IT Revision

IT Revision

Social and Environmental Impact- Employment
1. Many Jobs are being replaced by computers
  1. Jobs which are boring, repetitive in factories have been lost because they have been replaced by robots.
    1. Old-style office jobs, e.g. typist and filing clerk, are replaced now by computer systems that can do the same tasks more efficiently. (e.g. mail merge now compared to each letter being typed individually before)
      1. Supermarkets don't need people to help count the cost of peoples items because they now use automatic stock control
        Same with banks they do not need many people anymore because of automated systems such as ATMs that perform many of the tasks of traditional bank staff.
2. Jobs have been created, although some have been replaced by ICT
  1. Computer programmer/engineer Systems analyst
    1. ICT technician or network technician Hardware designer
  2. Website designer Database manager
Retraining
1. ICT is constantly changing therefore people must be trained and tested on their IT skills so they can use new equipment and software. This is not easy and companies must offer training to meet the needs of the staff, so their businesses can be more productive
  1. Training can be done using the internet or interactive CDs. Interactive CDs allow staff to learn at their own pace and not have to travel to a college
  2. Some companies produce their own computer-assisted learning (CAL) software, which makes sure the staff learn exactly the right skills to be able to carry out their work
Working practises
1. ICT has now changed the way people communicate with eachother
  1. Mobiles
    1. People take their phones everywhere and can be used anywhere therefore don't have to be contacted in their office
  2. Email
    1. Email is used to send messages. There is less need to write a letter and post it. If copies of a document need to be sent to another office, they can be sent using a fax machine.
  3. The hours that people work are now increasing, because laptops are being taken home or used on the train commuting to work, to catch up on unfinished tasks.
Teleworking
1. Working from home and using ICT methods to communicate with their place of business is called teleworking, there are an increasing number of people doing this.
  1. Advantages are there are no travel expenses, flexible hours where you chose when to work and no time wasting travelling to work.
  2. Disadvantages are that you can get easily distracted, Less social interaction and more isolation for workers and Difficulties for management in checking whether work is being properly carried out.
    1. Teleconferencing
      1. includes video links and is where meetings are held using computers linked to the internet and the participants can communicate with each other using microphones and speakers to talk and cameras to see each other.
        Reducing impact on ICT on Environment
        Store documents on hard- drive rather using paper to save forest resources
        Reduce the amount of energy consumed by switching off the computer or peripheral devices when not in use.
        ICT equipment tends to generate heat, open a window rather than switch on air-conditioning.
        Businesses should consider using video-conferencing rather than sending delegates to meetings. This reduces the carbon footprint of meetings by cutting down on travelling.
        Dispose of old equipment carefully. If the equipment is dumped in landfill, harmful chemicals can get into the water supply to contaminate growing things.
        Manage the life-cycle of ICT equipment carefully by upgrading where possible rather than replacing the entire piece. Manufacturing of ICT equipment uses natural resources and generates carbon emissions.
      2. Advantages It is not necessary for people to travel to a meeting, saving time and removing the need for expenses.
        Meetings can be called at short notice and it does not matter where is the world people might be, as long as they have access to a videoconferencing computer.
      3. Disadvantages Many people prefer to meet face-to-face with others when important decisions need to be made.
        The equipment needs to be bought. Microphones, speakers and video cameras are required on each of the computers and the necessary software must be installed.
        Although it is improving, the technology is not yet perfect and the sound and pictures may not be completely synchronised and may appear a little “jerky”.
        Political impact on ICT
        ICT is making it easier for Governments to control and to monitor what they are doing.
        CCTV cameras are everywhere
        Communications from cell phones, emails and text messaging can be monitored
        Satellites with cameras so powerful they are capable of seeing what you are reading or identifying a car number plate from above.
        Mobile phone signals and debit and credit card use can also be used to trace our movements.
Legal issues
1. The development of ICT has created new types of crime!
  1. The problem of hackers gaining unauthorised access to sensitive or important data was tackled by the Government when it introduced the Computer Misuse Act in 1990. This defined hacking as a crime; anybody caught accessing files that they are not entitled to on a network can expect to receive a fine or even a prison sentence. This act also makes the creation and spreading of viruses a criminal offence
  2. Identity theft has also increased as criminals have been able to steal information about people from banks online etc.
  3. There is also a law that makes it illegal to copy software without the permission of the holder of the copyright. Software companies usually issue a licence when you buy software. Making illegal copies of software is called “software piracy”.

Nächster

Beschreibung

Zusammenfassung der Ressource

ähnlicher Inhalt

	Erstellt von Hannah:) vor etwa 10 Jahre