Privacy and Rights in the Information Age

Today, technology has become a part of everyday life and, for some people; a life without certain technology is unimaginable. When we buy a gadget, it is almost as if it becomes a segment of our lifestyle; we begin to depend on it and ‘personalise’ it by adding information about ourselves. For the most part, this seems like a luxury and benefit of gadget – that they can become ours – but this attitude has introduced with it new methods of invading privacy.

Phone Hacking in the Information Age

Whilst talking on the phone, sending text messages or leaving voicemails, people may say things that are personal – and in recent years phone hacking has become a more common popular, particularly for public figures. Phone hacking is the act of accessing someone’s phone calls, text messages or voicemail messages without their permission.

 Phone hacking is illegal in most countries nowadays, but in some cases that doesn’t prevent people for doing it in order to obtain secret, personal information. Since mobile phones were first introduced, there were methods of phone hacking and phone companies have had to continually attempt to defend against these methods.

Nowadays it is believed that there is certain software that can allow people to access people’s phone calls.

Cyber-crime in the Information Age

Just as Internet activity has boomed, so has cyber-crime and it now considered one of the ‘fastest-growing criminal activities on the planet’. (BBC NEWS bbc.co.uk)

The term cyber-crime covers a wide range of criminal activity done on computers and the Internet such as illegally downloading music, stalking emails, computer hacking, creating/distributing viruses, stealing information from others and identity theft. 

Cyber-crime can have major effects on security, but also financially – according to BBC NEWS, cyber crime costs the UK £27 billion annually. 

My Opinion on Cyber-Crime in the Information Age

 I believe the Internet is a spectacular piece of technology, and has given us access to information and opportunities that could not be possible without it, but the thought of the thousands of potential crimes that comes with it does give it a somewhat sour aftertaste. It is scary to think that the beauty of the Internet reaching and connecting people worldwide is being twisted, and that faceless strangers on the other side of the world may be stealing your information or money or identity, somewhat hidden and protected through the computer screen. It is enough to put many people off using the internet or computers. 

Personal information is valuable, and since the introduction of the Internet and other Technologies it is being given out by people a lot more via Technology e.g. for online purchasing, on social networks etc. – and few people really know how safely data they are handing over is being handled. Even data that isn’t being given out, but that is being automatically accumulated about you on your computer or on certain websites, is important – and for some people, protecting this data seems like a daunting but not vital task.

 Personal data, such as purchasing history, can reveal a lot about a person and their lifestyle and interests. It can allow companies to build up an idea of who you are – which they can use to give an estimated guess as to what they would consider buying. Even the data stored by other companies can help them to do this - a worked example of this would be the data from a supermarket being used by a film store. If the person has bought lots of teen magazines and pop music then that person would most likely be interested in ‘chick flicks’ and ‘romances’, so the film store could send them promotional emails/leaflets to advertise new releases from those genres in the hope that they would be interested. Personal data can be interpreted and analysed so companies can learn more about you than you’d have thought possible. Personal data can also be used for theft of money or even, in extreme cases; identity.

For these reasons, certain laws have been put in place in order to combat the new threats that Information Technology has introduced to privacy and personal data.

The Data Protection Act 1988

The purpose of the Data Protection Act is to protect personal data and control how it is handled – it gives the data subject (people whose data it is) rights with regards to the information kept about them.

There are 8 principles of the Data Protection Act:

• The data must be fairly and lawfully processed
• The data must be used for limited purposes
• The data must be adequate and relevant. Only what is needed may be used
• The data must be accurate
• The data mustn’t be kept for longer than is necessary
• The data must be accessible to the individual and able to be corrected or removed where necessary
• The data must be secure
• The data mustn’t be transferred to countries without adequate protection

Under the data protection act, data subjects have the right to

• See what data is being held about them if they ask
• Change anything that is wrong
• Refuse to have some data stored at all, if it might cause damage or distress
• Refuse to allow processing for direct marking – junk mail
• Complain to the Data Protection Commission if they think the rules have been broken
• Claim compensation if they can prove they have been caused damage by a data controller breaking the rules

Computer Misuse Act 1990

There are 3 specific offences

• Accessing computer material without authorization
• Accessing computer material with a plan to do or aid the doing of a serious crime e.g. hacking to steal data
• Changing computer material without authorization e.g. writing a virus to destroy data

Under this act, the committing of any of these offences results in a fine and, in some cases, a jail sentence. The purpose of this Act was to assist with the problems that these offences cause.

Crime and Crime Prevention in the Information Age

The power of Information Technology has now been acquired to assist in tasks that are important in the insurance that peoples’ lives are lived safely and happily – one example of this is the introduction of Technology in Policing and Prevent Crime.

Fingerprint Recognition Technology

The individual patterns of people’s fingerprints have always been used as a way of identifying people and connecting them to a crime or crime scene. But today, the process is no longer a matter of covering the tip of the finger with ink and pressing it down on paper then matching it to the one found at the scene by eye; technological advances mean that we know scan in the fingerprint electronically and use a database of logged fingerprints on a computer to find the match within minutes.  Fingerprint Recognition Technology can also be used as a way to lock up certain places or computers – with a specific fingerprint acting as the only key that can gain access. The fingerprint scanning system is also used in some airports in order to check if people are safe to board the plane.

The benefits of using Fingerprint Recognition Technology

• Using fingerprint scanners rather than paper and ink means it takes far less time to identify a match
• Fingerprint scanning is considered a very accurate and reliable method of identification
• Computers can be used to enhance the image of a fingerprint if it isn’t clear
• Fingerprint recognition can increase the security of important places or documents
• Provides a feeling of security for those who are worried about terrorists on planes, and could possibly put of those who are considering attempting to go on a plane with bad intentions

The detriments of using Fingerprint Recognition Technology

• When people’s fingertips are cut or burnt, their fingerprint is changed – and because only a fingerprint can be used, it can’t always be useful
• Fingerprint Recognition Technology can be very expensive to buy, especially to build into an existing system or building
• Fingerprint Scanners can produce errors – especially low costs systems
• Some people find the Fingerprint scanning process a time-wasting annoyance, and don’t believe it actually makes a real difference to the security levels

My Uses of Fingerprint Recognition Technology

I have never really been involved in any crime so haven’t had any proper experience with fingerprint recognition – but I have had my fingerprint scanned upon entering/leaving America in the airport. The process was simple and fast, and wasn’t too much of an inconvenience because I knew that they were doing it for a good reason; safety. The system ensures that the person boarding the plane doesn’t have a match to the fingerprint of a terrorist or criminal that may harm other people on the plane or in the country.  I do think the system is a good addition to technology in policing, though I know very little about how effective it has actually been and what real difference it has made, but I bet it makes the job of people working in forensics a lot easier, especially in addition to DNA identification.

Online Crime Mapping

Crime mapping is a method used by Police and Law Enforcement which involves plotting the places in which crimes have occurred on a map, in order to get a visual representation of the crime levels in an area, and they are especially effective when analysing crime. They are often put online in order for the public to see where the ‘problems’ are. But is this really a good thing?

The benefits of Online Crime Mapping

• It allows people the knowledge of where in their area there have been high levels of crime – so they can make informed decisions on where to live or visit
• The online crime map is very popular, and its popularity occasionally causes the site to crash
• People can monitor the progress and the effectiveness of the policing in their area in lowering the crime rate in high-crime places
• A crime map displays the crimes simply, just in numbers, so it easy to read and get an understanding of the crime levels
• The online crime map site also gives you information about who is on the patrol for your area and contact details for them – which may make some people feel safer and happier as they are more knowledgeable

The detriments of Online Crime Mapping

• Public crime maps over the internet can cause the prices of houses in what is considered a ‘high crime’ area, to drop
• People may become scared or very paranoid about the place that they live or the people who live in a particular area
• A police union chief said he believes that crime mapping being online and available to the public ‘will prove more useful for burglars planning their next crime’

My Uses of Online Crime Mapping

I have only ever looked at the online crime map as part of research for this piece, but I think the site is easy to use and the information is displayed clearly. I think the mapping must be a very useful tool for the police, but don’t think it should necessarily be on such open availability to the public – because, when looking at the crime map round my street, I personally get a bit suspicious about who has been doing these crimes in the neighbourhood and it makes me feel a bit concerned.

Home Security Systems

In 1969 the first home video security system was used and since then, a home security system can now be found on most homes in the Western World. The big difference is that now, instead of just video surveillance; home security has evolved to become a system made up of sensors, a control panel and an alert mechanism. They alert homeowners/ neighbours of an intrusion to the house by sounding an alert when one of the sensors is triggered and aim to protect against burglary and property damage.

The benefits of Home Security Systems

• Most home security systems can be integrated with fire alarms – so help to do two jobs in one mechanism
• Some home security systems automatically alert the emergency line when they have been triggered off, then the emergency line calls the house to check what’s happening – so if someone has broken in, or if they are dangerous, the police will arrive far faster without the homeowners having to call
• Just seeing that a home is fitted with a home security system may put off a lot of criminals
• Having a home security system may lower your home insurance
• It may make people feel more comfortable leaving their homes to go out for the night, or on holiday, knowing that they have a home security system

The detriments of Home Security Systems

• If the triggers are set off automatically and the emergency services are alerted for no real reason, you may be wasting emergency services’ valuable time
• In some cases, it may give people a false sense of security – and they may become lazy about keep their valuables away from clear outside view, which may encourage burglars
• Good home security systems are quite expensive
• Home security systems don’t actually prevent burglaries at all, so if the alarm is ignored or isn’t working properly, a burglary can still happen without much difficulty

My Uses of Home Security Systems

My house is fitted with a home security system, though it has never been used as we’ve never had any problems. It does give us a sense of security when we go on holiday though – but we are still careful to lock away valuables and put other security methods into affect as it has been known that some Home security systems effective enough to prevent a burglary actually taking place. I do think a home security system is a good idea for a home, if you feel you can afford it, but shouldn’t be relied upon completely for the protection of your home.

Sadly, in the Information Age, the introduction of Technology has not only increased Policing and Crime Prevention – but has invented new ways of committing crimes via technology – particularly through computers.

Phishing

Phishing is a method used to capture people’s personal information such as name, credit card or bank details, passwords and other important information through emails or other communication methods from a bogus company, or someone pretending to be from a trustworthy company. Since the first incident of phishing was reported, and thanks to the growth of the internet and technology, thousands of people have lost money or information to phishing scandals. Another common method of phishing is fake competitions, where a ‘congratulations you’ve won’ appears on someone’s computer screen when they enter a website. The people most often vulnerable to phishing are old people, and others who aren’t cautious of the dangers of the internet – which is why it is becoming increasingly important for the awareness of phishing and other cons to be raised.

 Trojans horse

A Trojan horse is “a computer virus that arrives over the Internet disguised as a friendly email” (Oxford Illustrated Computer Dictionary). The Trojan horse software enters and harms a computer system, sometimes stealing information, by appearing as a friendly, often wanted, feature; for this reason they got their name from the well-known Greek Myth ‘The Trojan Horse’. Trojan horses may also allow the person who made them to hack the infected computer – giving them access to data for stealing, deleting files or software or even use of the infected computer to send out more Trojans/spam/viruses. It is sometimes a lengthy and annoying process to get rid of Trojans but in most cases it can be done – and should be because they are a big risk to the security of your computer and any information and files you have on it.

Before computers became popular and mainstream, Phishing and Trojans and other computer-based offences wouldn’t have been a problem. Luckily, for every person who is sending out these things, there is probably a team of people trying to prevent us from being affected and there are many ways in which to protect your computer. 

Entertainment in the Information Age

Information Technology has had a huge impact on how we spend our leisure time and the ways in which we entertain ourselves. Devices have been invented that have revolutionised the way in which we play games, listen to music, watch TV, take photos and even how we read.

Games in the Information Age

40 years ago, Computer games and gaming consoles were yet to become mainstream, and ‘games’ meant board games or arcade games. Gaming was a very social activity and was far less popular and consuming than it has become in Western society today. Computer games and games consoles were introduced on a large scale in the 70s and since then have grown to an industry worth $74 billion in 2011. (Figure from omgn.com). Nowadays gaming is a huge part of society, especially in youth culture and there are new games released every day – but is this a good thing? Games have become far less social as people usually play alone, even though on most games multi-player options are available. Teenagers spend up to 9 hours a week playing games in front of a screen – especially on weekends, a time that could be spent with others. Socialising via a game – such as through a chat application on the game – has replaced playing together and physically socialising.

There are four main platforms for games – Nintendo, PlayStation, XBOX and PC. Each ‘brand’ has released a variety of consoles, and in the last two years there has been fierce competition between similar products such as the Nintendo Wii, the PS3 and the XBOX 360 – as, on release, they were the first few consoles with wireless remote controls. In the last few years there have been further advancements in these consoles to becoming far more interactive, with XBOX Kinect leading the way to remote-free gaming. This revolution is considered by many to be the gaming companies’ response to anti-social behaviour that gaming can bring, as it allows families to play together on active games and to have fun together playing using movements. It could also reduce another problem excessive gaming can cause – a reduction in physical activity that can lead to weight problems, but with controller-less gaming people are encouraged to move around and is seen as a more ‘healthy’ gaming alternative. I doubt, however, that controller-less gaming will replace ‘traditional’ video games, as the lack of movement and the ease of sitting in front of the computer/TV screen and playing will most probably always be appealing to many people.

One major game-caused problem in the Information Age is video game addiction. Though video game addiction has not been formerly diagnosed as a mental health disorder, there are many signs that make Doctors and many people believe it may well be. These signs include a drop in school grades/work, skipping meals, spending less time with family and friends and prioritising gaming over real life situations. In some countries, there have been examples of deaths that authorities believe were caused by obsessive gaming.

Gaming on phones is also growing more and more popular, and with the introduction of smart phones with apps – phones seem to be the newest gaming source that could be enhanced in the future. 

The benefits of Gaming in the Information Age

• Video Games are known to improve hand-eye coordination
• Some games involve a lot of problem solving and decision making
• Games can help people build self confidence and can be a welcome escape for people who don’t have a particularly thriving social life
• There are numerous examples of educational games such as Brain Training on Nintendo DS that are learning tools aimed at enhancing brain power and learning skills
• As previously touched upon, Games Companies are working to introduce more physical games and there are many games based on fitness such as Wii Fit with the objective to help people keep fit and possibly lose weight
• Video games have been proven to relieve pain as it provides a distraction
• Fun

The detriments of Gaming in the Information Age

• Video game addiction
• Can cause a lack of physical activity
• It is believed that people can become ‘desensitised’ if they play a lot of violent video games
• Can be less social

My Uses of Gaming in the Information Age

I don’t really play video games very often – probably a few hours a month on average – but my brothers play quite a lot on the XBOX. They enjoy playing with their friends and spend hours a week on games such as Call of Duty and Fifa. I especially think interactive games where everyone can get involved and have a good time. As long as people play in moderation, I think that gaming in the information age has the potential to be a really great provider of fun, socialising and even educational.

Music in the Information Age

Music is now available to everyone in a variety of technological ways. Before music could be shared over the internet as it is nowadays, CD and walkmans were used to listen to music for entertainment on the move. However, since the introduction of MP3 music player – and iPod in particular – music has grown into a much more accessible form of entertainment and downloads have outsold physical sales since 2005. People now listen to music from smaller devices than ever before, and with earphones becoming less and less detectable and even wireless, music seems as though it is smarter and more powerful than ever before.

The benefits of Music in the Information Age

• Music players such as iPods and MP3’s are portable and lightweight
• It is more convenient to download music from your computer than to go out to buy a CD
• There is a far wider library of music available for purchase when downloading over the internet compared to the variety of CD’s in a music store
• It is better for the environment if all the music you buy is online, rather than on plastic CDs in plastic cases
• You can transfer CD’s onto your computer and then onto your music player
• Music files can be downloaded onto multiple devices from your music player (most popular of today being the iPod) to your phone and more

The detriments of Music in the Information Age

• One of the biggest problems with the way in which we listen to music today, is the damage that the music playing directly from the earphone right into the ear can cause to our hearing
• It is easy for someone to download music for free, illegally, from an unofficial distributor
• False music sites can cause people to download viruses, or music with poor sound quality
• People playing music aloud from their phone in public is considered antisocial and can be annoying for others
• Listening to music players cause people to become distracted from their surroundings which can be dangerous when crossing a road or doing something else where there concentration is needed

My Use of Music in the Information Age

I listen to music very often, especially on my iPhone and find it a really good way of listening to the songs that I enjoy. The small, light device means I can carry my music with me wherever I go – which I find particularly useful when going away on holiday as it is far easier than taking lots of CD’s. I rarely listen to my music very loudly on my earphones though but friends of mine do as they claim it helps them concentrate when working as they can’t hear distracting background noise – and I know this is probably dangerous for them. Health dangers concerning music do worry me so I make sure that I don’t blast my music into my eardrums. I do think that music has become a more popular form of entertainment in the last 6 years or so, since downloads have become mainstream. 

TV in the Information Age

It is strange to reflect on how much television has changed and grown in the past 50 years, and is somewhat remarkable. Before the late 1960s colour televisions weren’t sold largely and most people – if at all – had a black and white television. But eventually, as the popularity of TV as a form of entertainment grew, colour TV became more popular and present in more and more households, and then came Videos cassettes in the 70s, DVDs in the early 90s and flat screens in the mid-90s. Nowadays, DVDs are beginning to become overshadowed by Blu-Ray and 3D is gradually being seen in more and more homes. TV and films are also available over the internet and on mobile phones. Due to these technological television advances, people are going to the cinema less and television is probably the most popular and mainstream form of entertainment in the information age.

The benefits of TV in the Information Age

• Mobile TV means people can watch programmes they want on the move, and at any time that they wish
• 3D TV’s allow people to choose whether or not they watch in 2D or 3D
• More films are becoming designed in 3D, so a 3D TV allows people to imitate the cinema experience at home
• 3D TV’s have very high quality pictures and cause viewers to feel ‘inside’ the film or programme
• Blu-ray players can also play DVDs
• Blu-ray can store five times more data than DVDs so can contain far more bonus material and better quality content
• The picture on Blu-ray is far sharper, more detailed and the colour is better

The detriments of TV in the Information Age

• Watching 3D TV requires special 3D polarised glasses, and some people may find these uncomfortable – especially those who already wear glasses
• 3D TV’s are very expensive, and the cost of blu-ray films far outweigh that of DVDs
• 3D glasses can hurt people’s eyes as they may strain and tire them
• 3D polarised glasses make the content appear darker than it actually is which could be a problem for a particularly dark night-time scene
• Blu-ray players take longer to load and start up than DVD players

My Uses of TV in the Information Age

I do not have a 3D TV or a blu-ray player (yet) as they have been released in the past  year or so, so they are still very expensive, and not all channels are available in 3D yet. I can’t imagine having to wear a pair of glasses to watch TV, but I am aware that in a few years they will be one in most households – mine included. Friends of mine have got blu-ray players and always comment on the better quality and claim that they would ‘never go back to DVD’s’. A few people I know also have 3D TV’s, but say they probably don’t use the 3D aspect as often as they could do yet. I think it is good that television technology is continually trying to become better quality and more involving, as it provides people with better and more enjoyable entertainment. 

Cameras in the Information Age

In 1990 the first digital camera that recorded images as a file on a memory disc – which you could connect to a computer to download – and these only allowed for about 32 images to be taken, and in black and white.

Just 16 years ago, the first camera with a colour screen on the back that allowed photo viewing was invented. This was outdone in 1996 when the first still-pictures/moving-images camera was introduced. Cameras began to become more popular, and were being made smaller, lighter and more involved in daily life – especially when the first camera phones were brought out in 1999.

Nowadays cameras are so widely used and available in so many different ‘forms’, they have turned into a form of entertainment. The rise in the quality and popularity of cameras has also resulted in jobs being altered, and now the change in creating photos doesn’t end at the camera – images can now be edited using various computer programmes such as Photoshop, and on most camera phones there is an editing application.

The benefits of Cameras in the Information Age

• Cameras are accessible in so many ways – through phones and through actual cameras; webcams can even be used as cameras connected to your computer
• The price of cameras ranges so much that almost anyone can get one, and decide whether or not they want to spend out or find a bargain – with prices ranging from £29 to hundreds of pounds
• Editing can remove ‘faults’ in pictures e.g. brightness or red-eye
• Viewing screens are bigger and better than ever
• Viewing screens mean that photographers e.g. in a fashion shoot or paparazzi, don’t have to take lots and lots of photos in the hope that they have a good and useful one, but can see whether or not the pictures they are taking are very good – which can save time, money and effort
• Cameras are being made more durable, and some waterproof, so they can used in various activities without as much concern
• Cameras have larger photo storage and can hold thousands of pictures and videos
• Some cameras have face detection which aims to remove red eye and blurred faces in photos
• Settings such as ‘night time settings’ it is easier to take good quality photos at any time of the day or night

The detriments of Cameras in the Information Age

• Due to continuous technological advances, cameras are constantly changing and becoming upgraded so it can be difficult for people to keep up and adapt alongside the cameras
• ‘Professional’ cameras are very expensive – sometimes hundred, possibly thousands, of pounds
• Problems with memory cards or battery can be difficult to sort out
• Thanks to the development of photo editing, the fashion industry has been known to produce ‘unrealistic’ images of ‘beauty’ which causes people, especially teenagers, to feel pressure to look a certain way which is a popular cause of eating disorders or warped self-image
• Some professional photographers prefer using cameras with rolls of film because they are used to it

My Uses of Cameras in the Information Age

I, along with almost all of my friends and family, own a digital camera which I use quite often when going out. I feel cameras have become a better addition to the ‘entertainment industry’ since they become digital as it meant that they have become far more accessible, and many of them are now very easy to use. Some of my friends who do Photography have the high end, expensive cameras – and it is very easy to see the noticeable difference in picture quality. I do however agree that the editing of photos in magazines has become too extreme and that it is sending a negative impact to people. As far as the cameras themselves go however, I find the cameras of today a great way of capturing a moment you want to remember – and because they are so fast and easy to use, it means you don’t have to miss the moment whilst trying to capture it!

E-Books and Reading in the Information Age

The first handheld e-Book was released in 1998; the Rocket by Nuromedia. This started the development of e-Books and e-Readers that has transformed the way in which we read. Reading has always been a form of entertainment that can be enjoyed by everyone where – people of all ages and interests and abilities – and now the paper and ink stories, novels and newspapers have been adapted and brought up-to-date with the other forms of entertainment in the Information Age.

E-Books have seen a new lease of popularity in the past few years since the release of the Amazon Kindle, and nowadays more and more people are opting for e-Books as a method of reading – and since the Kindle release, thousands of bookstores have had to close down. The Kindle is not without its rivals however; WHSmith has launched the Kobo touch within its stores in an attempt to imitate the success that the Kindle has had and the Sony e-Reader has also tried to rival the Amazon creation.

The benefits of E-Readers and Reading in the Information Age

• Books can be purchased instantly
• You can carry around hundreds of books at a time - with little effort
• E-Books are light and thin so are easily portable and storable
• E-Books and e-Readers don’t require any paper, obviously, so are far better for trees
• Newer e-Books, such as the Kindle Fire in America, are interactive and allow you to not only store you books and magazines on them, but your music and many other things too such as internet access is available
• Fonts in e-Books can be altered so that they are easier for people to read
• Reading a book on an e-Reader is more private than reading a normal book as there is no front-cover visible to everyone
• E-Books contain a built-in dictionary so that you can highlight a word in a passage that you do not understand and find the meaning
• Prices of books for an e-Book or e-Reader are often cheaper than actual books
• Most e-Readers use ‘virtual ink’ so do not have a backlight – this means that your eyes do not tire and there is no screen glare

The detriments of E-Readers and Reading in the Information Age

• Some e-Readers can be very expensive
• It is far more difficult to lend books to others or pass them on
• As previously mentioned, the launch of popular e-Books have resulted in the closure of many bookshops – so people are losing their jobs to technology
• If you lose your e-Reader, you have lost your entire library!
• Some people feel that you can’t get the same experience reading an e-Book compared with a physical book, and complain that the whole appeal of a book is the simplicity and the escape it provides from the technology-mad society in which we now live

My Uses of e-Readers and Reading in the Information Age

I do not personally have an e-Reader, by my sister does, and I think that they are a fantastic piece of technology and a wonderful example of traditional entertainment being adapted by technology. It really makes a difference when going on holiday to just take an e-Book compared to a couple actual books. I do not think that e-Reader will ever completely replace books however, because I believe people will always enjoy reading a single, physical book as – in a way – they allow you to become closer to the story and they probably remind people of a ‘simpler’ time when everything wasn’t computerised.

Education in the Information Age

Information Technology has become such a monumental aspect of Education today that it would probably be difficult for students to imagine school life without it. IT has revolutionised the way young people learn and opened new opportunities for further knowledge that wouldn’t have been available as recently as 30 years ago.

Computers

In my school, there is at least one computer in each classroom – and over 20 in each of the 9 computer rooms – and they play a huge role in both teaching and independent learning. From class work to online revision, computers cover many aspects of school life. Word processing programmes such as Microsoft Word work alongside textbooks and paper, researching online has replaced the need to search through library books and other sources, and emailing teachers with enquiries has become an alternative to seeking help in person – in short, the uses of computers are numerous within education.

There is an abundance in computer programmes that assist with everyday school tasks – an example of this is the use of SIMS for registration. SIMS is a programme used in my school, accessible only by staff members, that allows teachers to take the register from the computer and acts as a record of all student information e.g. targets, behaviour records and attendance. Teachers can also write progress reviews and reports on SIMS, so it has a function in both monitoring and feedback.

In every classroom in my school, an Interactive whiteboard is connected to the computer and acts as the focal point for most lessons – replacing the older option, the blackboard. Similar to blackboards, teachers write notes and explanations on an interactive whiteboard but, as they are connected to computers, they are able to do so much more in addition. Teachers can save the notes they make on the interactive whiteboard – a luxury its blackboard predecessors were without – which allows them to recover them at later dates, or even print them off and give them to students as aids for studying. Another key features of interactive whiteboards is that they are just that – interactive. They act as a visual aid that students can contribute to. As you can access the internet via the computer they are connected to, Teachers can open educational games and students can play on the whiteboard. Interactive whiteboards have the potential to add things to a lesson that a simple blackboard and chalk never could – positive student involvement.

The uses of computers within a learning environment are vast and value – they are a fantastic resource.

The benefits of the use of Computers, and computer-related technology, in Education

• Less paper used when work can be done and submitted using programmes and email
• Emailing teachers is instant and you don’t need to interrupt either persons school day in order to contact them, you can also send an email at any time including evenings and weekends
• Changes to any work can be done instantly and without the need to start again
• All work can be saved and stored in one place, rather than having piles of papers and school books
• The internet provides thousands of educational pieces of information – such as videos of science experiments or biological dissections
• Interactive whiteboards provide student participation
• With the use of SIMS, it is easier for teachers to keep a track of students’ progress and supervise their behaviour
• Computers are becoming increasingly present within society, so having computers within a school enables young people to become computer-literate from young age – this means they are lucky as they will not struggle as much with new technology in the future

The detriments of the use of Computers, and computer-related technology, in Education

• Computers are expensive, so this resource is not available to all schools
• Having so much information at their fingers can cause students to become lazy, and lack the drive to find their own alternative sources for study
• Students may copyright the work they find online, unaware that what they are doing is illegal
• Some of the information online may be incorrect
• If a teacher sets some work on the computer, students without access to a computer outside of school may not be able to do it
• It is difficult for schools to control how each and every students uses the computers and they may not be using it sensibly or for the correct reasons

My Opinion of the use of Computers etc. in my school

I think that the computers are a fantastic addition to my school as they open up a whole world of research opportunities – and their uses don’t stop there. You can email teachers about any work difficulties; you can find contacts for work experience and all the other amazing things the internet allows. In addition, without computers, IT certainly couldn’t be taught in the same way and I feel it would be near enough impossible to try and learn about computers and other technologies and what they have to offer without actually using them. I cannot really imagine my education without computers – both in school and at home for that matter. It is just a shame that schools who cannot afford computer systems are denied this resource.

VLE – Frog

VLE (Virtual Learning Environment) is a web based tool used by schools that provides two-way interaction between teachers and students. Although Virtual Learning Environments were originally created to enhance distance learning, they are nowadays used more as a popular supplement to a traditional physical learning environment.

At my school, the VLE we use is ‘Frog’. It can be accessed from school or from home and includes features such as the school calendar, notices from the school, homework set by teachers and links to the school network and the school email. Uploaded lessons, subject information and resources can also be found on Frog.

On VLE’s students can access handouts, videos, interactive material and worksheets. There are also features that provide group interaction and tutorials such as chat and conferencing.

The benefits of VLEs – Frog

• Frog is easy to use and has a friendly format
• Sources are more easily available to students so they can explore a variety of information from different places and various opinions and ideas
• Uploaded lessons can help students if they wish to re-cap, in order to retain more information than they may have done during the actual lesson. These can also help if a student is absent and they need to catch up with the work that they have missed
• In regards to homework, teachers can see which students have opened homework – not just when it is completed and sent back – so they know when a student deliberately hasn’t done it
• Homework can be set at any time of the day, and every day – even if School/ a lesson is cancelled due to bad weather or some other reason
• Frog provides students with new learning opportunities that could help them do better should they choose to use them e.g. the resources and uploaded lessons
• Parents can access their students work and information and keep an eye on how they child is doing and whether or not they are completing set tasks
• Frog saves paper as homework is set and completed and notices are sent over the VLE rather than on paper

The disadvantages of VLEs – Frog

• There is a worry that students become less concerned about missing school if all the work and lessons are available online anyway
• A huge drawback of VLEs such as Frog is the cost as it prevents many schools from becoming part of the Virtual Environment and means they cannot utilise the available resources and help
• Not all students have computers at home so the VLE would be of little use to them and they would benefit more from homework and other information being provided in the traditional way
• Teaching and learning via a VLE means the ‘personal touch’ from the lesson is missing as the teacher cannot add their own ‘flare’ to them. Also practical lessons e.g. a chemical experiment, cannot be imitated by students at home. The lessons provided on Frog are mainly done in written format and miss the occasional excitement that certain topics could potentially provide, if taught well
• If someone is doing homework or a lesson on Frog they cannot seek immediate help if they don’t understand something or need help

My Opinions of my schools’ VLE – Frog

As my school has only had Frog for around a year now, I don’t think I am familiar enough with it to have realised its full potential or to get as much out of it as I could yet. Furthermore, very few of my teachers set homework on Frog so I rarely feel I need to check it. I feel that although VLE’s work fairly well alongside regular school, I don’t think I benefit very much from Frog. I much prefer lessons in classrooms as I find the social interaction between my fellow students and teachers more useful and enjoyable. I do however think that on days when school is cancelled e.g. when it there has been heavy snow, Frog is useful for accessing work that has been missed. I can definitely see the major advantages of Virtual Learning Environments however at times I feel that, in my school at least, Frog is a little under-appreciated and so unnecessary. I would certainly use Frog as extra support for my learning, but it wouldn’t be my sole resource as I prefer books and having the work directly in front of me rather than on a computer screen.

Smart Cards

There are two types of smart cards used in my school – ‘card keys’ and ‘canteen cards’. Card keys, as they name suggests, act as keys – allowing the holder access into certain places that are closed to those without. The sixth form building uses this system to keep in remote from any of the students from the younger year groups, and the school gates have a similar system so that students cannot leave when they shouldn’t. They also ensure that people who shouldn’t are unable enter the school when it is locked up. Ultimately, the role of cards key is to maintain security.

The benefits of Smart Card keys

• Sense of increased security
• Each smart card key is allocated to a certain student so, unlike normal keys, people cannot swap
• You cannot make your own working copies of a smart card
• Once a card is reported lost, it is possible for it to be deactivated so it can no longer be used
• Lightweight to carry and can be simply kept in a wallet or pocket as they are thin

The detriments of Smart Card keys

• The card key systems are quite expensive – certainly more expensive than an average lock and key
• If a card is lost or stolen, the person without it can’t enter the buildings and the person with it may not be supposed to – so the security is lost, even if it is only for a short while before the key is deactivated
• Can be lost easily if the person isn’t responsible

The second type of Smart Card in use at my school is Canteen cards. There are sort of similar to credit cards – parents add money to the individual card over the school site, then the student need only take the card to school and are able to purchase lunch using the money on their card.

The benefits of Smart Canteen Cards

• Students don’t need to carry any money to school – so there is no risk of someone stealing it from them
• They can only be used by one person as they are personalised with their information and picture – so even if someone else takes it they cannot use it
• Cards can be deactivated if they are lost
• There is a daily limit on how much of their ‘credit’ someone can spend – so they don’t spend all their money in one day
• Lightweight to carry and can be simply kept in a wallet or pocket as they are thin

The detriments of Smart Canteen Cards

• For parents without internet access, it is difficult for them to add money to the card
• If someone forgets their canteen card, they cannot simply buy food with money
• Visitors to the school can’t use the canteen to buy food
• Can be lost easily if the person isn’t responsible

My Opinion of the use of Smart Cards in my school

I think smart cards have made a massive difference to my school since they were introduced. If anything, I like the Card keys as they add a sort of ‘exclusiveness’ to the sixth form building. However, they do make a lot of my friends far more complacent as they give a false sense of complete security in my opinion. The canteen cards I think are very good and I think they fulfil their job well as now no one can steal anyone else’s lunch money. It is slightly annoying that money can no longer be used at all in my school canteen as it means when I forget my card I have to either beg my friends to buy me lunch (which can be difficult due to the daily limit) or go hungry.

CCTV system

In certain places around my school there are CCTV cameras – particularly in the computer rooms and around the outside of the buildings. This surveillance equipment is used to watch over areas where problems are likely to occur. The CCTV cameras in the computer room are monitored in the ICT technicians’ room. They have only been used in the school for the past few years and, for the most part, you don’t even notice that they are there.

The benefits of the use of CCTV

• If there is an incident, CCTV footage can be used to find out what happened
• They make people think before they misbehave and can prevent unsafe/bad behaviour
• Students vandalising the building/computer room can be seen and stopped
• When a teacher leaves a computer room, they can check on their class in the technicians room to see if they continue working
• Parents may feel happier knowing that the wellbeing/behaviour of their child is being monitored at school

The detriments of the use of CCTV

• CCTV systems are very expensive
• Someone needs to be monitoring the cameras all/most of the time because there is no point there being surveillance equipment if no one is actually going to use it
• Some people may feel that their privacy is being breached if there are cameras watching them at all times
• Some believe the use of CCTV cameras as misconduct deterrents undermines the authority of the teaching staff

My Opinion of the use of CCTV in my school

I don’t have a very strong opinion about CCTV. I can definitely see the benefits of watching students, but I also agree that it takes away from the role of the teacher. As I previously mentioned, I don’t really even notice them unless they are pointed out to me – so I don’t have a problem with them.

Other examples of technology used in my school include

• Video cameras for subjects such as drama and English and P.E so that performances can be recorded for reviewing, analysing and marking
• TV/ DVD player for watching films and programmes that relate to the subject and the topic being covered

And many more which I probably don’t even realise as I have probably become used to them.

Introduction to Life in the Information Age

In the last 30 years there have been ground-breaking advances in Information Technology. In developed countries in particular, Technology seems to have become increasingly ubiquitous in everyday life. Information Technology has evolved dramatically and has transformed the way in which we work, communicate, play, learn and live. We are living in the Information Age – a time where information is power, and where technology has enabled us to discover information we would otherwise have no way of obtaining.

It is hard to comprehend just how radically Information Technology has influenced us over the past few decades, so in order to make it more graspable you can compare the usual offices of today to a typical office from the 1980’s.

By the end of the 1980’s, the previously ever-present typewriter had been replaced within offices by computers and keyboards. Beforehand, offices would contain numerous filling cabinets for storing paperwork – in contrast, today most workers need little more than a computer. There were no fax machines, no printers and the only way to transfer work was by mail or by hand. If a piece of paperwork was found to have a mistake, the whole thing would have to be typed again – whereas straightforward amending is available to us on computers now.

By the 1990’s, computers were becoming present in every office around the world and nowadays the technology present in the workplace has become even more innovative in comparison to the 1980’s. With the introduction of wireless connections to the internet, printers and other work equipment, the workplace has become far more flexible even in the last 4 years or so. Online conferencing allows business people to communicate and form partnerships all over the world and employees can contribute work from home via email – reducing their need to go to the office every day. The Technology in the workplace today has impacted people’s lifestyles greatly. Work no longer necessarily finishes when you leave the office – Blackberrys, iPhones and other smart phones are used by businesses to contact employees outside office hours and for the employees to send emails and finish work when they are at home – whether or not this is an advantage or a disadvantage is open to interpretation.

We are living in an information spiral – the more information we acquire; the more technology we can create and the more technology we create, the more information we are beginning to realize and so on in a continuous and expanding cycle. Technology has certainly advanced in the past 30 years, and in recent years the advances have snowballed. As a society we seem to have developed an inability to settle and accept that things are the best that they could possibly be and so we continue striving for improvements within our lifestyles – increasingly through technology. But as we aim for what seems to be ‘technological supremacy’, we may be losing site of what we need and, essentially, of simplicity. With each advance we are making some sort of sacrifice – and every time we must decide whether or not it is worth it.

Case Study – How the job of a Sales representative has changed due to the development of Information Technology

According to 440 sales representatives who responded to the ‘Registered Reps’’ annual survey, the ‘typical’ sales rep has been on the job for seven years. Within those seven years those sales assistants would have experienced many changes to their job because of Information Technology. Technology has changed the way that people shop, and thus has changed the way that sales people sell. Even from the beginning technology has had an effect on the job of a sales assistant – when phones became more available, phone calls with clients coincided with face-to-face conversations and the typewriter replaced hand written documents. Nowadays, a sales representative is a perfect example of just how much technology is around and how is has transformed the way people carry out their jobs. Sales people today must be competent with using computers, databases, production software, smart phones, and social media at least – and ability to use other equipment such as SAT NAV would add to the ease of their job. For some sales persons, this means they required retraining or they risk losing their job.

Computers and the Internet have allowed sales reps to be more productive. They can access information and organise it far faster than they ever could have before. Client contact details and addresses and product information can be stored on a database which can be accessed from computers, laptops and some smart phones – meaning they can be accessed on the move. Satellite navigation systems and map apps on phones mean that sale reps can find their way around unfamiliar places with ease and without hesitance or a need for too much planning ahead. This would save time, and for a sales rep more time can potentially mean more money. 

Smart phones can also act as a planner – holding appointment details and other information. Information Technology has made it so that sales reps needn’t spend days in the office planning routes and sorting through paperwork, and they can instead do most of their work either at home or on the go.

For sales representatives there are fewer things more important than creating new sales leads, and one way in which technology is involved in doing this is though social media such as FaceBook and other social networking sites. Sales people can use these to attract thousands of people to their products quickly and with minimum effort. Social sites also all them to research other products and receive feedback, and it acts as a foundation for forming preferably profitable customer relationships.

This is just one example of a job that has been enhanced and altered due to Information Technology. Recent and new technologies provide opportunities for workers to enhance their output and improve their work-life – and more and more people are taking full advantage of these opportunities. But for those who cannot keep up with the constant changes and additions, their jobs may become increasingly stressful and confusing the more time passes and the more technological advances there are. 

Online Entertainment

YouTube

YouTube’s vision is ‘to give everyone a voice’ and since 2005, when it was created, the popular video-sharing website YouTube has grown to hold thousands of millions of videos – but it is constantly growing. It is one of the biggest forms of Online Entertainment.

The benefits of YouTube

• It is free to become a member and upload your own videos, or view other peoples
• You don’t have to be a member to watch videos
• YouTube has become somewhat of a talent-spotter sight, as new talent can be published for the world to see and in some cases has landed people record deals after being ‘discovered’ over YouTube
• You can rate and comment on videos – giving feedback and allowing others to get an impression of the video, before necessarily watching it
• YouTube is available in 51 languages
• YouTube videos can be about anything and can be purely for amusement or instructional or to impress
• There are millions of videos to choose from
• You can listen to the latest music free on YouTube
• There is a YouTube app that can be downloaded onto mobiles, so it can be enjoyed anywhere
• Can be used at any time and by anyone
• An age restriction may be put on videos so that only users over 18 should watch them
• Comments can be removed by the person whose video they are on – and any abuse can be reported

The detriments of YouTube

• Because anyone can watch videos you upload, you cannot control how they are being enjoyed and whether or not it is in a way you are comfortable with
• Comments can be very hurtful and, even after they are removed; the user will have still seen them and may be hurt by what is said about them
• Videos about anything can be uploaded – including disturbing and inappropriate videos
• People who own the content of a video, e.g. a song, may be unhappy if people are using it without their permission
• Despite the age limit, people can still watch the videos if they choose to lie about their age

My Uses of YouTube

I think YouTube is a really good form of Online Entertainment, and can be enjoyed by anybody because there is something for everyone. I think it is great that someone can simply post a video and become an internet sensation overnight. I use YouTube quite a lot for listening to music, which is a great free method of hearing the latest songs, and have also seen a lot of funny videos. Being able to make people smile through a video is nice and so a communal place where people can share their videos is a wonderful idea. I do however think that people should be sure, before they upload a video, that they are happy for everyone to see it as it is beyond their control who watches it and what their opinion of it is. 

Spotify

Spotify is a music streaming service available online that allows users to listen to millions of songs. Spotify acts as a sort of online radio which you can tailor for you own music preferences.

The beneftits of Spotify

• You can access Spotify on your phone as well as your laptop, and many other devices, so can be enjoyed wherever and whenever
• You can search for songs by title, artist, genre or by record label; but there is also a new release section so you can find music you’ll enjoy that you’ve never have heard of before
• It is available for free
• Spotify acts as a music library and you can make your own playlists, and listen to millions of songs all kept in one place
• You can import Facebook friends
• You can share songs with your friends – so you can share with them the music you enjoy – legally
• You can send recommendations to friends, along with text, using the ‘inbox’ feature
• Spotify has a minimalist design and is easy to use

The detriments of Spotify

• There are adverts on Spotify which disrupt peoples listening and you can’t stop them
• Only premium members – a.k.a. paying users – can access Spotify on their mobiles
• The messaging via the ‘inbox’ feature is a one way system, users cannot directly respond to messages/recommendations they are sent
• You don’t actually own any of the music you listen to
• You can’t share entire playlists with your friends, only single songs at a time

My Uses of Spotify

I have actually never used Spotify first hand, so have no experience of how easy it is to use and of the overall quality of the service. A lot of my friends use it however, as a free way to enjoy music and make playlists of the songs they enjoy. One of my teachers also used to use it to play music in lessons and the songs were always of good quality – but the adverts were very annoying, especially when you were in between songs in an album. 

Online TV

Many popular channels have created sites where the TV the offer can be viewed, channels such as BBC with BBC iPlayer, Channel 4 with 4od, itv with itv player and channel 5 with channel 5. Online TV has allowed TV, which was already incredibly popular, to become an even more widespread method of entertainment.

The benefits of watching TV online

• Over the internet you can find shows you may not usually get on your TV
• You can watch the TV where you want as, if you are watching from a laptop, they are portable
• You can play/pause/replay the show how you want
• Many channels are not making their online TV sites available on mobiles
• For the most part, watching online TV is free and available for everyone with access to a computer
• You can watch your TV programmes wherever you are in the world
• If you missed the programme when it was broadcasted on TV, you could watch it on the online site for the channel it was on
• Some channels hold the episodes of entire series, so you can watch them all at once without missing any
• You can watch TV online at any time of the day or night

The detriments of watching TV online

• Illegal TV sites can spread viruses
• Online TV takes up internet bandwidth
• Some online TV channels might not work on certain computers or may involve an instalment of a programme that may be unwanted
• TV programmes may take a long time to load
• The sound/picture quality may not be as good as watching regular TV

My Uses of Online TV

I don’t watch TV online very often, but when I do it’s usually to catch up with a programme I have missed. I find it very useful. I have both 4od and itv player on my phone think they both work really well. I also enjoy using online TV to watch shows that I do not get on my TV. I do feel that, even though online TV has its and I feel they outweigh the disadvantages, I don’t think it would ever replace conventional TV for me. 

Second Life

Second life is an online 3D world where users lead virtual lives through personal avatars. It began in 2003, and has around a millions users. Online life-imitating games like ‘Second Life’ are very popular forms of online entertainment and are used all over the world.

The benefits of Second Life

• Second life provides people with social interaction with other users
• It is in 3D so visually quite impressive
• It is free to join
• Second life provides players, known as residents, with unofficial learning opportunities including the possibility of learning a foreign language
• Residents remain anonymous
• Residents partake in games and quests which keep Second Life exciting
• You can befriend people from all over the world
• The currency of Second Life – linden dollars (L$) – is actually worth money (exchange rate L$1,000 = US $4.16)
• Residents can create properties and own them
• Everyone is given the same ‘life opportunities’ so it doesn’t matter if you are disabled or under-privileged in real life as everyone is equal in Second Life
• It’s a virtual world

The detriments of Second Life

• It’s a virtual world
• There is a need to update software continuously
• You have to use headphones
• The game can sometimes be slow
• Some people become addicted to the game and begin to become confused about what is reality – their second life or their actual life. There have been cases where people actually fall in love with another resident in second life – even though they have never physically met
• Because Second life has so many features, you have to overcome a bit of a learning curve when you first start before you can really get into the game
• Residents can never really know who they are talking to/becoming friends with

My Uses of Second Life

I have never been on Second Life and, in fact, never heard of it before researching online entertainment. I have however, been reading about people who play these games and become obsessed with their second life – so much so, that it takes control over their life. I do however, believe these must be the extreme cases and that on the whole people can enjoy Second life safely for what it is – a form of entertainment. To some extent I can see the appeal of Second life – especially for those who don’t particularly enjoy/ thrive in reality – as it is a chance to live the way you dream, and look the way you want, and basically get a second chance at a life which you have almost complete control over. I do think that when playing life-imitating games it is important to remember that it is real life that is actually important and if at any point it becomes difficult for someone to differentiate between the two; they should probably review their priorities.