GEE 101 Living in the IT Era

Lesson 2 Introduction
Technology plays a significant role in the modern world. Almost all activities of a person
involved the use of technology from waking-up in the morning and up-to time that you will sleep. This
unit deals with the role of technology in an individual’s life.

Meaning of Information Technology

At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

a. Demonstrate understanding on the meaning of information technology;
b. Draw a visual interpretation on therole of information technology in daily life; and
c. Express one’s view on the importance of information technology through a journal.

Pre-test: TRUE OR FALSE

Directions: Write T if the statement is true and F it is false. Write your answer on the space provided.

1. Communication covers a huge part of what information technology is for the people of the
modern age.
2. IT gives inconveniency in our daily living.
3. Credit cards or smart cards like “VISA ELECTRON” have made the banking industry
more flexible than before.
4. IT is a set of tools that can help provide the right people with the right information at the
right time.
5. Information Technology focuses only in sending information.
6. Information technology is the technology used to store, manipulate, distribute or create
information.
7. Technology becomes the central to the lives of every individual.
8. Guglielmo Marconi invented the telephone.
9. In 1933, KDKA radio station in Pittsburgh began regular commercial radio broadcasting
with the presidential election returns.
10. It helps us to relax after a hard day’s work by watching entertainment shows.

Meaning of Information Technology

1. Information technology is the technology used to store, manipulate, distribute or create
information. All these can be summed up easily - it’s having knowledge, and knowledge comes
from having information. Gaining knowledge through information is the role of “information
technology” IT in today’s informed world.
2. It refers to any development that mainly involves computer-based information systems
comprising of software applications and the computer hardware.
3. It is the use of electronic systems that can assist towards retrieving the required information.
4. It is used for communication and communication industry.
5. Online transactions
Importance of Information Technology
1. Information Technology is vital element in any development in terms of trade and commerce,
defense and culture.
2. A standard process that allows great bulks of data to be kept and processed or transmitted at
lightning speed.
3. Information at hand to make choices, sustain and preserve relations, monitor business
activities or track movements.
4. Information Technology brings out the production and development of mobile phones in the
market such as iPhone, iPad which are more technologically motivated.
5. Reaching out people as a convenient and accessible where everyone can use its application
with comfort.
6. Information Technology permits us to gather, handle and interconnect a gigantic volume of
information.
7. Information Technology has successfully infiltrated human existences, occupying the biggest
part of every lifestyle; the importance of information technology; touching lives.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Information Technology

Advantages (+) Disadvantages (-)

+ Globalization and Economic Growth - Rise in unemployment
+ Communication has become an easier,
cheaper, and faster
- Lack of job security
 Internet
 Skype
+ Social Media - Lack of privacy
+ Business become more cost effective - Influence of IT to everyone’s life

Role of Information Technology in Daily Life

At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

a. Describe the role of information technology by indicating its role in one’s daily life; and
b. Write a reflection by expressing ideas on the impact of information technology in daily
life.

In our daily living, technology plays a vital role. It has become the central to the lives of every
individual. Whether we are sending messages, going to the bank, talking on the phone, catching a
flight, using library, harvesting products, watching news on the television, going to the doctor or
seeing movies, we are using information technology. Almost everything that we do in this modern
world is influenced by technologies. Now, let us explore some roles of information technology in
various sectors.
Role of Information Technology in Business Success
1. Improved Organizational Communication. An important use of technology in business is for
communication through platforms such as conferencing software, email, video chat, company
intranets and the internet in general. IT allows businesses to easily hold virtual meetings with
staff and clients around the world without having to spend time and money on travel.
2. More Efficient Daily Operations. Companies can use inventory management software that
checks real-time levels rather than having a worker to do the monitoring, provides helpful
reports to managers and can even trigger orders when the supply is low.
3. Customer Support and Satisfaction. IT also makes it easier to provide customer’s
satisfaction through improved customer service, easier customized marketing and e-
commerce.
4. Decision Making. Information Technology such as ERP software and decision support
systems help managers see company performance data in real time so that they can make
more informed decisions. Such software presents an online dashboard with information about
the company's finances, customers, sales and marketing trends and inventory levels.
Managers can use the data to decide which products to promote or stop selling, where to cut
expenses, which customers need support and when to place supply and order the materials.

Role of Information Technology in Modern Organization

1. Communication. Information technology allows clients and staff to communicate using live
chat systems, online meetings tools and video-conferencing systems.
2. Inventory Management. Inventory management systems track the quantity of each item a
company maintains, triggering an order of additional stock when the quantities fall below a pre-
determined amount. These systems are best used when the inventory management system is
connected to the point-of-sale (POS) system. The POS system ensures that each time an item
is sold, one of that item is removed from the inventory count, creating a closed information loop
between all departments.
3. Data Management. Companies store digital versions of documents on servers and storage
devices. These documents become instantly available to everyone in the company, regardless
of their geographical location and able to store and maintain a tremendous amount of historical
data economically and employees benefit from immediate access to the documents they need.
4. Management Information System. MIS enable companies to track sales data, expenses and
productivity levels. The information can be used to track profitability over time, maximize return
on investment and identify areas of improvement.
5. Customer Relationship Management. Companies are using IT to improve the way they
design and manage customer relationships. Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
systems capture every interaction a company has with a customer, so that a more enriching
experience is possible.

Role of Information Technology in Education

1. Improved Research. There are very many online libraries that assist teachers and students
with comprehensive reading materials. Teachers and lecturers are also able to post their work
online for their students to read. With thorough research, students also get updated
information. Every change made in the syllabus is always revised through the internet.
Students can also check what units they are to cover in a semester through the internet.
2. Easy Access to Different Learning Resources. They help to improve teaching skills and
learning abilities of students. These learning resources include audio and visual education.
Students are taught with projectors in classrooms or lectured through class speakers. Students
and teachers can also easily download eBooks from the internet which can be read from
anywhere through your phone or tablet.
 3. Helped Children with Disabilities in their Learning. For instance, the hearing-impaired use
electronic devices called hearing aids. They can also use visual learning where sign language
is used on electronic media to enhance communication.
4. Improved Combined Learning. Information technology in education has made it possible for
learners to have study groups. Students can now create combined ideas, solve problems and
learn more through group studies and academic forums online.
5. Made Teaching More Effective. Students should also embrace it because in the future, most
of the jobs will be technologically based.

Role of Information Technology in Medical Science

1. Assist Medical Education. Computer-assisted learning (CAL), Virtual reality (VR), Human
patient simulators are some options. With the help of college networks and Internet, the
medical students as well as the teachers may stay in contact even when they are off college.
2. Rapid Communication. With the help of e-mails and course details, handouts, and feedbacks
can be circulated easily. Internet provides opportunities to gain up-to-date information on
different aspects of health and disease and to discuss with colleagues in different continents
via net conferencing. Free access to Medline, various medical journals, online textbooks and
the latest information on new development in medicine also encourages learning and research.
3. Advanced Life Support. Simulators and Haptics "the science of touch" simulators are used in
medical education to develop various clinical skills such as ECG interpretation, appropriate
intervention such as ABC, drugs, injections, defibrillation without working on a real patient.
These days, highly sophisticated simulators "virtual reality" with highly advanced medical
simulation technologies and medical databases are available in the advanced medical schools
that expose the medical students to the vast range of complex medical situations. It can
emulate various clinical procedures such as catheterization, laparoscopy, bronchoscopy etc.
With new technology, the students can virtually go inside each and every organ and see how
they actually look like from outside as well as from inside.
4. Advancement of Electronic Medical Records. It allows healthcare providers to access
pertinent patient information such as medical history, medications and insurance information.
5. Reducing Medical Errors. In response to the need to improve patient safety, computerized
physician order entry (CPOE) systems have become increasingly more common. In general,
CPOE systems force physicians to write all orders online. These systems have the capacity to
verify that written orders are correct, that is, based on a patient profile, they can automatically
check the dose and contraindications of a specific drug. They have been shown to dramatically
reduce serious medication errors.

Role of Information Technology in Finance

1. Enterprise Resource Planning. Even very small companies use accounting software
packages that generate financial reports such as income statements and cash flow
statements. This simple form of IT allows a small business owner to save accounting time and
have management reports available on a timelier basis. Mid-size and larger companies use IT
systems called enterprise resource planning or ERP, which are groups of software modules
that serve the needs of all functional areas of the company and help the company plan the use
of its resources.
2. Faster Flow of Information. IT systems allow a company to link up every department within
the organization.
3. Customized Reporting. IT systems used by the finance department have a report generating
functionality that speeds up the process of producing management reports. The system
provides a certain degree of customization --the reports can be configured based on the
specific needs of the management team.
 4. Collaboration. The company has a centralized database that all team members can access
--subject to certain security rules. In the case of a company with multiple offices or international
divisions, this ability to access the same information from around the globe saves time and
improves efficiency.
5. Better Forecasting. Better forecasting means producing a forecast that is a more accurate
prediction of what the company’s financial results are likely to be. Finance staff members need
access to in-depth information to create forecasting models that depict how the organization
actually works. Having access to information from all segments of the company makes
accurate forecasting much easier. Finance has real information and does not have to rely on
guesswork when creating assumptions for the forecast.

Role of Information Technology in Agriculture

Role of Information Technology can be assessed by two points; a) direct contribution to make
agriculture productive, b) indirect tool for empowering farmers to take informed and quality decisions
which will have solid impact on the way agriculture and related activities are conducted.

Information Technology made new methods for modern agriculture like computerized farm
machinery is used for fertilizer, pesticides and tillage operation. Electronic sensors and identification
systems are used to fed and monitor the farm animals. Selling crop or buying seed and pesticides
online is adapted by the world. However, in Pakistani farmers are not so much educated that they use
the internet facilities, extension workers should educate them about the use and importance of IT.

Here are some specific ways Information Technology being applied through agricultural
education:
 Basic Internet Applications
 PowerPoint Presentations and Microsoft excel
 Global Positioning Systems (GPS)
 E-Commerce

The indirect benefits of IT in empowering farmer are significant and remain to be exploited.
Presently farmers require some reliable sources to take decisions. Farmers don’t have the
information about climate change and the change of environment which majorly affect the crop
production. Therefore, IT knowledge is necessary to remain competitive.

Effects of IT on Agriculture:
 Right decisions
 On time field operations
 Better planning
 Community involvement
 Agriculture for everyone
 Conservation of food
 Change in cropping pattern
 On time harvesting

All that farmer need is to make their minds and switch to the modern agriculture. Today, world is
taking benefit of new agriculture innovations and improve on farm production. Moreover, IT helps the
farmer to remain in touch with international and national markets. It will definitely improve the
livelihood of farmers.
Role of Information Technology in Banking Industry
1. E-banking. Electronic banking is generally an extension of traditional banking, using the
internet as an electric delivery channel for banking products and services. E-banking is a range
of banking services that utilizes electronic equipment and includes Telephone banking, Net
Banking, ATM, Debit/Credit Card. EFT, AFT etc. Many banks have modernized their services
with the facilities of computer and electronic equipment. The electronics revolution has made it
possible to provide ease and flexibility in banking operations to the benefit of the customer.
The e-banking has made the customer say good-bye to huge account registers and large
paper bank accounts.
2. NRI Banking Services. This technology has been embraced in other countries like India,
USA, UAE, and many others. Many people go abroad to work and they need to support their
families. So, technology has made it simple for them to send money to their loved ones easily.
3. Rural Banking. Unlike in the past when banking centralized in urban areas, now day’s
technology has made it simple to set up banking facilities in rural areas.
4. Plastic Money. Credit cards or smart cards like “VISA ELECTRON” have made the banking
industry more flexible than before. With a credit card, a costumer can borrow a specific amount
of money from the bank. Then with the “Smart Cards” like visa electron, a costumer can pay
for anything using that card.
5. Self-inquiry Facility. A costumer can use their ATM card to know their account balance or to
get their bank statement.
6. Remote Banking. Banks have installed ATM machines in various areas. This facility has also
enabled anytime banking, because a costumer can use ATM machines to deposit money on
their accounts.
7. Centralized Information Results to Quick Services. This enables banks to transfer
information from one branch to another at ease.
8. Signature Retrieval Facilities. Banks use technology in verifying signatures before a
costumer withdraws large amount of money on a specific account and this reduces on the
errors or risks which might arise due to forgery.

Role of Information Technology in Communication

1. Easy way for product and service surveying. Surveys are simply done through the internet.
This is a fast and efficient method that saves the company time and money.
2. Social interaction with clients. Through business technology, companies can open official
company websites through which customers are encouraged to visit. Through these websites,
the company interacts with the customers. Customers can give their comments on particular
issues and after that get a comprehensive response from the company’s support team.
3. Video conferencing. Allows long distant one-on-one communication among members of an
organization or business. Video conferencing can be used in the business meeting.
4. Use of digitalized networks to communicate. Broadband and satellite transmissions enable
efficient business communications through office phones or sending a file to a specific printer
when you are miles away from the office.
5. Text messaging services. In the olden days, letters used to be written posted and took
several weeks or months before reaching the recipient. These day texts enable you to send
messages by the touch of a button at any corner of the world.
6. Social networking platforms. Social network platforms have caused a 360 degrees shift in
the way we interact. Through platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter among others
users can communicate through comments, likes or even their profiles and status. These
platforms break the barrier of religion, distance or race and allow global communication.
7. Free internet calls. Through several social media sites free calls can be made without carrier
charges by simply having an internet connection. Free internet calls are offered by sites such
as WhatsApp or even Skype.
ACTIVITY 1 Draw Me
Directions: On the box below, draw a visual interpretation on the impact of the Information
Technology to you as an individual and to the community. You also emphasize the
advantages of IT. Use the rubric for your guidance.
 Creating a Visual Interpretation on the Impact
of Information Technology

Instructor’s Name: REYGIE LOGRONIO FABRIGA

Student’s Name: _______________________________________

CATEGORY 4 3 2 1 Score
Student tries to
Student applies Student applies apply design
design principles design principles principles (such as
The student does
(such as unity, (such as unity, unity, contrast,
not appear to be
Design / contrast, balance, contrast, balance, balance, movement,
able to apply most
Composition movement, direction, movement, direction, direction, emphasis,
design principles to
emphasis, and emphasis, and and center of
his/her own work.
center of interest) center of interest) interest) but the
with great skill. with fair skill. overall result is not
pleasing.
Choice and Choice and Choice and
application of color application of color application of color Student needs to
shows an advanced shows knowledge of shows knowledge of work on learning
Color knowledge of color color relationships. color relationships. color relationships
Choices relationships. Color Colors are Colors are, however, and using that
choice enhances the appropriate for the NOT appropriate for knowledge in his/her
idea being idea being the idea being work.
expressed. expressed. expressed.
An attempt has been
Paint is applied in a No attempt has been
Paint is applied in a made to apply paint
manner that is made to apply paint
manner very in a manner that is
Capturing A reasonably in a manner that is
consistent with the consistent with the
Style / Artist consistent with the consistent with the
technique or artist technique or artist
technique or artist technique or artist
being studied. being studied, but it
being studied. being studied.
is not effective.
Student typically
adequately cleans Student adequately
Student typically Student deliberately
materials and work cleans and takes
keeps painting misuses materials
area at the end of care of materials if
materials and area AND/OR does not
the session without reminded.
clean and protected adequately clean
Use of reminder, but the Occasional spills
without reminders. materials or area
materials area may be messy and messy work
The student shows when reminded.
during the work area may be seen.
great respect for the Shows little respect
session. Student Shows some respect
materials and his for materials or
shows respect for for materials and
fellow students. fellow students.
materials and fellow fellow students.
students.
Submitted the output
Submitted the output Submitted the output
on time/before the
one day after the Submitted the output more than two days
due date. Much time
Time / Effort due date. Student two days after the and the student put
and effort went into
could have put in due date. in no additional
the planning and
more time and effort. effort.
design of the mask.
Student has taken
Student has taken Student has copied
the technique being
the technique being some painting from
studied and has Student has not
studied and applied the source material.
used source material made much attempt
it in a way that is There is little
Creativity as a starting place. to meet the
totally his/her own. evidence of
The student\'s requirements of the
The student\'s creativity, but the
personality comes assignment.
personality/voice student has done the
through in parts of
comes through. assignment.
the painting.
 ACTIVITY 2 Write Me In!
Directions: Write your own view on the importance of information technology. The rubrics that
follow will be used in rating your output.

Today is Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
Month of __________________________________, 2020

I’m feeling I’m thinking about

and
 4 3 2 1
CATEGORY Above Meets Approaching Below Score
Standards Standards Standards Standards
Most sentences are
All sentences are well-constructed
Most sentences are well Most sentences are
Sentence well-constructed and there is some
constructed, but there is no not well-constructed
Structure with varied varied sentence
variation is structure. or varied.
structure. structure in the
essay.
Author makes more
Author makes no Author makes 1-2
Author makes 3-4 errors in than 4 errors in
errors in grammar errors in grammar
Grammar & grammar or spelling that grammar or spelling
or spelling that or spelling that
Spelling distract the reader from the that distract the
distract the reader distract the reader
content. reader from the
from the content. from the content.
content.

Many of the support

Arguments and Arguments and
details or
support are support are A few of the support details
arguments are not
provided in a logical provided in a fairly or arguments are not in an
in an expected or
order that makes it logical order that expected or logical order,
Sequencing logical order,
easy and interesting makes it distracting the reader and
distracting the
to follow the reasonably easy to making the essay seem a
reader and making
author's train of follow the author\'s little confusing.
the essay seem
thought. train of thought.
very confusing.
A variety of
Transitions show
thoughtful The transitions
how ideas are Some transitions work well,
transitions are used. between ideas are
Transitions connected, but but some connections
They clearly show unclear OR
there is little between ideas are fuzz.
how ideas are nonexistent.
variety.
connected.

ACTIVITY 3 Accomplish this Learning Bank

Directions: Complete the table below by filling-in the Deposit/s (What you learn) and the Dividend/s
(How you use your learning in life).

Deposit/s Dividend/s
(What I learned) (How I use what I learned in my life)