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The Impact Of Computers On Our Economic And Social Life.

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Presentation on theme: "The Impact Of Computers On Our Economic And Social Life."— Presentation transcript:

1 The Impact Of Computers On Our Economic And Social Life.
To discuss the capabilities and limitations of computers. To explain the economic benefits of computers to the society. To recognize some potential dangers posed by computers. To predict the changes information technology will bring to our lifestyle.

2 As computers become increasingly common place in our society, the changes they will cause will undoubtedly affect each and every one of us in one way or another. This chapter focuses on the economic and social impact of computers on our lives. How do you spend your leisure time? Some people spend it on outdoor activities. They go for picnics, swimming or fishing. Others fly kites or model aeroplanes, take photographs or go for jungle treks. Those who prefer to stay indoors collect stamps, play board games or throw parties. Yet others travel to faraway places for adventure or to enjoy scenic landscapes. An increasing number of people now spend their leisure time on computer games and simulators. Will traditional pastimes be forgotten one day? We already feel the impact of computers at home and at work. Will computer take over our leisure hours as well?

3 Computers and human beings
Computers are machines Computers require programs Garbage In Garbage Out Differences between human beings and computers

4 Computers have become our new workhorse
Computers have become our new workhorse. They can work continuously, do not complain, do not need coffee breaks and can repetitive tasks exactly the same way they did them the first time. Computers have become indispensable at home and at work. At home, they are used to teach children how to read, write and spell and how to solve certain problems. They are also used for entertainment, to control and regulate temperature and humidity and to maintain home security. Computers are also used in factories, offices, hospitals, shops, banks, in transportation and public utilities.

5 We rely on computers because of their speed, reliability and storage capacities. Large amounts of data can be stored and retrieved quickly and efficiently at any time. The speed of computers also makes them ideal for processing large amounts of data or information. Computers can be used to do jobs considered too dangerous or too risky for human beings. For example, they are used for handling and disposing of radioactive and toxic materials, working on sea beds and working in outer space. In a workplace where computers are used, individual workers can be freed from repetitive chores and so can do their jobs better and faster. Computers also help us make better informed decisions. For example, Data sent back by weather satellites help us to predict the weather accurately. Therefore, human activities related to and affected by the weather can be planned carefully.

6 Garbage In and Garbage Out
1. Explain that garbage is rubbish. 2. Point out that although computers are machines, they may not be accurate all the time. These are the possible causes: Program error Incorrect input Machine malfunction

7 Program error: Since the computer depends entirely on the program to function, the program has to be correct. If a programmer types X=3+Y instead of Y=3+X, then the results would be wrong. It should be stressed that the equal symbol must not be read as ‘equal’, but rather ‘takes the value of’. Explain the job of a programmer and how vigilant he/she has to be in his/her programming. Incorrect input: Programs work by taking input to produce output. If the input is incorrect, i.e. a data entry clerk enters 27 instead of 72 for the marks, the grade sheet would be wrong. Discuss case studies from books and newspapers about the inconvenience caused by incorrect input. Machine Malfunction: Nobody has ever built any system that can last forever. So sometimes, machines can malfunction due to electrical disturbances or failure of some microchips inside the system. People who manage the system must be vigilant.

8 Think about it! A Computer can do many things quickly and correctly. But there are many other things that it cannot do. Name a few. Computers have no emotions Computers cannot draw and reproduce Computers cannot answer back to your remarks when you feel upset about them. Computers cannot do household chores Computers cannot think and reason like human beings.

9 Economic Benefits From Computers
Difference between automation and mechanization Information and its importance in government and business organizations Information exchange through networks Technological advancements in consumer products

10 The economic benefits from using the computers are many
The economic benefits from using the computers are many. People benefit on the job even if they are not computer specialists. Planners, managers and administrators use computers to plan and control, to identify problems and opportunities and to plan for alternative courses for action. If a certain variable does not come between he set parameters, the computer will inform the user and suggest the next course of action. Much time, money and other resources are thus saved. This could translate into improved management, better working atmosphere and improved morale.

11 We also benefit as consumers of the services, materials and goods provided by people who make use of computers. We enjoy greater efficiency, higher-quality products, better service and improved safety. And, at home, we benefit by using computers for various uses. We use them for recreation and for education. The handicapped can also benefit from the computerized devices they use.

12 General: Explain the differences between automation and mechanization. Use examples of space vehicle control jobs and manual work. 2. Give examples of technological advances in consumer products such as film less cameras, colour printouts from a printer attached into a television set and security systems.

13 Automation: Explain the difference between automation and mechanization: Automation is the use of automatic machines to do work that once needed human thinking and judgement. These machines are used to control various processes, e.g. in manufacturing. 3. Mechanization, on the other hand, is the use of machines to do work that once needed human muscle power. These machines brought about much economic benefit at the beginning of this century. 2. Explain how automation improves productivity.

14 3. Discuss automation trends in modern
offices- word processors, spreadsheets, databases and . 4. Explain how factory automation uses robots and CAD/CAM to improve productivity in the automobile industry, the gas industry, space exploration and mining.

15 Many activities in manufacturing, banking and designing can be automated. Automation can help in areas where one has to do the same job over and over again. The benefits of automation are as follows: Raises productivity Reduces the cost of labour and work force Easy to expand operations Output usually refers to goods and services and input refers to labour and raw materials. Automation takes away tedious and repetitive jobs from human beings and hence reduces operational costs. Automation can be programmed. We can change the program to suit any business environment. Thus it will be easy to expand business operations.

16 Information: 1. Explain the importance of information and its use in government and business organizations. 2. Use examples from a supermarket. Ask the students who needs the information below. Information type Who needs it? Sales Cashiers, sales supervisors, accountants and customers Purchases Supplier, purchasing officers and warehouse staff Inventory Sales supervisors and warehouse staff Payments Suppliers, customers, accounts staff and management

17 Networks: 1. Wide area network covers a wide geographical area. The speed of access is rather limited. Information flows on the public networks. 2. A local area network is mostly a private communication network. The speed varies from one megabit per second to hundreds of megabits per second. 3. Traditional networks require cabling. However, wireless networks are now available in the market.

18 Think about it! If you are a frequent traveler, in which bank would you prefer to open an account? A bank with many branches all over the world or a small bank with a few branches in Brunei? Why? A bank with many branches all over the world. It would be easier to find the banks and withdraw cash through the cashier or through its many ATMs at any time of day or night. One does not have to carry a lot of cash then. However, this changing, as more and more banks are issuing cards that will allow the holders to use ATMs belonging to different banks across the world.

19 Computer Hazards How computers can be hazardous What electronic interference is Pollution problems due to computers Minimizing computer hazards

20 SAVING THE ENVIRONMENT
Health Hazards and environmental pollution are often equated with the use and misuse of computer technology. We should help raise public consciousness about protecting our environment through the 4Rs. Reduce- Minimize the use of costly and depletable resources. Recycle- Recycle paper, disks, batteries, cartridges, etc. Reuse- Avoid filling landfills with disposable items. Consider reusable mugs, glasses, dishes, cloth towels, etc. Repair- Do not simply throw away computers or peripherals with minor problems. Try to get them repaired.

21 Pollution Problems 1. Explain how computers can give rise to pollution problems. 2. Then get the students to summarize the problems under these categories: Manufacture of computers and peripherals Expendable computer parts, e.g. printer cartridges Disposal of unwanted computers and peripherals

22 Health Problems 1. Explain how computer users can suffer from RSI and eye strain. Go through the following tips below, demonstrating the measures where suitable. Minimize RSI by following the tips below: Your keyboard should be placed appropriately so as to allow you to sit with your hips and your knees at right angles. Move the whole arm to press a function key. Do not reach for it with a finger. Do not lift your wrist above the level of your fingers and never rest your wrist on the desk. A padded wrist rest made of firm foam will help you keep your wrist in a straight and neutral position while typing. Keep your arms off the sharp edges of the work surface. Hold the mouse gently and move the whole arm and shoulder to operate the mouse. Keep your wrist relaxed and neutral. Do some hand exercises to relive any discomfort.

23 Protect your eyes by doing the following:
Position doing. Do your monitor directly in front of you at 60cm to 80cm or an arm’s length away. Adjust the height of the monitor so that you can easily see what you are not stare at the screen for long stretches of time. Look away from the screen occasionally. Do not have bright light falling on the screen. Indirect sunlight is advisable for computer work. Use anti-glare filters where there is sunlight. Use a document holder to place the documents at the same distance from your eyes to the monitor. This helps to minimize the number of eye movements and hence reduce eye strain.

24 Good work habits are essential for hazard-free computing
Good work habits are essential for hazard-free computing. Examples of good work habits are: Go for regular exercises after work Take 5-10 minute breaks from your computer after one to two hours of computer work. Try to do non-computer related work such as reading books or doing homework. Avoid holding the same posture for prolonged periods. Try changing positions even while sitting in front of a computer. Check your eyes periodically if you suspect something is wrong. Avoid unnecessary computer work. Do not play computer games for long periods of time. Many people injure their wrists while playing computer games.

25 Social Impact Definition of social impact
How computers affect employment patterns The price for depending too much on computers Futuristic lifestyles in a computerized society

26 Computers have a positive impact in the following ways:
More efficient business - Managers can better track their employees and inventories; make better-informed decisions in order to remain competitive. More efficient manufacturing - Products are processed or manufactured automatically and we pay less as labour cost is reduced. People are brought closer together - People are more exposed to the cultures, life styles and values of others through electronic news gathering and dispatching. More varied entertainment and recreation. Wider range of educational tools - Computers have become a powerful motivating and learning tool. Various disciplines and areas of interest can be learned at one’s pace & leisure. Convenience - Cash can be deposited and withdrawn anywhere and at any time we fine convenient. Cashless transactions guarantees security.

27 Tele-shopping - Shopping can be done using home computer, with the internet becoming a big ‘tele-shop’. A customer can select products using a computer and pay for them using a credit card. The Borneo Bulletin recently introduced a website for local supermarkets and shops to advertise their products on BruNet. Shops which exists only in a website need not pay for the cost of running an actual shop. They can therefore pass on the savings to their customers. Tele-banking - This is similar to tele-shopping except that it handles money. A person can be connected to the bank using modems and telephone lines. He or she can look into his/her accounts, transfer funds to other accounts or request for other services from the bank. Hongkong and Shanghai bank has the tele-banking service called HEXAGAN in Brunei Darussalam. Big business organizations use this service. Tele-officing – This is also called tele-commuting. It allows people to work at home instead of at an office. They work at a terminal or PC at home and send their work through a communication link to the computer system in the office. There are savings in transportation and time. People who look after young children may benefit from teleofficing. However, they may feel lonely and isolated. Tele-conferencing - This service allows people in different locations to see and talk to each other, so that a conference or meeting can take place. There are savings in air tickets, hotel bills and time. This is made possible through the use of networking, and video and audio technologies. JTB offers teleconferencing facilities in the country.

28 Think about it! These people have been displaced or have been retrained. They have been displaced and become unemployed due to changes in technology as their work is no longer needed. Others have been retrained to use word processors. In order to find jobs in the modern work place one must be literate not only in the conventional sense but also in information technology.

29 We will still need cash, especially when we need to tip a taxi driver or a porter, pay for a parking ticket, or give a donation. Small amounts of cash are also needed to pay for a few pieces of sweets or chocolates or use a public toilet! It is doubtful that we will go completely cashless. Imagine if a country in ASEAN stops using hard cash. What effect will it have on currency transactions between ASEAN countries?

30 People might use this free time to:
Think ways to increase one’s productivity and efficiency. To interact with their family members. To carry out welfare activities. We can also expect more talented artists, musicians, singers, actresses and actors. However, some people might get involved in anti-social activities if there is not much serious work to do.


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