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PURPOSE AND PERSPECTIVE OF THE MODULE The purpose of this module is to introduce students to terms and concepts that will help them as they learn in later modules and become digital citizens. They will begin to analyze how they use technology and the rights and responsibilities that go along with technology use. Basic terms such as computer, data, information, hardware, and software are introduced. More complex topics such as the Internet of Things, the digital divide, and accessible technologies are introduced to help lay the groundwork for the remaining modules.

MODULE OBJECTIVES The following objectives are addressed in this module: • • •

Explain the evolution of society’s reliance on technology. Develop personal uses for technology to help with productivity, learning, and future career growth. Explain the role of technology in the professional world.

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KEY TERMS accessibility: The practice of removing barriers that may prevent individuals with disabilities from interacting with data or an app. alternative text (alt text): Text that provides descriptions for all visual elements or non-text objects in an electronic document or web page. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Law that requires any company with 15 or more employees to make reasonable attempts to accommodate the needs of physically challenged workers. app: Short for “application,” a computer program that performs specific tasks; also called a program. audio book: Reads aloud to the user instead of reading on a printed page or on the screen. bluetooth: Wireless technology that uses short-range radio connections that simplify communications among Internet devices and between devices and the Internet.

BYOD (bring your own device): Policy that enables employees to use their personal devices to conduct business. chip-and-pin technology: An improvement in card technology that stores data on an embedded chip instead of a magnetic stripe. cloud computing: An Internet-based delivery of computing services, including data storage and apps. computer: An electronic device, operating under the control of instructions stored in its memory, which can accept data, process the data to produce information, and store the information for future use. computer-aided manufacturing (CAM): Used by manufacturers to streamline production and ship products more quickly. With CAM, robots perform work that is too dangerous, detailed, or monotonous for people. data: Raw facts, such as text or numbers. digital citizen: Person familiar with how to use technology in order to become an educated and productive member of the digital world. digital divide: The gap between those who have access to technology and its resources and information, especially on the Internet, and those who do not. digital literacy: Having a current knowledge and understanding of computers, mobile devices, the web, and related technologies. email: A system used to send and receive messages and files using the Internet. embedded computer: A computer that functions as one component in a larger product, and that has a specific purpose. enterprise computing: Refers to the use of technology by a company’s employees to meet the needs of a large business. graphic organizer. Software that enables a user to create an outline or structure of information. green computing: A practice that involves reducing electricity consumed and environmental wate generated when using computers, mobile devices, and related technologies. hardware: The device itself and its components, such as wires, cases, switches, and electronic circuits.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): U.S. law that requires that public schools purchase or acquire funding for adaptive technologies. information: Data that has been processed to be meaningful. information technology (IT) department: Department in medium and large businesses responsible for ensuring that all the computer operations, mobile devices, and networks run smoothly. integrated circuits: Developed in the 1960s, packed the equivalent of thousands of vacuum tubes or transistors into a silicon chip about the size of your thumb. intelligent classroom: Classroom in which technology is used to facilitate learning and communication. intelligent workplace: Uses technology to enable workers to connect to the company’s network, communicate with each other, use productivity software and apps, meet via web conferencing, and more. Internet of Things (IoT): An environment where processors are embedded in every product imaginable (things), and these things communicate with one another via the Internet or wireless networks. kiosk: A freestanding booth usually placed in a public area that can contain a display device used to present information to the public or event attendees. learning management system (LMS): A web-based site where students can check their progress in a course, take practice tests, and exchange messages with the instructor or other students. machine-to-machine (M2M): Using computers to monitor computer assembly lines and equipment. microprocessor: The “brains” of a computer, a chip that contains a central processing unit. mobile health (mHealth): Refers to healthcare professionals using smartphones or tablets to access health records stored in the cloud, and patients using digital devices to monitor their conditions and treatments. network: A collection of two or more computers connected together to share resources. personal computer (PC): Computer designed for personal use, as opposed to commercial or industrial use.

program: A set of coded instructions written for a computer, such as an operating system program or an application program; also called an application or an app. screen reader: Technology that uses audio output to describe the contents of the screen. smart device: A device that can communicate, locate, and predict; part of the Internet of Things (IoT). software: The programs and apps that instruct the computer to perform tasks. Software processes data into meaningful information. speech recognition: A technology that enables a computer to understand and react to spoken statements and commands. telecommuting: Working from home. transistor: Smaller, cheaper, and more reliable replacement for vacuum tubes in the second generation of computers. vacuum tube: Cylindrical glass tubes that controlled the flow of electrons, used in the first generation of computers. Wi-Fi: A wireless data network technology that provides high-speed data connections that do not require a physical connection. Short for wireless fidelity. [return to top]

WHAT'S NEW IN THIS MODULE The following elements are improvements in this module from the previous edition: • •

Key terms that students need to understand later modules have been introduced, including cloud computing, Bluetooth, and network. To streamline content and avoid repetition, content on AI/VR has been moved to Module 12.

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MODULE OUTLINE I.

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Explain the Evolution of Society’s Reliance on Technology a. Outline the History of Computers b. Explain the Impact of the Internet of Things and Embedded Computers I. ATMs and Kiosks II. IoT at Home III. IoT in Business c. Recognize the Impact of the Digital Divide Develop Personal Uses for Technology to Help with Productivity, Learning, and Future Career Growth a. Use Technology in Daily Life b. Use Technology to Assist Users with Disabilities c. Apply Green Computing Concepts to Daily Life Explain the Role of Technology in the Professional World a. Explain Enterprise Computing b. Identify Uses of Technology in the Workplace c. Outline Technology Careers I. Software and Apps II. Technology Equipment III. IT Departments IV. Technology Service and Repair V. Technology Sales VI. Technology Education, Training, and Support VII. IT Consulting VIII. System Development IX. Web Marketing and Social Media X. Data Storage, Retrieval, and Analysis XI. Information and Systems Security d. Explain How You Might Prepare for a Career in Technology I. Professional Online Presence II. Certifications III. Technology in K-12 Education IV. Technology in Higher Education V. Technology in Healthcare VI. Technology in the Transportation Industry VII. Technology in Manufacturing Module 1 Summary Review Questions: 5 minutes total. Students answer the questions after reading the module to assess themselves on key concepts.

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Discussion Questions: 20 minutes total. Students complete the activity by answering the questions. The activity was designed to stimulate discussion. Critical Thinking Activities: 40 minutes total. Students use their critical thinking skills to complete the activity. Apply Your Skills: 10 minutes total. Students apply their knowledge of module concepts.

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ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION QUESTIONS You can assign these questions in several ways: in a discussion forum in your LMS; as whole-class discussions in person; or as a partner or group activity in class. One question exists for each of the module’s objectives.

Explain the evolution of society’s reliance on technology. Why is it important to be digitally literate? Give specific examples as to what that means to you personally in your daily life, school, and future career growth. Why is it important as a member of society to be not only digitally literate, but also a digital citizen? Develop personal uses for technology to help with productivity, learning, and future career growth. Which areas of technology do you struggle with? Which areas do you think you have mastered? What more do you have to learn in order to continue your personal and career growth? Explain the role of technology in the professional world. How has the role of technology for doing your job changed in the past year? Five years? Ten years? If you haven’t started your career, think about how changes in technology might have impacted you. Explain how technology is changing the way businesses hire and train employees and how employees’ abilities to use technology to work remotely or telecommute have evolved. Explain why this is important to you.

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