Sociology and Technology - Coursework Example

Number-Section Human ingenuity has been a driving force for the development of culture and society since prehistoric times. We have always looked for ways to make life easier and increase efficiency through the development of our tools. In the beginning, prehistoric technologies such as arrows and clubs were essential for helping to hunt down prey and survive. As history progressed on, we started developing different kinds of technology to help us in all different aspects of our lives from transportation to communication.

As science and research in development took place during the many industrial and technological revolutions in the world, more and better technologies have been created. Every single person in the world is connected by a single technology alone: communications technology (Elahi, 2001). This includes cell phones, computers, Internet, etc. and they have all revolutionized the way in which we lead our lives. One of the most important developments that these technologies have influenced is the way in which we learn and assimilate information.

Traditional learning in the classroom has been enhanced with computers and the Internet allows students to bring the world inside the classroom. Mobile technologies have revolutionized the educational system by allowing greater opportunities and greater exposure to new forms of learning, which can be beneficial to not only traditional students, but also those returning to school to earn their degree (Kukulska-Hulme & Traxler, 2005). The first ways in which our communications technology came to be was only accomplished through that of pen and paper.

These letters were then sent to their respective correspondents via ship, horse, or foot. It could take days to weeks and even months before the letter would be received. As such, news and collaboration around the world traveled very slowly, and so did the sharing of scientific and technological development. Even the style of learning was primitive. Many of the natural sciences were still in their first stages of development and the only way that information could be shared was through books.

The one drawback was language and the ability to mass-produce. Literacy was a privilege among many cultures, so while everyone could speak their respective language, very few could write and read it. These books were also extremely valuable. At many times, only one or two copies would have existed in the world. As such, learning and communication hindered human growth. The first real use of electronic communication started with the advent of Morse code. Samuel F. B. Morse created Morse code in the beginning of the 1840s.

Communication and information was transmitted through a series of tones as either dots or dashes. A decoder could then be used to translate these messages (Noth, 1990). This was an extremely useful and important technological development in the age of communications. The biggest purpose was not that of education however, Morse code was instrumental in allowing communication of information and strategic planning during World War I and World War II (Mullener, 2002). The next biggest leap in technology was the development of the first computers, which started in the mid twentieth century.

At this time, the ancient computers were nowhere near the computers we use today. It was very common for a computer to take up many, many rooms in a single building and still only be capable of rudimentary calculations and data gathering (Bedoyere, 2005). Research into the areas of computer science changed the ways in which we process and store electronic data. Especially when thinking about how cultures and societies access technology today, the development of computers has come very far to where we now have computers that can fit in your hand which can carry almost any function conceivable from text messaging to picture taking.

The first association that everyone makes with the computer is the Internet. The Internet came into development around the time the computer was started. In essence, the Internet is a network that exists between two or more computers, which allows them to share information and communicate (Gralla, 1998). This has been mankind’s greatest achievement when it comes to terms of how we collaborate and share information. Education has been the area, which has seen the greatest increase in the use of this technology.

Technology enhanced classrooms allow students and teachers alike to have access to resources which might not necessarily be available in the community. The sharing of documents and papers via email and websites has also changed the way in which traditional learning has occurred. Resources Bedoyere, G. (2005). The first computers. London, UK: Evans Brothers Limited. Elahi, A. (2001). Network communications technology. Albany, NY: Thomson Learning. Gralla, P. (1998). How the internet works. Indianapolis, IN: Que Corporation.

Kukulska-Hulme, A, & Traxler, J. (2005). Mobile learning: a handbook for educators and trainers. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group. Mullener, E. (2002). War stories: remembering world war ii. New Orleans, LA: Louisiana State University Press. Noth, W. (1990). Handbook of semiotics. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press.