Computers in our life

Петрозаводск 2014

Computers have become an integral part of our life and have a wide sphere of application.

People use computers to play all kinds of computer games: chess, adventure games, simulation games, etc. Fortunately, entertainment software means more than just computer games. There are specialized programmes (American English: programs) for downloading, composing and playing music. PCs can combine sound, text and animated images and allow users to make video clips, watch DVDs and TV, and listen to the radio. Multimedia applications allow users to produce slide shows, retouch photographs, etc. Optical discs make encyclopedias and books available on computer.

Students can use computers to help with their studies by accessing the Internet and surfing the Web. A PC can also be used for enrolling online, doing exercises online and preparing presentations, as well as writing documents.

Secretaries use computers to do the usual office things, like writing memos, letters, faxes and emails.

Librarians can make use of computers when cataloguing and classifying all the materials received in the library, and recording all the books, newspapers, DVDs (digital video disks), etc. that users borrow. Online databases and CD-ROMs provide library patrons with a wealth of materials and help them to find some specific information according to their enquiries either in an online library catalogue or on the Internet. Printing and fax machines as part of computer technology provide library services at the state-of-the-art level.

Composers write music with the help of computers. First, they record, or store, what they play on the keyboard. Secondly, the computer controls the sounds with the different synthesizers. Thus the computer is the link between the keyboard, which composers play, and the synthesizers, which produce the sounds.

Computers are used to design and build racing cars and test virtual models. Computers help engineers to design the car body and the mechanical parts. During races, a lot of microprocessors control the electronic components of the car and monitor the engine speed, temperature and other vital information.

In factories and industrial processes computers are used to control machinery, robots, production lines, lists of products, etc. By using computer-aided manufacturing software, engineers can simulate and test designs before parts are actually produced.

Electrical engineers use computers to design electrical installations and lighting systems. For example, a programme will tell you how much lighting you need for a particular room, or how much cable you need, and it'll show where the cable should go. With the help of the computer it is easier to make drawings and keep records about the installations and their testing.

Sources of information:

1. S. R. Esteras. Infotech English for Computer Users, 4^th edition (Student’s book, Teacher’s book, Workbook + audio) – Cambridge University Press, 2009. – 168pp.

2. S. R. Esteras, E. M. Fabre. Professional English in use: ICT – Cambridge

University Press, 2007. – 117 pp.

Vocabulary:

1) an integral part of… – неотъемлемая часть …

2) application – применение, приложение; sphere of application – сфера применения

3) animated images – анимированныe (созданные средствами мультипликации) изображения

4) an optical disc – оптический диск (pay attention to the spelling: disC for optical media but disK for a magnetic storage device – hard disk)

5) a DVD – a Digital Video Disc, or Digital Versatile Disc – цифровой видеодиск

6) a CD – a compact disc – компакт-диск

7) to access the Internet/to have access to the Internet – иметь доступ в Интернет

8) to surf the Web – переходить с одного сайта на другой, искать информацию в сети Интернет

9) a database – база данных

10) on the Internet – в Интернете

11) state-of-the-art – современный

12) to monitor – отслеживать, контролировать

13) a production line – производственная линия

14) computer-aided – выполняемый с использованием компьютера, автоматизированный

15) an installation – установка, оборудование

16) to keep records – вести учет

Exercises:

I. Complete the collocations:

1. a slide a) records

2. electrical b) part

3. keep c) manufacturing software

4. a production d) line

5. computer-aided e) show

6. an integral f) installations

II. Complete the sentences with correct word from the box:

animated (PII) slide (n.) entertainment (n.) surfing (ger.) controls (v.) retouch (v.) make (v.) software (n.) access (v.)

1. The computer ___________ the sound with the different synthesizers.

2. The students can easily __________the Internet from any place around the campus.

3. ___________ software is not just playing games, there are also special programmes for downloading, composing and playing music.

4. Graphics designers can combine sound, text and ________ images to make video clips.

5. With the help of multimedia applications users can _________ photographs and produce ________ shows.

6. _________ the Web means moving from one site to another in search of the information needed.

7. Librarians _________ use of computers when cataloguing books, arranging library collections, keeping track of the new acquisitions.

8. In factories computer-aided manufacturing ____________ is used to simulate and test designs before anything is actually produced.

III. Match the two halves of the sentences:

1. Electrical engineers use computers to_____

2. In factories and industrial processes computers are used to_____

3. Computers can combine sound, text and animated images and allow users to______

4. Secretaries use computers to_____

5. Students can use computers to_____

6. During races, a lot of microprocessors are used to_____

a) control the electronic components of the car and monitor the engine speed, temperature and other vital information.

b) make video clips, watch DVDs and TV, and listen to the radio.

c) control machinery, robots, production lines, lists of products.

d) design electrical installations and lighting systems.

e) enroll for courses online, do exercises online, prepare presentations and writing documents.

f) do the usual office things, like writing memos, letters, faxes and emails.

IV. Word building. Complete the table:

Noun	Verb	Adjective or Participles	Adverb
	computerize		-
			informatively
production			-
		designed	-
effect

V. Answer the following questions:

1. How did you use computers at school?

2. How do you use computers and computer technologies at the University?

3. What spheres of computer application (other than mentioned in the text) can you think of?

4. What are the latest technological advances that amazed you?

5. What do you think is the future of computer technologies?

2. Computers in the digital age: are they our friends or foes?

The present age is very aptly called “the age of science and technology”. The invention of the computer is a milestone in scientific achievements. It was one of the most important events in human history of the twentieth century. It has added to the development and improvement of the effectiveness and accuracy of all the scientific machines of the present world. It has helped in bringing the distance closer with respect to information and development taking place all around the globe.

Computers are electronic devices for storing and processing data, making calculations or controlling machines. They can process data at a very high speed with remarkable accuracy, perform all arithmetic and logical functions to solve any problem and produce processed information. Computers give opportunities to millions of people to keep in touch, while being in different parts of the world. Today people drive computerized cars, work for employers from other countries even without seeing them. Computer programmes enable artists to create realistic images; musicians can produce multiple voice composition and playback music with hundreds of variations. Computers are widely used in laboratories to do research and in factories to manage industrial processes, control assembly lines, keep records of stock etc. Thanks to the computer modern medicine can diagnose diseases faster and more thoroughly. In banking system computers have become irreplaceable: they control ATMs (ATM stands for Automatic Teller Machine), dispense money to clients by the use of a pin-protected card, carry out financial transactions at high speed, keep track of cash flows and store data on hard disks. Furthermore, architects, designers and engineers rely on computers in their work. Computers are everywhere and we depend on them even in such field as criminology. They help police to solve crimes and interpret evidence. Moreover, computers are wide-spread in education. They store enormous amounts of data and help students to gain information on any subject. Thanks to special teaching techniques and programmes they improve our skills of concentrating and learning. They have become so popular that not knowing how to use them means to be illiterate.

We should also mention the Internet. The Internet has enabled entirely new forms of social interaction and activities thanks to its basic features such as widespread usability and access. Social networking websites such as Facebook, Twitter, Odnoklassniki, V kontakte and others have created new ways of socializing and interacting. Users of these sites are able to get connected with each other and add a wide variety of information to their accounts. It is also possible to find acquaintances. Sites like LinkedIn foster commercial and business connections. YouTube specializes in users' videos and photographs.

There are also negative sides of the progress in computer technologies. Our society has developed technological dependence so if computers are down our way of life breaks down too. Computers produce electronic waste because their components are not biodegradable and have to be recycled. Computer addiction has become a serious psychological disorder in young people. The access to the computer and the Internet should be controlled for children. There is no harm if they play games or chat with their friends online, but searching for their homework on the Internet to find ready answers instead of coping with the task using their knowledge or information in textbooks has negative influence on their progress in studies. Excessive use of computers can do harm to people’s health. Those who spend a lot of time in front of the computerscreens suffer from scoliosis, problems with their eyes and lack of physical activity.

In the first decade of the 21st century the first generation is raised with widespread availability of the Internet connectivity, bringing consequences and concerns in areas such as personal privacy and identity, and distribution of copyrighted materials.

If you want to benefit from computers and information technologies without harm to your health and activities, you need to learn to use them wisely.

Sources of information:

1. S. R. Esteras. Infotech English for Computer Users, 4^th edition (Student’s book, Teacher’s book, Workbook + audio) – Cambridge University Press, 2009. – 168pp.

2. S. R. Esteras, E. M. Fabre. Professional English in use: ICT – Cambridge University Press, 2007. – 117 pp.

3. The Role of Computers in Modern Life [Электронный ресурс]. – Режим доступа: http://www.computerimportance.com/indexb0b7.html?cat=6 – Загл. с экрана.

4. Computers in modern life [Электронный ресурс]. – Режим доступа: http://www.indyarocks.com/blog/190255/IMPORTANCE-OF-COMPUTER-IN-MODERN-LIFE – Загл. с экрана.

Vocabulary:

1) a milestone – этап, рубеж, веха

2) to process data - обрабатывать данные

3) accuracy – точность

4) to keep in touch – быть на связи

5) multiple voice – многоголосый

6) an assembly line - сборочная линия

7) irreplaceable – незаменимый

8) an ATM – Automatic Teller Machine – банкомат (synonyms: cash dispenser, cash dispensing machine, cash point)

9) a flow – поток

10) to store data on a hard disk – хранить данные на жестком диске

11) illiterate – безграмотный

12) to enable – давать возможность, делать возможным

13) an interaction – взаимодействие

14) a social network – социальная сеть

15) a user’s personal account – персональная страница пользователя

16) to add photos to one’s personal account – добавить фотографии на персональную страницу

17) to foster – способствовать, содействовать, продвигать

18) to specialize in – специализироваться на…

19) to develop technological dependence – попасть в технологическую зависимость

20) electronic waste – электронный мусор

21) biodegradable – разлагаемый микроорганизмами (о пластмассах)

22) to recycle – перерабатывать

23) computer addiction – компьютерная зависимость

24) to have a negative influence on …– иметь негативное влияние на…

25) excessive – чрезмерный

26) a concern – проблема, вопрос, обеспокоенность

Exercises:

I. Complete the collocations:

1. scientific a) accuracy

2. to process b) transactions

3. an industrial c) achievements

4. remarkable d) information

5. financial e) disk

6. hard f) process

II. Choose the right answer and complete the sentences:

1. The invention of the computer is a ____________ in scientific achievements.

a) progress b) milestone c) success

2. Computers enable people to ____________ with each other while being miles away from each other.

a) keep in touch b) relate c) interfere

3. Sophisticated computer technologies have _____________ to the development and improvement of the scientific machines of the present world.

a) introduced b) input c) added

4. Computers are widely used in laboratories _________research and in factories to manage industrial processes, control assembly lines, keep records of stock etc.

a) to affect b) to do c) to make

5. In banking system computers control ATMs, dispense money to clients, carry out financial transactions ______high speed, keep track of cash flows and store data on hard disks.

a) at b) under c) on

6. We depend ________ computers in such field as criminology.

a) over b) off c) on

7. The Internet has enabled __________ new forms of social interaction and activities thanks to its basic features such as widespread usability and access.

a) exactly b) almost c) entirely

8. There are sites for business people, like LinkedIn, which help to __________ commercial and business connections.

a) incorporate b) foster c) progress

III. Word building. Complete the table:

Noun	Verb	Adjective or participles	Adverb
		depending	-
			educationally
	store		-
excess	-
	influence		-

IV. Complete the sentences with a correct derivative of the word given in brackets:

1. Thanks to special ______________(education) techniques and programmes students can improve their skills of concentrating and learning.

2. Finding ready answers to the assigned tasks on the Internet instead of copying with them using your knowledge or information in textbooks has a negative _____________(influence) on your progress in studies.

3. What is the ______________ (store) capacity of your hard disk?

4. Our society has developed technological ______________(depend) which means we rely on computers a lot nowadays.

5. ____________(excess) use of computers can result in scoliosis, eye strain and lack of physical activity.

V. Explain the following concepts in English:

1. A social networking site –________________________________

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

2. Computerized cars – ____________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Computer addiction – ____________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Дата добавления: 2014-10-31