Chapter 6: Part 2

Name Alexandra Esmonde                 Class time: 12-12:50

KEEP THIS TO 1-3 – PAGES LONG (excluding reference page)

Author: Sara Baase

Date of Publication: 2008

Book: A Gift of Fire

Sections read: 6.4, 6.5

1.     (Knowledge)Tell three interesting elements of this chapter:

a.        Computers have opened the door for employees to steal large amounts of money from their companies (Baase 333).

b.       Monitoring systems can count every keystroke of clerks (Baase 336).

c.        There is not always a clear distinction between policies of a workplace and the law (Baase 337).

2.     (Comprehension) Summarize what is being discussed within this chapter?

 This chapter discusses the fact that now, more than ever, everything that people do on the computer can, and is being monitored. At work it is now possible to trace every word that an employee types and the employer can read all of it. There is not always a clear distinction between the policies that an employer enforces and the laws that protect privacy.  Employees have used faulty security or their information about their employer's computer systems to steal millions of dollars.  The computer has become an important tool in worker productivity but it has also proven to not be without risks, and sometimes people ask if the risks are greater than the rewards. 

3.     (Application)Name a specific example or NEW solution for this type of problem/similar situation in  society or that you have experienced – be specific and explain?

 I think that there should be higher security on computer's so that workers cannot embezzle money so easily through technology.  If employers cut down on the "monitoring" of their employees every move then I feel as if employees would think twice about stealing money. Companies should put better benefits, or incentives in place to help make sure that their employees are not tempted to steal from them because they are doing fine on their own. New security and a different level of employee employer cooperation and arranging of benefits needs to be put in place as well.

4.     (Analysis)Address ANY that apply. How can you compare one of the situations in this chapter  to something that does not relate to computers, technology, or the Internet? Be sure to reference the chapter and your solution. What ideas NEW can you add to the issue that is being presented within the reading? Try to connect what you have by reading this article and how it applies to the stages in Bloom's taxonomy in 2 full sentences. 

 The first step in remedying this problem is evaluating the situation.  After, synthesizing which would be combining the information from all different cases and analyzing what is going wrong and why.  Applying the information that has been gathered and the conclusions that have been drawn to solving the issue. Comprehending what is happening and why is one of the main steps towards solving the problem and finally knowing what to do and why.

5.     (Synthesis) Address all that apply. Do you agree with what is being said within the article (Why/Why not? Back up with FACTS)?  What new conclusions can you draw about this (or other topics) after reading this material?

I think the article is relevant because employers monitor their employees and employees do steal from their employers in real life. This just backs up the fact that with new technology there need to be new laws and safeguards in place. People need to be more aware that there are dangers that come with new technology, and things need to be done to protect people against hackers and losing their identity because someone hacked in to their computer.

6.     (Evaluation) Address all that apply. Judge whether or not this topic is relevant in today’s society? Evaluate why you are viewing the topic in this manner based on your experiences. What ethical evaluations (see Chap1-1.4 for exp of Ethics) or decisions were made/can be assumed from this chapter?  What new ideas will you make after reading this chapter?

 Ethically speaking I do not think that it is ethical to monitor every keystroke that employees make. There needs to be some form of trust that employees will come to work and do their job without needed to be monitored every single second. People need to realize that technology affects humans and humans will be prosecuted in court and the laws need to catch up to the technology.

References

A Gift of Fire By: Sara Baase

Chapter 6: Work

Name        Alexandra Esmonde          Class time:12-12:50

KEEP THIS TO 1-3 – PAGES LONG (excluding reference page)

Author: Sara Baase

Date of Publication: 2008

Book: A Gift of Fire

Sections read: 6.1, 6.2, 6.3

1.     (Knowledge)Tell three interesting elements of this chapter:

a.        When computers were invented numerous people feared that they would be laid off and their jobs would be replaced by technology (Baase 308).

b.       The Internet helped to create 100,000 new Internet related jobs in 1996 (Baase 310).

c.        Technology and computers have increased the quality of life of Americans and have caused them to spend more money on luxury items such as cruises and larger homes (Baase 314).

2.     (Comprehension) Summarize what is being discussed within this chapter?

 This chapter discusses the effect that computers have had on the world and the effect that they were presumed to cause.  Numerous people thought that they would lose their jobs or technology would cause the creation of more jobs overseas (Baase 310).  However, computers created numerous jobs in engineering and system analysis jobs which require a college degree and a college degree which caused a larger amount of people to become more highly educated, thus increasing the standard of living (Baase 315).  Computers help with job training and step by step instructions that used to require extensive training (Baase 316).  Computers changed they way people live, in some ways that no one expected.

3.     (Application)Name a specific example or NEW solution for this type of problem/similar situation in  society or that you have experienced – be specific and explain?

 The creations of forms of higher intelligence-such as computers always brings up the question: will technology replace human power and intelligence? For example, the newest phones that have come out could replace computers. Pretty soon all technology will be on one device and computers will be rendered obsolete. Also, the beginning creations of robots makes people wonder what will the world be like in ten years.  Technology keeps replacing itself and the need for human dependency.

4.     (Analysis)Address ANY that apply. How can you compare one of the situations in this chapter  to something that does not relate to computers, technology, or the Internet? Be sure to reference the chapter and your solution. What ideas NEW can you add to the issue that is being presented within the reading? Try to connect what you have by reading this article and how it applies to the stages in Bloom's taxonomy in 2 full sentences. 

 The evaluation of what people need and how technology plays a role in daily life is important to realizing what people need and why.  Analyzing how specific technologies can aid in every day life is also important to the further development of technology and creation of better, faster devices.

5.     (Synthesis) Address all that apply. Do you agree with what is being said within the article (Why/Why not? Back up with FACTS)?  What new conclusions can you draw about this (or other topics) after reading this material?

I do agree with what is being said in this article because technology has played a large role in the development of the economy and the creations or abolition of jobs.  Technology is one of the largest aspects of the workforce and the better it gets the more jobs can be at risk or outsourced.  As much as technology can enhance the workplace it is also cheaper and more efficient, doesn't need sick days and can easily replace human labor.  It is important to realize the thin line between technology helping hobs and technology taking jobs away.

6.     (Evaluation) Address all that apply. Judge whether or not this topic is relevant in today’s society? Evaluate why you are viewing the topic in this manner based on your experiences. What ethical evaluations (see Chap1-1.4 for exp of Ethics) or decisions were made/can be assumed from this chapter?  What new ideas will you make after reading this chapter?

 It is relevant in today's society because people and businesses are faced with the dilemma everyday.  Ethically speaking in today's world it is never guaranteed if a computer is doing the talking, or the scheduling, or handling a compliant or if an actual human is. The world is becoming somewhat depersonalized and is it ethically correct for a computer or an automated system to be handling personal scheduling or complaints? Technology has taken over numerous human interactions and jobs which used to require personal face to face or human to human interaction. Is it ethical to have a computer take over all these personal, interactive jobs?

References

 A Gift of Fire by: Sara Baase 2008.