Section 7

Question 1

Summarise the impact technology has on employment

Answer 1

Technology has led to more jobs becoming automated.
It has changed the way we work and where we choose to work.

Question 2

The use of robots to complete automated tasks is becoming a popular option. Why is this? What are the consequences of this?

Answer 2

This is because they can work 24/7 and don’t need to take breaks.
However, this can lead to humans being replaced.

Question 3

What does hot-desking mean?

Answer 3

This means working in an office but not at a specific desk, they work at a desk that becomes available.

Question 4

Why might an office use hot-desking?

Answer 4

This could be because the office has lots of part-time staff or have a flexible working contract, which means they often work from home.

Question 5

Give an advantage of hot-desking

Answer 5

Businesses don’t have to invest in extra office space and ensure any vacated desks can be used up.

Question 6

Give a disadvantage of hot-desking

Answer 6

Employees can’t personalise their desk
Desks may not be free
They have to work in different places every time which can make it harder to focus.

Question 7

D_____ are used in ________ __________.
Many aspects of farming, such as m_______ and tractors, are being revolutionised by new technologies.
__ systems learn from e_________ and can make d________ within a business.
Self-driving cars are likely to be used for self-driving ______.

Answer 7

Drones are used in military operations.
Many aspects of farming, such as milking and tractors, are being revolutionised by new technologies.
AI systems learn from experience and can make decisions within a business.
Self-driving cars are likely to be used for self-driving taxis.

Question 8

What is teleworking?

Answer 8

A method of working. Employees that work away from the office using WAN (Wide Area Network).

Question 9

How can communication be done in teleworking? Give 2 ideas

Answer 9

Via e-mail
Online meeting softwares like Zoom

Question 10

How did COVID-19 affect teleworking?

Answer 10

Saw a gigantic increase.
The pandemic altered the way businesses work. Many employees didn’t return to the office after the lockdowns.

Question 11

Does teleworking necessarily mean that employees work from home?

Answer 11

No, they can telework in other locations like cafes.

Question 12

TELEWORKING: Give 2 advantages for the employee

Answer 12

No need to travel to work - reduced costs
Can work from comfort of own home
Less stress
Work around family - flexible hours
Opportunities for disabled people to work

Question 13

TELEWORKING: Give 2 disadvantages for the employee

Answer 13

No home/ work divide
May become distracted
Little social interaction of work
May be difficult to motivate
Increased home running costs (electricity etc.)
Feel isolated

Question 14

TELEWORKING: Give 2 advantages for the employer

Answer 14

No office space needed
Less staff; cleaners etc.
Less likely to have staff sickness
Wider employee market: can employ globally

Question 15

TELEWORKING: Give 2 disadvantages for the employer

Answer 15

Cannot monitor staff as easily
Security risks of data
Employers pay for staff IT

Question 16

Give 2 positive impacts of technology on the environment.

Answer 16

Internet of Things (IoT)
Use of IoT devices to regulate use of energy in households and businesses.
Green IT
Technology that is designed to use less energy (eg. Low power mode on a smartphone)
Digital Downloads
Many developers are creating digital copies of software to reduce the use of packaging such as plastic as well as fuel for transportation.

Question 17

What is IoT (Internet of Things)?

Answer 17

The interconnection via the internet of computing devices connecting and exchanging data.

Question 18

Give 2 negative impacts of technology on the environment

Answer 18

E-waste (electronic waste)
The disposal of obsolete devices and rare Earth element mining
Energy Consumption
The increased use of electricity to charge our devices and reliance on data centres
Pollution
The manufacturing and operation of technology products contribute to pollution

Question 19

What is Green IT? Give an example

Answer 19

A term used for environmentally friendly computing.
It aims to design, manufacture, operate, transport and dispose of computers and computer-related products in an eco-friendly manner.
Green IT uses computing equipment that uses energy efficiently, reducing the carbon footprint.
A policy of printing only when necessary is an example of Green IT.

Question 20

What is cloud computing?

Answer 20

Another way organisations can promote green IT because if data is stored on the cloud, less energy consuming servers and data storage equipment will be needed locally.

Question 21

Rare Earth elements are metallic. Give 2 specific properties they have.

Answer 21

Strong magnetism
High electrical conductivity
High heat resistance
High lustre

Question 22

The properties of rare Earth metals makes them ideal for use in what (give 2 things)?

Answer 22

Digital cameras
Mobile phones
Computer hard disks

Question 23

Increased use of technology -> higher demand for rare Earth elements.
What is a disadvantage of this?

Answer 23

They can become more difficult to obtain. There could be a global shortage.

Question 24

Research is ongoing into other less invasive methods of obtaining rare Earth elements, such as…

Answer 24

recovering dissolved lithium as lithium salts in seawater.

Question 25

Define culture

Answer 25

Culture refers to the ideas, customs, and social behaviour of a particular people or society and technology is playing a significant role in how we live our everyday lives.

Question 26

Give 4 cultural issues

Answer 26

Digital Divide
Digital Divide - Local
Digital Divide - Global
Cyberbullying
Social Media
Addiction
Fake news
Net Neutrality

Question 27

Define Digital Divide

Answer 27

Digital Divide refers to the gap between people who have access to technology to those who don’t.

It is the difference between those who can take advantage of digital technology such as computers, smartphones, and the Internet, and those who can’t.

This happens both on a local and global scale.

Question 28

Define Digital Divide - Local

Answer 28

This can happen within a local area.
(For example, access to broadband due to different telephone exchanges or if the area has fibre).

Local differences also occur due to different economic circumstances.

In a school classroom, some learners have high spec laptops and mobiles, whereas others may not.

Question 29

Define Digital Divide - Global

Answer 29

This is the difference between rich and the poor nations.

Developed countries have the infrastructure and resources to take advantage of the latest technology developments. Other countries have bigger priorities, such as ensuring that the population has enough food and clean water, and they are behind in computer technologies.

Question 30

Define Cyberbullying.
Suggest why this could be worse than regular bullying

Answer 30

Sending unkind messages to other people using digital communications.

Many people use social media several times a day and, therefore, any inappropriate comments will be seen again and again, meaning that the person will be constantly reminded of the offensive comment. This can lead to depression, anxiety and low self-esteem.

Question 31

Define Social Media.
What do people use it for?
What do organisations use it for?

Answer 31

Websites that allow users to connect with each other by posting messages and sharing videos/ images.

People use social media to communicate with friends, family, groups of interest and communities.

Organisations use social media to promote their business and market their products.

Question 32

Define Addiction

Answer 32

The increased accessibility of the internet has created unhealthy habits. We can become addicted to technology without even realising it. There is so much to do with our devices but it’s only when we see our screen time that we realise that we spend a large proportion of our day at a screen. Computer games can also be addictive.

Question 33

Define Fake News.
How could you avoid it?

Answer 33

The deliberate spread of misinformation using online communications by making it appear to be genuine news.

When you find information online, it is a good idea to refer to other sources to see if they are reporting the same news. Who has written the information?

Question 34

Define Net Neutrality.
Give an example of a country that doesn’t use this principle.

Answer 34

The principle that the user is in control in what they see and do online, rather than the content being controlled by the broadband provider.

Not all countries have this. China does not allow users to access content that disagrees with government policies or attitudes to society. Google, Facebook, and X are all blocked in China due to the government regulations.

Question 35

What is media?

Answer 35

Media is the format used to communicate information to others.

Question 36

What are the two media industries?

Answer 36

• Traditional media is media that existed beforethe World Wide Web
• New media is media that has evolved since the creation of the World Wide Web

Question 37

What is the impact of technology?

Answer 37

• New media has been driven by the advancements of technology which have changed the way users consume media.
• The introduction of black box technology such as smartphones and tablet devices has created the need to stream and download content wherever we want, whenever we want via websites and apps.

Question 38

Give 3 examples of new media.

Answer 38

Social Media - Most platforms allow you to stream content. YouTube is the popular platform for streaming videos.
Video on Demand (VoD) - Platforms that allow you to watch what you want when you want (eg. Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney +)
Music Streaming - Platforms that allow you to hand pick music and create your own playlists (eg. Spotify)
Live Radio/ DAB - Digital audio that enables you to listen to radio stations via a mobile app
Digital Publishing - Most print media types such as newspapers, magazines, and books are available in electronic form such as e-books.

Question 39

Define ‘Digital Footprint’

Answer 39

The information about a particular person that exists on the internet as a result of their online activity.

Anything you post has the potential to be stored online for an infinite amount of time.

Question 40

What is the difference between a passive and active digital footprint?

Answer 40

A passive digital footprint is created by data you unknowingly leave behind when using the internet.

An active digital footprint is create when you knowingly submit information on the internet.

Question 41

What is online identity?

Answer 41

Just as you build your own identity in person and develop a reputation in the physical world, the same applies to any online activity.

For example, creating a social media profile contributes to your online identity and what you choose to do online shapes how you’re represented.

You should be careful about how you choose to appear because once you’ve posted information, you won’t be able to take it back and it can stay online for years to come.

Question 42

What is identity theft?

Answer 42

Identity theft is when a cybercriminal steals someone’s persona; details they can use to pretend to be someone else for their own benefit.

Cybercriminals could do this through hacking or other data breaches, phishing, or shoulder surfing.

As well as name and contact details, cybercriminals will look for information such as NI Number, bank details and passwords.

Question 43

What are inappropriate images?

Answer 43

Images and videos can make a big impression, and once something has been viewed, it is difficult to erase that memory. These images can promote distorted perceptions about relationships and, especially if not discussed, create negative feelings and low self-esteem.

Pornographic websites are an obvious example of where inappropriate images are seen, but there are instances where inappropriate material is viewed unintentionally, for example, when certain ads appear while playing video games online.

Videos showing violence towards animals or graphic images of injuries are other examples of inappropriate images. Sometimes these can appear on social media or be sent via messages.