COMPUTER
OPERATIONAL MASTER
Computer is an
advanced electronic device that consists of a central processing unit, primary
storage, secondary storage, input devices, output devices, and communication
devices. The central processing unit manipulates the raw data into a more
useful and understandable form and controls the other parts of the computer
system. Human beings interact with computer systems largely though input and
output devices. Input devices gather and convert them into electronic form for
use by the computer whereas output devices display data after they have been
processed. Input devices consist of the keyboard which is the principal method
of data entry for entering text and numerical data into a computer. Other than that,
computer mouse, is a handheld device with point-and-click capabilities that is
usually connected to a computer by a cable. It is used to select a command or
also can be used to “draw” images on the screen. A monitor displays information
in visual form, using text and graphics. The portion of the monitor that
displays the information is called the screen. Like a television screen, a
computer screen can show still or moving pictures. Lastly, the most important
of these components is the central processing unit (CPU), or microprocessor,
which acts as the "brain" of your computer. It is the part of the
computer system where the manipulation of symbols, numbers, and letters occurs,
and it controls the other parts of the computer system. There are also few
types of computer that students may know such at the network computers,
peer-to-peer computing and many more. Each different type of computer give
different uses to the specific purpose. [1]
This topic is
chosen to help the 10 young students from Kampung Sungai Lima, Kedah, who had
just graduated from high-school to know how to operate a computer in their
community. Since computer is not that widely known in that area, it will be a
great success to teach the high-school graduates to operate a computer and let
knowledge be spread out among all of them in that society. With the help of our
trainees, they will be able to know how to operate a computer and get to know
the uses and benefits of a computer in terms of business dealings, education
and also networkings with friends and relatives. Moreover, the students will
get to know the most important network provider of a computer which is broadly
known as Internet. Internet acts as the main component that a computer user
need, in other words, without internet the computer is just as plain as a white
sheet of paper. Internet plays an important role for the computer users
especially for education and networkings with friends and families. As for
education, the students will be able to search for information that are related
to their subject for an example a student wishes to know more in detail about
the respiratory system of human, he or she can search that in the search box
provided on the Web site directories( Yahoo or Google). As for networkings with
friends and families, applications such as Skype enables computer users to send
an instant message, to call or video call with another user of the same
application. Furthermore, Electronic Mail (E-mail) can be very useful and is
very important e-mail system in the world because it connects with so many
people worldwide. Users use this this facility to share ideas, information, and
even documents as it is easy to attach documents and multimedia files through
the computer rather than through papers and CDs.[2]
There are
certain requirements students must have if they want to learn more about
computer. First of all, they must be very confident that by learning about
computer, they will be able to understand and will try to convey the same
teachings to their friends and families. Learning to use the computer can be
very hard if one has no interest in it. Behavioral approach is an important
part of the information system field that arise in the development and
long-term maintenance of information system. It concentrates on changes in
attitude, management and organizational policy, and behavior on how systems
affect individuals group and organizations. Psychologists study information
systems with an interest in how human decision makers perceive and use formal
information. Economist on the other hand study information systems with an
interest in what impact systems have on control and cost structures within the
firm and within markets. Technical approach contributes to another requirement
that students must have. Technical approach to information system emphasized
mathematically based models to study information systems, as well as the
physical technology and formal capabilities of these systems. The diciplines
that contribute to the technical approach is computer science. Computer science
is concerned with establishing theories of computability, methods of
computation, and methods of efficient data storage and access. For an example,
management science emphasizes the development of models for decision-making and
management practices. Operations research focuses on mathematical techniques
for optimizing selected parameters of organizations such as transportation,
inventory control, and transaction costs.[3]
Turning on a
computer can be as easy as one, two, three. With the help of internet, students
are able to use the computer for many uses. The World Wide Web (www) is at the
heart of the explosion in the business, education, socializing, and many other
things. The standard of the Web browser is programmed according to HTML
standards therefore it is universally accepted, so anyone using a browser can
access any of the millions of Web sites. For instance, students would like to
join a social network. First, he or she should type in the website html on the
search bar, let’s say www.facebook.com. Later, the
student must create an account of his or her name with a secured password so
not anyone can access to that account. After signing in, he or she is now able
to enter to the social world where statuses, photos or updates on family and
friends can be viewed on his or her timelines whenever they update them. Other
types of networking sites can be called as instant messaging where it allows
participants to create their own private chat channels. The instant messaging
system alerts a person whenever someone on his or her friends list is on-line
so that the person can initiate a chat or webcam session with that particular
individual. Examples of competing instant messaging systems of competing
instant messaging systems are Yahoo Messenger, Skype and MSN Messenger. To use
this instant messaging systems, students must first create an ID(account) just
like the other networking sites where we must enter our ID and password first. Other
than that, education
is one of the best things that the internet can provide. There are a number of
books, reference books, online help centres, expert’s views and other study
oriented material on the internet that can make the learning process very
easier as well as a fun learning experience. There are lots and lots of
websites which are related to different topic. Students can visit them and can gain
endless amount of knowledge that you wish to have. With the use of internet for
education, you are non-longer dependent on some other person to come and teach
you. There can’t be any excellent use of the internet other than education as
it is the key to achieve everything in life.[4]
Once the
students have the basic and deep knowledge about computer, students are able to
see how the world has developed, how technology has created amazing gadgets,
how gadgets can help us in many way that sometimes we think it is impossible
even for humans to accomplish it. Development of science and technology has
direct effect on our daily life as well as in our social life. Computer
technology has made communication possible from one part of the world to the
other in seconds. They can see the transactions in one part of the world while
staying in the other part. Computers are used in various fields as well as in
teaching and learning. Some of the major computer application fields are as
follows, computer can be used as a management tool to assist in solving
business problems. For an example, to oversee and coordinate the activities of
the sales force, sales staff can dial in for updates on pricing, promotions,
rebates, or customers or to obtain information about competitors. They can also
access presentations and sales documents and customize them for customers.
Thus, computer helps the work to be done in very less time and more information
can be stored in small space. Moreover,
students are able to do multitasking in one physical machine and the documents
can be kept secret. There are also
negative impacts of computer on society, however, the positive impacts is the
largest. The negative impacts of computer on society are that is it highly
expensive for those who cannot afford to own a computer. Other than that, data
piracy could happen and huge data and information can be lost sometimes due to
the users carelessness in protecting the files. In a developing country, new
invention expands when the invented ones are less becoming attractive to the
customers, thus, this could create a problem to computer lovers to change their
computers as the season changes. Computers have both positive and negative
impact in our daily life as well as in our social life. But the gross
development of the nation is faster with the application of computers in
industries and education.[5]
Motivational
factors of learning computer are just as same as wanting to learn other
subjects, or anything that involves the desire and willingness to exert effort
in the learning process. Motivation is influenced by both internal individual
characteristics and external environmental factors. Students should know that computers
are very useful to our daily life. Students should study about computer because
not many people know how to use this brilliant gadget and the willingness the
share about computer and its uses in our jobs and education. Student motivation
is a major issue faced by educators in the field. To encourage motivation, teachers
must prepare instructional materials and design their courses to be both
content-rich and appealing to students. Despite this preparation, some students
fail to become engaged enough to focus on the learning experience and derive
its benefits. The
motivating affects of computer assisted instruction is outdated. New
technologies popularized the last five years—in particular multimedia programs
and computer-mediated communication—allow new ways of using computers in the
classroom, and thus new ways of motivating student This gadget eases our jobs
and shortens the time spent to complete the task. For an instance, a person
wishes to transfer some money into his daughter’s bank account, rather than
wasting his 20 precious minutes, he could simply transfer it on-line by going
to the specific internet bank website. This then helps to fasten the daughter’s
time to receive money together shortens the time taken for the father to go out
from his office and to the bank to transfer the money manually through the ATM
machine. As students come to know the benefits and uses of computer that helps
our daily tasks, students will be interested and more motivated to learn about
computer.
There are many
benefits and uses of computer that can help students. Academic life is
unimaginable without the help of computers. Writing letters, essays, editing
and saving information would be completely exhausting. What is more, looking
for information would be almost impossible. However, computers have simplified
students work throughout the academic year. Despite the difficulties of
learning how to use them, computers can be practical and helpful. The most
important benefit of computers is their practicability. A single machine allows
students to calculate, to write essays and to search for information while
listening to music. For example, Office package includes a spreadsheet program,
a word processor and a presentation program. What is more, it includes a
grammar and spelling check, which simplifies edition. At the same time, the
student can listen to Surah(s), lectures, watch a video, record a CD, or chat
with friends. In short, any computer shares the characteristics of a radio, a
television, a telephone, a notebook, and a calculator together with tools for
organization, for multimedia presentations and for grammatical corrections.
Other than that, Computers can process information much faster than a human brain.
This can be seen in financial transactions. Financial transaction is the term can just log in on to the
bank website with the credential that has been provided to you by the bank and
then can do any transaction related to finance at your will. With the ability
to do the financial transaction easily over the internet you can purchase or
sell items so which is used when there is exchange of money. With the use of
internet in the financial transaction, your work has become a lot easier. Now
you don’t need to stand in the queue at the branch of your particular bank
rather you easily. Financial transaction can be considered as one of the best
uses of resource in the right direction. One advantage to computers
making decisions is that you will have decisions made faster and more
accurately than a human brain, which may get hung up with different factors
involving the decision, leading to slower overall results. Also, unlike people
who can become tired or suffer from a lack of concentration and deliver
inaccurate decisions, a well-tuned computer is always alert and can process
reams of information without growing bored or tired, leading to more precise
results. Further, Computers also benefit the
development of fundamental skills. Good educational software enables children
to practice and develop a broad range skills. It can help them learn, for
example, about shapes, letters, numbers, rhythm, and colors. Good educational
software can also help children develop their understanding of cause and
effect, procedural thinking, higher order problem solving and creative expression.
(www.indianchild.com) Many students have become to reliable on computers
however. Many children come to libraries to access the computers and CD-ROM’s
rather than to read. Though such computer activities are purported to be
educational, there is a fundamental difference between the skills used in
reading versus those used to engage in an interactive CD-ROM. Librarians as
well as teachers, should guide as many children as possible towards the text
books rather than the computer. Emotional skills are also enhanced by using a
computer. Children develop self-confidence and self-esteem as they master
computer skills and use the computer to make things happen. Computers also
develop social skills.
There are views
on Western scholars on using computers. For intellectuals who favored a basic
reform in Chinese writing, the critical function of language was not for
communication with the human being but with the machine-the computer. Rather specifically, the function was for the
transmission of information. The turn from communication to transmission was
presented in the arguments by several authors. Qian and Chen (1981; 1983) made
the point that the theories and methods of linguistics had been instrumental
for the automation of society at large. Using works of Shannon, Wiener, and
even de Saussure, they held that the world was entering into a society of
information, which would replace the physical and mental labor. “Thus,” they
argued, “language is not simply the basic tool for exchanging information
between one human being to another, but will soon become the primary tool for
exchanging information between the human being and the machine.” (Qian &
Chen, 1981: 233)
Views on Islamic
scholar on computer is that Islamic work ethic influenced individuals’
attitudes towards computer use ethic. These are important characteristics that
guide an individual’s view on ethical use of computer when faced with a
dilemma. The fact that there were significant contributions of Islamic work
ethic and attitudes towards computer use ethic to job satisfaction suggest that
individuals’ ethics are an important consideration towards managing a satisfied
workforce. It is interesting to note that computer use ethic had no significant
and direct influence on organizational commitment. Another important finding is
that, professionals’ Islamic work ethic and job satisfaction positively,
directly and significantly relate to organizational commitment. Professionals’
Islamic work ethic positively, indirectly and significantly relate to
organizational commitment. This suggests that those who value Islamic ethic are
satisfied in their jobs and thus tend to put a higher commitment in work.
Since the
creation of the computer the world has developed in unforeseen ways. It began
to progress more rapidly and information was being sent through a digital
highway instead of by hand. A new world was being born, one that could not be
seen or touched, but held all the information we ever needed. This cyber space
became the lifeline of society over time through the use of the computer. It is
still the first ranked source people use to find anyone or learn anything. As
the computer gained more knowledge and speed it began to find popularity in the
eyes of the community. The Internet and computer working together topped what
was already remarkable in the computer. Today, we have the ability to get
anywhere and anything we want in the blink of an eye. We can learn without ever
leaving our house, we can solve crimes with minimal suspect contact, and we can
socialize through a small video box or through a keyboard on the computer. As
long as we can type on a keyboard or obtain a digital connection we are able to
get into the cyber world and fill out heads up with as much knowledge as we want.
Just as society has levels of status, the computer does too. There is a form of
cultural richness on the web today where having the ability to use technology
is more beneficial to the user than to someone who cannot. Not being able to
have technological intelligence is immobilizing and thwarts a person’s ability
to get farther in life. People who are technological savvy are considered the
upper class of society while the older generation, less schooled in the digital
age, are considered to be at a poverty level, in connection to cyber space. The
idea of money and wealth has reversed itself in this virtual world and the key
to success is a person’s brain. When the world moves into the cyber world in
the future, being smart is what will get people ahead in life. You do not need
money to survive anymore, instead, just a grasp of the cyber language and how
to work your way around a computer will get you closer to societal richness
than a mediocre high paying job. As long as we can type on a keyboard or obtain
a digital connection we are able to get into the cyber world and fill out heads
up with as much knowledge or stupidity as we want. Although this device has
shown its negativities over time, its benefits impact the majority of the world
and its impurities are overlooked so that the people could keep their control
over the cyber world. To conclude, it is very important to get people to learn
about computer, no matter where they come from, anybody can learn how to
operate a computer, but only when there are people to teach. One day it will be
the only thing people will want for us to live, work, socialize, or play in.
Taking the spaceship concept from the movie Wall-e, where everyone lived in
chairs, had butlers, and pressed buttons on a computer to do everything they
needed or get what they wanted, the computer monitor will end up becoming our
best friend. We will become so absorbed in the astonishment that is
computerized technology that those stuck in the analog age will have to run the
world around us so that the digital elites can forever live life inside the
computer. The computer will be the greatest tool of the future because, when
paired up with the Internet or other software’s, it virtually has no limits to
what it can accomplish.
[2]
Kenneth C.
Laudon and Jane P.Laudon-Management Information System-Prentice Hall-271 -1996
[3]
Kenneth C.
Laudon and Jane P.Laudon-Management Information System-Prentice Hall-14-15-1996
[4]
Kenneth C.
Laudon and Jane P.Laudon-Management Information System-Prentice Hall-273 -1996
[5]
Kenneth
C. Laudon and Jane P.Laudon-Management Information System-Prentice Hall-125
-1996
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