TC2-Computer Literacy Mr. Sencer February 19, 2010

 The impact computers have had is almost as great as the Industrial Revolution.  People interact directly with computers in fields such as: Education Finance Government Health care Science Publishing Travel Manufacturing

 Before  The development of computers traditionally people learn from other people such as parents, teachers, and employers using printed materials such as books and manuals.  Now  Education has become digital, education systems provide much more access to computers, the Internet and technology.  Books are now E-Books or in some digital format  Classes are offered online, more formally known as distance learning. You can even complete an entire degree program online.  What have you noticed that has changed in Education through the development of computers/technology?

 Everyday people and companies use computers to help manage their finances.  Before  Financial information was only available via statements mailed, telephone or just in person.  Now  Finance software exists to aid in pay bills, tracking income and expenses, and managing investments  Majority of software is an online service through Online Banking. All of your financial information is accessible to you anywhere in the world, at any time.  What have you noticed that has changed in the Financial world through the development of computers/technology?

 A government provides direction by making and administering laws/policies.  Before  Government agencies couldn’t be contacted, had to be face to face or via mail  Tons of paperwork to fill out to get anything done.  Now  All Government offices now have Web Sites allowing them to provide citizens with up-to-date information.  People can access government Web sites to perform various government tasks electronically. ▪ E.g. file taxes, pay parking tickets, buy stamps, report crimes, apply for financial aid, and driver’s licenses.  Reduction of Paperwork, all forms and letters now are electronic.  Law Enforcement agencies are now linked where now information is accessible at many levels  What have you noticed that has changed in the Government through the development of computers/technology?

 Nearly every area of health care today uses computers.  Hospitals and doctors use computers and mobile devices to maintain and access patient records, monitor patients’ vital signs in hospital rooms and at home  Computers and computerized devices assist doctors, nurses, and technicians with medical tests  Surgeons implant computerized devices, such as pacemakers, that allow patients to live longer.  There are also forms of long distance health care called Telesurgery  Telesurgery: A surgeon performs an operation on a patient who is not in the same room as the surgeon.  Telesurgery enables surgeons to direct robots to perform an operation via computers connected to a high-speed network  What have you noticed that has changed in Health Care through the development of computers/technology?

 All branches of science, from biology to astronomy to meteorology, use computers to assist them with collecting, analyzing, and modeling data.  Tiny computers now imitate functions of the central nervous system, retina of the eye, and cochlea of the ear.  A cochlear implant allows a deaf person to hear. (Hearing Aid)  Electrodes implanted in the brain stop tremors associated with Parkinson’s disease.  What have you noticed that has changed in Science through the development of computers/technology?

 A neural network is a system that attempts to imitate the behavior of the human brain.  Scientists create neural networks by connecting thousands of processors together much like the neurons in the brain are connected.  By scientists studying neural networks we now have features such as Text-to-Speech.

 Publishing is the process of making works available to the public.  These works include books, magazines, newspapers, music, film, and video.  As computers have evolved the specialized software for publishing has grown as well.  What have you noticed that has changed in Publishing through the development of computers/technology?

 Whether traveling by car or airplane, your goal is to arrive safely at your destination.  GPS was created to find your position anywhere around the world  Online websites and systems have been created so people can book and sell tickets, find out flight information, get driving directions.  What have you noticed that has changed in Travel through the development of computers/technology?

 Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) refers to the use of computers to assist with manufacturing processes such as fabrication and assembly.  CAM is used by a variety of industries, including oil drilling, power generation, food production, and automobile manufacturing.  Automobile plants, for example, have an entire line of industrial robots that assemble a car  What have you noticed that has changed in Manufacturing through the development of computers/technology?