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Leave the Work to the Computer |  |
| Project Details |
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I love computers. I can sit around and watch them do my work all day! It's true that computers can do many things for us. They can help us organize our lives, find out information, do complex calculations, and keep in touch with distant friends. Computers can do so much, it is sometimes difficult to keep up with all that they can do. |
| Do It |
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For this activity, you will need to identify what tasks could be made easier with computers from the story below. After you have done that, write down the type of computer application that could help you with your problem. Choices of software applications include: databases, word processors, spreadsheets, the Internet, print software (greeting card makers, etc.), and accounting programs. So, for instance if the task were "Write a thank you note to Aunt Susan," you would write that task down then write down what type of software (in this case word processing software) would best help you with that job. Hint: There are at least ten uses of computers in this story. Computers Save the Day! You and your best friend, Dana, are in charge of the fall fund raiser for your class at school. You both decide that it would be great if your class could host a party to celebrate the beginning of school. Everyone in your class agrees that a Hawaiian theme would be lots of fun. First comes the guest list. There's a long list of people that you need to invite, but some people have their names on more than one list. The committee agrees that everyone should receive a personalized invitation. You don't want to waste paper by handing out more than one invitation to the same person, but you don't want to overlook anyone either. Money and a budget is a big issue! Fortunately, Dana's committee is going to work on that. Letters need to go out to potential sponsors, and someone needs to keep track of who responds to your request and how much money they donate. People are also paying to buy tickets to the event, so that money will need to be kept track of as well. Your class would like to claim at least 50% profit. It's up to you and your committee to find out what type of food would best be served to go along with your theme. Someone suggests a tropical fruit dip and a fruit punch. No one seems to have any recipes. You also need to come up with ideas for fun games that might also be found in tropical areas. After the party there will be lots to do, including: lots of thank you notes to write, bills to pay, and a detailed financial statement of how much money was spent and how much money was taken in. |
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| Pursue It |
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Try to think of an activity you are currently doing without the aid of a computer that you could do easier if you use a computer. Why don't you use a computer for that task? Visit an office in your town. Ask them to share with you what tasks they routinely do and which of those tasks involve a computer in some way. Think of a job you might want when you are an adult. Will you use a computer in that job? If so, how do you think that you might use a computer? What types of applications will you use? |
| Data Bank |
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Computers can do many different things for us. Some of the common tasks are:
Additional information about purchasing software can be found in computer publications such as Computer Shopper. You also may want to check these sites on the Internet:
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Activity: Match software to the job Skill level: Beginning Project skill: Identify software functions Life skill: Making decisions |
Date completed: Helper's initials: |
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Adapted from material developed by Illinois 4-H. Used by permission. For
IFAS-related questions or information, please contact IFAS External Relations.
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