Lesson 25 — Activity 3: Strengths and Weaknesses of Computer Technology

Many changes have occurred in society as a result of advances in science and technology. Some of the changes have been good; other changes have come with risks that were not expected. Science and technology touch the lives of all people in basic ways every day, affecting the manner in which they obtain food, transportation, clothing, and housing. As science and technology play increasingly vital roles in peoples' lives, it is important to develop a basic understanding of both the strengths and weaknesses of computers in our technologically rich society.

In this activity, you will learn about these strengths and weaknesses.

Although computer use is increasing in society and provides many benefits, there are still areas where the computer cannot replace the personal touch of a human being. There are also health and safety issues involved with the use of computers. This activity will look at the advantages and disadvantages of computers in society.

Computers have made such an impact on society that they are now essential for the smooth running of many activities we take for granted. In fact, many of the things we take for granted in our everyday world could not run without the use of computers. Without computers, we would not be able to run traffic light controls, the stock market, banking, aircraft control, television broadcasting, and many other things.

Some of the benefits that have resulted from the increased use of computers in society are:

• increases in long-distance communication

• increased ability to work from home

• decreased use of cash — more electronic transfers

• increased automation — industries controlling operations from a distance

• increases in shopping chains controlling stock from a central computer

• decreases in older types of jobs such a manual labour jobs

• increases in new technology jobs such as program designers for computer games

Consider the increased speeds at which goods and people travel around the world and how much easier and faster it is to send and receive messages and information. These increases have resulted from the use of computers and their software.

Some of the problems that have resulted from the increased use of computers in society are:

• reduced comfort from position

• increased back strain from sitting for a long time

• reduced circulation in feet

• increased eyestrain

• increases in hurt eyes from glare
  

• increased noise in the workplace

• decreased ventilation which causes breathing difficulties and asthma

In order to safely work around computers, it is important to take precautions. It might be reasonable to limit time in front of the computer to one hour and use an anti-glare screen.

Self-check!