Computers have
transformed the society both positively and negatively. It has been of great
importance to the education sector, business, home, government and to the
hospitals. It has improved the above sectors a great deal but it also has some
negative aspects. These impacts is mainly due to the use of internet in which
people can communicate and exchange ideas freely via the social networks like
online chatting and also making video calls (Denardis,
2007).
In the education sector, computer has been of great help to
the learners especially when researching. The horizons of
students and teachers have become so much greater. With the help of the
Internet and some books, the students in pairs searched the Internet for
information about various topics. Computers also have improved the learning
activities in institutions like the introduction of electronic learning. This
hence makes the learning very interesting for instance the topic that could be
very dry and bookish, took on an exciting life of its own, with the help of the
excitement that exists with the use of the of the Internet. More so, it has
helped students in easy researching, editing and printing their assignments
easily hence having precious good documents and enable them to have good
reference materials. The main disadvantage of computers in learning institution
is the addiction ability especially in accessing the social networks. Students
can waste a lot of time chatting with friends and finally can lead to failure in
exams due to lack of effective preparation.
Computers have also
helped the business sector. The way people conduct business has
vastly changed with the wide use of the Internet. Many businesses have websites
that allow people to conduct business "on line". This is a field that
all experts say it will grow and advance greatly in the years to come globally.
Many people use the internet to search for items and make effective plans
before purchasing. Computers have also helped companies in safeguarding vital
business documents and allow easy access to data and information. Internet also
has helped several employees to perform their jobs despite the distance from
offices. Inquiries, purchases and delivery notes are also sent from one
customer to the other via the internet. Profits also are calculated easily with
the use of computers because of its ability to keep track of stock. In
supermarkets, computers mainly assist the cashiers by reading the value of an
item by use of the bar code readers. This mainly saves customers the tiresome
of long queues. It also minimizes stealing and errors wich could have occurred
if it was to be done manually. In banks it has helped customers to easily
deposit and withdraw their money by use
of the automated teller machines(ATMs) hence saving time (Garson,
1999). The main disadvantage of computers in the business
sector is the presence of the fraudsters. These are people who normally use
computers to cone people or companies and finally gaining money illegally.
In the field of health care, the
use of computers has rampantly increased worldwide. Transforming Medicine and
Health Synergistic discoveries and instant scientific collaborations between
researchers working on areas as diverse as hereditary neurologic diseases and
the basic biology of microorganisms all happening thanks to the Internet.
Telemedicine allows medical specialists in the United States of America to
diagnose and treat patients in Kenya. One of the impacts of the Internet on our
society in the field of medicine, is the research capabilities it affords the
general public, or the empowerment it affords patients and their families. Once
the patient or his family are given just the one second opinion. Those that can
afford can go to as many doctors that they deem necessary. Finally, the general
public can see one "extra" specialist. Today, with the vast knowledge
presented on the internet one can glean great sources of information. The
patient is much better informed to discuss his/her case with his/her doctor,
understand alternatives, side effects, the latest treatments available and the
statistical probabilities of success. Programmed computers can also diagnose
medicine to patience one it has identified the symptoms (Hall, 2004). This hence
improves the health sector in that it reaches many people. The vast sea of
medical information available to the public on the Internet empowers patients
and their families as they can gain so much knowledge about the newest research
and treatments. One can also gain information about how certain medical
problems are treated in other parts of the world.
In homes computers has improved the
entertainment, communication and in the use of internet. The main entertainment
site comprise of the multimedia, which include music, videos and pictures.
Latest videos can be accessed online and also can be downloaded. Computer games
also can be obtained from the internet. Video calls can also be made via the
internet i.e. international calls. The main disadvantage of computers in homes
is than children and middle School students are the champion’s time wasters.
When the computer is availed to them without supervision, it will end up
affecting their academic performance. Children normally take a lot of their
time playing the computer games due to addiction they end up stop reading. This
will hence affect their education.
Finally, the Government is a sector,
which is the largest consumer who practice the use of computers in governance matters.
By using computers the government can easily obtain all the data required in a
very short period like the information on population, development projects,
economic planning services and for the state in planning and the final decision
making. The government also uses computers to keep records of taxpayers and
hence various arising problems can be addressed more efficiently and quickly.
Moreover, most administrative tasks are done by use of computers.
In conclusion, the aforementioned
impacts have played a crucial role in transforming the society. However it is
apparent that a lot of improvements need to be advanced for the public and
organizations to fully enjoy this technology.
In this new world there is no geographical separation and there are no
borders, and all people are encouraged to participate and contribute drawing on
their experiences and resources. In cyberspace actions and reactions are
essentially instantaneous, and this is why the Internet is so gratifying and
attractive. This is why it has impacted our society in almost all areas of
human endeavor. In this report we touched on the positive aspects of the
influence of the Internet on our society.
References
Denardis, L., & Aksoy,P . 2007. Information Technology in Theory. New York: Course Technology PTR.
Garson, D. (1999). Information Technology and Computer Applications in Public Administration.NY: Issues and Trends, Idea Group Pub
Hall, J., & Singleton,T. (2004). Information Technology Auditing and Assurance. New York: South-Western Pub.
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