2. A World of Computers

3. Computers are everywhere: at home, at work, at government, and at school. Many daily activities either involve the use of or depend on information from a computer. People use all types and sizes of computers for numerous reasons and in various places. Some computers sit on top of a desk or on the floor; others are small enough to carry.

4. Computers are a primary means of communications for all types of people. Employees correspond with clients, students with teachers, and family with friends and other family members. In addition to corresponding via text messages, people send each other pictures, diagrams, drawings, music, and videos. Today’s technology provides the ability to see or hear others personally while you chat with them.

5. Through computers, society has instant access to information from around the globe. Local and national news, weather reports, sports scores, airline schedules, job listings, your credit report, and countless forms of educational material always are accessible. From the computer, you can meet new friends, shop, fill prescriptions, file taxes or take a course.

6. At home or while on the road, people use computers to manage schedules, balance a checkbook, pay bills, track personal income and expenses, transfer funds, and buy or sell stocks. Banks place automated teller machines (ATM’s) all over the world, making it easy to deposit or withdraw funds at anytime with a small plastic card. At the grocery store, a computer tracks purchases, calculates the amount of money due, and often generates coupons customized to buying patterns. Vehicles include onboard navigation systems that provide directions, call for emergency services, and track the vehicle if it is stolen.

7. In the workplace, employees use computers to create correspondence such as memos and letters, calculate payroll, track inventory, and generate invoices. Some applications such as automotive design and weather forecasting use computers to perform complex mathematical calculations.

8. At school, teachers use computers to assist with classroom instruction and keep records of student grades. Students complete assignments and do research on computers in lab rooms and at home.

9. People also spend hours of leisure time on the computer. They play games, listen to music, create music, watch a video or a movie, read a book or magazine, build a family tree, compose a video, retouch a photograph, make reservations, or plan a vacation.

10. The government uses computers to keep track of individual and business taxes, complete census, track crime and criminals, guide satellites through space, plan strategies and keep track of military personnel.

11. As technology continues to advance, computers are becoming more a part of daily living. Thus, many people believe that computer literacy is vital to success. Computer literacy entails having knowledge and understanding of computers and their uses.

12. How do you use a computer? 1 2 3 4 5 You have 2 minutes to write five ways you use a computer on the paper provided. You may use ways from the text.

13. What terms are new to me? You have three minutes to underline words in the text that are new to you.