Core 1

Can one function without a computer or a cell phone? What would life be like if advanced technologies were to have never been invented? Technology, specifically the computer, has created a multitude of positives and negatives in society. Attributed to some of the most profound breakthroughs and yet some of the biggest problems, technology has truly been imbedded into our everyday life. In approximately 40 or so years, society has gone from using an abacus to using a punch machine to now using computers as a luxury. As for me, the computer has completely transformed my life in many aspects. According to Selber , “colleges and universities are beginning to embrace requirements for computer literacy, as employers and academic accredited agencies strongly urge upper level administrators to do so” (14). In order to thrive and be successful one must be digitally literate and need to know how to use computers. Although I am well educated in the current technologies of the day, there is a vast amount of information that I need in order to be literate for my future career.
Before the computer was a commonplace item in the household, a lot was different in terms of entertainment and education. During the “pre-computer” time, entertainment was sought through extremely different means. Most of my time was spent outdoors doing physical activities or reading such books as Harry Potter. In terms of education, there was not an introduction to computers until middle school. The only use for computers before that was for gaming purposes with games like “Oregon Trail”. Not until middle school was there a larger array of computers use. There was a computer class dedicated to teach students the basics of the computer and its components. I took this course and the others similar to it and excelled at them. When the computer was brought to my home, it completely changed my life.
The home computer originally started out as my father’s work computer, but as time passed I asked him to show me how to use it. He started out by showing me how to access the games, for example Solitaire. As I became more advanced, I created an email account and started to use the internet. With my access to the internet a whole new world was given to me at the click of a button. I started to do more than just check my email; in fact, I research for school and for my own enjoyment. Instead of reading paperback books, I was reading articles on the internet. . When high school rolled around, I was amazed at again the large increase in size of computer courses. I started with Visual Basic for both semesters of my freshman year. And then for the next two years I took java. All throughout my high school career I had to use the computer inside and outside the class room. I had to write papers, do power points, and create tables in excel.
Technology in college is mandatory. Most students have their own laptops and this means being digitally literate. Teachers assume that one knows how to use the computer so they do not teach how to do menial tasks. I use technology everyday whether it is the research databases in the library, the computer lab for testing, or my own computer for school assignment and computer programs. Being that I am interested in IT (Information Technology) and Computer Programming, the computer will be used tremendously.
For the IT route, I have to be able to handle large amounts of data and keep track of what is lost or in the wrong place. The primary tool of the IT field is the computer, with various other less important tools that need to be used at specific times. Now within the computer, this is where all of the labor takes place. A stronghold of how the computer functions is necessary, in addition to a mastery of certain programs. A few programs are – Visual Studio, Putty (to connect to UNIX servers), Beyond Compare (compare files in production and development) and QWS3270, which is used to connect to main frames. The languages most often used are Sequel Server and Oracle.
The Computer Programming route, a different but similar list of skills and technologies is required. For the computer programmer an array of business technology is being used. The structure technology includes data bases, web based applications and client- server applications. Some of the most basic technologies that I need I already use, for instance Microsoft Excel (client – server). For networking security purposes, one needs to be familiar with creating and handling firewalls and routers. There is an abundance of languages for their respective purposes, but the main three are PL Sequel, Java Server Faces and Flex.
Outside the computer, other technologies I have used have impacted my life. The usage of gaming consoles have taught me valuable lessons that I still apply to my life today. . I started out with the Super Nintendo. This was basic technology, but taught me some important lessons, such lessons were processing strategies and critical thinking. Now I play the Xbox 360, a much more advanced system that allows me to play versus other people around the world. By playing and communicating with all different people, I quickly learned social lessons that included proper etiquette when addressing other people, how to think on my feet and communicate my idea and teamwork. Just as in Charles Jackson from DeVoss’ case studies, “You have to be courteous. I learned to be considerate of other people” (201).
As the computer furthers itself into society, it will be ever more increasingly important to be digitally literate. Jobs will become more dependent on the knowledge of the usage of technologies. Every single industry has jobs relating to either a computer of some other form of advanced technology, a few being business, construction, and the gaming industry. The relationship between human and computer will intertwine itself tightly; eventually being inseparable. Just as in DeVoss’ case study about Danielle DeVoss, I am directly learning about a computer; specifically, Danielle and I both learned how to use the computer and learned about the computer itself. Danielle learned many HTML editors such as DreamWeaver (186) as I have learned C and Java. As I grow and become more advanced in my knowledge I will take classes correlating to increase my skills in all aspects of the computer. In addition I will gain experience by continuing my own research outside of school and participating in all internships and work that I can. This all will hopefully culminate into a degree and a successful career.