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Living with TechnologyLiving with Technology

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362 Chapter 19 ■ Living with Technology

Managing Technology As a Resource

Technology is a resourcethat makes everyday lifeeasier, more fun, andmore rewarding.

Technology is a varied resource that impacts all areasof your life. Recall that a resource is something youuse to achieve something else. Technology is varied,

because it is used in many different ways, to accomplishmany different goals.

■ At home, you use technology for tasks as diverse ascooking and watching movies on demand.

■ At school, technology provides different ways to learn,share, and present information, from looking up yourhomework on your class Web site to displaying a mathproblem on an interactive white board.

■ With your friends and peers, you might purchasemovie tickets online, share music on your cell phones,or upload photos to your social networking page.

■ At work, you meet with colleagues by video conference,prepare documents using software programs, andreceive your paycheck via direct deposit.

■ In your community, you voice your opinion on a televi-sion Web site, check the weather on your cell phone,and find your lost dog thanks to a microchip embeddedunder her skin.

UUssiinngg TTeecchhnnoollooggyy WWiisseellyy

As with any resource, knowing when and how to usetechnology can help you be more productive. Usingtechnology just because it’s there or seems cool might befun; it can also end up wasting other resources, such astime, energy, or money. For example:

■ The Internet is a technology we use all the time. Itcan provide many benefits when you use it wisely.You can find information to complete a homeworkassignment, communicate with friends, or shopwhen it is convenient.

■ If you don’t use the Internet wisely, you might wastetime looking at Web sites that provide incorrect ormisleading information. You might spend so muchtime online that you put your real relationships atrisk. Or, you might accidentally send personal infor-mation to identity thieves.

Critical thinking can help you recognize how best to usetechnology in your own life. You can decide whethertechnology will be a solution to a problem you are fac-ing, or if it will cause new problems.

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Benefits and Drawbacks of TechnologyIs it always better to use technology? There are obvious benefits to using technolo-gy, but there are also drawbacks. Most new technologies have both positive andnegative effects.

■ Technology makes it possible to complete tasks faster. Manufacturing is fasterwhen you use assembly lines, robots, and automated management systems,than when you build products by hand. But, manufacturing processes mayrelease chemicals into the environment, causing pollution.

■ Water filtration systems, access to electricity, and advancements in medical care are a few ways technology has improved health and the quality of life.Technology also creates ethical dilemmas, such as testing medical products onanimals, or genetically modifying food products.

■ Jet engines make it possible for people to travel quickly and easily. But, passen-gers on airplanes can rapidly transmit disease from one country to another.

■ Computers provide access to information and keep people connected. They alsostore personal information that can lead to invasions of privacy or identity theft.

Some newer technologies can help reverse problems caused by older technologies.For example, pollution caused by technology brought some animals to the brinkof extinction. Genetic technology is helping animal breeding programs to restorethe animal populations. Understanding the positive and negative effects can helpyou make choices about how best to use technology.

Types of TechnologyTechnology can be classified into many different categories. You might use orencounter the following common types of technology.

■ Information technology is likely to be the type of technology you use and thatimpacts your daily life the most. It refers to the use of computers to collect,store, and distribute information. For example, you use information technologyto write, edit, and print a letter, or to store a name and address in a computer-ized contact list. You also use information technology to search the Internet orread a news story online, or for online shopping.

■ Communications technology is part of information technology. It refers to theuse of technology to make communication easier and more efficient. It includescell phones, as well as video conferencing, voice over Internet protocol (VoIP),and social networking.

■ Agricultural technology is the use of technology tocontrol the growth and harvesting of animal andplant products. It includes a wide range of areas, suchas soil preparation, harvesting and planting tech-niques, and the use of chemicals for growth or pestcontrol.

■ Medical technology is the use of technology toimprove the management and delivery of health care.It includes areas such as medical imaging technology,nuclear medicine technology, and veterinary medicaltechnology.

■ Banking technology also stems from information tech-nology. It includes areas such as software for manag-ing online banking, controlling access to accounts,and technology for automated teller machines, as wellas debit and credit card readers.

Job Search

Careers in technology range fromsoftware programmers to aircraftmechanics. The skills, abilities, andinterests required are just as broad.

Use the Internet, library, or your school’s guidanceresources to learn more about careers in technolo-gy. Make a list of five industries that offer careers intechnology, and then list five types of jobs in eachindustry. Select one job that interests you. Write ajob description, including the educational require-ments, career pathway, and potential salary range.

DDooeess EEvveerryyoonnee UUssee TTeecchhnnoollooggyy??

Even if you don’t have a cell phone orcomputer, you use technology if youride a bus, drive a car, or even writewith a ball-point pen. What if youdon’t want to use technology?✭ You could remove electricity and

indoor plumbing from your home.✭ You could only go places that are

within walking distance.✭ You could communicate with peo-

ple only if you are face to face.✭ You could sit and tell stories with

friends and family for entertainment.Can you think of other ways you couldremove technology from your life?

Putting morecomputers into schools willdirectly improve learning.

Computers canenhance education, but are notenough on their own to directlyimprove learning. They are toolsthat can be used to provideaccess to information, engage theattention of students, and helpmotivate students to achieve.

Truth

Myth

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