For the SUPPLEMENTAL ACTIVITIES

READINGS IN TECHNOLOGY

Aligned with IC3 Objectives

© South-Western Educational Publishing/Thomson, 2005

All Rights Reserved

These readings will help you understand our highly technical world with the goal of helping you be more successful in your professional and academic life. For example:

· Readings 1 and 2 will help you unravel the mysteries of computer-related terms.  After all, technical specifications are just words and numbers.  After you know what these words and numbers mean, you'll be able to make better decisions about which computer hardware will best fit your specific needs.

· Reading 3 will teach you some details about the growth of the Internet and calculating the speed of an Internet connection.

· Readings 4 and 5 will help you keep your computers running optimally.

· Reduce 6, 7, and 8 will help you improve your effectiveness with computers.

READING 1:  ASSESSING TECHNOLOGY NEEDS

Career Connection: Think like a Purchasing Agent

Activity 1 Ask Those Who Know

READING 2: MEASURING COMPUTER PERFORMANCE

A. How powerful is the CPU?

B. How fast is the computer?

C. How is storage memory measured?

D. How much active memory does a computer need?

E. How much long-term storage capacity does a computer need?

Career Connection: Salespeople Close the Deal

Activity 2 Comparison Shopping

READING 3: MEASURING THE GROWTH AND SPEED OF THE INTERNET

A. The Growth of the Internet

Activity 3: Graph the Growth of the Internet

B. Assessing the Speed of a Net Connection

C. Connection Methods and Their Relative Bandwidth

Activity 4 oTime It for Yourself