What is the technological revolution?
Have you ever wondered what it would be like without your games console, tablet or mobile phone? Can you imagine trying to do research for your homework without the internet?
We use different types of technology every day - at home, in school and everywhere in between. It feels like anything can be done online, from shopping for food to playing with friends.
It wasn’t all that long ago that people didn't have these incredible technologies. It’s very likely that your parents and teachers are some of these people. They had to read books to do their homework, go to the shops to buy their food and meet up in the park to play with their friends.
Video - Technological revolution
We think nothing of going shopping, gaming, or ordering a pizza, all from the comfort of our own… pyjamas. Technology and the internet have changed the world more or less overnight. You might say the change has been revolutionary. You can find anything you could ever want to know just by clicking, swiping or using your voice - making online learning a breeze.
But the technological revolution doesn’t just affect the digital world. It’s had a massive effect on the real world too. You know, that big place outside your window. Technology has brought us all closer together. Online, you’re just as likely to get chatting to someone from Abu Dhabi as Aberystwyth. It’s created all sorts of new jobs - like designing games, inventing apps and interactive software or influencing people through online platforms.
Having a fast broadband connection is important to businesses and homes. You can now own n00bs online… in between mucking out the pigsty. But it’s not all good news. Online shopping means that high streets around the country are facing an uncertain future, with shops struggling to compete against the huge superstores on the internet. There are around 60 metals in the average smartphone - some of them mined in the world’s poorest countries.
Being online a lot and using too much of your mobile phone can cause problems. It can make it hard to concentrate on other things, and difficult to go to sleep. Sometimes it can make some people sad. The benefits of technology are all around us. But the problems it causes are a little harder to spot.
So, the next time you see a smart device - your tablet, mobile phone, or games console - have a think where it comes from, how it might affect you, and the world around you. And if you could put some clothes on while you do so, that’d be grand.
The internet
The internet is made of computers around the world that are connected to each other. It has changed the way we do many things and we use it every day in all aspects of our lives.
When we use websites and some apps, we are using the internet to do things such as discovering information, getting in touch with people, shopping and playing games.
Communication
The internet and mobile phones have changed the way we communicate with each other. Before we had them, people had to use the phones in their houses or the ones in kiosks in the street. They had to send letters or postcards if they wanted to write to each other.
Today it is much easier because so many people have computers, tablets and mobile phones. These can be used to send and receive e-mails and instant messages using different apps. You can take a photograph or film a video and send it to the other side of the world in seconds.
Social media
Social media websites have become one of the most popular ways to communicate. Millions of people around the globe enjoy using them to share videos and photos, chat with friends and even play games against each other.
But there are bad things about social media too. Two of the disadvantages are that spending too much time on them can be harmful, and that they give cyber-bullies the chance to be nasty to people.
Entertainment
The ways that we listen to music and watch television have changed too. You don't need to go to the shops to buy CDs or DVDs if you don't want to. You can stream music, films and television programmes over the internet without even having to leave your sofa.
Did you know?
- The first email was sent in 1971, from one computer to another one in the same room.
- The first mobile phone call was made in 1973, using a phone that weighed around 1.1 kg – that's a bit heavier than the mobile phones of today.
- The first ever website which went live in 1991 was created by Tim Berners-Lee, the man who invented the world wide web in 1989.
Advantages of technology
- You can use your computer, tablet or phone to research and find information on the internet to help with your learning.
- Online shopping is very convenient - you can buy almost anything from the comfort of your own home.
- You can stay connected with all of your friends and family, even if you live far away.
- It allows you to play games with your friends and people from around the world.
Disadvantages of technology
- Online cyber-bullying or trolling can cause distress.
- Too much screen time can harm your eyes and affect the quality of your sleep.
- Hackers and criminals can attempt to trick people online, to steal personal information and even money.
Activities
1. Advantages and disadvantages of technology
Is technology good or bad?
Below are a series of sentences that are either advantages or disadvantages of technology. Read each statement carefully, before placing them in the correct column in the table.
I spent too much time looking at screens and now my eyes hurt, and I have trouble sleeping.
I can speak to family and friends from a distance.
When I’m playing games online, sometimes other children call me names.
I don’t go out to play as much as I used to – I don’t do as much exercise as I should.
I use the internet to help with my homework, it’s really useful when trying to find interesting facts about anything.
I’m often distracted by playing computer games, rather than concentrating on my school work.
I have so much fun playing different online games with my friends.
I always text my friends, but I don’t make the time to speak to them face to face.
Hackers and criminals stole personal information from my social media accounts.
I buy all of my shopping from the comfort of my own living room.
Using emails when working is so much easier and quicker than sending a letter.
Developments in medical technology helped me recover when I had to go to hospital.
| Advantages of technology | Disadvantages of technology | |
|---|---|---|
| Advantages of technology | Disadvantages of technology | |
|---|---|---|
| I can speak to family and friends from a distance. | I spent too much time looking at screens and now my eyes hurt, and I have trouble sleeping. | |
| I use the internet to help with my homework, it’s really useful when trying to find interesting facts about anything. | When I’m playing games online, sometimes other children call me names. | |
| I have so much fun playing different online games with my friends. | I don’t go out to play as much as I used to – I don’t do as much exercise as I should. | |
| I buy all of my shopping from the comfort of my own living room. | I’m often distracted by playing computer games, rather than concentrating on my school work. | |
| Using emails when working is so much easier and quicker than sending a letter. | I always text my friends, but I don’t make the time to speak to them face to face. | |
| Developments in medical technology helped me recover when I had to go to hospital. | Hackers and criminals stole personal information from my social media accounts. |
2. Written task or oracy debate
'Humans rely too much on technology’. Discuss.
- Write about your opinion on the statement: ‘Humans rely too much on technology’.
- Consider both sides of the argument. Some people will agree and some will disagree with the statement. You should think about the advantages and disadvantages of technology before deciding on your own opinion.
- Use information and facts to support your opinion. Carry out your own research to find other interesting facts about how we use technology.
- Write about your own experiences of using technology. Do you or members of your family rely too much on technology? How is it helpful? Can it be dangerous?
- Try to include appropriate language when expressing your opinion. Use these sentence openers:
- In my opinion …
- I believe …
- I feel as though …
- It is my belief that …
- I must agree / disagree …
3. Quiz - Technological revolution
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