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Архитектура Аудит Военная наука Иностранные языки Медицина Металлургия Метрология Образование Политология Производство Психология Стандартизация Технологии |
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Архитектура Аудит Военная наука Иностранные языки Медицина Металлургия Метрология Образование Политология Производство Психология Стандартизация Технологии |
UNIT 15. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES
OF THE 21st CENTURY Living without technology is like living without air Рис . TEXT 1. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES AND THEIR I. Warm-up activities 1.1. Pronounce the following words properly and state the part of speech: Application, commerce, to be associated, accessible, virtual, cellular, to engage, drastic, perhaps, huge, satellite, unfavorable, schedule, to imply, cyber, exploitation, moreover, threat, proximately, significant, privacy.
1.2. Find the Russian equivalents
1.3.Match the words with their definitions:
II. Reading
What does the term «Information technology» really mean? Information technology (also referred to as IT) is the application of computers and telecommunications equipment to store, retrieve, transmit and manipulate data, often in the context of a business or other enterprise. The term is commonly used as a synonym for computers and computer networks, but it also encompasses other information distribution technologies such as television and telephones. Several industries are associated with information technology, such as computer hardware, software, electronics, semiconductors, Internet, telecom equipment, e-commerce and computer services. Information technology is a technology in which both telecommunication and computer technologies work together to provide information. According to Marshall Mcluhan (1911 –1980, a Canadian professor, philosopher, and public intellectual) «the world is fast becoming a global village» and the thirst for more knowledge and information has been a driving force for the drastic changes in Information Technology around the world, these changes are what people have termed as the «third industrial revolution». One can see the basic trends in the IT revolution in terms of its structural changes, from telephony to the Internet, fixed to mobile telephone and from narrowband to broadband. The development in information technology has left an impression on us as individuals not just in the western world but generally. The drastic changes that information technology has introduced in our lives have completely changed our lives and perhaps our lifestyles. Life has become much less manual and more hassle-free for people all around the globe that have active access to the innovations of information technology. It is common place to say that nowadays we live in an information society, that is, a world of media saturation which is heavily influenced by information technology, instantaneous movement of information across time and space, which come under communication in information technology. Communication covers a huge part of what information technology is for the people of the modern age because when we think of accessibility and an easy life, we automatically point towards technological innovations such as the Internet and the mobile phones along with a thousand other inventions. There are many ways through which information technology has become such as integral part of our daily lives; we have incorporated it into our lives as a part of routines. For instance, we plan our busy schedules on our personal laptops or on our cellular phones. This shows how much we depend on information technology that we have even started planning our lives and goals by the help of it. Indeed, it has made life extremely organized and structured but at the same time we have failed to acknowledge the threats and dangers that it brings along with it. We cannot ignore the fact that there are over thousands of cyber intrusions each day which affect the lives of people in an unfavorable manner. For example, online banking systems have allowed hackers to steal money and many awful incidents have taken place because of this technological advancement and facility provided to the people. This implies that with more and more technological advancement and information accessibility, the chances of the exploitation of technology and information expand. No doubt information technology has given us an opportunity to lead better lives when it comes to the quality but we can also say this confidently that we are much more conscious and careful now because of the dangers attached with its expansion. Moreover, this excessive dependence upon information technology is making us as individuals less productive when it comes to using our natural strengths and capabilities. For instance, readily available and well organized information which is available on the Internet has allowed people to plagiarize and block their minds when it comes to personal effort and contribution. The most pragmatic yet optimistic side to having information technology at hand is less consumption of time and a better quality of life. For instance, we can reach out to our family and friends residing miles away from us through mobile phone, internet, computer and web cameras. It is worth mentioning here that every sphere of work and study has developed and excelled in this day and age because of the technological enhancement. Technology has provided every sphere with an opportunity to make their work a lot easier and organized. For instance, spheres such as entertainment have become so significant in our daily lives because of Media which revolves around many technological widgets such as the satellite system. The main reason as to why information technology has become so proximately attached to our daily lives is the fact that our daily lives now revolve around the technology and we feel incomplete or void without having it around us. In discussing about Information technology under communication, one of the key forms of communication in 21st century is the mobile phone. It has infiltrated the world, both young and old now engage in the use of mobile phone on a daily basis, though it is widespread amongst teenagers. Without its presence we feel that a significant part of our routine life is lost or we are not in peace with the modern world, from recent studies, an average teenager would send about 42 text messages, receive and makes calls of about 120 minutes daily and basically spends half of the day fidgeting with a mobile phone. The expanding role of information technology in our daily lives has allowed each one of us to stay aware and take in as much information as we possibly can and at times much more than required. This implies that the constant bombardment of information makes our daily life in this day and age extremely stressful; for instance, wherever we go we have a mode of communication along with us which includes the media that comprises radio systems in our cars, television and internet. However, at the same time we are much more aware and informative through these technologies as compared to the age when these technologies were not as widely available to the general population. It would be a mistake to think that information technology only add perks to everyday life because it has many downsides as well which can affect our lives immensely. For instance the soaring number of cyber crimes each and every year. Therefore, we cannot just say that our lives are hassle-free because of the expanding role of information technology in our daily lives because at the same time it has made us feel insecure towards our privacy. The expansion of information technology should be encouraged but the problems that it brings along with it should always be highlighted. With such rapid expansion of information technology ethics of going about its use should be implemented upon strictly. It cannot just make our lives much simpler collectively but the actual reason for the expansion of information technology in our daily lives can be recognized. However, we cannot always blame the technology for its accessibility because the point of concern should be the people who actually end up misusing this facility being provided to us for a better life. We cannot deny that information technology has become the most significant part of our daily lives and it has taken human life to whole new and an intellectual level. Furthermore, it has opened infinite routes of receiving information anytime anyplace allowing us to live a much qualified and informed life.
III. Comprehension check 3.1. Answer the following questions: 1. What does the term «Information Technology» mean? 2. What industries are associated with information technology? 3. How do IT change our lifestyle? 4. Do you agree that we live in «a world of media saturation» today? What is meant about this statement? 5. What technological innovations are considered to be the most remarkable ones? 6. What modern information technologies do you know? 7.What are the positive aspects of IT? 8. What are the downsides of IT ? 9. Do you agree with pros and cons of IT listed in the text? What other negative and positive sides of Information technologies can you name? 10. How do you prefer to communicate now? 3.2. Decide whether these statements are true, false or information is not available: 1. Information technology is a technology in which both telecommunication and computer technologies work together to provide information. 2. The application of IT in our daily lives has not changed dramatically in the past years. 3. According to Steve Jobs «the world is fast becoming a global village». 4. A lot people suffer from Internet addiction. 5. One of the key forms of communication in 21st century is the mobile phone. 6. Nowadays any information can be exchanged by people in few seconds. 7. The television plays less important role nowadays. 8. With more technological advancement and information accessibility, the chances of the exploitation of technology and information expand. 9. The readily available information which is available on the internet has allowed people to mind independently. 10. Without mobile phone we feel that a significant part of our routine life is lost. 10. One of the bad sides of IT is expansion of cyber crimes. IV. Grammar in Focus 4.1. Translate the sentences with the Adverbial Clause and state the its types: 1. The weather was so bad that the plane could not start. 2. If I were you I would do the same. 3. Just as breakfast was completed, there was a knock at the door. 4. While he was explaining all that, the phone rang. 5. We have not had any news from him since he left Moscow. 6. Whenever you are in doubt about the right spelling of a word, write down two or three possible ways of spelling it. 7. Boys can go on playing football for hours unless they are stopped by their elders. 8. In case you see him tell him to ring me up. 9. You speak so fast that it is difficult to follow you. 10. It was late when I went home. 11. We have both changed since we parted. 12. Unless he comes, we will start the work without him
4.2. Fill in the suitable connecting words: 1. … he went, he was welcome. 2. … longer we walked … more distant seemed our home. 3. We went early, … we got good seats. 4. … it rains, we will stay at home. 5. You speak so fast … it is difficult to follow you. 6. We talked … we talked in old days. 7. …he had consulted a doctor, he would not have fallen ill. 8. It is so cold … I am simply freezing. 9. Drive slowly … we may admire the beautiful scenery. 10. … there was nobody at home, the room seemed strangely silent. 11. … the new equipment can be used at the plant, the engineers will use the old one as well. 12. I’m late … I was very busy. |
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