IT
Information technology:
Information technology (IT) or Information and communication(s) technology (ICT) (also Infocomm, esp. in Asia) is a broad subject concerned with technology and other aspects of managing and processing information, especially in large organizations. In particular, IT deals with the use of electronic computers and computer software to convert, store, protect, process, transmit, and retrieve information. For that reason, computer professionals are often called IT specialists, and the division of a company or university that deals with software technology is often called the IT department. Other names for the latter are information services (IS) or management information services (MIS), managed service providers (MSP).
In the UK education system Information Technology was formally integrated into the school curriculum when the National Curriculum was devised. It was quickly realised that the work covered was useful in all subjects. With the arrival of the internet and the broadband connections to all schools, the application of IT knowledge, skills and understanding in all subjects became a reality. This change in emphasis has resulted in a change of name from IT (Information Technology) to ICT (Information and Communication Technology). ICT in Education can be understood as the application of digital equipment to all aspects of teaching and learning. It is present in almost all schools and is of growing influence.
However fantastic this computer revolution is, it still has its detractors and its negative points. I have tried to list a few features that will help you to develop your own thoughts in this direction.
* Many people have become unemployed because they have been replaced by machines or computers. For example, the fact that plane tickets and holidays can be booked online significantly affects travel agents.
* The “new economy”, based on the Internet revolution, is less promising than expected and many companies have already gone bankrupt.
* The “human factor” can be lost when people spend all day in front of a screen without talking to somebody else.
* Computer systems are vulnerable. Viruses can create world wide chaos that cost billions to society.
* There are professional diseases provoked by computer work that affect the eyesight, the back, the arms and the wrists.
* The gap between poor and rich countries has somehow increased. 2 billion people still have no electricity, therefore no access to the computer age.
* The Internet is neither monitored nor controlled. Anybody can post anything, and there is no guarantee whether the information available on a particular website is accurate or not.
* Peer to peer programs allow files transfer (like music) and massively infringe copyright laws.
* Terrorist organisations can and do use the Internet to communicate.
These are only a few ideas about the negative aspects of the computer age. I hope that it will help you to make up your own mind about it.
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