© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc.1

2 Technology in Action Chapter 1 Why Computers Matter to You: Becoming Computer Literate

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc.10 Computer Gaming Careers ProgrammingProgramming 3D animation3D animation

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc.11 Computers in Education Computers in the classroomComputers in the classroom Distance educationDistance education Computerized researchComputerized research The InternetThe Internet PDA-guided toursPDA-guided tours

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc.23 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.24 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.25 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.26 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?