You & the information systems around you

The world around us is changing radically. Technology is one of the reasons we have so much power at our fingertips. We can use technology and information systems to positively or negatively impact the world. Information systems have become part of every facet of our lives. Old and young have adapted, forcefully or willingly. This blog will look at information systems and supporting technologies we encounter daily. Firstly, it will discuss basic concepts of information systems. Secondly, it will look at the impact it has had on my professional and personal life. Thirdly, it will discuss the way in which The University of the Western Cape could utilize technologies could improve the way it operates. Lastly, it will look at the way technologies could be used in the home to enhance and improve home environments and communities.

“Information systems are a set of interrelated components that collect, manipulate, store, and disseminate data and information and provide a feedback mechanism to meet an objective” (Stair and Reynolds, 2016, p.4). Information systems consists of an array of components that work together in making various smaller systems operate together to meet an end goal. Information systems are unavoidable and are used in the home and in the working environment. In some instances we make use of or can identify more information systems in one environment than another. However, we see it every day ranging from the televisions in our homes to the computer systems we might interact at work. 

There are two components of information systems that need to be present for it to function as it is a partnership, this is hardware and software. “Hardware consists of computer equipment used to perform, input, processing, storage and output activities” (Stair and Reynolds, 2016, p.11).  Hardware refers to all the physical components that can be seen and touched. It is what is needed to run the software on. The hardware we are familiar with are often our cell phones, laptops, televisions, automated teller machines etc. Software is the component that needs to be present for the operating system to run on. “The computer programs that govern the operation of the computer” (Stair and Reynolds, 2016, p.12). There are several applications, operating systems that fall under the software component. This aids in running the programs and being able to meet end goals after commands have been made.

There are several aspects of information systems that has improved our daily lives. Professionally I try to incorporate technology in my class to make lessons interesting and exciting for learners. However, I use information systems much more in my personal life as it saves me time, it is accessible anywhere and user friendly.  Firstly, I make use of a laptop every day to do tutorial preparations, assignments, lesson plans etc. I also make use of laptop to watch series and even google all the things I wonder about. Another information system that I make use of is my cell phone. Cell phones equate to a more compact version of a laptop. I can text message on it, I can make use of Instagram upload and edit pictures. I make use of the Microsoft Office application to download word documents and edit the way I would on a laptop. Also cell phones make use of touch sensitive screens that make it so much easier to use; icons represent the application and its purpose. Example the camera application shows exactly that, a camera. Devices have become a lot less complicated as they are designed to assist and enhance our lives.

Secondly, a fairly new system that information systems has designed and has made life so much easier is online shopping. As a female we love shopping and online shopping has made it easier to do so from anywhere at any time and we have our goods delivered to our door. Personally I make use of Superbalist, and Spree to mention a few. This way I can view several similar products, prices and up to date information on items etc. across the various online stores.  Shopping has evolved from going to a store and picking what you like and only being able to pay with cash; to going online viewing what you like, adding to your cart what you wish and checking out and then paying by credit card or electronically transferring the money to the account details emailed to you. You can even do grocery shopping at Pick ‘n Pay online store and have groceries delivered to your house. This is ideal for people who are very busy or for people who have elderly parents who are not mobile.

University of the Western Cape (UWC) has made many advances in the way it communicates with staff and students. I think UWC has come a long way in the way it progressed its technological advances as an institution by creating Ikamva and making it a platform for notices and using it to upload course resources. However, UWC has the ability to use information systems to even further expand their teaching resources. An example of this would be to have a weekly online question and answer session with either lecturers or tutors that can aid students in asking questions about the content. Having a peer system that allows third year students to assists first years. Another method could be to allow students to add and delete only one module via the student portal for the semester and avoid the long queues and the faculty departments. Students can perhaps create a platform such as OLX where they can sell and buy books and resources from other students on campus.

In the home I can incorporate information systems into my home by doing more online payments. Making it easier to keep track of bills. Another method would be to digitally diarise notes, create shopping lists etc. as it would be a means of going green in the home as well. Homes can be automated with devices such Amazon Echo http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/what-is-alexa-what-is-the-amazon-echo-and-should-you-get-one/  or Google assistant https://assistant.google.com/, smart tv’s, and sound systems all can be interlinked with one another if they are capable of using the same operation system. This makes home easy to monitor and can assists with various tasks. 

Some communities have been part of the pilot project to have free wifi to assist with various aspects. I think my community this would be a great initiative to aid students that don’t have access to the local library to use for school projects etc. Neighbourhood watches in adjacent communities can use a local forum created by a committee to keep all members up to date with the various activities in and around the community. The local clinic can assist in providing numbers to the local government in order to create pilot projects that assist communities in reducing health problems by logging information on to a system in order for them to manage and reduce infections and diseases and distribution of medications will be more effective and on time. Local libraries can become more techno savvy and create data bases for students to use in the library that creates more innovative methods for libraries to be used and be kept open. There are several ways in which we can use technology to make positive changes in our homes and communities however, we all need to be willing to do so.