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PURPOSE AND PERSPECTIVE OF THE MODULE The purpose of this module is to introduce students to terms and concepts that will help them as they learn in later modules and become digital citizens. They will begin to analyze how they use technology and the rights and responsibilities that go along with technology use. Basic terms such as computer, data, information, hardware, and software are introduced. More complex topics such as the Internet of Things, the digital divide, and accessible technologies are introduced to help lay the groundwork for the remaining modules.

MODULE OBJECTIVES The following objectives are addressed in this module: • • •

Explain the evolution of society’s reliance on technology. Develop personal uses for technology to help with productivity, learning, and future career growth. Explain the role of technology in the professional world.

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KEY TERMS accessibility: The practice of removing barriers that may prevent individuals with disabilities from interacting with data or an app. alternative text (alt text): Text that provides descriptions for all visual elements or non-text objects in an electronic document or web page. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Law that requires any company with 15 or more employees to make reasonable attempts to accommodate the needs of physically challenged workers. app: Short for “application,” a computer program that performs specific tasks; also called a program. audio book: Reads aloud to the user instead of reading on a printed page or on the screen. bluetooth: Wireless technology that uses short-range radio connections that simplify communications among Internet devices and between devices and the Internet.

BYOD (bring your own device): Policy that enables employees to use their personal devices to conduct business. chip-and-pin technology: An improvement in card technology that stores data on an embedded chip instead of a magnetic stripe. cloud computing: An Internet-based delivery of computing services, including data storage and apps. computer: An electronic device, operating under the control of instructions stored in its memory, which can accept data, process the data to produce information, and store the information for future use. computer-aided manufacturing (CAM): Used by manufacturers to streamline production and ship products more quickly. With CAM, robots perform work that is too dangerous, detailed, or monotonous for people. data: Raw facts, such as text or numbers. digital citizen: Person familiar with how to use technology in order to become an educated and productive member of the digital world. digital divide: The gap between those who have access to technology and its resources and information, especially on the Internet, and those who do not. digital literacy: Having a current knowledge and understanding of computers, mobile devices, the web, and related technologies. email: A system used to send and receive messages and files using the Internet. embedded computer: A computer that functions as one component in a larger product, and that has a specific purpose. enterprise computing: Refers to the use of technology by a company’s employees to meet the needs of a large business. graphic organizer. Software that enables a user to create an outline or structure of information. green computing: A practice that involves reducing electricity consumed and environmental wate generated when using computers, mobile devices, and related technologies. hardware: The device itself and its components, such as wires, cases, switches, and electronic circuits.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): U.S. law that requires that public schools purchase or acquire funding for adaptive technologies. information: Data that has been processed to be meaningful. information technology (IT) department: Department in medium and large businesses responsible for ensuring that all the computer operations, mobile devices, and networks run smoothly. integrated circuits: Developed in the 1960s, packed the equivalent of thousands of vacuum tubes or transistors into a silicon chip about the size of your thumb. intelligent classroom: Classroom in which technology is used to facilitate learning and communication. intelligent workplace: Uses technology to enable workers to connect to the company’s network, communicate with each other, use productivity software and apps, meet via web conferencing, and more. Internet of Things (IoT): An environment where processors are embedded in every product imaginable (things), and these things communicate with one another via the Internet or wireless networks. kiosk: A freestanding booth usually placed in a public area that can contain a display device used to present information to the public or event attendees. learning management system (LMS): A web-based site where students can check their progress in a course, take practice tests, and exchange messages with the instructor or other students. machine-to-machine (M2M): Using computers to monitor computer assembly lines and equipment. microprocessor: The “brains” of a computer, a chip that contains a central processing unit. mobile health (mHealth): Refers to healthcare professionals using smartphones or tablets to access health records stored in the cloud, and patients using digital devices to monitor their conditions and treatments. network: A collection of two or more computers connected together to share resources. personal computer (PC): Computer designed for personal use, as opposed to commercial or industrial use.

program: A set of coded instructions written for a computer, such as an operating system program or an application program; also called an application or an app. screen reader: Technology that uses audio output to describe the contents of the screen. smart device: A device that can communicate, locate, and predict; part of the Internet of Things (IoT). software: The programs and apps that instruct the computer to perform tasks. Software processes data into meaningful information. speech recognition: A technology that enables a computer to understand and react to spoken statements and commands. telecommuting: Working from home. transistor: Smaller, cheaper, and more reliable replacement for vacuum tubes in the second generation of computers. vacuum tube: Cylindrical glass tubes that controlled the flow of electrons, used in the first generation of computers. Wi-Fi: A wireless data network technology that provides high-speed data connections that do not require a physical connection. Short for wireless fidelity. [return to top]

WHAT'S NEW IN THIS MODULE The following elements are improvements in this module from the previous edition: • •

Key terms that students need to understand later modules have been introduced, including cloud computing, Bluetooth, and network. To streamline content and avoid repetition, content on AI/VR has been moved to Module 12.

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MODULE OUTLINE I.

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Explain the Evolution of Society’s Reliance on Technology a. Outline the History of Computers b. Explain the Impact of the Internet of Things and Embedded Computers I. ATMs and Kiosks II. IoT at Home III. IoT in Business c. Recognize the Impact of the Digital Divide Develop Personal Uses for Technology to Help with Productivity, Learning, and Future Career Growth a. Use Technology in Daily Life b. Use Technology to Assist Users with Disabilities c. Apply Green Computing Concepts to Daily Life Explain the Role of Technology in the Professional World a. Explain Enterprise Computing b. Identify Uses of Technology in the Workplace c. Outline Technology Careers I. Software and Apps II. Technology Equipment III. IT Departments IV. Technology Service and Repair V. Technology Sales VI. Technology Education, Training, and Support VII. IT Consulting VIII. System Development IX. Web Marketing and Social Media X. Data Storage, Retrieval, and Analysis XI. Information and Systems Security d. Explain How You Might Prepare for a Career in Technology I. Professional Online Presence II. Certifications III. Technology in K-12 Education IV. Technology in Higher Education V. Technology in Healthcare VI. Technology in the Transportation Industry VII. Technology in Manufacturing Module 1 Summary Review Questions: 5 minutes total. Students answer the questions after reading the module to assess themselves on key concepts.

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Discussion Questions: 20 minutes total. Students complete the activity by answering the questions. The activity was designed to stimulate discussion. Critical Thinking Activities: 40 minutes total. Students use their critical thinking skills to complete the activity. Apply Your Skills: 10 minutes total. Students apply their knowledge of module concepts.

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ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION QUESTIONS You can assign these questions in several ways: in a discussion forum in your LMS; as whole-class discussions in person; or as a partner or group activity in class. One question exists for each of the module’s objectives.

Explain the evolution of society’s reliance on technology. Why is it important to be digitally literate? Give specific examples as to what that means to you personally in your daily life, school, and future career growth. Why is it important as a member of society to be not only digitally literate, but also a digital citizen? Develop personal uses for technology to help with productivity, learning, and future career growth. Which areas of technology do you struggle with? Which areas do you think you have mastered? What more do you have to learn in order to continue your personal and career growth? Explain the role of technology in the professional world. How has the role of technology for doing your job changed in the past year? Five years? Ten years? If you haven’t started your career, think about how changes in technology might have impacted you. Explain how technology is changing the way businesses hire and train employees and how employees’ abilities to use technology to work remotely or telecommute have evolved. Explain why this is important to you.

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ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES AND ASSIGNMENTS There are four questions per learning objective. For the classroom activities, the heading for the section that includes the topic is listed. Lesson Objective 1: Explain the evolution of society’s reliance on technology. 1. Classroom activity 1: (Explain the Impact of the Internet of Things and Embedded Computers) List the items in the classroom that are embedded computers. List the items in your household that are embedded computers and compare them with your group. Discuss how IoT can be used in households and in business settings. 2. Classroom activity 2: (Outline the History of Computers) Put the following computer history terms in the order in which they were invented: • • • • •

Microprocessors The personal computer Transistors Integrated circuits Vacuum tubes

3. Quick Quiz: The programs and apps instructing the computer to perform tasks are called ______. (Answer: Software) 4. Critical Thinking: Review the key terms introduced in this module. Which terms were new to you? Choose three terms that were new to you and write any additional facts that you know about them or any questions you might have. How would you go about expanding your knowledge on the terms? Lesson Objective 2: Develop personal uses for technology to help with productivity, learning, and future career growth. 1. Classroom activity 1: (Use Technology to Assist Users with Disabilities) Select a type of disability (visual, hearing, learning, physical). Research technologies that can be used to assist with the disability type. Explain how the user would benefit from using the technology and how the user could bypass any barriers, such as price or availability.

2. Classroom activity 2: (Use Technology in Daily Life) Read the example of a user’s daily use of technology in this section of the text. List three examples of how your use differs. List three things you learned that you might use to improve your efficiency or convenience. Explain any new technologies that have recently emerged that could improve the experience for the user in the example. 3. Quick Quiz: (True or False) The ENERGY STAR® program encourages manufacturers to recycle computer components. (Answer: False. The ENERGY STAR® program encourages manufacturers to create energy efficient devices). 4. Critical Thinking: How do we as a society help contribute to the problem of computer waste and what efforts can we put in place to reduce it? Discuss five reasons why green computing is an important part of the environmental effort. List ten ways you already or will apply green computing to your daily life. Lesson Objective 3: Explain the role of technology in the professional world 1. Classroom activity 1: (Explain Enterprise Computing) Identify a company and the different departments within its organization. Next, discuss the different technology components that could be used within each department. Table 1-1 can serve as guidance. 2. Classroom activity 2: (Explain How You Might Prepare for a Career in Technology) Explain how you would create an online profile. Include: a/an (a) professional name, (b) resume, (c) photograph (or what you might wear and why), and (d) explanation of which professional social network you would use and why. 3. Quick Quiz: The trend of healthcare professionals using smartphones or tablets to access health records stored in the cloud and patients using digital devices to monitor their conditions or treatment is called ______. (Answer: mhealth) 4. Critical Thinking: What are the pros and cons of a BYOD (bring your own device) policy in the workplace, as opposed to the company providing necessary equipment to employees? [return to top]

TABLE OF CONTENTS Purpose and Perspective of the Module ........................................................................... 2 Module Objectives .............................................................................................................. 2 Key Terms ........................................................................................................................... 2 What's New in This Module................................................................................................ 8 Module Outline.................................................................................................................... 8 Additional Discussion Questions ..................................................................................... 10 Additional Activities and Assignments ............................................................................. 11

PURPOSE AND PERSPECTIVE OF THE MODULE The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the web and the Internet. Students will explore how they use the web in their daily life and for work and schools. They will learn about the components and technologies used in websites and webpages. E-commerce is introduced. Conducting and evaluating web searches is a large part of being digitally literate. Students explore how search engines and other search tools work, and how to create and refine web searches. Information literacy skills that help determine the accuracy and credibility of websites and web searches are covered.

MODULE OBJECTIVES The following objectives are addressed in this module: • • • • •

Explain the role of the web in daily life. Describe websites and webpages. Use e-commerce. Explain how information literacy applies to web searches and research. Conduct online research.

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KEY TERMS The following is a list of new terms introduced in this module. Some terms necessary to understand the concepts of this module were introduced in earlier modules. 3D Secure: A standard protocol for securing credit card transactions over the Internet. address bar: The part of a browser window that displays the location of the current webpage. bandwidth: A term commonly used to describe the capacity of a communication channel. blog: Short for web log, an informal website consisting of date- or time-stamped articles, or posts, in a diary or journal format. Boolean operator: A character, word, or symbol that focuses a web search. Also called a search operator.

breadcrumb: A step in the path you follow to display a webpage. browser: A program, such as Microsoft Edge, that is designed to display webpages. business-to-business (B2B): E-commerce model in which businesses provide goods, information, and services to other businesses, such as advertising, credit, recruiting, sales and marketing, technical support, and training. business-to-consumer (B2C): E-commerce model in which businesses provide goods and services to consumers; the most widespread example is online shopping. cache: A holding area where your browser keeps a copy of each webpage you view. This temporary storage area helps speed up processing time. citation style: In a formal reference to a published work such as a book, journal, magazine, or website, the sequence of elements and the punctuation between them; common citation styles include MLA, APA, or Chicago. citation: In a research paper, a reference to a source; usually in parentheses at the end of a sentence. consumer-to-consumer (C2C): E-commerce model in which consumers provide goods and services to other consumers; the most widespread example of this is online auctions. content aggregator: A website that gathers, organizes, and then distributes web content. cookie: A small text file created by a website that stores information on your computer. copyright: An originator’s exclusive legal right to reproduce, publish, or sell intellectual property. crawler: Software that combs the web to find webpages and add new data about them to a database. Also called spider. Creative Commons (CC): A non-profit organization that makes it easy for content creators to license and share their work by supplying easy-to-understand copyright licenses; the creator chooses the conditions under which the work can be used. digital certificate: A technology used to verify a user’s identity by using a digital key that has been “signed” by a trusted third party. This third party verifies the owner and that the key belongs to that owner.

digital rights management (DRM): A collection of technologies used by software publishers and trade groups to fight software piracy and prevent unauthorized copying of digital content; includes authentication, certificates of authenticity, encryption, and digital watermarks. domain name: The portion of a URL or email address that identifies one or more IP addresses, such as cengage.com. dynamic webpage: The webpage where the content changes as you interact with it, such as a news site that updates based on breaking news. e-commerce: Business transactions that occur over an electronic network such as the Internet. electronic storefront: An e-commerce website selling products or services. encryption: A security method of “scrambling” information as it is transmitted over a network. Information is scrambled in such a way that it cannot be read unless the user possesses the “key” to unlock it back to a readable format. ethics: The moral principles that govern people’s behavior; many schools and other organizations post codes of conduct for computer use, which can help you make ethical decisions while using a computer. fair use doctrine: Allows you to use a sentence or paragraph of text without permission if you include a citation to the original source. general search engine: A nonspecialized search engine designed to find general results; general search engines include Google, Bing, and Yahoo! hit: The most relevant matched result listed in a search engine. home page: The main page on a website is called the home page. Also called the start page. hot spot: a wireless network device that provides Internet connections to mobile computers and devices. hyperlink: Text or an image in a webpage that you can click to navigate to another webpage, download a file, or perform another action, such as sending an email message; also called a link. Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP): The most common way to transfer information around the web, to retrieve the page; when the URL for a webpage starts with http://, the web browser uses this protocol for transferring the information.

Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure: A protocol used to make a secure connection to a computer; identified by the “s” in the “https” prefix in a URL and often used by banks and retail stores. index: A list of terms and locations built by a spider or crawler as it combs the web to find webpages and add new data about them to a database. information literacy: The ability to find, evaluate, use, and communicate online information. intellectual property: Unique and original works, such as ideas, inventions, art, writings, processes, company and product names, and logos. intellectual property rights: Legal rights protecting those who create works such as photos, art, writing, inventions, and music. Internet: A global collection of millions of computers linked together to share information worldwide. Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF): A nonprofit group that sets standards to allow devices, services, and applications to work together across the Internet. Internet Protocol (IP) address: A unique number that identifies every computer on the Internet; consists of four to six sets of numbers from 0 to 255 separated by periods, or dots, as in 216.35.148.4. Internet service provider (ISP): A company that sells Internet access. keyword: In a search engine, a descriptive word or phrase you enter to obtain a list of results that include that word or phrase. media sharing site: A website that enables members to manage media such as photos, videos, and music. mobile hot spot: Enables you to connect a phone, computer, or other device to the Internet through the cellular network. modem: A device that sends and receives data over cable or telephone lines. navigate: To move from one webpage to another in a browser. navigation bar: In a browser, a set of buttons or hyperlinks that allows visitors to move to any page within a website. net neutrality: The concept that one website has the same value or priority as other websites, resulting in equal, unrestricted access to each site.

online social network: An online community where users can share their interests, ideas, stories, photos, music, and videos online with other registered users. Also called a social network or social media. paraphrase: To restate an idea using different words from the original; paraphrasing someone else’s idea still constitutes plagiarism, which is claiming someone else’s idea as your own. plagiarism: Taking someone else’s work and passing it off as your own. portal: A website that combines pages from many sources and provides access to those pages. Also called web portal. protocol: A standardized procedure used by computers to exchange information. public domain: The item, such as a photo, is available and accessible to the public without requiring permission to use, and therefore is not subject to copyright. query: With regards to the Internet, a search term entered into a search engine on the web to obtain results. In a database, a database object is used to specify criteria that extract data based on criteria that the query creator specifies. Criteria are conditions for a field. responsive web design: A way to provide content so that it adapts appropriately to the size of the display on any device, such as on a laptop or a smartphone. search engine optimization (SEO): Tools to allow search engines to better find or index your website. search engine: Software used by search sites to locate relevant webpages by creating a simple query based on your search criteria and storing the collected data in a search database. search operator: A character, word, or symbol that focuses a web search. Also called a Boolean operator. search tool: An electronic tool that finds online information based on criteria you specify or selections you make. social media site: An online community where users can share their interests, ideas, stories, photos, music, and videos online with other registered users. Also called a social network or social media. Also called an online social network or social network site.