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Module 1 – A Daily Dose of Computers

Joel D. Mitchell

Grand Canyon University

TEC509

September 9, 2009
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Daily Computer Usage

As citizens of the 21st century, life is immersed in technology, and depends on every bit

of this technology. It is the lifestyle society has chosen: a society that is the product of the input

and output that each computer affords. Every moment of modern man is leveraged on the idea

that implementing technology that makes mankind more efficient in work and personal life.

Unfortunately, when that technology fails, the result is time lost and productivity reduced.

It starts in the morning with the digital alarm clock, programmed the previous evening to

ring in the early hours of the morning. Digital thermostats are used to raise or lower temperature

to warm or cool homes. Breakfast is warmed by the microwave programmed for one-touch

cooking. Personal computers are turned on to check news, weather and road conditions. The

commute for most American involves getting onto the road in their cars, where digital stations on

the radio allow quick switching between radio stations. As parents drive, children often pass the

time with iPod, Nintendo DS units, or DVD players in the back seat of the car. Some drivers

use GPS technology to help get them to their destination using the most direct route.

With the advent of the need for greater security, many businesses use keycards to allow

employees to gain access to facilities. Most school personnel arrive at work to log on to

computers to check campus e-mail, check in lesson plans for the day, and print out any grade

sheets for academically challenged students. A quick trip to the copier for double-sided printing

of a study guide is all that is left.

The morning bell system rings to indicate classes have started for the day. During the

day, LCD projectors for PowerPoint presentations, response clickers for instant feedback, and

SMART pads as a substitute for SMART boards are computers that technologically inclined

teachers strive to use daily to bring more technology into the classroom. Technology
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Coordinators can often look forward to dealing with support issues along with the usual slate of

classes. Students are able to log into PCs to use ExamView software for test-taking

opportunities, as well as using Office applications for assignments. Netbooks are deployed to the

elementary school students. Requests to allow certain websites require a change the settings on

the proxy server. Phone calls to parents are easy enough when using a smart phone that has

synced contacts from Outlook 2007. Educational technology is dependent as much as the

teacher places emphasis on need. Current students expect the technology they see at home to

also be accessible in the classroom. Technology enhances the learning experience, and is the

greatest tool an educator can use.

On the commute back home, groceries or other items can be purchased with money

obtained from an ATM machine, or swiping a credit card at the checkout stand. After citizens

return home in the evening after a long day at work, many find solace in using platform gaming

systems, such as PlayStation 3 or Nintendo Wii. Some take a quick jaunt on a MMORPG usually

to relieve stress. DVRs are consulted to make certain that television shows have been recorded.

The home alarms are set right before retiring to bed.

As states, modern citizens depend on every bit of technology around which their lives are

centered. There are varying levels of dependence, as some pieces are more vital than others, but

each piece allows citizens to operate on a day-to-day basis. Any of the computers that do not

deliver the appropriate output after being given the appropriate input can hamper the day. It

directly affects by causing mismanagement in time, communication, commerce, work-related

productivity, transportation, and security. Alarms to awaken, e-mail to relay messages, ATMs

to deal with banking, desktops and laptop for production, cars to get to work, and comfort of

being safe are all aspects of technology that are depended on daily. Morley (2006) denotes that
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computers can be described as devices that perform the functions of input, output, processing,

and storage. The devices previously list do subscribe to Morley’s description. The modern

citizen expects the technology to interact with him or her, to remember what of it was asked, and

adapt to its place in the owner’s lifestyle. These devices are considered ubiquitous in current

mainstream society.

As a 21st century citizen of a country rife with informational technology, life is centered

on computers. All it takes is to be a victim of Hurricane Ike to realize how quickly the diet of

technology can be cut off, as a lifestyle is regressed several decades back in time. Computers

will take an even greater role in teacher’s lives and the lives of the students taught. All it takes

is a power outage to see how dependent society is.

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References

Morley, D. (2006). Understanding computers in a changing society (3rd ed.). Boston: Thomson.