Computers and Quality of Life

TC2-Computer LiteracyMr. Sencer

February 19, 2010

Computer Applications in Society

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

Education

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?

Finance

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?

Government

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?

Health Care 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?

Pill Camera

Science

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?

Neural Networks

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

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?

Travel

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?

Manufacturing

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?

Robotics