AREAS OF APPLICATION OF COMPUTERS

Introduction 

In this module we shall discuss the application of computers in the following areas:

1.  • Education 
2. • Science and Engineering 
3. • Health Care 
4. • Business and Industry 
5. • Transport and Communications 
6. • Recreation 
7. • Government 
8. • The Military etc. 

Computer has become a universal tool of any modern man (or woman). Literacy, today is not defined only in terms of the ability to read and/or write but in addition, it includes the ability to use and communicate with the aid of computer. In the education sector, computers are being used to promote teaching and learning.

MUST READ:B

1. floppy drive failure – symptoms and troubleshooting
2. hardware component (2) – peripheral devices 
3. historical overview of the computer
4. hard drive failure – symptoms and troubleshooting
5. keyboard failure – symptoms and troubleshooting
6. memory failure – symptoms and troubleshooting
7. modems installation and set up
8. process of fault diagnosis
9. replacing the add-on cards/here are the steps for replacing a sound card.
10. software diagnostic tests for hardware
11. sound failure symptoms in computer -mouse
12. threats to the computer - 
13. troubleshooting boot-time error messages

 Objective

The main objective of this unit is to identify some areas of application of computer in the in the field of education.

Application of Computers in Education

The field of education provides the most fascinating application of computing system. This has consequently attracted considerable attention from educationist and policy makers since the late 1960s, when computers were introduced into the classroom. The entry of the computer into the classroom has now offered opportunities and possibilities for students to develop their potentials with computer-aided instructions packages. A considerable number of fascinating and entertaining educational computer software packages are now available in almost every subject. These self-tutor instruction packages are well designed to enable the user to learn on his or her own time, speed and convenience. The role of the teacher here is that of a guide so that the student can think more logically and can gain meaningful experience in such structured situations, role playing and other well programmed exercise so that the student can have a better understanding of the interrelationships of variables to real life situations.

Apart from the use of computer as an instructional aid, it is also used in the execution of routine and administrative tasks such as the keeping of academic and administrative records on admissions, examinations, staffing and other routine functions.


The computer has also revolutionized the services rendered by libraries to readers. A computer based on-line public access catalogue system manages a search for materials using indices such as author’s name, book title, subject and classmark. Readers using public terminals can go through a menu-driven programme to find specific books or periodicals, recall books on loans and also make requisition for short loan items.

Furthermore, optical character reading devices are used to scan the bar codes on readers library cards to offer a computer based issuing of books to readers. A computer based security system is used to maintain security services in libraries as well. In educational institutions such as nursery schools, primary schools, secondary schools, polytechnics, colleges of education and universities, computer can be used for the following:

1. • Computer aided self-tutored application packages. 
2. • Computer instructional aids e.g. digital projectors. 
3. • Microsoft PowerPoint application software for preparing slide shows, speeches, seminars, workshop, lectures etc. 
4.  Computer simulated graded exercises, group work. 
5. Computer-aided laboratory experiments and investigations. 
6. • Computer-aided software packages for special students e.g. the 
7. mentally/physically disable (the blinds, deaf etc), adults, KGs, teenagers etc. 
8. • Distant learning programmes e.g. sandwich programmes, through the Virtual Library Technology. 
9. • Teleconferencing technology. 
10. • Placing and sourcing of educational materials/resources e.g. papers, journals, 
11. newsletters, magazines, textbooks, films, on the internet. 
12. • Computerization of Library Services to make cataloguing indexing, retrieval, 
13. borrowing, return and other library services easier and faster. 
14. • Keeping the records of students, teachers and teaching facilities. 

Estimating the teachers-student ratio with a view to assessing the adequacy of teaching and learning.
Estimating the ratio of students to teachers and teachers to teaching facilities with a view to assessing the adequacy of teaching and learning.

Timely generation of students examination results.

Automatic generation of lecture and examination time tables.
Aiding students to learn basic theoretical concepts. There are currently, some computer aided learning software packages and hardware devices that are readily available in the market.

 Conclusion

Computers have been applied in virtually all fields of human endeavour. This unit presents an overview of some of the key areas of its application. The application of computers in education are discussed in details.