Information Technology's Effect on Society

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If one were to imagine an average man living in 1970, one can expect a very different lifestyle than putting this same man into 2012. Imagine him as a college student. What daily activities might he be involved in? How would he locate information needed for homework assignments and essays? If he were graduated, how would he approach and maintain daily business? As an elderly man, illness is likely to befall him. In what ways can he attempt to maintain a healthier lifestyle? With the advancements in information technology over the last thirty years, society has become more intelligent and successful in many areas, including academic studies, business, and healthcare. Society has benefited greatly from the technological advancements in academics. The days when the only method of obtaining a degree was appearing at the university and spending many hours surrounded by students and instructors in a class room setting have been replaced with the availability of online colleges and universities. Using the example of the young man; he now has the option to work a full time job, spend time with friends and family, and log in to an online college to obtain a degree, all from the convenience of his home. What about researching assignments? In 1970, trekking into the local library to spend hours poring over dusty books and old newspaper clippings was the common method of obtaining information. Subject matter that was available may have been days, weeks, or even years old. Today, with the invention of the computer, internet, and hand held devices, there are knowledge databases, search engines, and virtual libraries. One can review the same newspaper clippings as the 1970 version of the student with a swipe of a fingertip across a touch screen pad. This gentleman can click his way to a research paper written in Mandarin. With a plethora of translation programs

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