Computer Technology: The Good and the Bad
Technology has made work easier. It is now possible to make well informed decisions. There are many reasons why technology is taking over the work place. It is therefore very important for managers to weigh whether they should go the tech way or not. Before you choose computer technology for your business , it would be good to be reminded of the benefits.
Storage
While human brains can contain a high level of information to use in making a decision, a computer’s “brain” can contain even more data and information, depending on the storage space it is connected to. With a higher capacity for more data, especially data that a human brain might not retain, such as complex equations, more information can be incorporated into the “brain” or algorithm of the computer in its decision making, leading to better results.
Speed and Accuracy
Computers can process information much faster than a human brain. One advantage to computers making decisions is that you will have decisions made faster and more accurately than a human brain, which may get hung up with different factors involving the decision, leading to slower overall results. Also, unlike people who can become tired or suffer from a lack of concentration and deliver inaccurate decisions, a well-tuned computer is always alert and can process reams of information without growing bored or tired, leading to more precise results.
Sourced from:http://smallbusiness.chron.com/advantages-disadvantages-using-computer-technology-decision-making-14639.html
Technology has also changed the way we learn. Students can now visualize what they are told in theory so that they have a proper idea of what is being explained. It has also made learning flexible in these times where students have to work and study.
Modes of Instruction
Technology-based learning taps into multiple learning strategies. College instructors using technology tools select from a variety of educational tools that include audio, video, digital simulations, illustrations and other multi-sensory tools. Students in classrooms that feature these technologies use them to watch an animation of how the blood pumps through the heart, listen to international news sources to learn a foreign language or use weather graphing to create an assignment for a geography class. Ed.gov reports that students in these classrooms perform 30 percent better than their counterparts in classes without these technologies.
Seat Time
When trying to restructure the traditional classroom so that it better fits the needs of the 21st century learner, educators often talk about “seat time.” This term indicates how much time students must actually be in the classroom in order to get full credit for their coursework. Many nontraditional students populate the classrooms of today, and traditional class schedules requiring daytime attendance won’t work for them.
Sourced from:http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/computer-technology-benefit-college-students-6399.html
As much as there are benefits to be enjoyed with the advancement of computer technology, certain facts cannot be ignored. There are disadvantages that accompany this great development.
Unemployment
While automation and increased use of high-tech machinery increases productivity, it also empowers companies to produce goods and services with fewer workers. Employees in jobs requiring few skills tend to be the first to be phased out. When fewer people are working, the whole economy grows more slowly or even contracts. The risk is that with fewer people earning a salary, there will be less demand for the goods that companies produce.
Privacy
The risk from mobile employees working remotely from the office is a decrease in employee privacy. Many employers request employees keep their mobile devices turned on so managers can reach their employees at any time. Using their own mobile devices for work means the device is no longer completely private and companies may have policies regarding their use. Private data on the device may become accessible to the employer.
Sourced from:http://science.opposingviews.com/benefits-risks-computer-technology-workplace-1942.html