Grade 11 CAT - Module 2.4: Our Changing World

Practice flashcards covering Module 2.4: Our Changing World from Grade 11 Computer Applications Technology, including 4IR, remote working, gig economy, IoT, VR, and AR.

What causes an industrial revolution?

An industrial revolution takes place when a hugely significant change in technology changes the way that we do and make things.

What technology defined the First Industrial Revolution, and when did it begin?

It began around 1760 and was driven by steam power and mechanisation, which transformed manufacturing and shifted work from farms to factories.

What key technological advancements enabled the Second Industrial Revolution?

Electricity and assembly lines, which enabled mass production starting around 1870.

What marked the start of the Third Industrial Revolution, and when did it begin?

It began around 1950 with the invention of digital computers and the internet, which digitized information and communication.

Which software tools are highlighted for video calls, messaging, cloud storage, and project management in a remote office?

Zoom / Teams for video calls, Slack / WhatsApp for messaging, Google Drive / OneDrive / Dropbox for cloud storage, and Trello for project management.

What is office automation, and what are its main benefits and challenges?

Office automation is using technology to handle repetitive, routine tasks manually done by humans. Its main benefit is freeing humans for more interesting jobs, while its main challenge is the disappearance of traditional jobs.

What is the gig economy?

A labour market where short-term contracts and freelance work are common.

Which platforms are used in the gig economy for transport/delivery and freelance services?

Uber, Bolt, Mr D Food, and Takealot for transport and delivery; Upwork, Fiverr, and Offerzen for freelance services.

What are key benefits and drawbacks of working in the gig economy?

Benefits include flexibility in work schedule, low entry barriers, multiple income sources, and international earning potential. Drawbacks include no job security, lack of benefits like medical aid, fluctuating monthly income, and global competition.

What is the decentralisation of labour?

A trend where companies are no longer limited to hiring workers in the city where their main office is based, allowing them to employ workers from anywhere in the world.

What defines a digital nomad?

People who have no fixed office or home base and travel the world while working, requiring only a laptop and reliable internet connection.

Why has South Africa become a popular destination for digital nomads?

Because of a relatively low cost of living, beautiful scenery, and decent internet infrastructure in major cities.

What is the Internet of Things (IoT)?

A network of devices or 'things' equipped with sensors, software, and connectivity (like WiFi or Bluetooth) that collect, process, and share data over the internet with minimal human intervention.

What three steps make up the IoT process shown in this diagram?

1. Input (Sensing): Devices collect data using sensors.
2. Processing (Analysis): Data is sent to a server/cloud for analysis (often using AI).
3. Output (Action or Feedback): Devices send notifications or act automatically based on the analysis.

How is IoT technology used in healthcare and transport?

In healthcare, it monitors activity, heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation via fitness trackers and medical devices. In transport, it enables fleet tracking, obstacle detection, automatic braking, insurance tracking, and accident reporting.

How is IoT technology applied in agriculture?

Through smart irrigation systems that water only when soil moisture is low, GPS collars to track livestock health and location, and drones to collect crop and field data.

What other technologies work alongside IoT to collect, process, and transmit data?

Big data (collecting vast data to find patterns), Artificial Intelligence (helping devices make smart decisions), and Communication Technologies (WiFi, Bluetooth, cellular networks).

What concerns and negative impacts are associated with IoT?

Privacy concerns and cybersecurity risks from collected personal data, reduced demand for traditional jobs due to automation, widening of the digital divide, and over-dependence on smart devices.

How can the negative privacy and cybersecurity implications of IoT be minimised?

By minimising collected data, storing essential data securely, and requiring strong cybersecurity from IoT device manufacturers to prevent hacking.

What is Virtual Reality (VR), and what are its common uses?

VR creates completely artificial environments for users to explore and interact with. It is widely used for training in mining, aviation, and medicine, as well as interactive learning and virtual travel.

What is Augmented Reality (AR)?

A technology that overlays digital information onto the real world using smartphones, tablets, or special glasses, allowing digital elements to interact with physical objects.

What applications of AR are shown for medicine, architecture, and retail?

Medicine: Visualising organs for surgery and finding veins to draw blood. Architecture: Previewing construction and interior design. Retail: Virtual fitting of clothes before purchasing online.

What is the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)?

The current wave of technological change where interconnected technologies work together automatically, transforming how humans live, work, and interact.

What essential human capabilities will be needed for the jobs of the future alongside AI?

Thinking creatively, solving complex problems, adapting to new situations, and remembering that technology is a tool to enhance human potential, not replace it.