chapter 6

• Paper-based communication methods

  • Newsletters
  • Posters
• Paper-based communication

  Used to inform people about their interests
• Schools use paper-based communication

  To inform parents about events/dates
• Advantages of paper-based communication

  • Released regularly
  • Recipients have a permanent copy
• Disadvantages of paper-based communication

  • Requires distribution
  • No special effects, sound/video/animation
  • Printing costs, paper/ink
  • Targeted audience may or may not receive the information
• Websites

  • Collection of webpages, text, graphics, video, and sound
  • Hosted on a web server on the internet
  • Need to write code or use a web authoring application
  • Hyperlinks to other pages can be added
  • Interactive websites require programming knowledge
  • Can use a camera, scanner, and microphone to input data
  • Usually, hire space from the web hosting company
• Advantages of websites


  • Ability to add sound/video/animation
  • Links to other websites/hyperlinks
  • Use of hot spots
  • Buttons to navigate/move around the website
  • Hit counters to see who has visited the websites
  • Worldwide advertising capability
• Disadvantages of websites


  • Can be hacked and modified, or viruses introduced
  • Need for a computer and internet connection
  • Lack of portability compared with the paper-based system
  • Need to maintain the website once it is set up
• Multimedia Presentations


  • Uses a mixture of media to present information: animations, video, sound, transitions, hyperlinks
  • Produced using software packages
  • Used with a projector so a large audience can view
• Advantages of multimedia presentations

  • Use of sound and animation/video effects
  • Interactive/hyperlinks built into presentations
  • More likely to hold the audience's attention
• Disadvantages of multimedia presentations

  • Need for special equipment – expensive
  • May require internet access
  • Distracts the audience from the sole content of the presentation
  • Very easy to make a presentation with too many features
• Media streaming

  • Real-time transition of audio and video files over the internet
  • Allows users to access content without downloading it to their devices
  • Uses buffering to ensure smooth playback
• Advantages of media streaming

  • Users can access any information at any time and from any location
  • Offers an extensive library of content
  • More cost-effective than traditional cable or satellite TV subscriptions
• Disadvantages of media streaming

  • Heavily relies on a stable and high-speed internet connection
  • Not all content is available on every streaming platform due to licensing agreements and exclusivity deals
  • You don't own the media when streaming, so it may become inaccessible if removed from the platform
• ePublications

  • Digital versions of printed materials, such as eBooks, eMagazines, and eNewspapers
  • Can be read on electronic devices
• Advantages of ePublications


  • Aid portability
  • Often more affordable than paperback books
  • Offer interactive elements that enhance the reading experience
• Disadvantages of ePublications


  • Reading from an electronic device for a prolonged time can cause eyestrain
  • Lack the tactile experience and physical presence that some readers enjoy
  • Compatibility issues can arise if the ePublication is in a format not supported by the reader's device or software
• Mobile communication methods


  • Short message service (SMS) messaging
  • Phone calls
  • Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
  • Video calls
  • Accessing the Internet
• Advantages of using models

  • Less expensive than building the real thing
  • Safer to use a computer model
  • Allows trying out various different scenarios in advance
  • Faster to use a computer model than to do the real thing
• Disadvantages of using models

  • Output is entirely based on the input, so it can't be completely reliable
  • Computer modelling can be a very costly option
  • Human reluctance is a common problem
• Applications of computer modelling

  • Personal finance
  • Bridge and building design
  • Flood water management
  • Traffic management
  • Weather forecasting
• Advantages of using computer modelling rather than humans

  • Provides more precise and accurate results
  • Can analyze large amounts of data and perform complex calculations faster
  • Can be reused and updated easily, reducing the need for repetitive manual analysis and potentially lowering costs
• Disadvantages of using computer modelling rather than humans

  • May overlook nuanced factors or intangible elements
  • Based on assumptions and simplifications, introducing a level of uncertainty
  • Programmed algorithms and data inputs bind models, struggling to adapt to unforeseen circumstances
• Robotics in manufacturing


  • Involves using automated machines to perform tasks such as assembly, welding, and packaging
  • Designed to mimic human actions with precision and speed, increasing productivity and quality control
• Advantages of robotics in manufacturing

  • Can work in environments harmful to humans
  • Can work non-stop
  • Low running costs due to reduced employees
  • Higher productivity
  • Greater consistency
  • Can do long, boring, tedious tasks
  • Can carry out different tasks by fitting them with different-end effectors
• Disadvantages of robotics in manufacturing

  • Find it difficult to do unusual tasks
  • Can cause higher unemployment
  • Lead to deskilling as robots do many tasks once done by humans
  • Independent of the skills base, allowing factory headquarters to be moved internationally
  • Initial set-up and maintenance can be expensive
• Production line control


  • Computer-controlled systems that monitor, coordinate, and optimize manufacturing processes
  • Ensure efficient coordination of machinery, manage inventory, track production metrics, and automate tasks
  • Enable real-time data analysis, error detection, and adjustment, improving productivity, reducing downtime, and enhancing overall operational efficiency
• Autonomous vehicles


  Self-driving cars and drones guided by computer algorithms
• Advantages of using computer-controlled systems rather than humans

  • Increased efficiency and productivity
  • Greater consistency
  • Ability to work in any environment
  • Reduced human error
  • Can work with large or delicate items
• Disadvantages of using computer-controlled systems rather than humans

  • Very high installation costs
  • Very high maintenance costs
  • Dependency on reliable systems
  • Lack of flexibility
  • Requires costly backup systems
• School Management Systems


  Comprehensive software applications that automate administrative tasks, such as attendance tracking, grading, scheduling, and student information management, improving educational institutions' efficiency, accuracy, and organization
• Advantages of School Management Systems

  • Absenteeism can be addressed more quickly
  • Parents are kept updated
  • Reduced workload for teachers
• Disadvantages of School Management Systems

  • Operating the software will require training
  • The initial cost of the software is very high
  • Unauthorized access will have to be prevented as there is a lot of personal information
• Learner registration and attendance methods

  • ID cards with magnetic tapes
  • Biometrics
• Advantages of biometrics over magnetic ID cards

  • Unique fingerprints disable attendance forgery
  • Portability makes them easy to lose
  • Easy to be stolen due to small size
  • ID cards can be easily cloned
• Disadvantages of biometrics over magnetic ID cards

  • Time-consuming for all fingerprints to be individually collected
  • Expensive equipment is required to read fingerprints
  • If the finger is cut/damaged, the fingerprint won't be readable, and access will be denied
  • Invasion of privacy in storing fingerprints on a school database
• Spreadsheets


  Used to record students' performances, making it easier to compare each other's performances and an individual student's performance over the academic year
• Computer-aided learning (CAL)

  • The use of computer-based technologies to help students acquire academic material
  • Meant to supplement classroom instruction, not serve its purpose
  • Students take online assessments to track their progress while learning on computers
  • Cannot consistently assist a student with an issue, so other aid may be needed
• Booking systems


  Web-based platforms and applications that allow users to reserve and purchase tickets or services for various events and industries
• Applications of booking systems

  • Travel industry
  • Concerts
  • Cinemas
  • Sporting events