INSTRUCTIONS: Click the links for current and additional information to help you respond to the hotTopics questions.
Most people feel that knowing how to use a
computer is an essential skill. Nevertheless, when one thousand Americans were asked in a recent MIT poll which of eight
inventions they could not live without, the personal computer tied for last, along with the blow-dryer.
The automobile, lightbulb, telephone, television, aspirin, and microwave oven were all perceived as more indispensable
than the personal computer. Is the belief in the importance of computer literacy inconsistent with the results of this poll?
Why or why not? How might the characteristics of the people questioned have affected the results? How would you rank the importance of
computers compared to the other inventions in the list? Why?
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Many technological innovations have been �double-edged swords,�
with both positive and negative effects on society at large. The automobile, for example, has allowed people to travel freely and extended the availability of goods and services
; at the same time, however, it has increased air pollution and contributed to thousands of serious accidents.
Together with a classmate, present a debate on the effect computers have had on society. One of you should argue that their impact
primarily has been positive, while the other should contend that their impact primarily has been negative.
When the debate is over, see if you, together with all of your classmates, can reach a consensus regarding the overall impact of computers on society.
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Not only has computer literacy become an integral part of school
curriculums, the use of computers also has affected other areas of study. For example, an increasing number of elementary schools
has abandoned the teaching of cursive writing, instead promoting keyboarding skills. Many students are learning how to type in first grade,
even as they discover how to print. A noted educator points out that if something has to be eliminated � printing, cursive, or keyboard � then cursive is the logical choice. Many systems
have rejected the traditional loops and flourishes of cursive in favor of a simpler style that can keep pace with computer keyboards.
In what other ways might the use of computers change what schools teach? How will computers make your son�s or daughter�s elementary school education
different from yours? In general, are these changes positive or negative? Why?
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In 1995, a problem-plagued computer system in Albany,
New York, finally "crashed," losing almost 26,000 photo driver�s licenses. Affected motorists were given extensions and temporary licenses and asked to have their pictures retaken
, at no additional cost and without having to wait in line again. Although the company leasing the system corrected the problem
at no cost to the state, both motorists and state workers were inconvenienced by the system�s failure.
Despite the reliability of computers, everyone has heard of similar computer errors. Describe a situation with which you are familiar
where a similar computer error occurred. Who, or what, was responsible for the error? What steps could be taken to ensure that the error does not happen again?
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Your school has been given a grant to purchase a
supercomputer, a mainframe computer, several minicomputers, and a number of personal computers. How do you think each category of computer would be best used in your school? Who should have access to each computer? If the money for personal computers had to be spent on three different types of personal computers, what kind do you think should be purchased and how should they be used?