DEFINITION:
Purposeful application of information in the design, production, and utilization of goods and services, and in the organization of human activities. Technology is generally divided into five categories
(3) High: entirely or almost entirely automated and 'intelligent' technology which manipulates ever finer matter and ever powerful forces.
(4) Intermediate: semi-automated 'partially intelligent' technology that manipulates refined matter and medium level forces.
(5) Low: labor intensive 'dumb' technology that manipulates only coarse or gross matter and weaker forces.
There are five kinds of technology:
1. Instructional technology
2. Assistive technology
3. Medical technology
4. Technology productive tools
5. Information technology
INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY:
Instructional technology is the use of a variety of teaching tools to improve student learning. We usually think of computers and computer software when we think of instructional technology, but instructional technologies are not limited to computers in the classroom. Instructional technology describes all tools that are used for teaching and learning such as: cameras, CD players, PDA's, GPS devices, computer-based probes, calculators and electronic tools we have yet to discover.
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY:
According to the United States Assistive Technology Act of 1998, assistive technology (also called adaptive technology ) refers to any "product, device, or equipment, whether acquired commercially, modified or customized, that is used to maintain, increase, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities." Common computer-related assistive technology products include screen magnifiers, large-key keyboards, alternative input devices such as touch screen displays, over-sized trackball and joystick, speech recognition programs, and text reader.
MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY:
In a prior post, I sought to explore the shifting nature of the medical industry, from clearly defined categories of devices, drugs and diagnostics to a spectrum of products that defy categorization into any one category and instead frequently qualify as multiple.
Gauging the state of technology development in the recent past and the present, the trend toward less demarcation between medical product categories continues unabated, not just for treatment of ischemic heart disease, but for other diseases and disorders. Advances in technology enable this, while the customer — healthcare systems, third party payers and, increasingly, patients — are demanding this.
There nonetheless remain certain aspects of select diseases and disorders that sustain preference if not dominance by one class of medical products. The spine, playing as it does such a physical, structural, functional role, demands solutions that are device-intensive (e.g., discs, cages), however much bone growth factors, bone graft substitutes and other non-device products are moving in. Cancer treatment, aside from surgical intervention, remains largely a drug-intensive effort, although "drug" continues to be redefined to include moieties that are clearly biotech in nature.
I continue to think about ischemic disease in particular because it represents a sort of microcosm of medtech development. Physicians like to view treatment in terms of "gold standards" or the current state of the art, but as ischemic heart disease (and many other diseases) have shown, the goal line keeps changing as new technologies advance the quality of life, clinical outcome, cost of care and other criteria that determine value of innovations in the market. Ischemia can be addressed from so many different perspectives that it has become a lightening rod for development efforts.
Ultimately, I am thrilled at bearing witness to the evolution of technology development. At the same time, however, I must empathize with. and work hard to come to the aid of, my medtech clients who must continually look to the bigger picture to ensure that their products and technologies remain relevant, lest the trend suddenly make them obsolete.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY:
The Indian information technology industry has played a key role in putting India on the global map. Thanks to the success of the IT industry, India is now a power to reckon with. According to the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM), the apex body for software services in India, the revenue of the information technology sector has risen from 1.2 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) in FY 1997-98 to an estimated 5.8 per cent in FY 2008-09.
India's IT growth in the world is primarily dominated by IT software and services such as Custom Application Development and Maintenance (CADM), System Integration, IT Consulting, Application Management, Infrastructure Management Services, Software testing, Service-oriented architecture and Web services.
The government expects the exports turnover to touch US$ 80 billion by 2011, growing at an annual rate of 30 per cent per annum, from the earlier few million dollars worth exports in early 1990s.
As per NASSCOM's latest findings:
Indian IT-BPO sector grew by 12 per cent in FY 2009 to reach US$ 71.7 billion in aggregate revenue (including hardware). Of this, the software and services segment accounted for US$ 59.6 billion.
IT-BPO exports (including hardware exports) grew by 16 per cent from US$ 40.9 billion in FY 2007-08 to US$ 47.3 billion in FY 2008-09.
Moreover, according to a study by Springboard Research, the Indian IT services market is estimated to remain the fastest growing in the Asia-Pacific region with a CAGR of 18.6 per cent.
Despite the uncertainty in the global economy, the top three IT majors— Infosys, TCS and Wipro—have seen revenue growth from all important sources of income: from the North American and European regions, in the financial services vertical and from application maintenance and development (ADM) offerings between fiscal years 2008 and 2009.
Outsourcing:
A research by Gartner forecasts India as the undisputed leader in the outsourcing space in the year 2008. India's most prized resource is its readily available technical work force. India has the second largest English-speaking scientific professionals in the world, second only to the US. It is estimated that India has over 4 million technical workers, over 1,832 educational institutions and polytechnics, which train more than 67,785 computer software professionals every year. The enormous base of skilled manpower is a major draw for global customers.
According to NASSCOM software and services exports (including exports of IT services, BPO, engineering services and R&D and software products) reached US$ 47 billion in FY 2008-09, contributing nearly 78 per cent to the total software and services revenue of US$ 59.6 billion.
Domestic Markets :
India's domestic market has also become a force to reckon with, as the existing IT infrastructure evolves both in terms of technology and depth of penetration.
According to NASSCOM, domestic IT market (including hardware) reached US$ 24.3 billion in FY 2008-09 as against US$ 23.1 billion in FY 2007-08, a growth of 5.3 per cent.
India Inc's demand for IT services and products has bolstered growth in the domestic sector with deal sizes going up remarkably and contracts worth US$ 50 million-US$ 100 million up for grabs.
Such growth in the software and services sector has been achieved because of spectacular growths in some segments. According to research firm Gartner, India's personal computer (PC) market is likely to grow by 13.7 per cent to 11.1 million units in 2009, aided by a surge in demand for laptops. The laptop market is expected to grow by 37 per cent in 2009 to 3.69 million units and constitute a third of the total PC market.
Rural Penetration:
According to a report of the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) rural India has 3.3 million active internet users. Since rural India was mapped for the first time, the year-on-year growth of internet users in rural India could not be estimated.
The research also notes there are 5.5 million people who claim to have used Internet at some point in time.
Government Initiatives:
The government set up the National Taskforce on Information Technology and Software Development with the objective of framing a long term National IT Policy for the country.
Enactment of the Information Technology Act, which provides a legal framework to facilitate electronic commerce and electronic transactions.
The government-led National e-Governance Programme, has played an important role in increasing internet penetration in rural India.
Road Ahead:
The Indian information technology sector continues to be one of the sunshine sectors of the Indian economy showing rapid growth and promise.
According to a report prepared by McKinsey for NASSCOM, the exports component of the Indian industry is expected to reach US$ 175 billion in revenue by 2020. The domestic component will contribute US$ 50 billion in revenue by 2020. Together, the export and domestic markets are likely to bring in US$ 225 billion in revenue, as new opportunities emerge in areas such as public sector and healthcare, and as geographies including BRIC and Japan opt for greater outsourcing.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES:
Unemployment :
While information technology may have streamlined the business process it has also crated job redundancies, downsizing and outsourcing. This means that a lot of lower and middle level jobs have been done away with causing more people to become unemployed.
Privacy :
Though information technology may have made communication quicker, easier and more convenient, it has also bought along privacy issues. From cell phone signal interceptions to email hacking, people are now worried about their once private information becoming public knowledge.
Lack of job security :
Industry experts believe that the internet has made job security a big issue as since technology keeps on changing with each day. This means that one has to be in a constant learning mode, if he or she wishes for their job to be secure.
Dominant culture :
While information technology may have made the world a global village, it has also contributed to one culture dominating another weaker one. For example it is now argued that US influences how most young teenagers all over the world now act, dress and behave. Languages too have become overshadowed, with English becoming the primary mode of communication for business and everything else.
advantages of information technology include:
Globalization :
IT has not only brought the world closer together, but it has allowed the world's economy to become a single interdependent system. This means that we can not only share information quickly and efficiently, but we can also bring down barriers of linguistic and geographic boundaries. The world has developed into a global village due to the help of information technology allowing countries like Chile and Japan who are not only separated by distance but also by language to shares ideas and information with each other.
Communication:
With the help of information technology, communication has also become cheaper, quicker, and more efficient. We can now communicate with anyone around the globe by simply text messaging them or sending them an email for an almost instantaneous response. The internet has also opened up face to face direct communication from different parts of the world thanks to the helps of video conferencing.
Cost effectiveness :
Information technology has helped to computerize the business process thus streamlining businesses to make them extremely cost effective money making machines. This in turn increases productivity which ultimately gives rise to profits that means better pay and less strenuous working conditions.
Bridging the cultural gap :
Information technology has helped to bridge the cultural gap by helping people from different cultures to communicate with one another, and allow for the exchange of views and ideas, thus increasing awareness and reducing prejudice.More time - IT has made it possible for businesses to be open 24 x7 all over the globe. This means that a business can be open anytime anywhere, making purchases from different countries easier and more convenient. It also means that you can have your goods delivered right to your doorstep with having to move a single muscle.
Creation of new jobs :
Probably the best advantage of information technology is the creation of new and interesting jobs. Computer programmers, Systems analyzers, Hardware and Software developers and Web designers are just some of the many new employment opportunities created with the help of IT.
IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY ON EDUCATION:
This section provides an in-depth look at technology influences in education.
With over 400 educators, parents, interested community members, and business leaders present in an educational forum in 1995, a vision for education was cultivated to guide districts and school systems. This section will show you their conclusions.
This section identifies reasons for the integration of technology.
"Some panelists contended that rather than debating the connections between technology-based instruction and test scores, schools should focus on the most obvious and compelling reason form implementing technology-namely, that students need strong technology skills to succeed in the world of work." This section will provide you with the impact technology has on learning.
Turn here to learn more about how technology will impact the educational practices of the schools, the administration, and the teachers.
What is the effect of technology? Is it worth the costs? Take a look at how to evaluate the effectiveness of technology implementation within your district.
The uses for technology in the boardroom are endless. You can call up budget figures, enrollment projections, the numbers of children taking advanced mathematics, and any statistics needed. Take a look here for tips and resources for implementing technology with the school board.
Education change and technology planning are state and local issues. The Federal Government can assist in the acceleration of technology plans.
Interesting and informative resources for families and technology education.
