Unit 1

Text Study: Computer Literacy.

Additional Text: The Need for Computer Literacy in Modern Society.

Grammar: The Infinitive.

Text Study

I. Pre-reading Exercises

1. Repeat the words in chorus:

Society, arithmetics, quickly, efficiently, requirements, either, existing, compile, retrieving, through, vehi­cles, throughout, irreverently, societies.

2. While reading the text you will come across a number of international words. Try to guess what Ukrainian words they remind of you:

Potential, privileged, bank credit card, clerk, detailed, packages, specification, to adapt, logical, modifying.

3. Pay attention to some grammatical points:

1) They bring with them both economic and social changes. 2) All of us are already on the way to becoming computer-literate. 3) Many actions that you have taken or observed have much in common. 4) He makes a detailed analysis of the employer's requirements. 4) He either uses standard computer packages or writes a specification for program­mers to adapt existing software or to prepare new software.

II. Reading

Read the text and make notes about main responsibilities of jobs in computing

Computer Literacy

Informed citizens of our information-dependent society should be computer-literate, which means that they should be able to use computers as everyday problem-solving devices. They should be aware of the potential of computers to influence the quality of life.

There was a time when only privileged people had an oppor­tunity to learn the basics, called the three R's: reading, writing, and arithmetics. Now, as we are becoming an informa­tion-becoming society, it is time to restate this right as the right to learn reading, writing and computing. There is little doubt that computers and their many applications are among the most sig­nificant technical achievements of the century. They bring with them both economic and social changes. "Computing" is a con­cept that embraces not only the old third R, arithmetics, but also a new idea — computer literacy.

In an information society a person who is computer-literate need not be an expert on the design of computers. He needn't even know much about how to prepare programs which are the instructions that direct the operations of computers. All of us are already on the way to becoming computer-literate. Just think of your everyday life. If you buy something with a bank credit card or pay a bill by check, computers help you to process the information. When you check out at the counter of your store, a computer assists the checkout clerk and the store manager. Many actions that you have taken or observed have much in common. Each relates to some aspect of a data processing system.

Here is the description of jobs in computing.

System analyst studies methods of working within an organization to decide how tasks can be done efficiently by computers. He makes a detailed analysis of the employer's requirements and work patterns to prepare a report on different options for using information technology. This may in­volve consideration of the hardware as well as software. He either uses standard computer packages or writes a specification for program­mers to adapt existing software or to prepare new software. He may over­see the implementation and testing of the system and acts as a link between the user and the programmer.

Software Engineer/Designer produces the programs which control the internal operations of computers. He converts the system analyst's specification to a logical series of steps. Software Engineer translates these into the appropriate computer lan­guage. He often compiles programs from libraries or sub-programs, com­bining them to make up a complete systems program. He designs, tests, and improves programs for computer-aided design and manufacture, business applications, computer networks and games.

Computer Systems Support Person. Systems support people are analyst programmers who are respon­sible for maintaining, updating and modifying the software used by a company. Some of them specialize in software which handles the basic opera­tion of the computers. This involves the use of machine codes and specialized low-level computer languages. Most of them handle application software. They may sort out problems encountered by users. Solving prob­lems systems support people may involve amending an area of code in the software, retrieving files and data lost when a system crashes and a basic knowledge of hardware.

Computer System Analyst Programmer creates the software programs used by computers. He may specialize in the internal operating systems using low level computer language or in application programs. He also may specialize in one aspect of the work, e.g. programming, systems design, systems analysis or cover them all. He may support the system through advice and training, pro­viding user manuals and by helping users with any problems that arise.

Hardware Engineer researches designs and develops computers, or parts of comput­ers and the computerized element of appliances, machines and vehi­cles. He also involves in their manufacture, installation and testing.

Professions and organizations. As the use of computers has spread throughout society, there are an increasing number of careers involving computers. Following the theme of hardware, software and firmware, the brains of people who work in the industry are sometimes known irreverently as wetware or ”meatware”.

Computer-related professions. Hardware-related:    Electrical engineering, Electronics engineering, Computer engineering, Telecommunications en­gineering, Optical engineering, Nanoscale engi­neering.

Software-related: Human-computer interaction, Information tech­nology, Software engineering, Scientific compu­ting, Web design, Desktop publishing.

The need for computers to work well together and to be able to exchange information has spawned the need for many standards or­ganizations, clubs and societies of both a formal and informal nature.

Vocabulary Notes

computer literacy — комп’ютерна грамотність

be aware of — розуміти, усвідомлювати

basics — основи

to restate ['rJ'steit] — переглянути, переосмислити

significant [sIg'nIfIkqnt]— значний

computing — обрахування; рахунок; робота на комп’ютері

to embrace [Im'breIs] — охоплювати

dimension [dI'menSqn] — вимір

to direct the operation — направляти роботу

subscription [sqb'skrIpSqn]  magazine — журнал по підписці

store manager — директор магазину

system analyst — системний аналітик

consideration [kqn"sIdq'reIS(q)n]— аналіз, розгляд

computer package — комплект обчислювального обладнання

software designer [dI'zaInq] — розробник програмного забезпечення

to compile [kqm'paIl] — компілювати

computer-aided design — автоматизоване проектування

business application — прикладна система для підприємств, торгівельної сфери; застосування комп’ютерів для вирішення економічних та комерційних завдань

computer system support person — спеціаліст з підтримки комп’ютерної системи

to encounter [In'kaVntq] — зіткнутися з труднощами

computer system analyst programmer — системний програміст

hardware engineer — спеціаліст з розробки апаратного забезпечення

irreverently [I'rev(q)rqntlI] — неввічливо

wetware / ”meatware” — забезпечення користувача

engineering ["endZI'nIqrIN] — проектування, конструювання

to spawn [spLn] — породжувати

Comprehension

1. Tell what sentences are true and what are false.

1) Informed citizens of our information-dependent society should be computer-literate, which means that they should be able to use computers as everyday problem-solving devices. 2) There was a time when only poor people had an oppor­tunity to learn the basics, called the three R's: reading, writing, and arithmetics. 3) "Computing" is a con­cept that embraces not only the old third R, arithmetics, but also a new idea — computer literacy. 4) All of us are not already on the way to becoming computer-literate. 5) Software Engineer produces the programs which control the external operations of computers.6) Hardware engineer researches designs and develops computers, or parts of comput­ers and the computerized element of appliances, machines and vehi­cles.

2. Choose the right answer:

1) Informed citizens of our information-dependent society should be … .

a) computer-literate;

b) illiterate;

c) polite.

2) If you buy something with a bank credit card or pay a bill by check, … help you to process the information.

a) a store manager;

b) computers;

c) policeman.

3) Many actions relate to some aspect of … system.

a) computer;

b) application;

c) a data processing.

4)  System analyst studies methods of working within an organization to decide how tasks can be done efficiently by … .

a) a store manager;

b) computers;

c) policeman.

5) Software Engineer/Designer produces the programs which control the … operations of computers.

a) internal;

b) external;

c) local.

6) Some of computer system support people specialize in … which handles the basic opera­tion of the computers.

a) hardware;

b) software;

c) firmware.

7) Computer System Analyst Programmer may specialize in the internal operating systems using … or in application programs.

a) high-level computer language;

b) low-level computer language;

c) different kinds of computer languages.

8) Hardware Engineer researches designs and … computers.

a) trades with;

b) assesses;

c) develops.

9) The brains of people who work in the computer industry are sometimes known irreverently as … .

a) ”meatware”;

b) systems analyst;

c) designer.

3. Complete the sentences:

1) Informed citizens of our information-dependent society should be computer-literate, which means that they should be able to use computers as … . 2) There was a time when only privileged people had an oppor­tunity to learn the basics, called the three R's: … . 3) "Computing" is a con­cept that embraces not only … . 4) All of us are already on the way to becoming … .

5) System analyst makes a detailed analysis of … . 6) Software engineer designs, tests, and … . 7) Systems support people are analyst programmers who are respon­sible for … . 8) Computer System Analyst Programmer may specialize in … . 9) Hardware Engineer researches designs and develops computers, or parts of comput­ers and … . 10) As the use of computers has spread throughout society, there are … .

4. Answer following questions.

1) What does "a computer-literate person" mean? 2. Why should we be aware of the potential of computers? 3) What do the people mean by "the basics"? 4) What is the role of computers in our society? 5) What changes do computers bring? 6) What is ’’computing’’? 7) What does system analyst use? And what may he oversee? 8) What does software engineer do? 9) In what do systems support people specialize? And what may they involve solving prob­lems 10) What does computer system analyst programmer create? And what may he support? 11) In what does hardware engineer involve? 12) Why are there an increasing number of careers involving computers? 13) What has spawned the need for many standards or­ganizations, clubs and societies of both a formal and informal nature?

5. Find as quickly as possible and read out the sentences containing the following important information:

• about a person who is computer-literate;
• system analyst;
• software designer;
• computer systems support person;
• computer system analyst programmer;
• hardware engineer.

*6. Try to tell the gist of the text.

 

Word Study

1. Give Ukrainian equivalents of the following.

An information-dependent society; a computer-literate cit­izen; an everyday problem-solving device; to in­fluence the quality of life; to learn the basics; the most significant technical achievements; to be on the way of becoming computer-literate; to have much in common; to bring both economic and social changes; the employer's requirements;  work patterns; to prepare a report on different options; to oversee the implementation and testing of the system; to act as a link; to control the internal operations of computers; to convert the system analyst's specification to a logical series of steps; to handle the basic opera­tion of the computers; the use of machine codes; to pro­vide user manuals.

2. Give English equivalents of the following.

Стежити за виконанням та випробовуванням системи; керувати операціями комп’ютера; інформаційно-залежне суспільство; вивчати основи; бути на шляху становлення компю’терно-грамотної особистості; мати багато спільного; приносити як і економічні так і соціальні зміни; принципи роботи; комп’ютерно-грамотний громадянин; вимоги роботодавця; пристрій, що вирішує щоденні проблеми; впливати на якість життя; готувати доповідь з різноманітних питань; перетворювати специфікацію системного аналітика у логічну послідовність дій; використання машинного коду;  найбільш значне технічне досягнення; діяти як сполучна ланка, керувати внутрішніми операціями комп’ютера;

керувати основними операціями комп’ютера; забезпечувати інструкцією з експлуатації.

3. Make up pairs or groups of words close in meaning.

Verbs: to turn on, to provide, to type, to accept, to help, to learn, to observe,  to tell, to keep, to feed, to solve, to relate, to switch off, to communicate, to receive, to supply, to switch on, to assist, to print, to study, to input, to turn off, to decide, to store, to say, to name, to watch.

Nouns: work, machine, fundamentals, display, application, capabilities, job, storage, screen, state, basics, use, concept, specialist, journal, character, memory, idea, expert, magazine, position, symbol, command, data, solution, device, instruction, powers, information, decision.

Adjectives: basic, tiny, common, small, main, significant, routine, general, remarkable, uninterested, intricate, important, wonderful, complex, little.

Adverbs: rapidly, probably, instantaneously, in a moment, quickly, perhaps.

4. Fill in the gaps with the words from Vocabulary Notes in the appropriate form.

Significant/ computing/ to encounter/ system analyst/ to spawn/

software designer

1) … is a necessity for educated citizens. 2) Developing the new hardware they … with difficulties. 3) This error … system crash. 4) The latest application software was … . 5) … studies his employer’s requirements to prepare a report for using new computer technologies. 6) … has developed new business application for their corporation.

5. Translate sentences into English using words and word combinations from the Vocabulary Notes.

1) Громадяни нашого інформаційно-залежного суспільства намагаються стати комп’ютерно-грамотними. 2) Ми повинні усвідомлювати важливість вивчення роботи з комп’ютером. 3) Студенти нашого вузу вивчають основи комп’ютерних наук, які також охоплюють автоматизоване проектування та програмування. 4) Розробник програмного забезпечення зіткнувся з проблемою при проектуванні нової прикладної системи для торгівельного підприємства. 5) Спеціаліст з розробки апаратного забезпечення розробив новий бортовий комп’ютер для автомобіля. 6) Системний програміст надав інструкцію з експлуатації нового обладнання.

 

Additional Text

(for individual work)

Read, translate the text and answer the following questions:

• Why will almost everyone need to become familiar with computing?
• Why have dozens of careers evolved?
• What is another major revolution occurring in the use of computers?

The Need for Computer Literacy in Modern Society

The introduction of new procedures and new technology is said to be disruptive. Many people, particularly the older generation, cannot and do not want to change their ways of life. They tend to be afraid of the new systems. They believe that they won’t be able to learn the new skills and will appear awkward and dumb. Nevertheless, changing technology tends to enforce this on them.

The introduction of computers is said to follow that pattern. Computers have crept into our life. The microcomputer is now widely accepted as a very efficient device for performing many types of operation, such as the display of business and other information from a data base. It is used for performing computations of varying types at high speed including professional, scientific, engineering and accounting calculations for the classroom as well as for word processing in typing and secretarial departments.

In business the computer is known to be a means increasing administrative efficiency, payroll processing, sales, etc.

Therefore the pressure on those who still are unfamiliar with computers and their use is ever greater. So almost everyone will need to become familiar with data processing and computing, particularly microcomputing to a greater or lesser extent. No matter whether we need it in the home, office, school, college or factory, it will be almost as commonplace to use a computer as it is to drive a car.

Computers today are said to become more and more user friendly. That is they are becoming much easier to use and understand. To use a computer in the past, one had to learn computer languages such as FORTRAN (FORmula TRANslation) or COBOL (Common Business­ Oriented Language). The learning process was difficult for many students.

Today's computers are much easier to use. Focus in many schools is shifting away from programming computers to using them for managerial decision making a more enjoyable high-level function. Clerks do not need to become involved with the programming of computers as this is the prerogative of the systems staff. Package programs may be used for the various applications in most instances.

Let's make acquaintance now with some of the terms and uses of computers, robots and other high-tech equipment in today's organizations.

Here are selected computer languages:

Ada: A government (especially military) computer language;

ALGOL (Algorithmic Language): math-oriented language used most often for larger computers;

APL (A Programming Language): IBM-devised language useful for math; BASIC (Beginners All-purpose Symbolic Instructional Code); used mostly for math and statistics;

COBOL (Common Business-Oriented Language): used for business applications such as billing, payroll, or inventory;

FORTRAN (Formula Translation): used most often for scientific problems;

LISP: Advanced artificial intelligence language for programs that deal with human languages;

LOGO: Language useful for graphics; widely used in schools;

PASCAL: Language that teaches a structured approach to programming; PLl (Programming Language 1): similar to ALGOL, but handless business files better;

PROLOG (Programming Language 1): basic artificial intelligence program.

Due to computer application, a lot of new jobs have appeared.

 Systems analysts have the challenging job of analyzing the many functions of the firm and designing a computer system to perform those functions more efficiently. First the systems analysts study how the job is now being performed. Then they design a system to do the job better. To do that, they must learn what information must be collected and processed, what output is needed, what computer capacity is needed, and the costs involved. Systems analysts must explain the system to the various computer users and tell the programmers what the system needs to do.

The greatest increase in computer jobs in the future may be for computer service technicians. During the last decades, companies were busy installing computers. Someone has to maintain and fix those computers. This is a great opportunity for someone to start his or her own service business.

Dozens of careers have evolved because of computers and the information revolution. Someone, for example, must teach people how to use computers (computer trainers). There are computer consultants who advise firms which computer to buy. Computer librarians keep track of all the tapes, disks, and other data storage devices. A data processing manager supervises the data processing center. Computer security specialists try to prevent computer crime. Technical writers write the manuals that tell how to use the computer. Naturally, there are also computer engineers who design computers and manufacturers that produce computers.

There is a device that allows people to stay at home and work with a computer at work. It is called a modem. A modem converts data into a form that can be sent over phone lines so that one computer can "talk" to another.

Another major revolution is occurring in the use of computers to run machines, including robots, i.e. the use of computer-driven machines to do work formerly done by humans. Robot technology has improved dramatically in the last few years. Today, intelligent robots are being used in factories. Some robots can see and read using cameras. One robot, for example, detects irregularities in welded seams and corrects any mistakes. Another robot reads identifying numbers in nuclear fuel rods. The newest robots can feel the difference between an egg and a piece of steel and handle each of them accordingly. Some robots even respond to voice commands. Computers linked with robots can perform dirty, difficult, repetitive tasks faster, cheaper, and better than people.