1. IT in Society
All Past Paper Questions: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DZ5rPZt_6-QjTdRkcWjUSZq6ozR57hB6fobvBz5lGrY/edit?usp=sharing
Questions left out:
p3-ch6-pg42
(Similar to) Paper 1
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online questionnaires
- features
- dropdown list: offering a choice to respondent
- radio buttons: to only select one answer
- text boxes: gather free responses
- single character boxes: ensure data entry is appropriate
- validation rules to ensure valid data is collected
- limit number of characters
- (on open ended questions)
- include help / FAQ to assist completely filling the form
- pop-up boxes to explain questions
- multi-lingual options for different languages
- branching logic to route participants around questions that do not apply to them
- progress bar to show progress of questionnaire
- auto expiry at deadline
- redirect to end-of-survey page
- integrate answers from previous questions
- show real-time survey results
- show results like graphs
- send customized emails to participants thanking for it
- send report for analysis
- include a share button for participants to share with others
- prevent multiple entries from same same participants
- include opt-out option to stop being re-invited for next one as well
- advantages
- less expensive
- can be tagetted at speicifc gorups of people
- results gathered more quickly
- (less further processing required)
- easier to analyze
- automatic analysis of results
- usually no time contraints to fill in
- can hav customized questions depending on previous answers
- but old not-online questionnaires do not
- large amounts of information can be gathered
- in a short period of time
- disadvantages
- small number of respondent to provide meaningful results
- no interviewer to ask follow-up questions
- might not give honest answers
- (if invited by email for incentives. eg: free samples / discounts)
- may not answer all questions (resulting in incomplete data)
- may understand questions differently
- no emotions/feelings are conveyed
- difficult to have precise customizations
- may be difficult to access by disabled people
- can be boring to answer
- so, might not get valid daat
- cannot check if genuinely a customer
- only customers with internet are questioned
- not all customers will respond
- features
-
interviews
- advnatages
- allows more detailed answers
- allows follow up questions to be asked
- can see feelings/emotions of user
- can get a high response rate
- questions can be explained if any doubts
- language diffuclties can be resolved
- can ask open ended questions
- questions can be changed
- depending on previous responses
- interviewer can direct the focus of questioning to collect details
- interviewees own details are collected
- interviewees not influenced by others in the group
- interviewees are more confident in on-to-one situtation
- disadvnatages
- time consuming
- analysis takes time
- more expensive, eg:
- salaries, etc...
- requires maunal data entry
- quality of data depends
- open eneded questions maybe transcribed in different ways
- by different interviewers
- sample size is limited
- due to low availability of interviewers
- respondents may not give honest answers
- might be biased (due to interviewer inteference)
- might give answers which inteviewers might want to hear
- should analyze everything manually
- cannot move away from script
- advnatages
-
observations
- effectiveness
- primary research, so its valid
- can check accuracy of data themselves
- can be used where no speaking is possible
- no need agreement/consent with participants
- not affective for uncertain events
- some events cannot be observed
- eg: feelings / emotions
- observers need to have more technical knowledge
- slow
- results difficult to validate
- effectiveness
Social Media
-
impact on individuals
- advantages
- can connect with people over long distances
- entertainment reduces stress
- improves quality of life
- encourages to,
- give up smoking
- exercise
- and live in a healthy lifestyle
- change in attitude
- reduces sense of isolation
- disadvantages
- increase psychological disorders
- people compare their life to materialistic stuff posted by others
- increased jealousy
- may lead to cyber-bullying
- is addictive
- with withdrawal symptoms
- less self satisfaction
- using for long time can lead to health issues
- eye strain
- neck pain
- etc...
- increase psychological disorders
- ideological polarization
- social media sites has groups for like-thinking individuals
- might limit exposure to other viewpoints
- information is selective in content
- users view is re-inforceed by re-visiting groups
- user's views can be manipulated by others
- can create groups of geographically remote but like-minded indivuduals
- sterotyping
- subjects individuals to intense surveillance
- comments seen by others
- comments are never face-to-face
- jokes may be offensive to some people
- scarcasm might get lost
- individuals may conform of sterotypes
- demanded by social media
- to 'fit in' with peers
- role in an individual's life
- provides instant reward to human brain
- influences behaviour
- addictive, wastes time
- provides instant connection between people
- can plan meetups / parties / etc...
- can alter social patterns
- can connect with overseas people
- bad views & content are restricted
- marginal values can be shared to audience
- views has moved balance of power from few to many people.
- allows people to share views easily
- changed social patterns
- can contact politicians, organizations, etc...
- increasing influence
- fake news can spread easily
- can connect with family much often
- upto-date news
- hard to keep personal stuff secret
- can be cyber bullied
- can be more isolated from family (real world interactions)
- less trusting friends can share personal information
- personal details published leading to vulnerability and identity theft
- background checks by employers will be embarassing
- specially if controversial stuff is shared
- advantages
-
in healthcare
- uses
- treatments can be dicussed and shared
- to raise awareness of health issues
- to alert public of pandemics
- to combat misinformation
- to reply to common questions about healthcare
- to encourage discussions about embarassing/taboo topics
- to recruit volunteers for research programs
- to allow feedback/reviews to hospitals
- link to websites that lists symptoms to help self-diagnosis
- links to websites that suggests remidies
- links to websites to inform about first aid
- uses
-
government access
- can see people's view
- to raise awareness
- to overcome social divides
- to deliver news & updates more quickly
- forces governments to be responsive to public opinions
- encourages government trasparency and accountability
- provide open access to government actions
- helps reduce costs in providing information (eg: SMS to each phone)
- government data mining of social media trends
- users can be involved in design of government policies
-
news organizations
- post news reports
- to reach targetted audiences (eg: from Facebook groups, etc..)
- to reach a wider audience
- even several countries
- accessed more often than the TV
- stuff posted can be a source for other organizations to gather information
- news can spread more quickly
- can be used to influence more people
- usually provides link to main website
- to read more information
-
bussinesess & marketting
- reaches customers quickly
- can keep customers upto date
- reaches to wide audience
- can create groups of 'fan base's
- good for feedback from customers
- interaction with customers by conversatons
- can use algorithms to target specific groups of people
- can buy/collect data for targetted ads
- pay to display ads in user's home page / timeline
- cheaper
- can link directly to an online shop or website
Learning
-
online
- types
- recorded
- use video/audio only in a linear sequence
- no user input required
- interactive
- set of structured web pages
- navigated by different routes chosen by the learner
- can use combination of text/images/video/animations (in any order)
- user input is required
- recorded
- characteristics
- a self-study activity
- has a specific learning outcome
- delivered via internet
- how
- recorded videos / screenshots / notes presented
- can inclde narration to explain topics
- while displaying images
- can be designed to create dialogue between student & the teacher
- have interactive pages
- studens can choose which path to take
- topics should go from
- easy generalized idea -> specific factual topic
- tutorials can be used instead of lecures
- advantages
- conducted/recorded by great teachers, more experience
- can access anytime
- students & teachers dont need to be always online at same time
- can access material without having to travel
- students can share their studies
- tutorials can be recorded for access at any time
- tutorials can be studies in any order
- according to what the student wants and likes
- can get instant feedback to pre-set tests/tasks
- students can have customized + personalized courses
- can have 'live' interaction with tutors
- no travel costs
- saves time spent travelling
- disadvantages
- need reliable internet connection
- tutorial may not be at appropriate level for an individual student
- less motivation due to no teacher
- might miss important study material due to lack of guidance
- teacher feedback may not be fast enough to resolve problems
- younger students cannot use this effectively
- they cannot self-study well
- disabled people might have difficulty using a computer
- lack of digital literacy will make it hard to use
- needs good internet connection (expensive)
- types
-
motivate students
- advantages
- more accessible to students at convenient times
- let them take small tests regularly
- make the learning process interactive, eg: quizzes
- directs learning to specific goals
- can lead to increased effort
- enhance the meaning of materials
- increase persistence in the effort
- increase the comprehension of topics
- by use of multimedia & feedback
- increase success rate
- users are willing to spend more time using technology
- than time in a classroom
- allows to learn at own pace
- student has more control
- self-assessment with instant feedback
- cause informaition available for later reference
- disadvantages
- reduced student-teacher interaction
- difficult to disscuss
- reduced groupwork + assistance
- teachers are not always available
- low motivation to students
- student cannot understand fully without per class discussions
- bad internet connections
- hard to easily access course materials
- reduced student-teacher interaction
- advantages
-
impact autonomy
- can learn at own pace
- CBT
- allows control over time
- can use networked courses to learn at their own pace
- MOOCS
- allow control over time
- and which route to take
- allows learners to skip through content
- video conferencing
- bad control over time
- cuz its determined by the teacher
- technology allows
- to have more control over time
- learning & accessing resources at time
- techinical difficulties
- leads in missing lessons
- no control over inernet
- isolation from other learners
- lack of motivation
MOOC
- Massive Open Online Course
- features
- very large no. of students can join
- open access via internet
- even to international audience
- can include
- videos, audios, talks, etc...
- quizzes, interactive tasks with immediate feedback, etc...
- online assessments
- user forums for group discussions
- advantages
- can be organized anywhere (with intetnet)
- can use global resources
- can be any language to reflect 1st language of students
- can use any online tools available for students
- no exam pressure
- time zones & physical boundaries ignored
- reduce travel costs
- reduce college costs
- learning can happen beyond formal time scale of course
- encourages learning beyong syllabus
- disadvantages
- need reliable internet connection
- digitally illeterate students will find it hard to use
- user-generated course materials may undermine the value of course
- students with low motivation won't participate
- language barriers
- large amounts of contents, hard to navigate
- students will have no practical experience
- some students will put less time to course and fail it
- because nobody is there to restrict and stuff...
- MOOC vs. Online Tutorials/Learning
- similarities
- use WWW
- interactive and uses multimedia
- bought off-the-shelf or custom built
- students learn in isolation, alone
- differences
- MOOC
- provides interactive user forms
- leads to loss of control by instructors
- covers more content
- easily scalable to encompass more content
- focus more on context
- content evolves dynamically through learner participitation
- Online Learning/Tutorials
- fixed in aims and objectives
- focus more on content
- close ended with static content
- MOOC
- similarities
CBT
- Computer Based Training
Teleworking
- meaning
- use of IT systems
- to work remotely, from central office
- advantages
- workers have control over their time management
- can work from home
- are happer to work
- saves travelling costs
- more productive
- no office distractions
- disabled wokers are able to work (in their own familiar sorrounding)
- disadvantages
- may not be able to perform well
- not supervised
- wokers feel disconnected from employee
- may have expenses, like internet, etc...
- may not be able to stop working
- may have to work longer
- may get distracted by whats in home environment
- teleworkers liable for unknown risks
- difficult to monitor performance of workers
- increased security risk of data
- stealing of intellectual property owned by the company
- may not be able to perform well
Digital Currencies
-
meaning
- currency that is non-physical
- allows for instantaneous transactions
- allows easy transactions accross countries/regions, etc...
-
impact to individuals
- advantages
- transactions are untracable
- privacy is assured
- low transaction fees
- not regulated
- no interest rate charges
- easier internation transactions
- no exchange rates (can be used globally)
- cannot be seized
- as no ownership records are held
- allows fasters transactions -so, more bussiness activity
- ...
- requires private key
- unaffected by government defaults on loans
- uses a push model
- prompting cryptocurrency user
- to send exactly the amount
- without any other form of information
- disadvantages
- difficult to understand how to use
- not widely accepted by retailers
- no intervention by governments or financial institutions
- irreversible transactions
- if money sent to wrong wallet address
- its permanently lost
- high-risk activity
- subjected to fraud claims
- encrypted records holds values
- but not ownership
- wallets can be lost
- if wallet it stolen, cannot recover
- if private key to access wallet is lost
- money is lost
- values fluctuates (uncrontrollably)
- some countries do not allow cryptocurrency use
- so, cannot guy goods using them
- contributes to climate change due to power consumption
- advantages
-
risks to economy
- risk to monetary stability
- inflation might happen
- if digital currency's value increases
- reduces value of traditional currency
- lack of control
- risks of fraud
- can be used in money laundering
- and other illegal activities
- government cannot regulate the economy
- price is very volatile
- huge fluctuations in price
- so, risky for buyers and sellers
- exposes to risk of suddent financial loss
- risk of system-wide fraud
- risk of fragmentation of economy
- digital currencies only used by small number of users
- anonymous transactions
Bitcoin
-
decentralized system
- no central bank provides payment services
- payments are made peer-to-peer (direct between persons)
- no central regulatory authority to oversee financial dealings
-
how a transcaction is done
- wallet is set up to prodive a bitcoin address
- to send and recieve money
- bitcoin addreses are a set of complex characters, unique to each wallet
- bitcoins purchased and loaded to wallet
- (from bitcoin exchange)
- purchased with actual money / bank transfers
- bitcoins transferred directly from one wallet to another
- by mentioning the bitcoin address of the reciever
- can also use a bitcoin debit card
- can debit wallet directly
- when used for payments
- wallet is set up to prodive a bitcoin address
Transcations
-
stored value cards
- advantages
- no need authentication
- because no money stored in card
- no overhead costs
- because no fees are payable to issuer
- merchant recieves money immediately
- value transferred directly from card (to merchant account)
- no connection to bank is required
- transactions processed offline
- can restrict the card to merchant only
- issuer will get unused money if expired
- only small money lost if card is lost
- less to worry about
- as card is not connected to bank account
- only the value in card is lost
- so, more secure
- no need to declare customs if travelling abroad
- very quick transacxions
- no authentication
- less time sorting cash
- no need to carry cash (more portable & safe & easy)
- user is less likely to be robbed
- no need authentication
- disadvantages
- money lost if card is damaged
- accepted usually only for small amoounts
- for security purposes
- to prevent money laundering
- cards are usually not transferrable
- no cap on charges cuz user is not identified
- advantages
-
mobile electric wallets
- meaning
- app running on mobile device
- stores debit card information
- allows payment for goods & services
- enables contactless payments (using NFC technology)
- how to set up
- user installs app (from finance provider, eg: bank app)
- users register to app
- user inputs phone number
- provider sends SMS to that number to verify
- user enters verification code to authenticate
- user inputs cards details to app
- app links to bank account
- user authenticates payment details
- meaning
-
electronic funds transfer
- advantages
- more quick
- history recorded in detail
- low risk of loss
- no need to carry physical money
- safe from robbers
- lower transaction fees compared to non-cash methods
- user friendly
- widely accepted by both people and companies
- transactions can happen at anywhere with an internet connection
- no need to carry money around
- automatic payments can be made
- on shcedule
- without reminders
- or any intervention from the user
- disadvantages
- amount of transaction may be limited by policy
- risk from cyber-criminals
- danger of losing stored financial data
- not anonymous
- subjected to survailance from authorities
- incompatibilites between e-payment systems could occur
- eg: VISA vs Mastercard
- system failiure means cannot transfer money
- required an internet connection
- advantages
-
online banking
- available at any time
- can do financial transactions at any time
- no time constraints to do transactions
- accounts can be monitored
- transactions can be tracked
- demand for access technology
- decrease in personal service
- has led to removal of paper audit trails
- icnreased security threats
-
paying by credit card
- computer processing / behind the scenes
- reader communicates via secure wireless connection
- with base station
- which communicates with banks
- mobile reader reads data from the card
- requests input of PIN from user
- PIN checked/validated against stored PIN
- request sent to bank to determine issuing bank
- request sent to card issuer
- authorization code sent to shop if credit available
- credit card is validated
- if valid,
- process transaction
- amount deducted from customer's account
- and transfeered to shop's account
- print reciept from mobile reader
- else, refuse transaction
- if valid,
- reader communicates via secure wireless connection
- computer processing / behind the scenes
-
EDI
- electronic data interchange
- definiton
- computer to computer
- exchange of bussiness data
- using a standard electronic format
- between bussiness partners
- how to do transactions using EDI
- prepare documents to be sent
- organize data via human interface
- extract from databases
- translate docuemnts into EDI format
- convert internal data to EDI format
- transmit EDI documents to trading partner
- use VPN
- via EDI network provider
- that connects trading partners togethe
Other
-
Web Conferencing
- meaning
- simulateous 2-way audio and video communications
- with two or more participants
- using telecommunication networks
- via the internet
- hardware required
- computer system capable of running the applications
- router/modem to connect to internet
- telephone / VoIP for audio exchange
- speakers to output sounds of others
- microphone for audio input to talk
- web camera for video
- any other specialized collaboration devices
- features of software
- should have ability to
- share presentations
- enable co-browsing of internet
- enable screen sharing (to view docments)
- implement instant messaging feature
- (for attendees to chat with each other)
- (without interrupting the meeting)
- implement VoIP for voice conversations
- cross-platform compatibility for client software
- allow file sharing
- ability to go 'private'
- to allow moderators to have confidential conversations
- a support system to get assitance
- ?? how to discuss visual materials ??
- browsers must support HTML/Javascript/animation/web sockets, etc...
- users log into system
- manager controls sessions (and see which documents are viewed)
- mute/unmute controls per participants
- can use text chat to discuss documents
- whiteboard facilities to share documents
- screen-sharing to share documents
- polls to gather opinions of participants
- screen annotations to markup documents
- should have ability to
- meaning
-
UHD TV
- stuff
- Ultra High Definiton Tele-Visions
- is 4000x8000 pixels approx.
- has native aspect ratio of 16:9 most of the time
- more engaging, more enjoyable
- using more streaming services
- due to more availability of UHD media content
- increasing internet usage
- need to upgrade telecommunication lines
- enhanced gaming experience
- more realistic
- high power usage comparatively
- physically large
- might get addicted
- and binge-watch
- health issues,
- eg: obese
- poor sleep patterns
- not having it means sad feeling, depressed.
- impact
- large screens
- no loss of quality
- high quality connectors
- expensive
- investment in infrastructure is needed
- high internet usage
- new systems to procees h265 media
- requires faster processing
- broadcasts cannot deliver
- streaming requires greater bandwidth
- better home network setup
- QoS needs to be configured to ensure smooth video
- features improving viewing experience
- had 4 times the resolution of HD (1920x1080)
- 4K: 2096x2160
- 8K: 7680x4320
- increased
- dynamic range
- color depth
- more LEDs in given area
- increases the resolution
- so, ther in more detail
- had 4 times the resolution of HD (1920x1080)
- stuff
-
laptops vs smartphones
- Laptops
- advantages
- has a physical keyboard
- larger area to type
- can type with both hands (touch typing)
- has
- larger storage
- larger screen
- (reduces eye strain)
- larger storage capacity
- may have DVD drive built in, no need external ones
- many types of connection ports for external devices
- can be physically tethered, so, not easily stolen
- has a physical keyboard
- disadvantages
- not very portable
- more easily damaged if dropped
- hard to carry everywhere
- needs more charging
- less battery lasting time
- cannot make telephone calls
- hard to do instant messaging
- advantages
- smartphones
- advantages
- more & easily portable
- can search information from anywhere
- (with internet access)
- can search books / articles without visiting library
- can be used to set reminders + alarms
- can type quick notes in phone
- can coordinate social activities
- can be used to monitor health
- can send SMS / RCS messages
- can make voice calls
- easy internet access with 4G/5G
- disadvantages
- using phone while exercising slows us down
- reduced physical social interaction
- easy to get distracted
- can be used to harras individuals
- can cheat exams
- reduce ability to have face-to-face interactions
- might grow anti-social behaviour
- advantages
- Laptops
-
sports
- impact for people
- design of products to improve performance
- eg: running shoes
- used in HD scoreboards
- updated in real time
- can show action on field
- for better viewing of game
- can analyze performance
- even using 3D models
- or using other tracking techniques
- eg: trackers attatched to athletes
- more detailed results & analysis
- VR sports (online gaming)
- more people can take part
- more accurate scoring
- due to cameras
- to help judges
- design of products to improve performance
- impact for people
Brain Rot
- e-shopping website
- impact on society
- more convenient to shoppers
- time/money saved for travelling
- less traffic congestion
- less time to search and order
- (compared to walking physically, aisle by aisle)
- more choices available
- cheap startup costs for bussiness
- creates jobs for IT workers
- loss of basic minimum-wage type cleaning + cashier kind of jobs
- can operate 24x7
- marketplace can be accessed globally
- increased fraud due to online transactions
- we give personal information to a company
- data from their DBs might get stolen by hackers
- purpose of a cart
- accumulates goods ready for purchase
- calculates total cost of purcahses
- how to set one up
- web server software to host the store
- database to store information being sold
- interface for staff to update database & item availability
- software enables customers to create accounts
- seucirty softwrae
- checks log in details
- authenticates bank details
- most of a the time, an Integrated Payment Gateway (IPG)
- backup software
- store front view to show product details
- administration section gives ability to manage online shop by
- editing/adding products
- editing prices
- managing discounts
- managing shipping costs
- managing item availability
- allows theme of site to be changed
- allow guest account, no need to create a personal account
- allow customer to ship multiple addresses
- system for return of goods
- system for customer layalty rewards
- system for online chat / help
- display FAQs
- impact on society