Part 1
1) How often do you use a computer and for what purpose?
I use a computer every day, mostly for my work. I’m a copywriter so
my job involves a lot of word processing. In my leisure time, I love
to connect with my friends and family back home on social media.
2) Have you ever taken a course to improve your computer
skills?
I’ve never taken a proper course like at a college but did once pay
someone to teach me how to use some specific software I needed
for my business. Mostly, I’ve learnt by trial and error and watching
YouTube videos. I’m no computer buff but I can do everything I
need to.
3) Which device do you prefer to use for browsing the internet?
I’d sooner use my laptop to surf the internet as you can see so
much more on the large screen than on a smaller device. If
my laptop is switch off I tend to browse on my iPad to
saving booting up the computer.
4) Do you enjoy using the internet?
I find it exciting using the internet because I love to learn new things.
These days you can find out almost anything online so computers
have been a real game changer for people like me who enjoy
discovering new information.
5) What sorts of things do you buy online?
The items I buy most often online are books, sometimes e-
books that I read on my Kindle. I also browse the internet when I
need a new gadget to help me develop my website, such as the
microphone I bought the other day.
Part 2
Describe an item of technology you have that is very important.
You should say:
what the technology is
when you got it
how often you use it
and say how different your daily life would be without it.
I have several electronic devices that I use on a daily basis but the
one I’m going to describe is my mobile phone.
I’m never the quickest to adopt new technology and all my friends
had them long before I did. I eventually bought one back in 1999 after
my dad had a stroke and was rushed into hospital. I needed to be in
constant contact with my family during this difficult time so I had to
join them in owning a mobile.
I now have an iPhone and keep it with me at all times in case of
emergencies but mainly use it for texting and keeping in touch with
my rowing club friends via WhatsApp. The phone is so high
tech that, not being a techie, I only understand and use a few of the
functions. It’s incredible what it can do though, and every now and
then I discover something new about it. In fact, this happened just the
other day when I was out walking my dog.
I often get ideas for my work when I’m out and about and usually
carry a notebook and pen to jot them down before I forget them. If I
forget to take the notebook, I type short notes on my iPhone to
remind me of my thoughts. Then last week, I notice a microphone
icon and thought I’d try recording my ideas to play back later.
When I tried this, I found that my mobile actually types out the words
as I say them. I was amazed and over the moon as I’d discovered a
quicker and easier way to make notes. It saves me lots of time and
means that I never lose a good idea. I can record as I’m walking
along rather than having to stop and write things down, so my dog’s
happier too as he used to get fed up with me stopping all the time.
It’s quite incredible the advances in technology since I bought that
first mobile all those years ago. Back then you could just make calls
and send texts. Having started as a reluctant user, I now consider my
mobile an indispensable part of my life and wouldn’t be without it.
My life wouldn’t actually be very different if I didn’t have it as I’m not
addicted to the internet or social media like many people. However,
I do feel a sense of security having one and it also gives me peace of
mind knowing that any of my family can contact me if they have a
problem.
Part 3
1) Do you think most electronic devices are user-friendly?
For the most part, I’d say that they are once you’ve learnt how to use
them. The problem for me is always getting started. I’m a bit of
a technophobe and don’t find it easy to understand
new technology. You rarely get a written instruction manual with a
new device and the help is generally online. You often have to really
search for what you need.
Also, technology advances so quickly that as soon as you’ve
mastered the device, the software is upgraded and you have to
learn new stuff to be able to use it.
I really envy young people today as they are natural techies. They
seem to know how to operate electronic devices without even being
shown. I certainly think that many people of the older generation
would say that modern electronic gadgets are not user-friendly.
2) Do you think parents should control what internet sites their
teenagers use?
Internet safety is a huge concern for parents these
days. Computers and the internet have so many benefits for young
people, for their education and for staying connected with friends and
family, but there are some unpleasant people online who target
children on social media and trick them into building harmful
relationships.
Teenagers are particularly vulnerable because they have a lot of
freedom as to who they connect with and they can be too trusting.
Most own mobile devices so can go online when they’re away from
home and their parents can’t see what websites or social
media platforms they’re browsing. Many youngsters are pressured
into posting pictures of themselves naked or lured into sexual
relationships, which is just awful.
I do think that parents should monitor what internet sites their
teenagers use, although this is difficult because of this freedom their
kids have and how easy it is to get online. On laptops and PCs there
are settings for limiting access to parts of the internet, which parents
should activate. I’m not sure if you can do this on mobile devices.
Perhaps the best things parents can do is to discuss internet
safety with their children and make them aware of the dangers they
could face online.
3) Could you suggest reasons why some people are deciding to
reduce their use of technology?
Many people’s whole lives are controlled by technology, especially
the internet. With so many different devices available and the
number of wifi hotspots increasing all the time, people can surf the
internet anytime they want to. It’s easy to waste hours browsing or
posting trivia on social media. This is often for no real purpose but
simply because people are addicted to it. Everywhere you go you see
people tapping away on their mobile phones rather than engaging
with the people around them.
I think some people realise that they’re slaves to technology and
have made a conscious decision to cut down on their use of
the internet and their mobiles in particular. It’s hard to relax with
emails, social media posts and texts pinging at you all the time.
There’s more understanding these days of mindfulness and the need
to regularly step back from our frantic, stressful lives. Reducing the
use of our electronic devices can certainly help a great deal with
this and I believe this is many people’s motivation for doing so.
