UNIT III.
LATEST TRENDS AND ISSUES IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
10 Hours
INTRODUCTION
Advances in information technology offer unprecedented opportunities as well as new challenges
in the international exchange of scientific data. Rapid improvements have led to ever greater computational
speed, communication bandwidth, and storage capacity at costs within reach of even small—scale users—
a trend that appears likely to continue well into the future. Moreover, technical advances in satellites,
sensors, robotics, and fiber-optic and wireless telecommunications are extending the range of technologies
affecting the acquisition, refinement, analysis, transmission, and sharing of scientific data.
In this module, you will examine some of the concerns that rapid changes and growing reliance on
information technology have raised with respect to the exchange of scientific data.
TOPIC 3.1 ISSUES AND TRENDS IN ICT
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of the session, you will be able to:
1. Discourse the different emerging trends and issues in ICT;
2. Explain the status of current trends and issues in ICT;
3. Definite realization on the issues and trends in ICT;
ACTIVATING PRIOR LEARNING
From the image below, identify specific actions that must be taken to ensure the safety your data.
PRESENTATION OF CONTENT
SOCIAL ISSUES IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
The growth in the availability of affordable computing technology has caused a number of
major shifts in the way that society operates. The majority of these have been for the better,
with home computers and the internet providing unlimited access to all of the information ever
created and discovered by humanity.
There are, however, some less positive social issues generated as a direct result of technological
advances. In the interests of balance, it is important to analyze these and assess the severity of
their impact so that steps can be taken to better understand and combat the negative effects.
Communication Breakdown
Socializing within a family unit
has always been important, as it
strengthens the bonds between us and
ensures cohesion within the group. But
with more and more households
owning several computers and
numerous portable devices granting
access
to
information
and
entertainment, some argue that this is
leading to a lack of family
communication.
If each member is engrossed in their laptop, smartphone or tablet each evening, even communal
things like watching television are compromised. Meanwhile, you can see whole families who are
out to dinner and still staring into a touchscreen rather than talking to one another.
And if you’re the one driving to that family dinner and texting while driving, you’re a distracted
driver, increasing your risk of crashing, and potentially causing death and injury.
Increase your digital wellbeing by allowing technology to improve your life and not to become a
distraction to your life and others. Your life and others are more important than technology.
Defamation of Character
The only means of getting in touch with major corporations or famous people in the public eye
prior to the advent of digital
communication was via a stiffly
written letter. This was, of course,
accessible only to the intended
recipient and thus a very private way
for the disgruntled to vent their
spleen. But first message boards and
now social media services like
Facebook and Twitter are being used
to defame people and businesses in an
intrinsically public manner.
This has led to arrests, lawsuits and the threat of placing stricter controls over what can and cannot
be posted to such services. It has also caused heartache and woe for many individuals, helping to
perpetuate a massive, international rumor mill which pays little heed to facts or the threat of legal
action.
Identity Theft
Fraud is another spurious activity that has been able to
evolve in the wake of easily accessible computers and the
internet.
Perhaps most problematic and prevalent of the various
fraudulent activities is identity theft, in which personal
details of innocent people are harvested by a third party
so that they can be used for malicious purposes. This
includes carrying out illicit online transactions and other
damaging activities that can have serious ramifications.
Cyber Bullying
As with the defamation of public figures, the internet and computers have also made it easier for
spiteful people to attack people they know personally as
well as perfect strangers via the anonymous platforms that
are available to them.
This has led to serious incidents of cyber bullying
involving both children and adults, sometimes with tragic
consequences. The problem with these techniques is that
they tend to go under the radar to an even greater degree
than traditional bullying, which makes it harder to detect and correct.
Gaming Addiction
Whilst computers and the internet have made it easier for gambling addicts to get their fix, a new
type of addiction has also arisen, in the form of
addiction to videogames. This is something that can
impact people of all ages and leads inevitably to a
number of problems, from the social to the financial.
Professionals are beginning to take gaming addiction
seriously and combat it in the same way as other
diseases.
Privacy
Whilst high profile cases of online identity theft and fraud should have caused people to become
more careful about how they use their personal
information, issues of privacy and a lack of
appreciation for the risks are still widespread.
This extends beyond simply giving away private
data via chat rooms, message boards and ecommerce sites and extends into the compromising
world of social media.
Employers are now combing Facebook and Twitter
to effectively do background checks on potential
employees, paying particular attention to those that
have not chosen to use privacy settings to prevent
anyone from getting a look at their details.
Education
The educational properties of computers are well known
and universally lauded, but having all the information in
existence on tap has its own issues.
In particular, the practice of plagiarism has become a major
problem, as students can simply copy and paste whole
chunks of text from online sources without attributing the
work to anyone else. This has become the bane of
educational institutions, which tend to come down hard on
detected plagiarists in order to discourage similar activities
from others.
Terrorism & Crime
Computers have been a
positive
force
in
allowing for the creation
of global movements
and righteous activism
in a number of forms.
However, the other side
of the coin is that
terrorists and organized
criminals also exploit
the web for their own
nefarious purposes.
Businesses,
governments
and
individuals are all at risk
of cyber-attack and the
perpetrators can often
act anonymously from a country with no extradition agreements.
EMERGING TRENDS IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FOR 2020
Technology is an ever-changing playing field and those wanting to remain at the helm of
innovation have to adapt. The consumer journey is charting a new course and customers and
companies alike are embracing emerging technologies. As the IT industry trends such as cloud
computing and SaaS become more pervasive, the world will look to brands who can deliver with
accuracy and real-time efficiency.
To help meet the demands of a technology-enabled consumer base, businesses and solution
providers must also turn toward the latest trends and possibilities provided by emerging
innovations to realize their full potential. But, where to begin?
These are the emerging trends businesses need to keep their eyes on in 2020.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)
Computers may have changed the way we work,
play, interact with each other, go to war, or pretty
much any other aspect of life, but traditional
computers haven’t really been that smart. For
example, for a computer to complete the simple task
of finding cat photos in an image search, you would
first have to teach the computer what a cat is, by
giving it lots of pictures with cats in, so that it could
recognize
similar
pictures.
Now,
artificial
intelligence (AI) has advanced to such a level that
computers are capable of teaching themselves what a
cat is – and other, slightly more valuable, activities.
In fact, systems such as IBM’s cognitive computing
platform Watson can carry out an ever-growing
range of tasks without being taught how to do them.
Computers now have the ability to learn, in much the same way as a human brain does, and this
has been fueled by the massive increase in data and computing power. Quite simply, AI would be
nothing without data. Even though AI technologies have existed for several decades, it’s the
incredible explosion in data that has allowed it to advance so quickly over the last couple of years.
Siri, for example, would have only a rudimentary understanding of our requests without the
billions of hours of audio data that helped it learn our language. Therefore, it’s the masses of data
that we have available that accelerates an AI system’s learning curve. The more data is having, the
more it learns and, ultimately, the more accurate it becomes. What all this means in practice is that
AI is helping computers undertake more and more human tasks. Thanks to AI, computers can see
(think of Facebook’s facial recognition software), read (for example, analyzing Tweets both for
content and sentiment), listen (‘Alexa, what’s the capital of Philippines?’), speak (‘The capital of
Philippines is Manila’) and gauge our emotions (affective computing – more on this later). In this
chapter we explore how AI works and how this trend will be massively influential in our world.
What exactly is AI?
AI can be defined as using computers to simulate the capacity for abstract, creative, deductive
thought – particularly the ability to learn. Therefore, at the core of AI lies a vision of building
machines that are capable of thinking like us humans.
Introducing machine learning and deep learning
The terms ‘AI’, ‘machine learning’ and ‘deep learning’ are often used interchangeably, and I use
them interchangeably for ease in this chapter. However, they’re not quite the same thing. In fact,
it’s machine learning and
deep learning that allows
machines to learn for
themselves.
Essentially
machine
learning is a subset of AI
– or rather, it’s the very
cutting edge of AI. If AI
is the broader concept of
machines
becoming
intelligent,
machine
learning is a specific
application
of
that
concept,
whereby
machines solve specific real-world problems by processing data via neural networks that mimic
how a human brain functions.
Now, we’ve progressed from machine learning into deep learning. Deep learning focuses even
more narrowly on a subset of machine learning tools and techniques. Remember I said machine
learning is the cutting edge of AI? Well, deep learning is the cutting edge of the cutting edge.
Deep learning is essentially machine learning that uses deep neural networks, built by layering
many neural networks on top of one another. Data is passed along networks of nodes, through a
tangled web of algorithms, and these networks adapt according to whatever data they are
processing as moves from node to node. This way, the neural networks can more efficiently
process the next bit of data that comes along, based on the data that came before it – thus enabling
a more complex simulation of human learning. This ability to ‘learn’ from data and the ability of
a system to effectively teach itself is what makes deep learning so powerful.
How AI and machine learning is being used in practice
As machines become increasingly smarter, they’re able to perform tasks that were previously the
domain of us humans. This has led to many predictions of humans losing their jobs to robots. We’ll
get to that in the next chapter. For now, let’s look at some of the amazing things AI is capable of.
AI in healthcare
Healthcare has become a key industry for AI
and machine learning. Not only have major
players such as IBM and Microsoft jumped
into their own AI healthcare projects, but
several start-ups and smaller organizations
have begun their own efforts to create tools
to aid healthcare.
Much of the AI work done thus far in
healthcare is
focused on disease
identification and diagnosis. From Sophia
Genetics, which is using AI to diagnose
illnesses, to smart phone apps that can determine a concussion and monitor other concerns such as
jaundice in newborns, disease and health monitoring is at the forefront of machine learning efforts.
And machines are now learning how to read CT scans and other imaging diagnostic tests to identify
abnormalities.
All this is possible because computers and the algorithms they run can work through colossal
amounts of data – much faster and more accurately than human scientists or medical professionals
– to unearth patterns and predictions to enhance disease diagnosis.
AI is transforming data-heavy industries like insurance. Because machines can process lots of data
at a fast speed, they can uncover insights and patterns much more quickly and accurately than
humans. For example, chatbots, which are driven by AI technology, are being used in messaging
apps to help resolve claims and answer simple customer service queries.
AI is also being used to identify possible fraudulent claims, based on patterns from other fraudulent
claims, and highlight fishy cases for further investigation by a human.
Natural language processing and natural language generation
Natural language processing (where computers understand human speech) and natural language
generation (where computers generate speech) are particularly interesting subsets of AI. This is
what enables Alexa to understand your five-year-old when he or she asks to hear their new favorite
song for the 50th time that day, and enables Alexa to talk back.
Natural language generation (NLG) is where the really exciting stuff is happening – such as news
stories being written by computers. In the US, the Associated Press is already publishing corporate
earnings stories that are written by NLG engines. The Washington Post has Heliograph, a
journalistic bot that generates automated content with an impressively strong editorial voice. And
in the UK, news agency Press Association is using an automated chatbot-driven platform to write
as many as 30,000 local news stories each month.
Empathetic machines
‘Affective computing’ is another exciting area
of AI, which involves machines being able to
read our emotions and adjust their behavior
accordingly – effectively making them
emotionally intelligent. Programs are being
developed that can analyze facial expressions,
posture, gestures, tone of voice, speech, and
other factors to register changes in a user’s
emotional state. AI developer Affectiva’s
Emotion AI technology, for instance, is
already being used by 1,400 brands to judge
the emotional effect of adverts on viewers.
What this trend means for you
AI technology may seem beyond the reach of the average business, but platforms like IBM’s
Watson are opening up AI and machine learning to a much wider audience. In fact, there are many
start-ups who are applying this technology to a wide range of industries and applications. They
partnered with news automation specialists Urbs Media. Whatever industry you’re in, it’s likely
that AI will have some impact in the coming years. While there are genuine concerns around what
this may mean for people’s jobs, it’s important to keep an open mind about the incredible
opportunities AI brings.
3D PRINTING IS CHANGING THE WAY WE PRODUCE THINGS
Huge, smart factories and intelligent machines are one side of automation. The other side is a lot
humbler. I’m talking about the 3D printer. This one invention is disrupting manufacturing, and
other industries, in many positive ways. In pharma, for example, the first 3D printed drug was
approved by the FDA in 2015.25 Human tissue has also been successfully recreated with 3D
printing.
As 3D printing technology improves, the scope of applications will extend to many more
industries. For example, even if a traditional manufacturing assembly line isn’t replaced with 3D
printers, the technology could still be used to quickly print and replace spare parts for machinery.
Inventors will be able to create models and mockups of their ideas quickly and easily. Outside the
world of work, 3D printing could alter many aspects of everyday life – from the products we buy
(maybe even make ourselves at home), to the houses we live in, to the food we eat. Even chocolate
is being manufactured with 3D printing technology. That’s right, printers exist that can print
chocolate.
Before you run off to buy one of these incredible chocolate-printing gadgets, let’s take a look at
what 3D printing involves, and explore some of the fascinating ways 3D printing technology is
being applied.
What is 3d printing and how does it work?
3D printing (also known as additive manufacturing) is a means of creating 3D objects from a
digital file using an additive process. It’s the opposite of traditional (subtractive) manufacturing,
whereby an object is cut out or hollowed out
of its material, e.g. plastic or metal, using a
cutting tool or something like a milling
machine. In 3D printing, the object is created
by laying down, or adding, layers upon layers
of material, building up until you have the
finished object. Slice that object open, and
you’d be able to see each of these thin layers,
much like the rings of a tree trunk.
This innovative layering approach means that
far more complex shapes can be created than
in traditional manufacturing – and using less
material, too. The materials used in 3D
printing can be pretty much anything: plastic,
metal, concrete, liquid, powder, even
chocolate or human tissue.
How 3D printing will change manufacturing
3D printers don’t cut out, drill or mill a product from its source material. Instead, they start from
nothing and build up the product from there. This means 3D printing uses far less material than
traditional manufacturing methods, and it means that one-off items can be made quickly and easily,
without needing to worry about economies of scale. Not only is this better for our environment, it
will also lead to significant cost savings for manufacturers. And those costs can extend to
infrastructure costs as well as materials.
What this trend means for you
If your business involves manufacturing products or components of any kind, you’d do well to
consider how 3D printing could enhance your operations. While it’s fair to say that 3D printing is
a long way from being ubiquitous, examples like Adidas and GE show us how the technology is
advancing to a point where it can challenge traditional methods of mass production.
Of course, people thought that print-on-demand would put bookshops out of business, and that
hadn’t been the case. So perhaps 3D printing will remain a specialist process. This is one trend
where time will tell. But, what’s particularly exciting about 3D printing is the opportunities it
offers for customization of products and designs to suit one-off requests and orders.
In this age of online platforms anticipating our every wish, and making personalized
recommendations on what we might like to buy, read, watch or listen to next, consumers are getting
very used to highly personalized services. Businesses like Amazon and Netflix have done
extremely well for themselves by figuring out exactly what their customers want, and then giving
it to them. 3D printing provides yet more scope for personalization and customization, and I think
that might be the key to its success.
THE FUTURE IS ALREADY HERE: VIRTUAL REALITY (VR) AND AUGMENTED
REALITY (AR)
VR and AR represent the next huge leap in
interface innovation. More than just sci-fi,
VR and AR are already finding very real
applications in our world, and are likely to
change the way we interact with technology.
But what is VR exactly? And how does AR
differ? In a nutshell, the term VR refers to the
use of computer technology to fully immerse
the user in a simulated 3D environment, to
the extent that the user feels like they are physically in that environment. AR, on the other hand,
is rooted very much in the real world, not a simulated environment. With AR,
information or objects are overlaid onto what the user is seeing in the real world. Both technologies
typically work using special headsets or glasses, like Oculus Rift or Google Glass, but apps are
available to offer VR and AR experiences through a smart phone (Google Cardboard being one
example).
How brands are already tapping into VR technology
There’s quite a lot of hype around the potential uses of VR, and with good reason. Research has
shown that consumers are more likely to buy from a brand that uses VR,42 meaning the technology
has the potential to absolutely transform marketing. Here are some ways big brands are already
harnessing VR to create a better experience for consumers:
Mercedes created a virtual experience of driving the latest SL model down California’s beautiful
Pacific Coast Highway.
Oreo enticed cookie lovers with an animated virtual land, complete with chocolate canyons, to
promote a new cookie flavor.
Footwear manufacturer Toms is known for its philanthropic efforts, giving a pair of shoes to
someone in need for every pair the company sells. The company recently created an emotive
immersive experience, taking users on a giving trip to a remote Peruvian village.
AR in action
AR technology may be in its infancy, but that hasn’t stopped businesses making good use of it.
AR creates a ‘mixed environment’, blending virtual objects or data with the real-world
environment – an approach that’s proving particularly useful in the manufacturing sector.
Modern manufacturing may involve putting together many, many complex components, each of
them different. Using an AR device, you can have instructions or schematics available at a glance,
right in front of your eyes, while you’re looking at the component in question.
This can also be incredibly useful in a maintenance setting, and potentially save companies a lot
of time and money on training. Mitsubishi Electric, for example, is developing AR- driven
maintenance support, using a 3D model that shows the user the correct order to inspect a piece of
equipment. Maintenance staff can also log inspection results with their voice.
But the applications of AR don’t end in the manufacturing world. All sorts of organizations are
developing AR experiences:
PepsiCo recently took over a London bus shelter to create an incredible AR-enabled display that
tricked commuters by overlaying images onto the real-life street in front of them. These images
included a meteor crashing into the ground, a tiger padding towards them, and a large tentacle
popping up from underneath the paving slabs!
The US Army is harnessing AR to improve soldiers’ situational awareness, using an eyepiece that
helps them precisely locate their position, locate others around them, and identify whether they’re
a friend or a foe.
What this trend means for you
At the most basic level, this trend requires all businesses to deliver a good mobile experience, and
that means having a website that works seamlessly on phones and tablets. This may sound obvious,
but, according to one survey, almost a fifth of small businesses still don’t have a mobile-friendly
website.
Going beyond mobile, businesses must be ready to offer their customers an AI-enabled chatbot
experience, whether that means integrating Alexa (and other AI assistant) technology into your
products, or putting chatbots to work in your customer service, marketing and sales functions.
And looking even further ahead, the way we interact with technology is going to become more and
more immersive. (Even more immersive than having a virtual assistant with you 24/7, ready to
respond to your every whim.) Companies who can begin developing VR and AR experiences are
very likely to reap the rewards in the longer term.
APPLICATION
1. How will artificial intelligence change the future? Justify your answer.
2. Scenario: A man in North Cagayan was reportedly using stolen information for
online orders, even using a driver's license with the incorrect name on it,
according to local authorities once they apprehended him.
The name that the thief was using belonged to someone who used to live at the
address used. The UPS delivery driver responding to the orders was the one
who noticed the discrepancy and contacted the authorities as a result.
Analyze the statement above and answer the following questions:
a. What social issue does the situation belong?
b. Basing from your answer in number 1, why do you say that this is the social
issue? Explain and defend your answer.
c. As a future IT expert, how will you avoid/prevent such situation?
FEEDBACK
Write your answer on the space provided.
1. What does ICT Social issues mean?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
2. What is the difference between augmented reality and virtual reality?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
3. _______________ is presenting someone else’s work or ideas as your own, with or without their
consent, by incorporating it into your work without full acknowledgement. All published and
unpublished material, whether in manuscript, printed or electronic form, is covered under this
definition.
4. Thinking about games all or a lot of the time is a symptom of addiction. True or false.
_______________
5. Give an example of cyber-bullying.
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
6. Which of these would be considered an AI?
a. Mobile Phone
c. Alexa
b. Laptop
d. Television
___________________________________
7. It is a process of making three dimensional solid objects from a digital file.
___________________________________
8. Enumerate and describe the ICT Social Issues.
1. _______________________________
2. _______________________________
3. _______________________________
9. What are the emerging trends in ICT that will help the future?
1. _______________________________
2. _______________________________
3. _______________________________
10. Give at least 3 advantages of emerging trends in ICT.
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
TOPIC 3.2
COMPUTER ETHICS AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE ACM REQUIREMENTS
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of the session, you will be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
identify ethical issues in different enterprise computing settings.
Review real-life ethical cases and be able to develop ethical resolutions and policies.
Understand laws and regulations related to ethics.
Apply the requirements of ACM in making IT Research
ACTIVATING PRIOR LEARNING
When you hear/read the word “ETHICS”, what comes to your mind?
PRESENTATION OF CONTENT
WHAT IS ETHICS?
Ethics are a structure of standards and practices that influence how people
lead their lives. It is not strictly implemented to follow these ethics, but it is
basically for the benefit of everyone that we do.
Ethics are unlike laws that legally mandate what is right or wrong. Ethics
illustrate society’s views about what is right and what is wrong.
Computer Ethics
Computer ethics are a set of moral standards that govern the use of computers. It is
society’s views about the use of computers, both hardware and software. Privacy concerns,
intellectual property rights and effects on the society are some of the common issues of computer
ethics.
Privacy Concerns
Hacking – is unlawful intrusion into a computer or a network. A hacker can intrude
through the security levels of a computer system or network and can acquire
unauthorized access to other computers.
Malware – means malicious software which is created to impair a computer system.
Common malware are viruses, spyware, worms and trojan horses. A virus can delete
files from a hard drive while a spyware can collect data from a computer.
Data Protection – also known as information privacy or data privacy is the process
of safeguarding data which intends to influence a balance between individual privacy
rights while still authorizing data to be used for business purposes.
Anonymity – is a way of keeping a user’s identity masked through various
applications.
Intellectual Property Rights
Copyright – is a form of intellectual property that gives proprietary publication,
distribution and usage rights for the author. This means that whatever idea the author
created cannot be employed or disseminated by anyone else without the permission
of the author.
Plagiarism – is an act of copying and publishing another person’s work without
proper citation. It’s like stealing someone else’s work and releasing it as your own
work.
Cracking – is a way of breaking into a system by getting past the security features of
the system. It’s a way of skipping the registration and authentication steps when
installing a software.
Software License – allows the use of digital material by following the license
agreement. Ownership remains with the original copyright owner; users are just
granted licenses to use the material based on the agreement.
Effects on Society
Jobs – Some jobs have been abolished while some jobs have become simpler as computers have
taken over companies and businesses. Things can now be done in just one click whereas before it
takes multiple steps to perform a task. This change may be considered unethical as it limits the
skills of the employees.
There are also ethical concerns on health and safety of employees getting sick from constant sitting,
staring at computer screens and typing on the keyboard or clicking on the mouse.
Environmental Impact – Environment has been affected by computers and the internet since so
much time spent using computers increases energy usage which in turn increases the emission of
greenhouse gases.
There are ways where we can save energy like limiting computer time and turning off the computer
or putting on sleep mode when not in use. Buying energy efficient computers with Energy Star
label can also help save the environment.
Social Impact – Computers and the internet help people stay in touch with family and friends.
Social media has been very popular nowadays.
Computer gaming influenced society both positively and negatively. Positive effects are improved
hand-eye coordination, stress relief and improved strategic thinking. Negative effects are
addiction of gamers, isolation from the real world and exposure to violence.
Computer technology helps the government in improving services to its citizens. Advanced
database can hold huge data being collected and analyzed by the government.
Computer technology aids businesses by automating processes, reports and analysis.
UNDERSTANDING THE ACM REQUIREMENTS
What is ACM?
ACM, the Association for Computing Machinery, is the world's largest educational and scientific
society, uniting computing educators, researchers and professionals to inspire dialogue, share
resources and address the field's challenges. ACM strengthens the profession's collective voice
through strong leadership, promotion of the highest standards, and recognition of technical
excellence. ACM supports the professional growth of its members by providing opportunities for
life-long learning, career development, and professional networking.
Origins
The Association for Computing Machinery was founded as the Eastern Association for Computing
Machinery at a meeting at Columbia University in New York on September 15, 1947. Its creation
was the logical outgrowth of increasing interest in computers as evidenced by several events,
including a January 1947 symposium at Harvard University on large-scale digital calculating
machinery; the six-meeting series in 1946-47 on digital and analog computing machinery
conducted by the New York Chapter of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers; and the sixmeeting series in March and April 1947, on electronic computing machinery conducted by the
Department of Electrical Engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In January 1948,
the word "Eastern" was dropped from the name of the Association. In September 1949, a
constitution was instituted by membership approval.
Scope
The original notice for the September 15, 1947, organization meeting stated in part:
"The purpose of this organization would be to advance the science, development, construction,
and application of the new machinery for computing, reasoning, and other handling of
information."
The first and subsequent constitutions for the Association have elaborated on this statement,
although the essential content remains. The present constitution states:
"The Association is an international scientific and educational organization dedicated to advancing
the art, science, engineering, and application of information technology, serving both professional
and public interests by fostering the open interchange of information and by promoting the highest
professional and ethical standards."
Publications
ACM publishes, distributes and archives original research and firsthand perspectives from the
world's leading thinkers in computing and information technologies that help computing
professionals negotiate the strategic challenges and operating problems of the day. ACM publishes
journals, plus newsletters and annual conference proceedings. ACM is also recognized worldwide
for its published curricula recommendations, both for colleges and universities and for secondary
schools that are increasingly concerned with preparing students for advanced education in the
information sciences and technologies.
Communications of the ACM, keeps information technology professionals up-to-date with articles
spanning the full spectrum of information technologies in all fields of interest. Communications
also carries case studies, practitioner-oriented articles, and regular columns and blogs. The
monthly magazine is distributed to all ACM members. ACM Queue is a monthly magazine created
by computing professionals for computing professionals that sets out to define future problems
with the sort of detail and intelligence that readers in turn can use to sharpen their own thinking.
Visit the ACM Digital Library for a complete list of ACM publications.
ACM also provides the ACM Digital Library, the definitive online resource for computing
professionals. The DL provides access to ACM's collection of publications and bibliographic
citations from the universe of published IT literature. With its personalized online services and
extensive search capabilities, the Digital Library represents ACM's vision of an all-electronic
publishing program.
The Digital Library contains the citations and full text of articles, representing all of ACM's
journals, newsletters, and proceedings. Each citation contains links to other works by the same
author; clickable references to their original sources; links to similar articles and critical reviews,
if available; and digital object identifiers (DOIs) to easily manage electronic linkages to vendors.
In addition, the DL consists of a bibliographic database of more than a million citations from a
broad range of information technology publications and publishers. Many of these citations contain
abstracts and/or reference sections as well.
FORMAT/TEMPLATE OF ACM RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS
APPLICATION
3. State at least two privacy concerns with scenarios and explain how will you
prevent that situations.
FEEDBACK
Write your answer on the space provided.
1. What is copyright?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
2. It refers to activities that seek to compromise digital devices, such as computers, smartphones,
tablets, and even entire networks
___________________________________________________________
3. What is the difference of Hacking and Cracking?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
4. Why do you need to study ACM?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
5. Give at least 3 main points of ACM.
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
TOPIC 3.2 HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE TECHTRENDS
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of the session, you will be able to:
1. identify the latest innovations of hardware and software.
2. Understand why and how innovation is important.
3. Demonstrate and apply the use of latest Tech trends.
ACTIVATING PRIOR LEARNING
Based from the picture below, what is your idea?
PRESENTATION OF CONTENT
HARDWARE TECH TRENDS
Information technology is revolutionizing products. Once composed solely of mechanical and
electrical parts, products have become complex systems that combine hardware, sensors, data
storage, microprocessors, software, and connectivity in myriad ways. These “smart, connected
products”—made possible by vast improvements in processing power and device miniaturization
and by the network benefits of ubiquitous wireless connectivity—have unleashed a new era of
competition.
Smart, connected products offer exponentially expanding opportunities for new functionality, far
greater reliability, much higher product utilization, and capabilities that cut across and transcend
traditional product boundaries. The changing nature of products is also disrupting value chains,
forcing companies to rethink and retool nearly everything they do internally.
These new types of products alter industry structure and the nature of competition, exposing
companies to new competitive opportunities and threats. They are reshaping industry boundaries
and creating entirely new industries. In many companies, smart, connected products will force the
fundamental question, “What business am I in?”
Smart, connected products raise a new set of strategic choices related to how value is created and
captured, how the prodigious amount of new (and sensitive) data they generate is utilized and
managed, how relationships with traditional business partners such as channels are redefined, and
what role companies should play as industry boundaries are expanded.
The phrase “internet of things” has arisen to reflect the growing number of smart, connected
products and highlight the new opportunities they can represent. Yet this phrase is not very helpful
in understanding the phenomenon or its implications. The internet, whether involving people or
things, is simply a mechanism for transmitting information. What makes smart, connected products
fundamentally different is not the internet, but the changing nature of the “things.” It is the
expanded capabilities of smart, connected products and the data they generate that are ushering in
a new era of competition.
What Are Smart, Connected Products?
Smart, connected products have three core elements: physical components, “smart”
components, and connectivity components. Smart components amplify the capabilities and
value of the physical components, while connectivity amplifies the capabilities and value of
the smart components and enables some of them to exist outside the physical product itself.
The result is a virtuous cycle of value improvement.
Some have suggested that the internet of things “changes
everything,” but that is a dangerous oversimplification.
Physical components comprise the product’s mechanical and electrical parts. In a car, for
example, these include the engine block, tires, and batteries.
Smart components comprise the sensors, microprocessors, data storage, controls, software,
and, typically, an embedded operating system and enhanced user interface. In a car, for
example, smart components include the engine control unit, antilock braking system, rainsensing windshields with automated wipers, and touch screen displays. In many products,
software replaces some hardware components or enables a single physical device to perform
at a variety of levels.
Connectivity components comprise the ports, antennae, and protocols enabling wired or
wireless connections with the product. Connectivity takes three forms, which can be present
together:

One-to-one: An individual product connects to the user, the manufacturer, or another
product through a port or other interface—for example, when a car is hooked up to a
diagnostic machine.

One-to-many: A central system is continuously or intermittently connected to many
products simultaneously. For example, many Tesla automobiles are connected to a
single manufacturer system that monitors performance and accomplishes remote
service and upgrades.

Many-to-many: Multiple products connect to many other types of products and often
also to external data sources. An array of types of farm equipment are connected to
one another, and to geolocation data, to coordinate and optimize the farm system. For
example, automated tillers inject nitrogen fertilizer at precise depths and intervals,
and seeders follow, placing corn seeds directly in the fertilized soil.
What Is Smart Home Technology?
What if all the devices in your life could connect to the int ernet? Not just computers
and smartphones, but everything: clocks, speakers, lights, doorbells, cameras,
windows, window blinds, hot water heaters, appliances, cooking utensils, you name
it. And what if those devices could all communicate, send you information, and take
your commands? It's not science fiction; it's the Internet of Things (IoT), and it's a
key component of home automation and smart homes.
Home automation is exactly what it sounds like: automating the ability to control items
around the house—from window shades to pet feeders—with a simple push of a button
(or a voice command). Some activities, like setting up a lamp to turn on and off at
your whim, are simple and relatively inexpensive. Others, like advanced surveillance
cameras, may require a more serious investment of time and money.
There are many smart home product categories, so you can control everything from
lights and temperature to locks and security in your home
Smart Home Hubs and Controllers
The Echo is a Bluetooth speaker
powered by Alexa, Amazon's handy
voice assistant. Alexa works with a
number of smart home devices directly,
as well as with If This Then That
(IFTTT) to control plenty of others via
"recipes" you can create yourself. It'll
take some work, but you can use Alexa to
control most of the gadgets in your house
by the sound of your voice. If you already
have a favorite speaker, the inexpensive Echo Dot can connect to it and add Alexa functionality.
Brilliant Control
The Brilliant Control is a unique wall
switch that uses Wi-Fi to connect to and
control various smart devices in your
home. It has a 5-inch color touch screen
with user-friendly button controls that let
you play music, control lighting, set
thermostat temperatures, and see who is
at your door, among other things. It
works with many popular smart home
platforms including Ecobee, Nest,
Philips Hue, Ring, and Sonos, and it has built-in Amazon Alexa voice support that allows it to do
almost everything an Echo device can do. It's fairly pricey and requires wiring knowledge to install,
but it's a smart addition to a high-tech home.
Smart Home Surveillance Cameras
Arlo Ultra
The Arlo Ultra raises the bar for all outdoor cameras. It's the first model we've seen that streams
and records video in true 4K, or Ultra High Definition (UHD). At $400, it's also one of the most
expensive cameras out there, but it's loaded with cool tech including automatic zooming, motion
tracking, color night vision, an integrated spotlight and siren, one-click 911 connectivity, a 180degree field of view, and more. It's also completely wireless and a snap to install.
Software Platform Trends and Emerging Technologies
There are five major themes in contemporary software platform evolution:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Linux and open-source software
Java
Enterprise software
Web services and service-oriented architecture
Software outsourcing
Open-source software is software produced by a community of several hundred thousand of
programmers around the world, and is available free of charge to be modified by users, with
minimal restrictions. The premise that open-source software is superior to commercial software is
based on the ability of thousands of programmers modifying and improving the software at a much
faster rate. In return for their work, programmers receive prestige and access to a network of other
programmers, and additional for-pay work opportunities. The process of improving open source
software is monitored by self-organized, professional programming communities. Thousands of
open-source programs, ranging from operating systems to office suites, are available from
hundreds of Web sites.
Linux, an operating system related to Unix, is one of the most well-known open-source software,
and is the world's fastest growing client and server operating system, along with related Linux
applications. The rise of open-source software, particularly Linux and the applications it supports,
has profound implications for corporate software platforms: cost reduction, reliability and
resilience, and integration, because Linux works on all the major hardware platforms from
mainframes to servers to clients. Because of its reliability, low cost, and integration features, Linux
has the potential to break Microsoft's monopoly of the desktop.
Java, an operating system-independent, object-oriented programming language, has become the
leading programming environment for the Web, and its use has migrated into cellular phones, cars,
music players, and more.
For each of the computing environments in which Java is used, Sun has created a Java Virtual
Machine that interprets Java programming code for that machine. In this manner, the code is
written once and can be used on any machine for which there exists a Java Virtual Machine. A
Macintosh PC, an IBM PC running Windows, a Sun server running Unix, and even a smart cellular
phone or personal digital assistant can share the same Java application.
Java is typically used to create small Web programs called applets, but is also a very robust
language designed to handle text, data, graphics, sound, and video. Java enables PC users to
manipulate data on networked systems using Web browsers, reducing the need to write specialized
software. A Web browser is an easy-to-use software tool with a graphical user interface for
displaying Web pages and for accessing the Web and other Internet resources.
Software for enterprise integration is one of the most urgent software priorities today for U.S.
firms who need to integrate existing legacy software with newer technology. Replacing isolated
systems that cannot communicate with enterprise software is one solution; however, many
companies cannot simply jettison essential legacy mainframe applications. Some integration can
be achieved by middleware, software that creates an interface or bridge between two different
systems. Firms increasingly purchase enterprise application integration (EAI) software that
enables multiple systems to exchange data through a single software hub.
FIGURE 1. ENTERPRISE APPLICATION INTEGRATION (EAI) SOFTWARE VERSUS TRADITIONAL
INTEGRATION
EAI software (a) uses special middleware that creates a common platform with which all applications can freely
communicate with each other. EAI requires much less programming than traditional point-to-point integration (b).
Web services, loosely coupled software components that use Web communication standards, can
exchange information between different systems regardless of operating system of programming
language. Web services technology is founded on Extensible Markup Language (XML). XML was
developed as a more powerful markup language than Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), a
page description language specifying how content appears on Web pages. By marking data with
XML tags, computers can interpret, manipulate, and exchange data from different systems.
Web services communicate through XML messages over standard Web protocols, such as:
SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) is a set of rules for structuring messages that enables
applications to pass data and instructions to one another.
WSDL (Web Services Description Language) is a common framework for describing the tasks
performed by a Web service and the commands and data it will accept so that it can be used by
other applications.
UDDI (Universal Description, Discovery, and Integration) enables a Web service to be listed in a
directory of Web services so that it can be easily located.
Using these protocols, a software application can connect freely to other applications without
custom programming for each different application with which it wants to communicate. The
collection of Web services used to build a firm's software systems constitutes a service-oriented
architecture (SOA). SOA is an entirely new way of developing software for a firm. In the past,
separate applications were written for different divisions and tasks and could not communicate
with each other. In an SOA environment, a single application can be used and reused as a "service"
that can be used by other services. For example, an "invoice service" can be written that is the only
program in the firm responsible to calculating invoice information and reports. Virtually all major
software vendors provide tools and entire platforms for building and integrating software
applications using Web services.
FIGURE 2. HOW DOLLAR RENT A CAR USES WEB SERVICES
Dollar Rent A Car uses Web services to provide a standard intermediate layer of software to “talk” to other
companies’ information systems. Dollar Rent A Car can use this set of Web services to link to other
companies’ information systems without having to build a separate link to each firm’s systems.
Other software trends include:
Ajax (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML): Ajax, and a related set of techniques called RIA ("rich
Internet applications") use JavaScript or Macromedia Flash programs downloaded to your client
to maintain a near continuous conversation with the server you are using. While making the life of
consumers much easier, Ajax and RIA are even more important for another new software
development: Web-based applications.
Web-based applications: Software firms are delivering software services over the Web to client
computers and their customer's sites. Google's Google Apps for Your Domain is a Web-based suite
of productivity tools, including online spreadsheet, word processing, and calendars, aimed at small
businesses.
Mashups: Part of a movement called Web 2.0, and in the spirit of musical mashups, Web mashups
combine the capabilities of two or more online applications to create a kind of hybrid that provides
more customer value than the original sources alone. For example, housingmaps.com can display
real estate listings in local areas from Craigslist.com overlaid on Google Maps, with pushpins
showing the location of each listing. The result of these techniques is that instead of the Web being
a collection of pages, it becomes a collection of capabilities, a platform where thousands of
programmers can create new services quickly and inexpensively.
Web 2.0 refers to "the new Web applications" like those above and is also the name of an annual
conference. Web 2.0 can be described also as an expression of all the changes above, plus changes
in the way people and business use the Web and think about human interaction on the Web. These
changes include seeing the Web applications as services, not packaged software, seeing users as
co-developers, harnessing collective intelligence, and lightweight user interfaces, development
models, and business models.
Although traditionally businesses developed unique software themselves, today most new
software is purchased from external sources. There are three external sources for software:
Commercial software packages
Software services from an application service provider (ASP)
Outsourcing application development to an outside software firm
FIGURE 3. THE CHANGING SOURCES OF SOFTWARE
U.S. firms will spend nearly $340 billion on software in 2006. Over 30 percent of that software will come
from outsourcing its development and operation to outside firms, and another 15 percent will come from
purchasing the service from application service providers either on the Web or through traditional channels.
Sources: Authors estimates; Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2006; IT Spending and Trends, eMarketer,
2004; IT Spending and Trends, eMarketer, 2005; SEC 10K statements, various firms.
A commercial software package is a prewritten set of software programs for certain functions,
eliminating the need for a firm to write its own software program. Enterprise systems are so
complex that few corporations have the expertise to develop these in house and instead rely on
enterprise software packages from vendors such as SAP and PeopleSoft.
An application service provider (ASP) is a business that delivers and manages applications and
computer services from remote computer centers to multiple users using the Internet or a private
network. The software is paid for typically on a per-user, subscription, or per-transaction basis.
Renting enterprise software avoids the expense and difficulty of installing, operating, and
maintaining the hardware and software needed for complex systems.
Large and medium-sized businesses are using ASPs for enterprise systems, sales force
automation, or financial management, and small businesses are using them for functions such as
invoicing, tax calculations, electronic calendars, and accounting. Application service providers
also enable small and medium-sized companies to use applications that they otherwise could not
afford.
In outsourcing, a firm contracts custom software development or maintenance to outside firms,
frequently firms operating in low-wage areas of the world. With the growing sophistication and
experience of offshore firms, more and more new-program development is outsourced.
APPLICATION
1. Are smart homes a good idea? Justify your answer.
2. Should you build a smart home? Explain your answer.
3. Explain the flow of ASP based from the picture below.
FEEDBACK
Write your answer on the space provided.
1. What is Smart Home?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
2. It is a software or program that is designed and developed for licensing or sale to end users It was
once considered to be proprietary software.
___________________________________________________________
3. What is AJAX?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
4. Give 5 examples of Web Software Applications
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
5. Give at least 2 Hardware Tech Trends and their uses.
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
TOPIC 3.4 INTERNET OF THINGS
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of the session, you will be able to:
4. Discuss Internet of Things(IoT);
5. Explain the importance of Internet of Things (IoT);
6. Manifest appreciation on the applications of Internet of Things (IoT);
ACTIVATING PRIOR LEARNING
From the image below, define Internet of Things.
PRESENTATION OF CONTENT
What is Internet of Things (IoT)?
The term Internet of Things generally refers to scenarios where network
connectivity and computing capability extends to objects, sensors and everyday items not
normally considered computers, allowing these devices to generate, exchange and consume
data with minimal human intervention. There is, however, no single, universal definition.
In simple words, Internet of Things (IoT) is an ecosystem of connected physical
objects that are accessible through the Internet. It is also referred to as Machine-to-Machine
(M2M), Skynet or Internet of Everything.
Components of IoT
Smart Systems and Internet of Things are driven by a combination of:
1. Sensors
2. Connectivity
3. People and Processes
Why IoT?






Dynamic control of industry and daily life
Improves the resource utilization ratio
Integrating human society and physical systems
Flexible configuration
Acts as technology integrator
Universal inter-networking
How can IoT help?
1. IoT platforms can help organizations reduce cost through improved process
efficiency, assess utilization and productivity.
2. The growth and convergence of data, processes and things on the internet would
make such connections more relevant and important, creating more opportunities for
people, businesses and industries.
Applications of IOT
A NEST LEARNING THERMOSTAT reporting on energy usage
and local weather.
A RING DOORBELL connected to the Internet
An AUGUST HOME SMART LOCK connected to the Internet
The extensive set of applications for IoT devices is often divided into:




Consumer;
Commercial;
Industrial; and
Infrastructure Spaces
CONSUMER APPLICATIONS
A growing portion of IoT devices are created for consumer use, including
connected vehicles, home automation, wearable technology, connected health, and
appliances with remote monitoring capabilities
1. Smart home
A smart home or automated home could be based on
a platform or hubs that control smart devices and
appliances. For instance, using Apple's HomeKit,
manufacturers can have their home products and
accessories controlled by an application in iOS devices
such as the iPhone and the Apple Watch.
2. Elder care
One key application of a smart
home is to provide assistance for those
with
disabilities
and
elderly
individuals. These home systems use
assistive technology to accommodate
an owner's specific disabilities. Voice
control can assist users with sight and
mobility limitations while alert systems
can be connected directly to cochlear
implants worn by hearing-impaired users. They can also be equipped with additional
safety features. These features can include sensors that monitor for medical
emergencies such as falls or seizures. Smart home technology applied in this way can
provide users with more freedom and a higher quality of life.
ORGANISATIONAL APPLICATIONS
1. Medical and healthcare
The Internet of medical things (IoMT) is an application of the IoT for
medical and health related purposes, data collection and analysis for research, and
monitoring.The IoMT has been referenced as "Smart Healthcare", as the
technology for creating a digitized healthcare system, connecting available medical
resources and healthcare services.
2. Transportation
The IoT can assist in the integration of communications,
control, and information processing across various
transportation systems. Application of the IoT extends to
all aspects of transportation systems. Dynamic
interaction between these components of a transport
system
enables
interand
intra-vehicular
communication, smart traffic control, smart parking,
electronic toll collection systems, logistics and fleet
management, vehicle control, safety, and road
assistance.
Digital variable
speed-limit sign
3. V2X communications
In
vehicular
communication
systems,
vehicle-to-everything
communication (V2X), consists of three
main components: vehicle to vehicle
communication (V2V), vehicle to
infrastructure communication (V2I) and
vehicle to pedestrian communications
(V2P). V2X is the first step to autonomous
driving and connected road infrastructure
4. Building and home automation
IoT devices can be used to monitor and control the mechanical, electrical
and electronic systems used in various types of buildings (e.g., public and private,
industrial, institutions, or residential) in home automation and building automation
systems. In this context, three main areas are being covered in literature:
 The integration of the Internet with building energy management systems
in order to create energy efficient and IOT-driven "smart buildings".
 The possible means of real-time monitoring for reducing energy
consumption and monitoring occupant behaviors.
 The integration of smart devices in the built environment and how they
might to know how to be used in future applications.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS
Also known as IIoT, industrial IoT devices acquire and analyze data from
connected equipment, (OT) operational technology, locations and people. Combined with
operational technology (OT) monitoring devices, IIoT helps regulate and monitor
industrial systems.
1. Manufacturing
The IoT can realize the seamless integration of
various manufacturing devices equipped with sensing,
identification, processing, communication, actuation, and
networking capabilities. Based on such a highly
integrated smart cyber-physical space, it opens the door
to create whole new business and market opportunities for
manufacturing.
2. Agriculture
There are numerous IoT applications in farming such
as collecting data on temperature, rainfall, humidity, wind
speed, pest infestation, and soil content. This data can be
used to automate farming techniques, take informed
decisions to improve quality and quantity, minimize risk
and waste, and reduce effort required to manage crops.
INFRASTRUCTURE APPLICATIONS
Monitoring and controlling operations of sustainable urban and rural infrastructures
like bridges, railway tracks and on- and offshore wind-farms is a key application of the
IoT. The IoT infrastructure can be used for monitoring any events or changes in structural
conditions that can compromise safety and increase risk.
1. Metropolitan scale deployments
There are several planned or ongoing large-scale
deployments of the IoT, to enable better management
of cities and systems. For example, Songdo, South
Korea, the first of its kind fully equipped and wired
smart city, is gradually being built, with
approximately 70 percent of the business district
completed as of June 2018. Much of the city is
planned to be wired and automated, with little or no human intervention.
2. Energy management
Significant numbers of energy-consuming devices
(e.g. lamps, household appliances, motors, pumps, etc.)
already integrate Internet connectivity, which can allow
them to communicate with utilities not only to balance
power generation but also helps optimize the energy
consumption as a whole.
3. Environmental monitoring
Environmental monitoring applications of the
IoT typically use sensors to assist in
environmental protection by monitoring air or
water quality, atmospheric or soil conditions, and
can even include areas like monitoring the
movements of wildlife and their habitats.
4. Living Lab
Another example of integrating the IoT is Living Lab which integrates and
combines research and innovation process, establishing within a public-private-peoplepartnership.
MILITARY APPLICATIONS
The Internet of Military Things (IoMT) is the application
of IoT technologies in the military domain for the purposes of
reconnaissance, surveillance, and other combat-related
objectives. It is heavily influenced by the future pro spec ts of
warfare in an urban environment and involves the use of sensors,
munitions, vehicles, robots, human-wearable biometrics, and
other smart technology that is relevant on the battlefield.
c
1. Internet of Battlefield Things
The Internet of Battlefield Things (IoBT) is a project initiated and executed by
the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) that focuses on the basic science related
to IoT that enhance the capabilities of Army soldiers. In 2017, ARL launched the
Internet of Battlefield Things Collaborative Research Alliance (IoBT-CRA),
establishing a working collaboration between industry, university, and Army
researchers to advance the theoretical foundations of IoT technologies and their
applications to Army operations.
2. Ocean of Things
The Ocean of Things project is a DARPA-led program designed to establish an
Internet of Things across large ocean areas for the purposes of collecting, monitoring,
and analyzing environmental and vessel activity data. The project entails the
deployment of about 50,000 floats that house a passive sensor suite that autonomously
detect and track military and commercial vessels as part of a cloud-based network.
PRODUCT DIGITISATION
There are several applications of smart or active packaging in which a QR code or
NFC tag is affixed on a product or its packaging. The tag itself is passive, however it
contains a unique identifier (typically a URL) which enables a user to access digital content
about the product via a smartphone. Strictly speaking, such passive items are not part of
the Internet of Thing but they can be seen as enablers of digital interactions. The term
"Internet of Packaging" has been coined to describe applications in which unique identifiers
are used, to automate supply chains, and are scanned on large scale by consumers to access
digital content.
Challenges Faced by Internet of Things (IoT)
At present IoT is faced with many challenges, like:
1. Scalability
2. Security
3. Technical Requirements
4. Technological Standardization
5. Software Complexity
Solutions to the Challenges
Several solutions are proposed to overcome the problems. Some are:



Overcoming compatibility issues is a significant IoT hurdle, but emerging
companies are starting to enable increased interoperability through opensource development.
Governments and industry bodies need to set standards and regulations for the
various industries to ensure that data is not misused.
IoT needs strong authentication methods, encrypted data and a platform that
can track irregularities on a network
APPLICATION
4. How is Internet of Things (IoT) being applied in Education?
5. What are the possible drawbacks of Internet of Things (IoT) in Education?
FEEDBACK
Write your answer on the space provided.
1. What does the term ''Internet of Things'' mean?
a. All of the things in your home are internet-enabled
b. Traditional internet-enabled devices we use to connect
c. The list of different things you can find on the internet
d. Everyday objects with internet communication capabilities
___________________________________
2. Who or what do IoT devices talk or connect with?
a. Us and other devices
c. Nothing
b. Themselves only
d. Our employers
___________________________________
3. It is the process of inserting smart tags in the products you already sell, so that when someone
taps on that product with their smartphone they spark a digital interaction on their device.
___________________________________
4. It is the application of IoT technologies in the military domain for the purposes of reconnaissance,
surveillance, and other combat-related objectives.
___________________________________
5. It is an application of the IoT for medical and health related purposes, data collection and analysis
for research, and monitoring.
___________________________________
6. Which of these would be considered an IoT device?
c. A laptop computer
c. A wifi-enabled thermostat
d. A smartphone with applications
d. A mobile device like a tablet
___________________________________
7. It is one in which the various electric and electronic appliances are wired up to a central computer
control system so they can either be switched on and off at certain times or if certain events
happen.
___________________________________
8. Enumerate the components of Internet of Things (IoT).
4. _______________________________
5. _______________________________
6. _______________________________
9. Enumerate the challenges that Internet of Things (IoT) faced.
4. _______________________________
5. _______________________________
6. _______________________________
7. _______________________________
8. _______________________________
TOPIC 3.5. MOBILE APPLICATION
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of the session, you will be able to:
1. Discuss Mobile Application;
2. Explain the importance of Mobile Application;
3. Manifest appreciation on the applications of Mobile Application
ACTIVATING PRIOR LEARNING
From the image below, define Mobile Application.
PRESENTATION OF CONTENT
What is Mobile Application?
A mobile application, most commonly referred to as an app, is a type of application
software designed to run on a mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet computer.
Mobile applications frequently serve to provide users with similar services to those
accessed on PCs. Apps are generally small, individual software units with limited function.
This use of app software was originally popularized by Apple Inc. and its App Store, which
offers thousands of applications for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.
A mobile application also may be known as an app, web app, online app, iPhone
app or smartphone app.
Mobile Application Components
There are four different types of app components:
1. Activities
An activity is the entry point for interacting with the user. It represents a
single screen with a user interface.
2. Services
A service is a general-purpose entry point for keeping an app running in the
background for all kinds of reasons. It is a component that runs in the
background to perform long-running operations or to perform work for remote
processes. A service does not provide a user interface.
3. Broadcast receivers
A broadcast receiver is a component that enables the system to deliver
events to the app outside of a regular user flow, allowing the app to respond to
system-wide broadcast announcements. Because broadcast receivers are
another well-defined entry into the app, the system can deliver broadcasts even
to apps that aren't currently running.
4. Content providers
A content provider manages a shared set of app data that you can store in
the file system, in a SQLite database, on the web, or on any other persistent
storage location that your app can access. Through the content provider, other
apps can query or modify the data if the content provider allows it.
What is Mobile App Architecture?
Application architecture is a set of technologies and models for the development of
fully-structured mobile programs based on industry and vendor-specific standards. As you
develop the architecture of your app, you also consider programs that work on wireless
devices such as smartphones and tablets.
Mobile app architecture design usually consists of multiple layers, including:



Presentation Layer - contains UI components as well as the components processing them.
Business Layer - composed of workflows, business entities and components.
Data layer - comprises data utilities, data access components and service agents.
Types of Mobile Apps
There are three main types of mobile apps including native apps, web-based mobile apps
and hybrid apps.
1. Native Mobile Apps
Native apps are developed for a certain mobile device operating system like
Windows Phone or Android. Therefore, they are native for a certain device or platform.
Apps built for Android, Windows Phone, Blackberry, Symbian cannot be used on any other
platform expect on their own. Therefore, a mobile app designed for Android can only be
used on an Android device.
Advantages:
 good user experience;
 high performance; and,
 puts no limits on app usage.
 accessible form app stores
Disadvantage:

higher costs in comparison to other types of mobile apps
2. Hybrid Mobile Apps
Hybrid mobile apps are specifically built using different multi-platform web technologies
like JavaScript and HTML5. Hybrid apps are website applications created in a native
wrapper that means they use elements of both native and web-based apps.
Advantage:
 easy to develop since code base ensures low-cost maintenance
Disadvantages:


lack in speed, performance and overall optimization
inability to look in the same way on different platforms
3. Web-Based Apps
Web-based applications behave in very similar fashion to those native mobile apps.
Web apps use a certain browser in order to run and they are commonly written in CSS,
JavaScript or HTML5. Web apps redirect users to URL and further offer install options by
creating a bookmark on their browser.
Advantage:
 requires a minimum of device memory
 Users can access web apps from any device that is connected to the Internet.
Disadvantages:



the use of web applications with poor internet connection commonly results
in very bad user experience.
access to not so many APIs, with exception of geolocation and several
others.
a performance of web-based apps is inextricably linked to network
connection and browser work.
Importance of Mobile Apps
Today, one of the greatest developments in technology is the invention of mobile
applications. If you are a smartphone user, you must be familiar with mobile apps, and you
must have different kinds of apps on your phone. One does not need any kind of
professional training to use an app. Once you start using an app, you'll automatically learn
how to use it.
1. Social Media Sites
The youth of the 21st century is very attached
and glued to social networking sites. It is a kind of
emotio n for them. They cannot even spend a day
without social media platforms. Social media
platforms are a way to share pictures and videos.
2.
3.
4.
5.
They are a great platform to share opinions and conversations; you can make a
video call as well.
Ordering Food Online
If you're too lazy to go out and
have
some
delicious food, then online food apps
have got your
back. In this modern world, where
you h ave access
to almost everything on the tip of
your fingers, you
can avail this minor facility as well.
Taxi Services
Now, you don't need to go out and search for yourself a taxi in the scorching
heat. Because you've got the facility of online taxi services. Just book your taxi
online, they will pick you up from your place and leave you to your destination.
Booking Tickets
With the help of apps, you can book the ticket for
buses, trains, and airplanes as well. You don't need to
stand and wait in long queues for your tickets to be
booked. So basically, you have to assign your fingers
some work and you can chill in your house.
Entertainment
Everyone wants entertainment right! Well, just like
any other thing you can avail this facility as well on your
mobile phone. If you want to watch a movie, apps are there to provide you that.
If you want to watch an online series, then also apps are there to help. You just
need to download the part app according to your choice and there you go, ready
to do some rock and roll into your boring life.
Reference: https://www.shapemyapp.com/blogs/what-is-the-importance-of-mobile-apps-in-daily-life
Benefits of Mobile Apps
1. Convenience
Convenience is one of the most critical aspects of a mobile app. The app is there to
make things easier for the customer and not harder.
2. Interactivity
Mobi-apps have their own interfaces that allow users to experience two-way
immersive experience.
3. Personalization
Users love highly tailored content according to their preferences. It’s like offering
them a tailored communication in the language they speak and understand. User-centric
personalization is critical in making their experience delightful.
4. Productivity
Mobile apps increase employee engagement. Employees become more engaged
when they're able to use modern tools that make their jobs easier and allow them to
accomplish more.
5. Speed
Mobile apps provide a much faster alternative than mobile web browsing. Web
browsing requires a user to launch a web browser, enter a URL and wait for the site to
load, whereas it only takes a second to launch a mobile app because the majority of the
information is stored in the application itself making it possible to function offline.
Factors to Consider to Build Mobile Apps
1. Multiple Platforms and Devices
Traditional desktop and laptop PCs are Windows-based with a standard screen size,
features and form factor. The mobile landscape is much more fragmented, with four
main platforms (Android, iOS, Windows Phone and BlackBerry) that are continually
evolving.
2. Screen Size
Applications designed for a desktop or laptop client work with a screen size that far
exceeds that of mobile devices. How to design for a device that fits in your pocket
requires simplification and a rethink about navigation.
3. User Interaction
Instead of a mouse and keyboard, there is a quite different mode for user input:
touch. Even a single touch can involve a variety of interactions, including single-tap,
double-tap, long touch, move and fling. All these actions have to be captured.
4. Screen Density
Devices available from different manufacturers vary from 120 dpi for the lowerend HTC Tattoo / Wildfire and 240 dpi for the higher end Droid series—a difference
of 100% in screen density. This means that using hardcoded values for pixels and a
single set of images will lead to one of two things on a higher end phone: either your
UI will be up-scaled and fuzzy, or the controls will be too small to allow comfortable
targeting with a finger.
5. Integration with Phone Functions
Smart phones are sophisticated communication devices. Making phone calls is their
most basic function. While mobile platforms place many limitations on design and
content, they also open up new opportunities that traditional desktops cannot provide.
6. Limited CPU/Memory/Battery Resources
Mobile devices lack the computing power and memory capacity of most desktop
and server systems. Developers need to write algorithms and perform code
optimization to support the mobile device capacity.
APPLICATION
What is the impact/importance of mobile applications in our daily life?
FEEDBACK
Answer the following. Write your answer on the space provided.
1. An operating system (OS) built exclusively for mobile devices such as smartphones,
tablets, PDAs, etc. Similar to a standard OS but is relatively simple and light.
________________________________
2. An open source OS created by Google which one of the most commonly installed for
mobile devices.
________________________________
For items 3-7, identify which benefit of Mobile Applications is being defined.
3. A mobile app user can access and share information anytime or anywhere. Internet
connection is not required for most apps.
______________________________
4. Modern user input goes beyond clicking and typing. Mobile apps are touch-based,
allowing users to control the interface through pointer lock and drag and drop actions.
______________________________
5. A user can change the settings of the mobile app based on his/her preferences.
______________________________
6. The need to wait for loading information over a slow Internet connection is eliminated
since information is stored within the mobile application.
______________________________
7. Users can write, read, and present their reports using only their mobile phones. They
can also manage their multimedia files and share to friends through social sites.
______________________________
8. A type of application development that creates applications for a specific platform or
device. It interact and/or take advantage of features and resources that are generally
available for its parent platform.
______________________________
9. These are specifically built using different multi-platform web technologies like
JavaScript and HTML5.
______________________________
10. Which of the following factors to consider in designing a Mobile Application?
a. Platforms and Device Compatibility
b. Screen Size
______________________________
c. User Interaction
d. All of the choices
TOPIC 3. 6. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of the session, you will be able to:
1. Discuss Artificial Intelligence;
2. Explain the importance of Artificial Intelligence;
3. Manifest appreciation on the applications of Artificial Intelligence.
ACTIVATING PRIOR LEARNING
1. What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?
2. Site an application of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
PRESENTATION OF CONTENT
What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?
Artificial intelligence (AI) is the ability of a computer program or a machine to
think and learn. It is also a field of study which tries to make computers "smart". As
machines become increasingly capable, mental faculties once thought to require
intelligence are removed from the definition.
Artificial intelligence (AI) also refers to the simulation of human intelligence in
machines that are programmed to think like humans and mimic their actions. The term may
also be applied to any machine that exhibits traits associated with a human mind such as
learning and problem-solving.
The ideal characteristic of artificial intelligence is its ability to rationalize and take
actions that have the best chance of achieving a specific goal.
Categorization of Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be divided into two different categories:
1. Weak artificial intelligence embodies a system designed to carry out
one particular job. Weak AI systems include video games such as the
chess example from above and personal assistants such as Amazon's
Alexa and Apple's Siri. You ask the assistant a question, it answers it
for you.
2. Strong artificial intelligence systems are systems that carry on the
tasks considered to be human-like. These tend to be more complex and
complicated systems. They are programmed to handle situations in
which they may be required to problem solve without having a person
intervene. These kinds of systems can be found in applications like selfdriving cars or in hospital operating rooms.
Advantages of Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence is one of the emerging technologies which tries to simulate
human reasoning in AI systems. John McCarthy invented the term Artificial Intelligence
in the year 1950.
Advantages:
1. Reduction in Human Error:
The phrase “human error” was born because humans make mistakes
from time to time. Computers, however, do not make these mistakes if they are
programmed properly. With Artificial intelligence, the decisions are taken from
the previously gathered information applying a certain set of algorithms. So
errors are reduced and the chance of reaching accuracy with a greater degree of
precision is a possibility.
Example: In Weather Forecasting using AI they have reduced the majority of
human error.
2. Takes risks instead of Humans:
This is one of the biggest advantages of Artificial intelligence. We can
overcome many risky limitations of humans by developing an AI Robot which
in turn can do the risky things for us. Let it be going to mars, defuse a bomb,
explore the deepest parts of oceans, mining for coal and oil, it can be used
effectively in any kind of natural or man-made disasters.
Example: Have you heard about the Chernobyl nuclear power plant explosion
in Ukraine? At that time there were no AI-powered robots that can help us to
minimize the effect of radiation by controlling the fire in early stages, as any
human went close to the core was dead in a matter of minutes. They eventually
poured sand and boron from helicopters from a mere distance.
AI Robots can be used in such situations where intervention can be
hazardous.
3. Available 24x7:
An Average human will work for 4–6 hours a day excluding the breaks.
Humans are built in such a way to get some time out for refreshing themselves
and get ready for a new day of work and they even have weekly offed to stay
intact with their work-life and personal life. But using AI we can make
machines work 24x7 without any breaks and they don’t even get bored, unlike
humans.
Example: Educational Institutes and Helpline centers are getting many queries
and issues which can be handled effectively using AI.
4. Helping in Repetitive Jobs:
In our day-to-day work, we will be performing many repetitive works
like sending a thanking mail, verifying certain documents for errors and many
more things. Using artificial intelligence we can productively automate these
mundane tasks and can even remove “boring” tasks for humans and free them
up to be increasingly creative.
Example: In banks, we often see many verifications of documents to get a loan
which is a repetitive task for the owner of the bank. Using AI Cognitive
Automation the owner can speed up the process of verifying the documents by
which both the customers and the owner will be benefited.
5. Digital Assistance:
Some of the highly advanced organizations use digital assistants to
interact with users which saves the need for human resources. The digital
assistants also used in many websites to provide things that users want. We can
chat with them about what we are looking for. Some chatbots are designed in
such a way that it’s become hard to determine that we’re chatting with a chatbot
or a human being.
Example: We all know that organizations have a customer support team that
needs to clarify the doubts and queries of the customers. Using AI the
organizations can set up a Voice bot or Chatbot which can help customers with
all their queries. We can see many organizations already started using them on
their websites and mobile applications.
6. Faster Decisions:
Using AI alongside other technologies we can make machines take
decisions faster than a human and carry out actions quicker. While taking a
decision human will analyze many factors both emotionally and practically but
AI-powered machine works on what it is programmed and delivers the results
in a faster way.
Example: We all have played Chess games in Windows. It is nearly impossible
to beat CPU in the hard mode because of the AI behind that game. It will take
the best possible step in a very short time according to the algorithms used
behind it.
7. Daily Applications:
Daily applications such as Apple’s Siri, Window’s Cortana, Google’s
OK Google are frequently used in our daily routine whether it is for searching
a location, taking a selfie, making a phone call, replying to a mail and many
more.
Example: Around 20 years ago, when we are planning to go somewhere we
used to ask a person who already went there for the directions. But now all we
have to do is say “OK Google where is Visakhapatnam”. It will show you
Visakhapatnam’s location on google map and the best path between you and
Visakhapatnam.
8. New Inventions:
AI is powering many inventions in almost every domain which will help
humans solve the majority of complex problems.
Example: Recently doctors can predict breast cancer in the woman at earlier
stages using advanced AI-based technologies.
Disadvantages:
1. High Costs of Creation:
As AI is updating every day the hardware and software need to get
updated with time to meet the latest requirements. Machines need repairing and
maintenance which need plenty of costs. It’s creation requires huge costs as
they are very complex machines.
2. Making Humans Lazy:
AI is making humans lazy with its applications automating the majority
of the work. Humans tend to get addicted to these inventions which can cause
a problem to future generations.
3. Unemployment:
As AI is replacing the majority of the repetitive tasks and other works
with robots, human interference is becoming less which will cause a major
problem in the employment standards. Every organization is looking to replace
the minimum qualified individuals with AI robots which can do similar work
with more efficiency.
4. No Emotions:
There is no doubt that machines are much better when it comes to
working efficiently but they cannot replace the human connection that makes
the team. Machines cannot develop a bond with humans which is an essential
attribute when comes to Team Management.
5. Lacking Out of Box Thinking:
Machines can perform only those tasks which they are designed or
programmed to do, anything out of that they tend to crash or give irrelevant
outputs which could be a major backdrop.
Applications of Artificial Intelligence
1. Healthcare
AI in healthcare is often used for classification,
whether to automate initial evaluation of a CT scan or
EKG or to identify high-risk patients for population
health. The breadth of applications is rapidly
increasing.
2. Automotive
Advancements in AI have contributed to the growth of
the automotive industry through the creation and
evolution of self-driving vehicles.
3. Finance and economics
Financial institutions have long used artificial
neural network systems to detect charges or
claims outside of the norm, flagging these for
human investigation.
4. Government
Artificial intelligence in government consists of
applications and regulation. Artificial intelligence paired with facial recognition
systems may be used for mass surveillance.
5.
Law-related professions
Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a mainstay
component of law-related professions. In some
circumstances, this analytics-crunching technology is using
algorithms and machine learning to do work that was
previously done by entry-level lawyers.
6.
Video games
In video games, artificial intelligence is routinely used to generate dynamic
purposeful behavior in non-player characters (NPCs).
7. Military
The United States and other nations are developing AI applications for a range
of military functions. The main military applications of Artificial Intelligence
and Machine Learning are to enhance C2, Communications, Sensors,
Integration and Interoperability.
8. Hospitality
In the hospitality industry, Artificial Intelligence
based solutions are used to reduce staff load and
increase efficiency by cutting repetitive tasks
frequency, trends analysis, guest interaction, and customer needs prediction
9. Audit
For financial statements audit, AI makes continuous audit possible. AI tools
could analyze many sets of different information immediately.
10. Advertising
It is possible to use AI to predict or generalize the behavior of customers from
their digital footprints in order to target them with personalized promotions or
build customer personas automatically.
11. Art
Artificial Intelligence has inspired numerous
creative applications including its usage to produce
visual art.
APPLICATION
How can Artificial Intelligence help the following sectors?
a. Education
b. Agriculture
FEEDBACK
Write a 200 words essay on Artificial Intelligence.
TOPIC 3. 7. DATA SCIENCE
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of the session, you will be able to:
1. Discuss Data Science;
2. Reflect on the importance and advantages of Data Science;
3. Manifest appreciation on the applications of Data Science.
ACTIVATING PRIOR LEARNING
From the image below, define data science.
PRESENTATION OF CONTENT
What is Data Science?
In today’s world, data is being generated at an alarming rate. Every day, lots of data
is generated by the users of Facebook or any other social media, or from the calls that one
makes, or the data which is being generated from different organizations as well.
Hector Garcia-Molina said that, “Data Science is a new term. But in the same
sense as Columbus was discovered NEW Continent 1000 years ago.” Data Science is a multi-disciplinary field that uses scientific methods, processes,
algorithms and systems to extract knowledge and insights from structured and unstructured
data. It is a "concept to unify statistics, data analysis, machine learning and their related
methods" in order to "understand and analyze actual phenomena" with data. It also employs
techniques and theories drawn from many fields within the context of mathematics,
statistics, computer science, and information science.
Fourth Paradigm of Science




Thousand of years – Empirical
Few hundred of years – Theoretical
Last fifty years - Computational - “Query the world”
Last twenty years - eScience (Data Science)
Importance of Data Science
1. Data science helps brands to understand their customers in a much enhanced
and empowered manner.
2. It allows brands to communicate their story in such engaging and powerful
manner.
3. Big Data is a new field that is constantly growing and evolving.
4. Its findings and results can be applied to almost any sector like travel,
healthcare and education among others.
5. Data science is accessible to almost all sectors.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Data Science
The field of Data Science is massive and has its own fair share of
advantages and limitations.
Advantages:
1. It’s in Demand - Data Science is greatly in demand. Prospective job seekers
have numerous opportunities.
2. Abundance of Positions - Data Science is a vastly abundant field and has a
lot of opportunities.
3. A Highly Paid Career - Data Science is one of the most highly paid jobs.
4. Data Science is Versatile - There are numerous applications of Data Science.
It is widely used in health-care, banking, consultancy services, and e-commerce
industries.
5. Data Science Makes Data Better - Data Science deals with enriching data and
making it better.
6. Data Scientists are Highly Prestigious - Companies rely on Data Scientists
and use their expertise to provide better results to their clients. This gives Data
Scientists an important position in the company.
7. No More Boring Tasks - Data Science has helped various industries to
automate redundant tasks. Companies are using historical data to train machines
in order to perform repetitive tasks.
8. Data Science Makes Products Smarter - Data Science involves the usage of
Machine Learning which has enabled industries to create better products
tailored specifically for customer experiences.
9. Data Science can Save Lives - Many other health-care industries are using
Data Science to help their clients.
10. Data Science Can Make You A Better Person - Data Science will not only
give you a great career but will also help you in personal growth.
Disadvantages:
While Data Science is a very lucrative career option, there are also various
disadvantages to this field.
1. Data Science is Blurry Term - Data Science is a very general term and does
not have a definite definition.
2. Mastering Data Science is near to impossible - While many online courses
have been trying to fill the skill-gap that the data science industry is facing, it
is still not possible to be proficient at it considering the immensity of the field.
3. Large Amount of Domain Knowledge Required - A person with a
considerable background in Statistics and Computer Science will find it
difficult to solve Data Science problem without its background knowledge.
4. Arbitrary Data May Yield Unexpected Results- A Data Scientist analyzes
the data and makes careful predictions in order to facilitate the decision-making
process. Many times, the data provided is arbitrary and does not yield expected
results.
5. Problem of Data Privacy - The personal data of clients are visible to the parent
company and may at times cause data leaks due to lapse in security.
Applications of Data Science
Data science helps in many of the applications like:
1. Health-care
In the health-care industry, data science is making great leaps. The various
industries in health-care making use of data science are
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
 Medical Image Analysis
 Genetics and Genomics
 Drug Discovery
 Predictive Modeling for Diagnosis
 Health bots or virtual assistants
Banking
Banking is one of the biggest applications of Data Science. Big Data and Data
Science
have
enabled banks to keep up with the
competition. With
Data Science, banks can manage their
resources
efficiently, furthermore, banks can make
smarter decisions
through fraud detection, management of
customer data, risk
modeling, real-time predictive analytics,
customer segmentation, etc.
E-commerce
E-commerce and retail industries have been hugely
benefitted by data science. Some of the ways in which data
science has transformed the e-commerce industries are For identifying a potential customer base, data
science is being heavily utilized.
 Usage of predictive analytics for forecasting the goods and services.
 Data Science is also used for identifying styles of popular products and
predicting their trends.
 With data science, companies are optimizing their pricing structures for
their consumers.
Finance
Data Science has played a key
role in automating various
financial tasks. Just like how
banks have automated risk
analytics, finance industries have
also used data science for this
task.
Manufacturing
In the 21st century, Data Scientists are the new factory
workers. That means that data scientists have acquired a key
position in the manufacturing industries. Data Science is being
extensively used in manufacturing industries for optimizing
production, reducing costs and boosting the profits.
Transport
In the transportation sector,
Data Science is actively
making its mark in making safer
driving environments for the
drivers. It is also playing a key role
in
optimizing
vehicle
performance and adding greater
autonomy to the drivers.
APPLICATION
How would Data Science change the way of learning?
FEEDBACK
Write a 200 words essay on Data Science.