© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Technology in Action Chapter 1 Why Computers Matter to You: Becoming Computer Literate Chapter 1 introduces the basics of becoming computer literate, including many concepts that will be developed throughout the course. © 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

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

What Is Computer Literacy? To be computer literate you must: Understand a computer’s capabilities and limitations Know how to use a computer The information age is upon us, and every corner of our lives has been affected. Everything we do—our work, our play, the way we communicate, commerce, and our relationships—has been affected by computers. Becoming computer literate—being familiar enough with computers that you understand their capabilities and limitations and know how to use them—has become a necessity to succeed. Becoming computer literate is what this course is all about. © 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

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 Now that the personal computer is such a large part of our lives, knowing how to analyze, choose, purchase, and maintain your own computer system are required skills for success in the academic and business worlds. Being a savvy consumer will help you accomplish all the things on this slide. It will save you money, make you more productive, help you protect your identity, and ensure you have a working system when you need it. As technology evolves, you will also be able to keep up and adapt. © 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Computers in Your Career? Information Technology (IT) involves: Information handling Information retrieval Computers Telecommunications Seven fastest-growing occupations are computer related Information technology (IT) is the set of techniques used in information handling and retrieving information automatically. IT includes computers and telecommunications. IT careers are on the rise, and the seven fastest-growing occupations are computer related. . © 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Computers in Your Career? Computer careers in: Business Retail Shipping Arts Education Medicine Law Enforcement Legal System Agriculture Sciences Regardless of which profession you pursue, if computers are not already in use in that career, they most likely will be soon. The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that by 2010, 70 percent of the U.S. workforce will be using computers at work. Becoming truly computer literate—understanding the capabilities and limitations of computers and what you can do with them—will undoubtedly help you perform your job more effectively. © 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Computers in Business, Retail, and Shipping Data mining Personal Shopper Systems Package tracking Business around the world is conducted on computers. Information is stored in enormous databases. To make meaning of all that data, businesses use a process known as data mining. Retail systems called Personal Shopper Systems are provided by some stores. These small computers show shoppers information such as prices, specials, and total purchase price. Some businesses use package tracking with wireless Bluetooth technology. Every segment of business has been transformed by the computer. © 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Computers in the Arts Web site galleries Virtual dance Computer-generated art The creative arts have also been enhanced by computers. Artists communicate and collaborate across oceans. Writers and editors complete their work together from across the country. New forms of graphic arts and cinematography are introduced every day, all globally and immediately. Even dance has been enhanced with the computer. © 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Computer Gaming Careers Programming 3D animation The computer and video game industry is enormous. In fact, revenues from computer gaming in the United States have surpassed revenues from Hollywood. Very intricate programming is behind these games. The animations are the result of years of research and development, with new games being developed every day. Because computer games are best developed for a local market by people native to that market, game development will most likely stay in the United States instead of being outsourced as many programming jobs have been. © 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Computers in Education Computers in the classroom Distance education Computerized research The Internet PDA-guided tours Computers have given teachers tremendous new tools for presenting information and keeping records. Colleges offer full degree programs, totally over the Internet. Vast stores of information are available wherever there is an Internet connection. Libraries have brought the computer into their operations. Training tutorials are used to teach new tasks and research is done from the desktop. Education will never be the same as it was. © 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Computers in Law Enforcement Computers find records and possible suspects Computer forensics growing Law enforcement uses computers to quickly find records, locate possible suspects, and investigate accounts. As the Internet and e-commerce become more and more popular, criminals stalk the wire for victims. Law enforcement officers must use computers to track and capture criminals. Computer forensics is the application of computer systems and techniques to gather potential legal evidence. Even parking enforcement uses technology today. © 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Computers in the Legal System Surveillance cameras capture crimes Forensic animations based on evidence High-tech courtrooms Handheld wireless devices used to display evidence Computers have changed the way the government interacts with the public. Records, laws, and transactions in electronic form are common and have increased the speed and usefulness of legal information. From the cop who can run a license plate number in seconds to the income tax form filed electronically, the computer has had an enormous effect on the law. Surveillance cameras watch over us constantly, snapping a picture when we run a red light. In court, animators make movies of events the way things probably happened, bringing to the screen a clearer picture than mere testimony would provide. Wireless courtrooms and wireless devices have revolutionized the legal system. © 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

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 Farm management programs assist in managing complex business and information systems. RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags are placed on the ears of livestock. Animals are tracked and a record is kept in case of disease outbreaks. Computerized sensors and equipment activation are used to protect crops like cranberries. © 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Computers in Medicine Patient simulators and surgical robots Physiome Project The ability of the computer to store, process, and distribute vast amounts of information globally and immediately has led to tremendous breakthroughs in pharmaceuticals and disease prevention. People are living longer, healthier lives, and computers have played a large part in this development. Medical professionals can now train on patient simulators without risking a patient’s life. In the Physiome Project bioengineers are creating realistic computer simulations of all systems and features of the human anatomy. Surgery is being performed with robotic equipment. © 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Biomedical Implants Technological solutions to physical problems Identity chips Retinal implants are replacing damaged nerves and providing sight to the blind. Identity chips are being embedded in humans and can be scanned to prove a person’s identity. They are being implanted in children so that they can be located if they are abducted. Biomedical implants can also monitor systems inside the body for problems and catch them before they are out of control. © 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Simulations Supercomputers used to create simulations: Archeology Meteorology Science has used the computer to streamline studies, eliminate redundancy, test hypotheses, develop theories, and communicate findings. The computer has brought vast new levels of global collaboration, advancing fields like engineering, chemistry, physics, and cosmology to unprecedented levels. Supercomputers crunch enormous amounts of data creating simulations that could not be created before. Tornado forecasting may be getting more accurate thanks to detailed simulations. 3D modeling and imaging software is helping archeologists simulate ancient civilizations. . © 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Computers in Sports Improved training Timing and scorekeeping Data storage and statistics “Smartballs” sense when soccer goals are scored Computers are now being used to help athletes analyze their performance and improve their game. Watch an auto race and look at the computers in the pits. Coaches in football use computers constantly. Officials use them to control games. The use of computers at the Olympic Games is legendary. In soccer, smartballs are used to automatically sense when the ball cross the goal line. © 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Nanotechnology Nanoscience: Study of molecules and nanostructures Nanotechnology: Science of use of nanostructures Nanoscience involves the study of molecules and structures (called nanostructures) whose size ranges from 1 to 100 nanometers. Nanotechnology is the science revolving around the use of nanostructures to build devices on an extremely small scale. The devices would be called nanoscale machines. Working at the molecular level, scientists have built microscopic machines that perform assigned tasks. New materials and processes are emerging in this exciting new field of discovery. © 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Affective Computing Computing that relates to emotion or tries to influence emotion Emotional-Social Prosthesis (ESP) device Affective computing is computing that relates to emotion or deliberately tries to influence emotion. The Emotional-Social Prosthesis device (ESP), developed by a group at the MIT Media Lab, is targeted at helping people who have autism. © 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Challenges Facing a Digital Society Privacy risks Personal data collection Email monitored Copyright infringement Reliance on computers for security Digital divide The information age brings to each of us a set of unprecedented challenges. Our identity can be stolen. Our work e-mails may be viewed. Otherwise law-abiding citizens illegally copy software. Without thinking, we cut and paste from copyrighted material on the Web. The discrepancy between the “haves” and “have-nots” with regards to computer technology is commonly referred to as the digital divide. As computers become more and more embedded in our lives, all of these challenges will grow. Making the personal decisions required to efficiently, legally, and safely maneuver through cyberspace is tied to the knowledge and awareness of the user. © 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

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

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

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

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

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? 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.