Digital Divide

Today ICT forms the corner stone for life within the western world. Everyday employees, students, teachers and society in general use computers in aid of a task within their day. ICT has revolutionised the way in which people operate today not only in work, but leisure too. However the use of ICT in today’s world is not without its problems. Within digitalization two issues have occurred splitting society due to ICT and the infrastructure created as a result, these are the Digital divide and the Local divide.

Global Divide

· Gap between what people have in western society as opposed to the developing world.

· MEDC’s as opposed to LEDC’s.

· Microchip has been in the western world for many years.

· Allows computers to become smaller, and has lead to the development of PC’s (Personal Computer).

· Computers have allowed people to develop more in-depth technology to improve and simplifying their lives.

· Occurrence of digitalizing occurred within America first.

· Without this technology there are obvious disadvantages, this can be seen within the developing world.

· LEDC’s do not have the infrastructure to allow for computers to be correctly and efficiently used.

· Ranges of techniques have had to be developed to allow people of a young age to learn and develop ICT skills.

· Some places within the subcontinent computers are within a village, allowing communities to use a computer.

· Internet café’s in Eastern Europe allow user to access the internet.

· Nowadays without internet access countries cannot economically function efficiently.

· Internet today is essential to the use of countries for economic growth and development.

Local Divide

· Outreach centre breaches the divide within communities and their understanding of ICT.

· Often occurs due to economic problems and generation, the old age have no interest in ICT.

· This effect runs parallel to the global divide.

· Internet shopping has become a new phoneme.

· Without this, those without the internet lose out on these features, low prices, functionality, and delivery.

· Access to current information is more accessible within the internet and online.

· Operation of new terminals and touch screen may seem imposing to those who have never used ICT before.

· Using hardware today for those old aged, may seem difficult and imposing.

· New interfaces prevent those within local societies from interacting fully due to lack of knowledge.

· Local divide is as problematic as the global divide, however to our societies it can cause a more apparent gap, which those in western countries can see directly.

The Global Divide is the divide between the western world and MEDC’s as opposed to third world countries the LEDC’s.

The divide stretches far beyond the divide in the countries ability to produce the new digital devices. Civilians within the populations of third world countries are unaware of the benefits of ICT, and are limited in their ability to operate it subsequently. Therefore not only are skills required for the operation of ICT equipment to be profitable, sufficient infrastructure must also be in place to allow the countries to fully reap the rewards that computerisation brings.

MEDC do not have this problem of infrastructure, constant power supplies allow computerisation and all its equipment to be used at any point of the day. To this extent the use of ICT is the only problem LEDC may experience, however in recent years money has been invested into education to allow students the opportunities to be taught within the use of ICT. This enables those within society to become aware of the use of ICT and to familiarise themselves with it from an early age, making the transition of operating it simple, as they grow and there learning extends.

The Social Divide does not differ dramatically from the Global. It too creates barriers between individuals, however on a local scope, as opposed the Global degree seen before. The Social Divide is the divide created through communities within countries. This seen many within MEDC’s where the technology is already in place. Here society can be seen to have split, those cable of operating the new computerised devices and those not.

This split is due to two main factors, the divide in generations and the wealth of those within a country. Here those who have retired and no longer require technology for work, and those who cannot afford the new technology or similar are not given the opportunity to use it, can be seen to have of split from younger wealthier generations who have the ability to use the technology at their will.

Those within the economic and generational caption area gain the benefits of the new technology; however those outside this area do not. With this in mind MEDC’s have invested in education (as previously mentioned) and new schemes have been created to allow learning of new technology and integration of societies to use these new digital devices and technology.

The Social Divide therefore is the divide within communities today, and can be seen to have a parrel effect to that of the Global Divide, as both problems split communities and countries into segregated groups, with those fortunate enough to possess the new devices operating them, and those without left outdated and trying to catch up.

Civil Rights

Today in ICT the issue of civil rights has become ever more pressing. The impact of the security and privacy today is arising as an ever more controversial issue. Within Civil Rights the proposed introduction of certain policies such as the compulsory ID card scheme and similar Teen Arrive Alive GPS policy. All these issues have a variety of different views from individuals within society however, within the policies understanding of the advantages and disadvantages needs to be assessed in order to attain a balanced view on if they should, or should not be introduced.

Compulsory ID
The Compulsory ID scheme has still not been introduced; however it is the idea for the policy that all British citizens must obtain an Identification Card. The card itself will provide much more than merely the personal details of the citizen which are shown on the card. It will allow for a wealth of information to be stored on a database ranging from personal contact information and details, to medical history and even to identification tools, such as recording retinal, vocal and finger scans. However some members of the public are against the scheme and see it to be a breach of their privacy and civil rights.
The civil rights themselves are class of rights that protect the members of society, the British citizen, from unwarranted government action. As the policy of ID cards has not yet been introduced, members of the public still retain an element of privacy within their lives. With this said many fear that with information like this stored on a database, anyone at any time can dip and out of their personal details, doing as they see fit with the information at their disposal. ICT therefore has been the prime reason for this scheme being allowed to arise, and with a national database looking to be invented, one can argue that the private information of a citizen, is not something a government neither needs nor requires.

Teen Arrive Alive
Aside from the National ID scheme wishing to be emplaced, many today argue about the further infringement through Teen Arrive Alive GPS. This is an additional gadget which allows parents to monitor the actions of their children who own a car, be it their own or the families. An additional onboard device records a mass of data such as the location of the car, the speed travelling etc. However all this information is logged within the device and can be reviewed by the parent, revealing hidden information such as sudden acceleration or handbrake usage.
For some parents Teen Arrive Alive is a must have. Currently it has only been launched in America; however it is set to soon be migrating to the UK and other European countries. Some see this as just an excuse to disguise a breach of privacy and this is more than mere teenagers. Civil Rights activists argue, how long until this technology is used by government to track all cars and citizens. With Team Arrive Alive, a location update can be received every two minutes, how long until a constant live feed prohibits anyone from venturing out unknown and alerted.
Teen Arrive Alive is therefore seen to many as the beginning of the end, for all privacy seen today. It is true that the service offers benefits, however personal breaches within privacy and one’s personal life are set to be intruded and undermined.




Email & Internet Monitoring
Breaches in Civil Rights can be seen to occur today throughout all walks of life, many see that within workplaces and schools email is an error which needs to be corrected. Monitoring of email and internet use is today argued as an area of correction. The ability for employers and ISP’s (Internet Service Providers) to monitor what an employee / consumer has viewed, is again a breach of privacy. To some it is a way in which one can assure employees are staying on task, or similarly for ISP’S to reveal and view downloaded data of a client. However to some this is too much, and breaches their private life for the means of an analysis.
Monitoring what an individual does on the internet and what email they receive, is seen to many as intruding on their personal information, such as reading their post and recording what books they’ve read. It unveils a part of a consumer that should be private and away from a recorded database, for it to be accessed when seen fit. To this extent the introduction of Email and Internet monitoring breaches the rights of an individual and Civil Right activists are campaigning to stop ISP’S and Employers monitor there personal files and viewing history, be it at home or at work.

US Passports & RFID
American has come to light in recent news due to civil rights with the introduction of US Passports being intended to contain Radio Frequency Identification chips. The intention of the chips is to allow custom officials to scan the passports using special radio receivers, in doing so the official will not have to approach the passport holder. Instead they can scan the passport from nearby attaining numerous information specifying, much more about the holder than a regular passport would.
The passports themselves will contain biometric information, which will contain; Photographs, signature examples, fingerprints and much more. With all this information at the disposal of customs officials civil Rights Activists argue that it is a breach of their personal information unnecessarily being displayed via a simple radio frequency. It is not the display of information to customs officials that is the minor problem, the disposal for others to receive this information via a mere frequency is something of a concern. With this in mind information can merely be distributed an received when a passport is kept within someone’s home, therefore the information is always on access and able to be received via those who may use it for their own means and principles. The security side of this new technology is something that needs to be addressed and it is for this reason that many argue for it to be reconsidered, as they would prefer the standard passport with its simplistic nature, rather than the new digital model.

Advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages and Disadvantages of all topics covered such as; Compulsory ID Cards, Teen Arrive Alive and Internet and Email monitoring can be seen below. Although there are numerous positives this technology can quickly be used for the wrong reasons and abuse the rights it was implemented for primarily.

Advantages:
· Records of Citizens can be useful in ties of emergency, for medical records and contact numbers.
· Regulating age restrictions would be much more effective with ID cards.
· Teen Arrive Alive would allow parents to monitor their children in case of an emergency, such as being lost.
· Similar a parent can prohibit their child from driving through certain areas where accidents are common.
· Monitoring Email and Internet usage would ensure employees kept on task.
· It would be possible to cut down on piracy crime.

Disadvantages:
· ID schemes would make fraud a lot easy if cards where lost or stolen.
· ID schemes would allow for sensitive medical information to be viewable at any time.
· Teen Arrive Alive could spread to a government monitoring system.
· Teen Arrive Alive may be costly an ineffective if satellite has temporary glitch.
· E-Mail monitoring and Internet usage would mean therefore the internet may become restricted and freedom of speech within it lost.
· E-Mail monitoring may prevent some individuals from using computers and phoning or texting instead.

Crime Prevention

ICT in today’s society has affected the law enforcement agencies in a verity of manners. The introduction of ICT into crime prevention has revolutionised the way in which the police and other services operate, it has allowed for a more analytical approach to crime ensuring the offenders see justice and are commitment for their felony.

Analytical and recognition introduction are the main benefits that have arisen from the computerisation of law agencies. The benefits are today seen in all walks of life and in one way or another massively influence the way in which Police officers function. Today Communications, Recognition and Analytical areas have been incorporated due to computerisation and this can be seen in the following sub categories;

· CCTV

· Criminal Database

· TV License Database

· Finger Print Scanner

· Voice Recognition

· Tags

· Digital Speed Cameras

· Alarms

· DNA and Forensics

· Tracking

· Breathalyser

· Communication

I intend to analyse these sections to reveal their importance within the law enforcement as a whole, and how influential they have been since their introduction as crime reduction equipment.

CCTV, Close Circuit Television has massively aided in reduction of crime within the United Kingdom. Its uses allow for an operator to view an array of cameras within a location and sight possible threats within them. Close Circuit Television is linked to a digital recorder enabling the viewing of all recordings to be saved upon a disk for further analysis, if a crime has been committed.

CCTV fits into the category of Recognition and therefore as technology has advanced as a whole so has the uses of this recording equipment. Today it can be combined as facial recognition software; using information provided from the criminal database, CCTV has advanced so that today, individuals can be identified automatically, detecting a threat potentially missed by operator of the equipment. This facial recognition can be seen in use today within Airports and alerts the authorities to potential threats, that before may have gone unseen.

The criminal database itself has today been revolutionised due to computerisation through ICT. Today information and profiling of all criminals and crimes has to be entered onto the database. The movement from a paper system to a digital one, enables crimes to be viewed from any computer linked to the criminal database, due to this policing is much more efficient in information can always be accessed on suspects. With the database information entered, crimes can be viewed form officers on the force, with not only basic text, but pictures and videos uploaded as well. This aids in the CCTV approach to facial recognition as suspects can be accessed and updated automatically so they are updated within CCTV cameras networked to the database.

TV License database, again this is a database that has migrated from a paper based scheme into the digital era, the loading of information onto the database for view at any time, allows for government officials to quickly view those missing payments and deal with them subsequently. However it is not solely the TV Licensing database that has been revolutionised due to computerisation, many other databases have migrated onto the digital scheme to allow for culprits to be found and punished faster in all areas of tax, such as; car tax (road tax), income tax, and many other alike.

Finger print scanners; Security overall as a general topic is one area that has been massively improved due to computerisation, we can see this alone with the introduction of CCTV, however Finger print scanners today are used for an extra layer of protection for users who need an additional layer of protection over their documents and other files alike. Finger print scanners, work in reading the unique arrangement of the finger prints of the individual, memorizing them and from this point onwards only grant that character access to certain files and documents. This system has been incorporated onto date pens and laptops alike, therefore meaning; even if the device is stolen an external user may not access the files within. Due to this security has been bolstered upon these devices, and it is surely a feature of protection that we can see added to many new digital devices in the future.

Voice Recognition software is yet another area that has been developed and implemented into devices today. The software adds an increased layer of security and can be seen in use generally with that of the finger print scanner. The voice recognition software allows for a user to be identified due to their voice, this may not seem as complex as the finger print scanner itself, but it no doubts works as an additional security measure. The voice recognition software therefore has the same uses as the finger print scanner, in that it grants access to the specific user to files within the device and allows them to view and manipulate them after passing the test. The software can be seen in a very primitive form within that of mobile phones today in that a user merely says the name of their contact once a button has been held down and the phone dials that relating number. Both the voice recognition software and the finer print scanner aid in crime prevention as if a device is stolen it is essentially useless to the culprit as they cannot make use of it nor access its files.

Tags’, tagging today is used by the police to enforce ASBO’s. The Anti Social Behaviour Orders are enforced by that of a tag bound to the offender’s angle. The tag is monitored by a geostationary orbiting satellite monitoring their movement. The tag confines the culprit within the residence between certain hours, due to this if the curfew is broken, police units are dispatched to apprehend the individual and return them home. Tagging has reduced public spending within prison as it confines a person to house arrest, ensuring they stay within their housing. This aids in crime prevention as it allows for police to be despatched to more pressing issues rather than that of monitoring previously convicted suspects.

Digital Speed Camera’s, today speed regulation are enforced by digital speed cameras monitoring stretches of road 24/7.The cameras are used in order to enforce the speed limit and act as a deterrent to drives, forcing them to slow down , or receive fines and points on their license, which may ultimately result in it being removed. The digital speed cameras take an array of pictures of both the driver and vehicle enabling the correct driver to be convicted of the offense. Using digital speed cameras today has made road increasingly safer and has reduced the chance of drivers speeding on particular roads.

Alarms, another advancement in security and crime protection are that of alarms. Today there are arrays of new digital alarms that help to detect and alert intruders to a specific individual or the police general. Today fire alarms are linked directly to the emergency services, however alarms intended to detect and protect property or items work on the same base, however are more advanced. Alarms today sense movement and alert an individual to their presence be it by a sensor, producing light and an alarm or a more discrete silent alarm used for capturing criminals in the act. Sensors are the main development which allow for intruders to be detected due to their motion, these alarms are the most efficient in preventing crime, and can be seen on houses today in order to prevent burglars.

DNA and Forensics, within crimes themselves DNA can prove the most important asset to a case in convicting a criminal and bringing them to justice, just a small fragment of tissue is required but it is enough to tie an offender to the act and bring them to justice. DNA testing and validation can be use in order to identify suspects within a specific case if they are tied to the criminal database, or similarly its cross reference with suspects is all that is needed to identify the culprit. Overall the advance in DNA testing and validation within the law enforcement agencies allow for criminals to see justice and for the offenders to face up to their crime committed. Forensics themselves is the process in analysing the DNA, the technology itself is used by those who are directly connected to this sector, all they require is a tissue fragment possessing some DNA material and a crime can be pieced together and protect those who innocent, whilst convicting those guilty.

Tracking, this revolves around the essentials of the Tagging process, a geostationary satellite can be used to survey criminals and suspects, and however this process is with them being unaware. Satellite tracking allows for targets to be tracked by a satellite for surveillance purposes without a suspect being aware. It is important and is used mainly in high profile cases in recording the movements of criminals without their knowledge. Therefore it aids in the apprehension and conviction of culprits, in stringing together information and bring them to justice.

Breathalyzer are used today by police across the country in convicting drivers of driving whilst under the influence of alcohol. They are used by police who are intended to enforce road safety, the device itself requires the culprit to breath into it, and it delivers a digital reading analysing their breath of the alcohol within their blood. This device has enabled police to combat dangerous drivers enforcing the law and therefore making the roads safer. Computerisation due to this device is an important factor and without alcohol on the roads would be a wider problem today.

Communication in general is the final factor that has had an influential effect on reducing crime. The use of it affects many areas and is not used directly within the police forces. The use of mobile phones, mobile radio handsets and ear pieces all have aided in the communication of forces and reduction of crime. Computerisation allows for more efficient discrete devices to be used, in order to not alert a culprit of the police’s presence. Communications within the force itself allow for crimes to be alerted quicker, and units dispatched to the scene and a faster rate. Due to this it is the most important development in computerisation and crime prevention and aids in general civilian protection, due to threats and crimes being alerted at a faster rate from any location.

In conclusion the introduction of computerisation into Crime Prevention has enabled for increased levels of security and reductions in offenses. Without the developments we have today crime prevention forces would not be able to operate as efficiently as they do, and many crimes would go undetected and alerted.

Open Source software

Open source software alone is one of the most heavily downloaded items throughout the entire internet; however operating systems of these are few and far between. Ubuntu and Linux are the two main open source software’s that are operating systems ,and due to this are set to compete with the likes of apple Macintoshes operating system OS leopard and Microsoft’s Windows 7 alike.

Because of their free nature they are perfect for those who purchase computers without an operating system pre installed within the machine, and it is through these users that many of the downloads derive. Similarly many users download these systems as they are compatible with an array of hardware systems that Microsoft may not support, due to this again notebook users can be seen downloading these software’s for old models, looking too be sped up.

However the question that many ask is why if they are free do we all not save ourselves money and download them. The question relies within that of the corporate power of big companies such as Microsoft and Macintosh. Their ability to buy out software manufactures to make the upcoming products exclusive to their software or indeed both can be troublesome for the free operating systems who receive little revenue from their products, and however many see these system as being far superior offering the user a greater degree of freedom, but with limited money their software having limited popularity their chances of major success is slim. It is because of this that they may persevere however with all open source software, the problem arises in that the support is not great enough and with large scale business creating exclusive goods to work solely on their machines, we can only hope that these operating systems continue to be produces and flourish as functioning computer software operating systems.

ICT Education

ICT has affected all areas of life throughout its major introduction into the business environment. Due to this it has branched out its effectiveness into new areas of lifestyle and education has been a subsequent one.

ICT has affected education in a number of ways, not only the teacher experience but student one similarly. Its integration into today’s learning environment and prepares our students for everything that future business life encapsulates. With this in mind it is important that students learn the basic functions of a computer and how to operate them accordingly. In previous times this would not have been necessary but with computerisation affecting the job market in at least one way or another, the use of computers has to be taken ever more seriously as a students in ability to operate one, would and will in no doubt have repercussions in later life and subsequent employment.

How has computerisation and ICT affected our education today. Within a classroom there are arrays of equipment and apparatus that at first glimpse may be seen as having limiting importance, however when further analysis of this machinery and their use within the education environment comes under further study, it is apparent that there are drastic changes from previous years, to how children are taught to day as opposed to say ten years ago. The most apparent features and effects of computerisation can easily within any classroom be it within St Gregory’s or other subsequent school of today, these are;

· Smart Boards – The idea of these boards is to allow for a teacher to interact with the computer screen through a touch sensitive pad. Due to this lessons can be conducted and explained within the screen, and due to this written notes on the screen can be saved for future lessons.

· Projectors - These are linked to the smart bored itself and allow for large images of the computer screen to be projecting onto a wall, or the smart board. Due to this the view of all students has been greatly extended and it has become ever increasingly easier for interactions within lessons to be extended with all work conducting be able to be recapped, a dramatic features of that of the old white bored, considered to be outdated and limiting to today’s standards.

· Computers – The computer itself is the most apparent feature that can be seen to be present throughout each classroom. The log in of each staff member and the data and software these retain allow an increased teaching experience involving an array of software un-parrel to that of “old times” were simple bored teachings were used.

· Software – The software run throughout the computer itself has allowed for teachers to plan, and carry out lessons in a more efficient and interesting manner.

· virtual learning environment (VLE) – The most important piece of software by far throughout schools today allows for the students to track there personal progress and stay in constant contact with their teachers allowing for a more personal learning experience never before seen with teachers and learners.

These are just brief overviews of how education itself has been revolutionised, there are online websites similarly that aid the learning of a pupil, however for this essay I intend to focus more on what resides within the classroom and how that has aided and affected the teaching and learning experience of today.

Computers themselves offer an array of software alone that can be used to heighten and extend the learning experience. Mainly word processors and their variations seen within the Microsoft office series have allowed for adaptations and extension of student learning. The use of PowerPoint in creating presentations, that today slide by slide reveal information within a certain topic, are an important addition to many teachers, who find this an ever increasingly easier way to cover topics and retain the attention of students, with pictures animations and entry and exit techniques of block text itself. The use of PowerPoint today within education I believe is a crucial factor in delivering a more in-depth and extensive learning experience. The increased ability of this are the array of printing methods, that allow staff to print off the slides within their presentation with lines, in turn allowing students to annotate the slides as the teacher progresses with the presentation on display.

In order for PowerPoint learning to work effectively the use of a smart board and projector is essential. These two key components allow for display of the on screen work to a wider audience. The smart board itself acts as an additional learning aid, with teachers being able to write upon the touch sensitive board with a pen from the tray of their own finger if need be. Due to this personal teacher annotation and on screen interaction allows for points to be emphasised to a further degree and with one being able for additional understand and important points to be expressed at the time of teaching to a greater effect. The smart boards themselves have greatly enhanced the learning experience, the combination of these with a subsequent projector allows for all within a class to see clearly the work and teachings displayed by the staff, for a greater educational knowledge.

The use of the Sims system within some schools is an additional piece of software introduced to heighten the efficiency within the running of a school. The Sims system allows for teachers to see a display of their students within the class, and acts therefore as a visual digital register. However its uses progress past purely this. Heighten information such as informing a teacher upon reports and general communication with other staff members can all be done via this system. It is designed for the staff alone, allowing them to view personal information surrounding students, communicating progress through it, similarly punishments or other information to any other teachers within the school, however its main use still resides with that of an digital register, through its popularity the functionality of it has extended and in turn its subsequent use.

Software alone in the form of Sims and PowerPoint, hardware in the form of computers, projectors and smart boards have all been assessed, however how does it all interconnect? The networking of systems throughout school today is a key prospect that all have acknowledged and applied. Each student today is given a unique user name and password. From here they are able to access the networked computers within the school, giving them access to a vast array of programmes, the internet and even an email function. Due to this school today really do allow students to explore and expand on their knowledge through an array of hardware and software features that all contribute to an ever more in-depth and expansive learning experience. However the actions of the student within these computers is constantly monitored, as each computer is networked to a master server, staff in the form of ICT technicians have the ability to few the work being done by a students, making sure they are keeping on task and not misusing their time spent within the school computerised systems. This is similarly extend to that of the school blocking websites deemed to be inappropriate or not of a working nature and intern make sure the students within the school make correct use of the time they are given within the school computers.

The final extension of an overall improvement of ICT within schools that I have yet to touch on is that of the printer and photocopier. These too many teachers are essential tools in creating an effective teaching experience. The introduction of the computer today has meant many documents can be completed however the printer hardware is required in order for physical viewing of the document and distribution through the class as a result. Whilst the photocopier alone may not be connected directly to a computer it is still a massive advance in creating a machine capable of increasing a learning experience. The photocopier allows for documents to be copied and again distributed throughout a class for increased annotation and personal use. These two essential pieces of hardware can be found in any school today throughout England and in combination with that of other hardware and software have all had a contributing factor to play in the expansion and extension of a heightened learning environment and experience.

ICT Future Employment

With jobs today changing as technology advances we should look to the future and asks ourselves what jobs may be required due to the introduction of computerised systems.
Today much of our travel and transport is already controlled by computerised systems, Air travel, trains, tubes, traffic lights and in some cases even boats are all operated with a computer system at the “heart”. Similarly factory assembly, packaging and all round manufacture of items today has limiting human interaction as much is done through the use of machinery either solely or with a technician operating the functions. Switch bored that are computer based again control phone calls and their crossover to other lines, even with pre-recorded messaging trying to market and sell a consumer items.
With all this in mind we must ask ourselves how far technology can really advance to which limitless human interaction is required. I foresee in the not to near future their being a greater need for technicians, as more advanced machinery is put into production and use. However with this in mind as technology grows the need for humans in certain jobs will in no doubt decrease. We may find employees within supermarkets replaced by that of the self service checkouts, as seen within various food chains, air ports and cinemas, with ticket administer machines replacing the ticket clerk.
With more maintenance jobs being required, there will therefore be a greater need for programmers, creating software to be used on new devices as they are released and used. Programmers and Engineers are the most obvious jobs that should see a greater need for employment, as more and more business upgrade and embrace more computerised machinery. With this in mind we can believe that more jobs will be lost to due to ICT in the future, as advanced mechanised systems become ever more efficient and effective there will in no doubt be loss in generic jobs that require repetitive functions of an employee.
Due to this we can look to educate our and future generations with skills, so that in the event of their future jobs being replaced by mechanised computerised systems, they rejoin the job market with their previously learnt skills, applying them to the maintenance of computerised machinery and other employment alike.
Therefore looking to the future is an important area of education we can start to consider, with the ever adapting and growing technology market, the employment of new unforeseen jobs will intern affect our generation or the next, because of this adapting education within computerisation and ICT need to assessed so that mass employment is not seen in the future due to mechanised replacement.

Employment Opportunities

ICT has revolutionised the way in which jobs operate today. The advance in computerisation across all jobs throughout the United Kingdom and other subsequent countries has allowed processes of all kinds to be carried out and completed in a more efficient process and manor. Computerisation has introduced a mass of new jobs through the global spectrum whilst similarly it has removed them also. Today there are radical changes in the way businesses operate and the introduction of IT has been the main effect in order for the introduction of this.
Being the next generation as a culture within Britain we have grown up knowing of the advances within ICT and have been educated subsequently with it. However for those already within the job market not being aware of the advances within computerisation, job losses widespread have occurred and this can be represented with there recent Royal Mail strikes due to the cut’s in employment to a more efficient machine counter part. However it is not merely job cuts that have occurred, with the introduction of computerisation jobs themselves have been created, requiring a new skill base of ICT techniques.
There have been in recent years a mass of new employment opportunities due to the introduction of computerisation. Engineers, programmers, system analysts and skilled technicians are just a few of the jobs created due to the advances within technology and the job market. These jobs have all been provided for due to the demand of computerisation throughout business and other areas of employment not only in England but globally. This has counteracting effect as although computerised machinery may remove the need for employment within an individual task, the application of the new equipment has made new jobs available for the maintenance of the machinery, or be it through other areas of its application. There are an array of new jobs that have been created due to computerisation such as;
· Engineers - Needed to manufacture the computerised products and subsequent parts.
· Programmers – Needed to write the software for a particular computerised product.
· System Analysts – Needed to design new computerised systems altogether.
· Skilled workers – Need to 1. Operate the new computerised machinery. 2. Operate the new computerised software.
· More staff overall may be needed due to the growth of the business due to efficiency of overall operation.
The new jobs created have allowed for many to learn new important skills that can be applied not only to their jobs directly but across all computerised systems alike. The importance of this may not be apparent at first but after reassessing the need for basic ICT skills one can see that the mass computerisation ahs affected all areas of work in some way or another.
With computerisation having a major effect on all areas of work, the need for basic computer skills has become an essential. Jobs have changed radically due to the introduction of ICT into the workplace, and this has allowed for employees to see benefits throughout their work. Computerisation has been seen to be a massive advance in the way businesses operate, and it has particularly improved the efficiency in the way in which one operates. Because of this employees can see changes in within their jobs over the past years due to;
· Reduced working hours – This may have come into effect as the efficiency of businesses has rapidly improved with the introduction of advanced computerised systems.
· The need for new skills – With all the new technology available, employees need to be trained in order to operate it effectively.
· Changes in skill level - Although a level of training is required, jobs that may have required a high level of skill may now be replaced by someone capable of operating a piece of simple machinery.
· Education – Advances in home education have provided students with the ability to gain qualifications from their own home.
· Communication – This has allowed for employees to access and work from either home or areas where before they would not have been able too.
· Increased efficiency – This has allowed for employees to produce more work increasing pay and rewards of that individual.
As we can clearly see the introduction of ICT has allowed for many new jobs to be created and completed by those who normally would not have been able. With this in mind we can see the computerisation of England and the UK a successful venture with benefits seen in other countries alike. The benefits it brings provide many businesses with the drive to aspire and expand with machines doing much of the work at an increased rate incapable to that of a regular human being.
ICT has similarly however reduced the need for many jobs as computer based machines have replaced those who would normally be employed to carry out the task. Jobs have been lost across the country and the effects of these can be seen due to the recent Royal Mail strikes occurring within England at present. Computerisation due to this does have a negative effect, its ability to carry out tasks more efficiently then an employee and its low maintenance costs mean job cuts can be seen throughout business. This can be due to;
· Skilled jobs – Those usually requiring many skilled engineers can now be carried out by one technician operating an array of computerised machinery.
· Data jobs – Jobs required for monitoring can now be replaced with sensory nodes which today provide the data logging rather than an employee.
· Quality Control – The sampling of products can now similarly be done by a machine removing the need again for employment.
· Loading and sorting – Today can be carried out by a machine and can be seen as a severe negative effect, due to the Royal Mail strikes.
· Typists – Today replaced by an individual capable of operating wood processing software.
· Organization clerks – Today can the work can be simply operate by that of a data based scheme.
· Telephone exchange –Today can be operated by computerised connection schemes.
· Car park – Attendance and payment can now be operated with a machine.
· Online shopping – This has meant masses of retail has moved online for reduced costs and larger profit margins, as no shop need be rented or purchased for item sales.
· Stock control – Today has been replaced by systems and the introduction of the bar code reader.
· ATM machines – Money today is withdrawn using a machine again rather than a clerk.
ICT and computerisation has rapidly changed the workplace, removing jobs, however subsequently creating them. Computerisation therefore has had massive benefits for society and created downturns. However with the next generation growing and learning to use ICT from an early age, the need for future training will be reduced and this can only be a good thing for reducing time in education and out of earning within a workplace.