Technology for Success: Module 1 - Impact of Digital Technology

Lesson Objectives

• Explain the evolution of society’s reliance on technology
• Develop personal uses for technology to help with productivity, learning, and future career growth
• Explain the role of technology in the professional world

The Evolution of Reliance on Technology

• Outline the history of computers
• Explain the impact of the “Internet of Things” (IoT) and embedded computers
• Discover uses for artificial intelligence (AI)
• Explore the impact of virtual reality (VR)

Outline the History of Computers

• First generation – used vacuum tubes
• Next generation – replaced vacuum tubes with transistors
• 1960s – integrated circuits
• 1971 – microprocessor
• 1970s and 1980s – the personal computer (pc) gained popularity

Internet of Things / Embedded Computers

• Internet of Things (IoT)
  • Processors are embedded in many products (smart devices)
  • Devices communicate via the Internet or wireless networks
• Embedded computers
  • Have a specific purpose
  • Small, with limited hardware but enhance capabilities of everyday devices

Discover Uses for Artificial Intelligence

• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • The use of logic and prior experience to simulate human intelligence
• Capabilities
  • Speech recognition
  • Virtual reality
  • Logical reasoning
  • Creative responses

Explore the Impact of Virtual Reality

• Virtual Reality (VR)
  • The use of computers to simulate a real or imagined environment that appears as a three-dimensional (3 ext{-}D) space
• Augmented Reality (AR)
  • A type of VR that uses an image of an actual place or things and adds digital information to it

Personal Uses for Technology

• Use technology in daily life
• Use technology to enhance productivity and learning
• Use technology to assist users with disabilities
• Apply green computing concepts to daily life

Use Technology in Daily Life

• Artificial Intelligence applications
  • Virtual assistants, video games, navigation apps, security, etc.
• Natural language processing (NLP)
  • Computers interpret and digitize spoken words and commands (digital assistants, for example)

Use Technology to Enhance Productivity

• Robotics
  • Useful in situations where it is impractical, dangerous, or inconvenient to use a human
  • Robotic arms and cameras can assist surgeons
• Enterprise computing
  • Each department of a large company uses technology specific to its function

Technology to Assist Users with Disabilities

• Laws
  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
  • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
• Technologies
  • Screen readers
  • Alternative text (alt ext{ text})
  • Captioning and speech recognition software
  • Input devices for people with physical disabilities

Green Computing Concepts

• Green Computing
• Reducing electricity and environmental waste generated from technology
• ENERGY STAR program (ENERGY ext{ STAR})
• Recycling products
• Using paperless communications
• Telecommuting

Technology in the Professional World (1 of 2)

• Explore technology careers
• List the ways that professionals might use technology in the workplace
• Explain the ways that teachers might use technology in K-12 education
• Explain how various transportation services utilize technology to their advantage

Technology in the Professional World (2 of 2)

• Explain the ways that technology assists the world of healthcare
• Describe the ways that technology has impacted the world of manufacturing
• Explain the ways that professions might use technology in higher education
• Explore how you might prepare for a career in technology

Explore Technology Careers (1 of 2)

• Software and apps
• Technology equipment
• IT departments
• Technology service and repair
• Technology sales
• IT consulting

Explore Technology Careers (2 of 2)

• System development
• Web marketing and social media
• Data storage, retrieval, and analysis
• Information and system security

Use Technology in the Workplace

• Working remotely
  • Telecommuting
  • Use of smartphones, the Internet, the cloud
• Intelligent workplace
• Some companies use a BYOD (bring your own device) policy
• Online collaborative productivity software

Technology in K-12 Education

• Social networking
  • Promote school events
  • Work cooperatively on group projects
  • Teach concepts, such as anti-bullying
• Intelligent classroom
  • Technology is used to facilitate learning and communication

Technology in Transportation

• Package tracking
• Drivers use GPS technology to avoid traffic and hazardous conditions
• Automated vehicles

Technology in Healthcare

• Physicians use computers to monitor patients’ vital signs and research symptoms and diagnoses
• Mobile health (mHealth)
  • Healthcare professionals—access health records
  • Patients—monitor conditions and treatments
• Medical monitoring devices
• 3-D printers

Technology in Manufacturing

• Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) — streamlines production and allows for shipping products more quickly
• Robots perform work that is too dangerous, detailed, or monotonous for people
• Part ordering through computers
• Monitor assembly lines and equipment with machine-to-machine (M2M) communications

Technology in Higher Education

• Learning Management System (LMS) — web-based training, allows students to:
  • Check progress on a course
  • Take practice tests
  • Exchange messages with instructors or other students
  • Take classes and earn degrees online
• Ebooks — students can read and access content, such as videos, from devices

Preparing for a Career in Technology

• Professional online presence
  • Upload resume
  • Proofread everything
  • Professional social networks
• Certifications
  • Demonstrates knowledge in a particular area (software, hardware, operating systems, etc.)
  • Requires a commitment of time and money