Digital applications

Question 1

What is gaming applications

Answer 1

Electronic games played on devices including games consoles, mobile phones or computers.

The concept of gaming has developed from the installation of discs on games consoles and playing alone, to the use of the cloud and online multiplayer games.

Question 2

How can educational gaming be used

Answer 2

Educational gaming applications allow users to apply their knowledge and support their learning within a virtual world

Features such as leader boards motivate individuals to improve their scores

Users can also take on different roles within the game and reflect on what happened in certain situations, enhancing learning

From a teacher’s viewpoint the range of multimedia assets used within gaming applications can increase the motivation and communication skills of the learner

Question 3

How can games be used for training in the workplace

Answer 3

Games are designed with rules and increasing levels of difficulty, the user must comply with the rules and cannot move onto the next level before completing the previous level

Each level provides new challenges to the user which makes games attractive for training purposes

Games also provide immediate feedback, helping users to evaluate what has been achieved and make decisions on what activity to do next

Question 4

How can games be used for social interaction

Answer 4

Allows you to join online gaming groups where they can compete against each other on a

global scale using the internet

Some gaming applications encourage collaboration where groups of users work together to solve a problem

Microphones and headsets allow users to communicate with each other in real-time

Question 5

What is simulation applications

Answer 5

Simulation uses a computer model to represent a ‘real-life’ object

Models are created from large volumes of data, along with mathematical equations, to produce 3D graphics to represent the object

These models are then used to simulate actions and reactions of the real life object

Car manufacturers use simulations to test cars during the design stage to see what happens when they crash

Architects use simulations to create models of new buildings before they are built to test how they would be affected by physical disasters such as earthquakes and flooding

Question 6

How can virtual reality be used for simulation applications

Answer 6

Uses simulations to recreate ‘real’ experiences (virtual world)

Great potential for training in the workplace

Immerses user in a 3D world using specialist hardware

Devices can simulate a combination of human senses such as vision, hearing and touch to allow the user to feel that they are experiencing a real situation

Question 7

How can simulations and virtual reality be used for aircraft training

Answer 7

Training people for jobs with high risk of endangering life

Training a pilot to fly an aeroplane can be both dangerous and expensive due fuel costs and loss of airfares by taking a plane out of service

Using aircraft simulators, a pilot can be trained for a range of different ‘real’ experience such as turbulence, thunderstorms or flying a plane with only one engine working

The pilot’s actions can be recorded by the computer system and used to provide feedback for both the pilot and the trainer

Question 8

How can simulations and virtual reality be used for medicine training

Answer 8

Body scanners are used to collect large amounts of data about a person’s internal system

A computer can then be used to produce a 3D model of the whole, or part, of the body, creating a virtual patient

This can be used to brief and train surgeons before using ‘real’ surgery to deal with a medical problem

Surgeons can plan and practise a particular operations on the virtual patient, before actually carrying it out for real

Question 9

What is mobile applications

Answer 9

Smart phones have grown from an accessory in life to an necessity

People depend on these devices to access information and communicate with others at any time and from anywhere

Gradually, users are moving away from the internet-enabled desktop computers and

replacing them with mobile devices and apps to carry out daily activities

In the past organisations created a website targeted at desktop users and then developed a mobile-friendly version of this website

Organisations are now focusing on developing apps that can run on mobile phones

Smartphones now come with a number of preloaded apps and users can download further applications from the app stores

Popular app categories: games, music, movies and instant messaging

Question 10

How can mobile applications be used in learning

Answer 10

Mobile applications provide opportunities for teaching and learning

E.g. iTunes U offers teachers opportunities to create, edit and manage online courses by

including a range of resources in the form of audio, video and books

When combined with cloud technology, students can access these mobile apps from home and school to complete assignments

Instant messaging and forums can be used to communicate, share news and work together on projects

Employers can also use these apps to make announcements to particular groups of employees

The same technology can be used by schools to keep in contact with parents about

forthcoming events Developers have encouraged the use of their apps by allowing users to personalise and

customise the settings and layout of the app on their mobile device

Apps also have features that allow intuitive ways for searching and filtering data

Loading times must be fast and security of users’ private information is vital App support and app updates must be supported by app developers

Question 11

What is Online Banking

Answer 11

Customers can use the internet to access their bank account via the bank’s secure website This is known as ‘online banking’

To use online banking facilities customers must first register their details

Enter their username and password

User may also be asked security questions before being allowed to view their account details

A range of activities can be completed including: viewing transactions and bank statements, paying bills, transferring money from one account to another, setting up regular payments using direct debits/standing orders, searching for particular transactions

Question 12

Advantages of online banking for customers:

Answer 12

Customer does not have to visit local branch

Website is available 24/7

When abroad, bank still available (available on global scale)

Customers can make faster payments and transactions meaning money can be moved almost immediately

Question 13

Drawbacks of online banking for customers:

Answer 13

Customers may not have access to the necessary technology or have the necessary skills to carry out transactions

Some customers prefer face-to-face transactions as they may not be confident of transactions taking place without human involvement

Some customers worry about fraud, resulting in loss of money or their personal details being stolen

Question 14

Advantages of online banking for banks:

Answer 14

Save money as fewer branches require fewer staff leading to a reduction in wage costs

Can provide online-only products such as e-statements which can save on paper and postage costs

As banking is done through their website they can also attract a bigger customer base as customers do not have to live near a banking branch

Question 15

Disadvantages of online banking for banks:

Answer 15

Online banking requires the storage of large volumes of personal data which calls for complex security systems to be implemented and maintained

As technology develops: security procedures must be reviewed and updated so the bank will have to employ specialist technical staff such as staff who can maintain the website

Question 16

What is Online Training

Answer 16

Employers often use online training programs to train employees in a more hands-on interactive environment

Advances in internet and broadband communications have made online training much more accessible

It is both more economical in both time and costs than conventional training

Question 17

Advantages of Online Training:

Answer 17

Employees can learn at a time that is convenient and they can work at their own pace

Employers also gain valuable time as there is no travelling to training which can take up staff time

Employees in different offices can easily access the training at the same time

Employees can monitor employee progress through automatic tracking systems which record progress made including training modules completed and end-of-module assessment scores

Multimedia assets such as animations, graphics, sound files and video files help make training content more attractive to employees

Training platforms which are compatible with mobile phones give the employee more options on when and where materials can be used

Virtual reality customised training programs in the form of work-related simulations offer a highly interactive and realistic form of training for example, airline companies have been using flight simulators successfully for many years to develop a pilot’s range-flying skills

Question 18

Disadvantages of Online Training:

Answer 18

Traditional training allows opportunities for employees to ask questions face to face but with online training support is often limited to a FAQ section leading to employees feeling isolated and unsupported. Even with emails there may be a delay.

Online training does not suit all learning styles, for example, some employees may prefer learning through graphical images while others prefer materials in a text-based format

Organisation may feel they are not in full control of training even though they can track progress of employees

Creating deadlines for completion of training is difficult since each employee may be working at a different pace or even on a different module

Over reliance on the technology needed for online training can also cause problems for example, poor internet connection could interrupt learning or an employee may have to update their browser to access online materials

Question 19

What is E-commerce

Answer 19

Buying and selling of products and services over the internet

E-commerce has a major impact on the shopping experience

Question 20

Advantages of E-commerce:

Answer 20

More convenient for customers as ordering goods online takes less time than travelling to local shops. This is helpful for people with disabilities, people with young children, or those who live outside town centres as it is difficult to make trips to a shopping centre

Using the internet and search engines, customers can access more information about products they wish to purchase, such as reviews and price comparisons

Greater choice and availability of products compared to visiting their local shop(s) which may not stock the full range of products or may not have products in stock

Main benefit to an organisation: do not need to buy or rent retail outlets, they can use out-of-town warehouses

Organisations do not need to employ checkout operators and can hire fewer employees

A website can be used to purchase products which means that business can reach a global scale and increase chances of securing more customers, making the organisation more profitable

E-commerce websites allow for customers to review products and services

Some products are very popular before their release such as games which become popular and can be pre-ordered and delivered on release date

Question 21

Disadvantages of E-commerce:

Answer 21

Fear that businesses may not be authentic and has been set up to solely scam customers into entering personal details including their credit card details which can then be used for fraud

Purchases are based on descriptions and images, there is no hands on experience.

Sometimes these images and descriptions may be misleading and when the goods arrive

they do not meet expectations of the customer meaning they need to be returned and will become a lengthy process of posting the goods and waiting for a refund

When goods are ordered there is a time delay on waiting for delivery. Customers are usually offered a range of delivery options such as standard or next day. The cost of these options may differ and cause the goods to be more expensive than the selling price