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INFORMATION TECHNLOGY

by DMc

Rated: E · Assignment · Research · #2064391

How Information Technology helps the wider society and the workplace

EXPLAIN HOW COMPUTERS ARE USED IN THE WORKPLACE AND THE WIDER SOCIETY

Since my last assignment on the Generations of computers it showed how technology over the years has evolved and now in the developing stages of AI (Artificial Intelligence). Everyone now has a device which acts as a computer; a phone which now has apps to create worded documents, spread sheet documents, Tablets that does the same as the phone but has a much larger screen for better visual. All these and more are used in the workplace for: efficiency, proficiency, accountability and so much more, they are ubiquitous and are an indispensible part of any modern establishment.

Computers are used in the work place by using these activities:

Internet or email

This is used as a form of communication among parties in the same organization, other companies or customers. The internet is used to connect conference calls (Skype, Viber or other conferencing medium) between more than one associated parties sharing the same ideas and interest. The email is used as another form of communication either to send memos throughout the workplace, letters or other documents to be printed or letter documents, flyers etc coming from customers or other businesses using an email address to perform these tasks. E.g. debbie.mcfarlane99@gmail.com

Word processing or desktop publishing

A word processor enables the individual at the workplace to create a document, store it electronically on a disk or drive, display it on a screen, modify it by entering commands and characters from the keyboard, and print it on a printer and or even save/store the document to the computer for further modifications. (By Vangie Beal. ND)

Spreadsheet or databases

Instead of using a calculator which would take up way much time, the spreadsheet performs fast, accurate and complex calculations that are impractical to do with a calculator. Spreadsheets perform basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; they also make available many financial, scientific and statistical mathematical functions as well. In addition, you can print your work or save it as a spreadsheet or workbook file for reference or later use. (By Allen Bethea and Demand Media, ND)

Calendar or scheduling

This allows the individual to make notes on days, dates, with whom and where they either have an appointment or things to do of the week, month or year without forgetting based on their strenuous work time.

Graphics or design

Some work places create flyers and brochures etc to advertise their company more widely or do graphic designing as a profession, where they will create brochures and flyers in large amounts and in various sizes for businesses wanting to advertise etc

Programming

This is mainly used in a workplace's MIS/ IT department. The purpose of programming is to find a sequence of instructions that will automate performing a specific task or solving a given problem. (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, ND)

Presentations

Presentations can be done in the workplace using Powerpoint. This slide show presentation program helps to make presentations easier than using charts or notes etc. This is usually used with a projector to reflect on a white and clear board for easy visual.

Statistical Analysis

This is a component of data analytics. In the context of business intelligence (BI), statistical analysis involves collecting and scrutinizing every data sample in a set of items from which samples can be drawn. A sample, in statistics, is a representative selection drawn from a total population. E.g. Census, Medical Research etc. (Author Unknown. Part of the Business intelligence - business analytics glossary, ND)

On the other hand computers are used in the wider society by using these activities:

Internet or email

The internet these days are mostly used for social media websites such as Facebook, Instagram, and MySpsace etc, or watching videos on Youtube, watching movies on various sites and playing games, but for students it is also used for research on projects/assignments or just for basic knowledge. Emails are used to communicate among peers, lecturers and their students or inquiry on a product of interest etc.

Word processing or desktop publishing.

Word processing is used to complete assignments given by lecturers, type letters of complaint to companies, create resumes for work etc.

Spreadsheet or databases

This is mainly used in schools for English, Mathematics, Science, Geography, Statistical Analysis, and Information Technological courses. Spreadsheet programs and databases allow students to key in data and produce various graphs as well as compile statistics. Students can determine the most appropriate ways to display data and quickly and easily make and test conjectures about the impact of change on the data set. In addition, students can exchange ideas and test hypotheses with a far wider audience through the Internet. Technology may also be used to reinforce basic skills through computer-assisted instruction, tutoring systems, and drill-and- practice software. ( By Norman Herr, Ph.D. ND)

SELECT DIFFERENT TYPES OF ORGANIZATIONS AND SHOW HOW THEY BENEFIT DIRECTLY FROM INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY.

Automotive Industry

Technology has increasingly altered the manufacturing process for motor vehicles. While cars are produced at faster rates, automakers must continue to balance increased productivity and efficiency with quality and innovation. Automation technology has become an essential part of automobile assembly plants. A typical assembly plant uses several hundred robots to build and paint the vehicle frame. While robotic technology continues to grow in assembly plants, the technology does have limitations, especially in performing more delicate tasks. The advent of Intelligent Assist Devices, in particular Cobots (Collaboratiave robots), aided in reducing ecoonomic concerns, while also improving safety, quality and productivity.

NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)

NASA uses manned and unmanned vehicles to travel the surface of planets where human beings could travel exploring bodies throughout the Solar System. Information technology gives them the chance to find other planets that can be habitable by humans and explore the chances of other life on the planets they are observing. Astronauts aboard the International Space Station use the special low-gravity environment to conduct research in vaccine development, disaster relief and farming, water purification technology, neurosurgical medical technology, ultrasound and remote telemedicine. For the future, astronauts are devising technology and techniques to ship cargo from the Earth to space and back, to build more environmentally friendly spacecraft, to land a person on an asteroid and eventually land people safely on Mars.

REFERENCES