Computers Make the World Smaller and Smarter

Computers Make the World Smaller and Smarter

The ability of tiny computing devices to control complex operations has transformed the way many tasks are performed, ranging from scientific research to producing consumer products. Tiny 'computers on a chip" are used in medical equipment, home appliances, cars and toys. Workers use handheld computing devices to collect data at a customer site, to generate forms, to controlinventory, and to serve as desktop organizers.

Not only is computing equipment getting smaller, it is getting more sophisticated. Computers are part of many machines and devices that once required continual human supervision and control. Today, computers in security systems result in safer environments, computers in cars improve energy efficiency, and computers in phones provide features such as call forwarding, call monitoring, and call answering.

These smart machines are designed to take over some of the basic tasks previously performed by people; by so doing, they make life a little easier and a little more pleasant.

Smart cards store vital information such as health records, drivers' licenses, bank balances, and soon. Smart phones, cars, and appliances with built in computers can be programmed to better meet individual needs. A smart house has a built-in monitoring system that can turn lights on and off, open and close windows, operate the oven, and more.

With small computing devices available for performing smart tasks like cooking dinner, programming the DVO recorder, and controlling the flow of information in an organization, people are able to spend more time doing what they often do best - being creative. Computers can help people work more creatively.

Multimedia systems are known for their educational and entertainment value, which we call 'edutainment'. Multimedia combinestext with sound, video, animation, and graphics, which greatly enhances the interaction between user and machine and can make information more interesting and appealing to people. Expert systems software enables computers to 'think' like experts.

Medical diagnosis expert systems, for example, can help doctors pinpoint a patient's illness, suggest further tests, and prescribe appropriate drugs.

Connectivity enables computers and software that might otherwise be incompatible to communicate and to share resources. Now that computers are proliferating in many areas and networks are available for people to access data and communicate with others, personal computers are becoming interpersonal PCs. They have the potential to significantly improve the way we relate to each other. Many people today telecommute that is, use their computers to stay in touch with the office while they are working at home. With the proper tools, hospital staff can get a diagnosis from a medical expert hundreds or thousands of miles away. Similarly, the disabled can communicate moreeffectively with others using computers.

Distance learning and videoconferencing are concepts made possible with the use of an electronic classroom or boardroom accessible to people in remote locations. Vast databases of information are currently available to users of the Internet, all of whom can send mail messages to each other. The information superhighway is designed to significantly expand this interactive connectivity so thatpeople all over the world will have free access to all these resources.

People power is critical to ensuring that hardware, software, and connectivity are effectively integrated in a socially responsible way. People - computer users and computer professionals - are the ones who will decide which hardware, software, and networks endure and how great an impact they will have on our lives. Ultimately people power must be exercised to ensure that computers are used not only efficiently but in a socially responsible way.

Ex 4. a)Re-read the text to find the answers to these questions. Match the terms in Table A with the statements in Table B.

Table A

Table B

· Software that enables computers to 'think' like experts

· Use computers to stay in touch with the office while working at home

· Internet system designed to provide free, interactive access to vast resources for people all over the world

· Multimedia materials with a combination of educational and entertainment content

· A combination of text with sound, video, animation, and graphics

b) Mark the following statements as True or False:

· Desktop organisers are programs that require desktop computers,

· Computers are sometimes used to monitor systems that previously needed human supervision,

· Networking is a way of allowing otherwise incompatible systems to communicate and share resources,

· The use of computers prevents people from being creative,

· Computer users do not have much influence over the way that computing develops.

Language development

Ex 5. Fill in the world from the list, then make sentences using the completed phrases: security, smart, responsible, distance, medical, to sent, to collect, individual.

1……………equipment. 2………………..data. 3.……………system/

4…………………..card. 5……………….needs. 6………….learning.

7………………..…mail. 8………………way.

Ex 6. Fill in the correct preposition, then make sentences using the completed phrases.

1. to device … control complex operation; 2. to use … medical equipment; 3. to take … over; 4. to built … computer; 5. to be able … sent; 6. to be available … people.

Speaking

Ex 7. Describe a computer suitable for your study. Justify your choice.

Lesson 7.2.2. The Mobile Phone

Pronunciation

Ex 1. Listen and tick the words which end with the sound /id/. Listen again and repeat.

liked lived decided
wanted worked succeeded

treated helped walked

Ex 2. Read the article and put the paragraph into the correct order. What is each paragraph about?

No mobile phones at school

Furthermore, parents who work may need to contact their children. For example, if a parent has to work late, the student has to be told if arrangements have been made for a relative or neighbor to look after them.

In conclusion, I feel that students should be allowed to take mobile phones to school for use in emergency. However, all phones should certainly be turned off during lessons.

Nowadays more and more students bring their mobile phones to school. While I believe that students should carry mobile phones in case of an emergency, I am strongly opposed to these phones being used at school, particularly in the classroom.

On the other hand, nothing is more disruptive during a lesson than the sound of a mobile phone ringing or playing an annoying tune. Moreover, students who send and receive text messages in class are not paying attention to the lesson.

Firstly, many students travel to and from school without their parents. Therefore, it is important for them to have a mobile phone in case they need help or have an accident on the way to school or home.

Ex 3. Identify the function of the linking words in bold, then replace them with synonyms from the list below.

In addition, also, to sum up, although, as a result, to begin with, nonetheless, in contract, for instance.

Speaking

Ex 4. Listen to this text and give your own opinion about this problem.

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