How is Technology Changing the Workplace and Society?

Lesson Objectives

• Describe the impact of technology on education.

• Describe the impact of technology on science and medicine.

• Describe the impact of technology on work and play.

Technological Changes

• Home

• School

• Workplace

New technology is causing

major changes in our

society at:

Education

1. Internet– Classrooms– Library– Web Quests

2. Online tests

3. Distance Learning

4. Computer-Based Learning

5. Simulations

Factors affecting education are:

Web Quests

• Definition: uses the Internet for investigation and problem solving

• Created by Bernie Dodge at San Diego State University.

• Check out this link:– www.macomb.k12.dmis.us/wq/webqindx.htm

Distance Learning• Definition: using technology, the Internet, as a medium for schooling

or learning

• Department of Education supports Star Schools Program– Provides distance learning to millions of learners annually.– Florida High School Online

• Any high school student who is a resident in Florida can attend• Certified diploma-granting school

• Programs that provide guidance and testing for online courses– WebCt– Blackboard

Computer Based Learning• Also known as Computer Assisted Instruction

(CAI)• Definition: using a computer as a tutor.• A special computer program used to help to

reinforce a difficult concept.• Advantage: provides the opportunity to master

the idea by reviewing as many times as necessary

Simulations• Definition: models real-world activities and you learn by

doing• Examples

– Stock Market Game• By playing the game you learn about finance and the American

economic system• Go to www.smgww.org

– Rocket Simulation• allows you to design any size rocket, and then you can simulate its

flight to see how high, and how fast it will fly. – SimCity

• Great to enhance problem-solving skills. It allows the user to create a city, including highways, buildings, homes, and so forth.

• Go to www.simcity.com

Scientific Discovery and Technological Innovations

• Artificial Intelligence (AI)- processes information on its own without human intervention.

• Examples:– Games playing – where most advances have been made– Natural Language – offers the greatest potential rewards by

allowing people to interact easily with computers by talking to them

– Expert systems – computer programs that help us make decision. May help your parents determine the best type of insurance for their particular needs

– Robotics – used in assembly plants, such as for cars. The newest type is called a bot which is used by search engines.

Scientific Discovery (cont’d)• Genetic Engineering – refers to DNA in a living organism• Benefits

– Increasing resistance to disease– Enabling a plant or animal to do something it would not

typically do– Enabling a fruit to ripen without getting squashy

• One of the most widely known projects is: Human Genome Project coordinated by Department of Energy and National Institute of Health– Goal is to identify all of the approximately 100,000 genes in

human DNA– Store and analyze the data– Address the ethical, legal, and social issues

Scientific Discovery (cont’d)• Virtual Reality – an artificial environment that

feels like a real environment created with computer hardware and software.– There is more of a feeling of being in the actual

environment using all or almost all of the 5 senses– The user is immersed through some head-mounted

device (helmet).– Used in education, training, medicine, research, and

other areas

Work and Play

Global Economy• Banking, finance, commerce (printed money is on its way

to becoming obsolete)– Affects the way information and money is transmitted

• Electronic commerce: having an online business– Buy– Sell– Internet speed will increase because of cable modems and DSL– Digital cash

• Definition: allows someone to pay by transmitting a number from one computer to another.

• Numbers are issued by a bank.• Each number is unique

E-Commerce Disadvantages:– SPAM

– Junk mail sent to your email address

Advantages:– New Jobs

– Webmasters– Programmers– Network managers– Graphics Designers– Web Developers

Personal Lives– 21st century home becomes the center for work,

entertainment, learning and health care

• Technological advances that affect our personal lives:– Clothes that fight odor and bacteria– Flying car

• SkyCar is able to operate in a less restrictive area than a helicopter and is less expensive and safer.

– Voice recognition will allow us to talk to computers or computer-like devices and they will respond.

– Nonlethal weapons - HSV Technologies Inc., of San Diego, California developed a non-lethal weapon in 2000 that uses ultraviolet laser beams to harmlessly immobilize people and animals at a distance

Personal Lives• Technological advances (cont’d)

• Space travel– Companies developing a fleet of space commercial

vehicles to provide public space travel• smart shoes and seats – a technology called

expansive polymer gel uses a micro voltage to expand or contract the gel to evenly distribute heat and weight

• Smart houses– Keeps a house comfortable– Monitors electricity being used– Helps plan and prepare healthy meals– Monitors devices and schedules maintenance

• Online shopping– No longer having to fight crowds and search for

parking spaces

Summary• Many people predict that technology will change the

entire structure of education.• Technology is having a tremendous impact on education.• The Internet and the World Wide Web are the biggest

factors affecting education today.• Online courses through the Internet are becoming very

popular.• Many schools use computer-based learning to reinforce

concepts.• Simulations are models of real-world activities.

Summary (cont’d)• Information is continuing to increase faster than we

can process it.• Some people predict an anti-technology backlash.• Artificial intelligence is software that can process

information on its own without human intervention.• Genetic engineering refers to changing the DNA in

a living organism.

Summary (cont’d)• Virtual reality is an artificial environment that feels like a real

environment and is used in education, training, medicine, research, and other areas.

• In the new global economy, knowledge is the greatest asset.• Electronic commerce is the buying and selling of goods andservices

using the Internet and is predicted to grow at an ever-increasing rate.• Digital cash allows someone to pay online by transmitting a number

from one computer to another.• New jobs and new job categories are being developed because of

the Internet and electronic commerce.

Summary (conclusion)• In the 21st century, many people will work

from their homes.• Some technological advances are clothes

that fight odors, flying cars, voice recognition, nonlethal weapons, space travel, smart shoes, and smart seats, smart houses, and electronic shopping.