Technology In Action Introductory

1. Using Technology to Change the World

2. Looking at Computers: Understanding the Parts

Appendix B. Careers in IT

Technology in Action, 14th Edition is a timely and essential update to this best-selling computer concepts text. Focusing on the topics and skills students need to be digitally literate, Technology in Action engages students with practical content and hands-on interactive simulations and lessons.

Highlights of what’s new in the 14th Edition

• Single column design, providing a more open and linear flow to improve comprehension and understanding.

• Updated and reorganized content for a more connected approach to key topics.

• Reorganized Technology in Focus sections Under the Hood and Ethics in IT have been integrated into relevant chapters, while History of Computers and Careers in IT were moved to the appendices.

• Broader coverage of ethics throughout the book.

• Engaging History of Computing video linked in Chapter 2.

• New Digital Competency Badge available in Pearson MyLab IT. This badge represents that students have the basic digital understanding to enter the workforce and be savvy consumers.

• Newly redesigned Sound Bytes provide easier interface, updated content, and three completely new lessons.

• New Pearson eText 2.0 provides full accessibility and interactive learning.

• New infographics provide graphical view of important data.

Hallmark features of  the book

• The learning approach fits the way students are learning today. Instead of a history lesson on the microchip, the authors focus on tasks that students can accomplish with their devices, and skills they can apply immediately in the workplace, the classroom, and at home. Students stay engaged because the content covers material they want to learn (e.g., how to integrate devices into a home network), while teaching the material they need to learn (e.g., how networks work).

• Learning outcomes and objectives are a more prominent part of the chapter design. These are listed in the chapter opener, throughout the text, and in the summary, so students can stay focused on what they need to learn.

• Hands-on practice and simulations allow students to reinforce understanding. These appear in every chapter and are suitable for homework or class usage.

• Try This hands-on projects lead students to explore a specific computing feature. Students can practice what they are learning and demonstrate proficiency with important topics. Each project is accompanied by a how-to video in MyLab IT.

• Make This! projects address the hot area of mobile app creation. Each chapter includes activities where student build programs that run on their mobile devices. Most of the chapters use App Inventor to build Android™ apps that can be installed on any Android device. Even without an Android device, students can use the emulator and start creating. By the end of the course they will have built 11 small apps. Each project includes instructions and a how-to video.

• Solve This! projects put the concepts into action through real-world problem solving using Microsoft® Word, Access®, and Excel®. There is a grader version available for most projects in the Practice folder in MyLab IT.

• Special features provide additional information and learning opportunities throughout the text.

• How Cool is This? timely and fun tech topics with QR codes printed in the book let students “try” technology as they learn.

• Dig Deeper offers detailed coverage of technical topics challenge more advanced students.

• Bits and Bytes offer helpful tips about computer usage and maintenance.

• Trends in IT featurescurrent content with a focus on new and emerging technologies, computers in society, careers in computing, and ethical considerations.

• Behind the Scenes shows in-depth coverage of additional topics that take students to the next level of understanding.

• Try This Projects let students try what they’ve been learning in a hands-on, step-by-step activity.

• Review and self-check resources keep learning on track.

• Check Your Understanding Quizzes Parts 1 and 2 provide a self-check, covering objectives in each part of the chapter so students can see how well they are learning the content.

• Comprehensive end-of-chapter material gives students the practice they need and lets instructors assess and measure performance.

• Multiple Choice and True/False questions provide additional reinforcement and review for students.

• Making the Transition to the Next Semester and the Workplace: Developed to give students mini- projects and assignments, this feature helps them apply computer concepts to real-world situations. (Online)

• Ethics Projects get students thinking about ethical issues and figuring out how to research and address them.

• Team Time helps students explore pertinent computer issues while collaborating with their peers.

• Chapter Parts provide easier navigation and give students a mid-point review opportunity using the Check Your Understanding section.

• Assessment tools let instructors check that students understand the material.

• Chapter Quiz provides a way for students to check that they have learned the material from the entire chapter.

• Critical Thinking Questions require that students demonstrate their understanding through written answers that are manually graded.

• Testbank Exams provide customizable, pre-built, auto-graded, objective-based questions covering the chapter objectives.

Also available with MyLab IT

Pearson MyLab™ IT is an online homework, tutorial, and assessment program designed for Information Technology (IT) courses, to engage students and improve results. MyLab IT for Computer Concepts provides activities for Instruction, Practice, Review, and Assessment in a fully integrated course, providing a seamless learning experience. The eText included in MyLab IT allows students to experience continuous digital learning in an interactive environment.

• The interactive Pearson eText 2.0 provides a completely interactive learning experience that allows students to use technology as they learn. They don’t have to stop reading to find activities—such as Helpdesks, SoundBytes, and Chapter Overview  Videos—they just click on them and immediately experience the activity. And, the eText 2.0 is fully accessible.

• Multimedia resources reinforce the concepts in the book and offer support for both classroom lectures and distance learning.

• Helpdesks are interactive lessons based on the chapter objectives. Students are fully engaged as they play the role of a helpdesk staffer assisting customers via a live chat, decision-based simulation.

• Sound Bytes are redesigned and updated, and a few new ones have been added. These audio/visual lessons provide deeper coverage of topics, or additional  topics related to the chapter, including a brief quiz at the end.

• TechBytes Weekly is a newsfeed that adds continuous currency to the content  by providing interesting and relevant news items every week. The articles come with ready-to-use discussion questions.

• Audio PowerPoint Presentations deliver audio versions of the PowerPoint presentations—an excellent lecture replacement option for online students.

• PowerPoint Presentations can be used in class for lecture or assigned to students, particularly online students for instruction and review.

• Hands-on practice and simulations allow students to reinforce understanding.

• IT Simulations provide 12 key concept scenarios that students actively work through to demonstrate understanding  in an active learning environment.

• Windows® 10 high-fidelity training simulation tasks allow students to explore Windows in a safe, guided environment that provides feedback and Learning Aids (Watch and Practice) to assist them if they need help.

• Review and self-check resources keep learning on track.

• Chapter Overview Videos for Parts 1 and 2 of the chapter provide an objective-based review of what students will learn in the chapter. Videos have a short quiz and can be accessed from mobile devices for a quick review.

Pearson MyLab™ IT is an online homework, tutorial, and assessment program designed for Information Technology (IT) courses, to engage students and improve results. MyLab IT for Computer Concepts provides activities for Instruction, Practice, Review, and Assessment in a fully integrated course, providing a seamless learning experience. The integrated Pearson eText allows students to experience continuous digital learning in an interactive environment.