Era of Technology

Introduction

As the world becomes more and more interconnected, technology has began to be considered as a convenient and useful tool for communication between individuals, a situation that has facilitated participation in some of the engagements that were challenging sometimes. In fact, technology has, among other things, provided the type of social interaction that has, indeed, bridged the gap between different cultures and ideologies. The today’s world is an era of technology, and this technology is constantly changing. Over one hundred and fifty years ago, the conduct of business operations was quite different from the current ones. Currently, significantly less time is being spent on data processing, information retrieval, cataloguing, and evaluating the business statistics. Additionally, enquiries related to catalogue items and processing of purchase transactions have been automated, reducing or eliminating human intervention. This has helped save resources for a strategic use. Technology is, actually, transforming every aspect of our lives including medicine, art, and education (Bereiter 15).

The Benefits of Technology

Some aspects of technology have become so common that they are taken for granted. For instance, before the technology behind electricity had evolved, it was challenging to engage in various activities after nightfall. Moreover, the lack of electricity was a great derailment to other practices that requires machines, some of which wouldn’t have been powered by fossil fuels. These machines include computers, television and radio sets. Evolution of technology can, therefore, be regarded as a lee way or a facilitator of advancement in the present world. The advancements in Information Technology (IT) have elevated lifestyle and made business activities run faster, easier, and efficient than when, say, computers were absent. Technology has, indeed, eliminated difficulties and offered ways to exploit possibilities (Scardamalia 12).

Main Advantages

• Improved Communication: Technology has revolutionized the way we communicate. With tools like email, social media, and video conferencing, we can connect with anyone, anywhere, instantly.
• Increased Productivity: Automation and advanced software have significantly boosted productivity in various industries. Tasks that once took hours can now be completed in minutes.
• Access to Information: The internet provides vast amounts of information at our fingertips, making it easier to learn new skills, stay informed, and solve problems.
• Enhanced Healthcare: Technological advancements in medical equipment and procedures have improved patient care and outcomes. Telemedicine, for example, allows remote consultations and monitoring.
• Convenience and Efficiency: Everyday tasks, from shopping to banking, have become more convenient and efficient thanks to technology. Online services save time and effort.

Advancement in IT has brought wide ranging benefits, especially in education. The term IT encompasses several fields: Information Systems, Computer Networking, and Designing Software. The prior society had none of this at their disposal. With regard to education, technology has facilitated learning in various environments, and students with different learning capacities have been able to interact and further their knowledge in mathematics and sciences. Emergent learning technologies have reshaped the educational system. The technology capacity to come up with symbolic representations has transformed the way students and educators conceptualize knowledge. The incorporation of technology in learning institutions was prompted by the evolution of cognitive psychology. Over the years, these technologies have been utilized in the creation of enhanced avenues of learning, a situation which has resolved the challenge of teaching in a pluralistic school environment (Department of Education 20).

The advent of technologies such as personal computers has ushered a transformation in life. Proponents of such technologies predict that they will enable individuals to construct and test tentative insights into complex systems. The evolution of technology is presumed to have the capacity to alter the relationships between individuals and societies that consider it difficult to interact with one another. For instance, with regard to education, it is hoped that teachers will turn into interdisciplinary enablers of learners’ creativity. Educators do, indeed, have the ability to create a legitimate space for experimentation with the intention of guiding learning toward the intended results (Khosrowpour 45).

In the field of medicine, technology, and especially Information Technology has been a major contributor to medical success. Doctors have been able to acquire data using machines like computerized axial tomography and the magnetic resonance imaging. Medical practitioners have been able to provide enhanced services due to the three dimensional images of the internal structure of bodies that medical technologies have provided. These images are useful in creating a framework of the patient’s problem, a situation that helps in providing enhanced treatment (Papert 15).

At the present, almost every organization has established some connection with the IT industry. Some have even gone further to incorporate such latest technologies as cloud computing. These developments have been hugely beneficial as consumers have been enabled to conduct their purchases over the internet. It is called the online shopping. Currently, shopping has gone digital, and this has been very efficient. On their part, retailers have been able to acquire new methods of doing their shopping, extend it, and advancing retail exploration. From the 3D augmented reality to another one like the Kinect-based browsing, the business arena has surged with technologically driven platforms that have made shopping much more interactive and personalized than before (Khosrowpour 36).

Currently, home owners have had elevated shopping modes. The Toshiba ‘s TEC Hybrid Fitting System, as an example, has offered options, color variations, and other aspects for the shoppers to make their choices. Technology has been presenting several other opportunities, for example, in the beauty arena, the contemporary hair and make-ups are being facilitated by technology. Not so long ago, the InStyle introduced iPad applications in the market, and this has put to use an aggregated personal images and facial recognition software to that allow one to scheme the hairstyles and facial colors in a variety of ways. Shisedo has put in place video screens that have the ability to apply make-up on an individual, in what is commonly referred to as virtually applied make-ups. All that one has to do is to select a variety of make-ups as he or she desires (Papert 15).

With regard to online shopping, Me-tail assists users to visualize how an item is able to fit by applying photo-realistic 3D renditions for every person. This form of technology brings to light the essence of shopping. It brings forth the use of the social media mode. In the business world, technology has availed the idea of web conferencing, which is also known as video conferencing. Initially, geographical and time constraints limited interactions and the mode of doing business. Technology has availed an adventurous manner of engagement that is inexpensive and less tedious. Web conferencing offers business people new ways in doing business without having to travel. Individuals are able to communicate and make agreements in real-time. Virtual meetings are also being provided by the latest mobile phones which are enhanced to meet such needs. Moreover, people are able to manage spreadsheets, annotate similar PDF, or edit similar documents or manage similar PowerPoint. Web meeting has the attributes of offering instant messaging, where a person is able to send a message to many people. It allows recording, archiving, and replaying (Mezirow 12).

In the communication arena, technology has been widely seen in the emailing, social media, and mobile phones. The mobile phones have constantly enhanced communication to allow for varied features to be performed far beyond what was there initially. The social media has been used to offer promotion for products, businesses and other enterprises. Communication technologies have made it possible for different languages to be applied to and used in the communication devices.

The evolution of technology has made it possible to enhance the level of security in homes, towns, and cities. The modes currently being used does not require a person to stay up all night. The current use of cameras, UV light, finger and eye detection mechanisms have made security to go to another level. Indeed, the use of passwords is slowly getting overtaken by the upcoming technologies. These securities are, however, not fully effective as technology also facilitates the committal of crimes. Measures are, nevertheless, being put in place to completely do away with this vice (Orey 65).

In the transport sector, the continued advancement of the airplanes has brought forth air transport that incorporates large numbers of passengers, and being a faster mode of communication, more and more individuals are opting for the air travel. The railway transport has similarly not been left behind: electric railway transport has been making traveling efficient and cost effective. Information Technology has, indeed, enhanced civilization. The corporate world has become successful with the effective use of communication and Information Technology as it has been possible to tap the potential provided by the computer software and hardware. This brings into being the use of the internet to promote a business, to advance the business structure, and to transact the operations (Papert 15).

Technology has become an integral part of our lives, offering numerous benefits but also presenting some challenges.

Disadvantages of Technology

• Data Security: With the rise of digital data, cybersecurity threats have also increased. Personal and sensitive information can be vulnerable to hacking and breaches.
• Social Isolation: Excessive use of technology, especially social media, can lead to social isolation and reduced face-to-face interactions.
• Job Displacement: Automation and artificial intelligence can lead to job displacement in certain sectors, as machines and software take over tasks previously done by humans.
• Health Issues: Prolonged use of technology can lead to health problems such as eye strain, poor posture, and a sedentary lifestyle.
• Environmental Impact: The production and disposal of electronic devices contribute to environmental pollution and e-waste.

Conclusion

Technologies have enabled individuals to form collaborative teams that work alongside the traditional settings. These technologies have facilitated accountability during the reshaping of engagements as credible data is utilized in measuring results. Institutions have been co-opting the rewards of technologies in the expanded context of the society. Therefore, the advert of technologies has facilitated the flourishing of communities outside the limits of the traditional setting. For instance, the evolution of communication technologies has enabled schools to enhance their equity and reliability as centers for learning (Gardner 9).

In spite of their benefits, technologies have a number of drawbacks. For instance, an extra time is required for the training of personnel after the application of these technologies begin. Effective utilization of technologies necessitates the understanding of how human behavior is affected by technology. As such, individuals are required to undergo extra training so as to ensure effective integration of technology in the normal social environment. This makes the implementation of technology difficult and time consuming, a situation which has led to some of the stakeholders abandoning their implementation. Nevertheless, several indicators point out that their future implementation will be easy and cost effective (Gardner 6).

Technology offers incredible benefits that enhance our lives in many ways, but it’s important to be mindful of its potential drawbacks and use it responsibly.