionals. IT professionals are people who have the technical knowledge, experience, and qualifications to work in the IT industry. Network administrators, database administrators, Web administrators, computer graphics professionals, and technical writers are some examples of IT professionals.   Network administrators are responsible for managing the computers on a network. Some network management tasks include installing and maintaining networks. They also include adding and removing individuals from the list of authorized users. Database administrators are responsible for maintaining databases that organize information stored on a computer. Database administrators are also responsible for deciding who should be given access to which part of the database. Web administrators are responsible for managing Web sites. Web administrators are either involved at a stage when a Web site is being created or when a Web site is functional. Web administrators consult the client who owns the Web site and the intended users to ensure that the Web site is according to their requirements. They also plan audits and checks to ensure that the Web sites are secure and up-to-date. Computer graphics professionals create graphics and animations for commercial purposes by using computers. They use photo editing software to enhance the quality of the graphics by adjusting the brightness, contrast, and color. Technical writers create documentation on any type of technology. For example, technical writers create help documents and online help files for troubleshooting technical problems. They also write technical articles for magazines and papers about upcoming technologies and digital devices. 24

Career Opportunities as Developers Developers are responsible for developing software applications. Programmers, software developers, Web site designers, and computer game designers are examples of developers. Developers are responsible for developing software applications. Programmers, software developers, Web site designers, and computer game designers are examples of developers.   A programmer’s job is to write programs that are used to create software. They also test and maintain software. A programmer may work alone or in a team to create programs. There are many people involved in software development. A software developer’s job is to coordinate with all the people involved and streamline the whole process of software development. When there are multiple programmers writing for a single software, the software developer is also responsible for assembling the work of all the programmers and integrating it into the software. Web site designers are responsible for designing and maintaining an organization’s Web site. They are also responsible for estimating the budget required to maintain and update a Web site. Web site designers also keep record of the number of visitors to a Web site. Game designers are responsible for deciding how the game will look and function. Games can be of various types, such as action games, racing games, and adventure games. Game designers have to visualize the game to the smallest detail. For example, if they are designing a racing game they visualize the different kinds of vehicles, the color of the vehicles, and the types of racing tracks.. 25

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