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The electronic computer is an important factor in our lives.Each year we use computers more and more to help us to collect data and to provide us with information.At one time,people thought computers were only useful for banks,department stores,and governments.But today the rapidly increasing number of computers are used for many other purposes. Have you ever stopped to think how you are affected by computer?The clothes you wear were probably made with the help of a computer.The newspaper you read could have been edited and typed by a computer.Even radio programs are often prepared by computers. Computers today are playing important roles in education,transportation and medicine.They are used to predict the weather,to examine the ocean,and to develop defence systems.They are being used by businesses,governments,and institutions.There is no reason to think that their use will decrease(减少).Computers will become a greater part of our lives. The influence of the computer is great.The list of its uses could go on and on.Although the first computer was only introduced in the mid-1950s,computers now affect millions of people in countless ways every day. 2.The Information Revolution The information revolution:How does it concern you?Computers Are Changing Your World. Ten years ago,in 1986,desktop computers were just beginning to make their entrance into the world of business.Now,they are invading(涌入) the family home at a rapid pace.More importantly,however,they are also changing the way we look at the world.The information superhighway is now open to increasing numbers of ordinary people.The superhighway is providing ordinary people with immediate access to a huge amount of information.It is also giving them almost unlimited opportunities of communication with people around the world.Ordinary people now have power to gain knowledge and to link up with so many fellow citizen of the world.This has never happened before in the history of the human race. Information Superhighway The global computer network is called the Internet.Large computers(called servers) from all over the world have been link up with satellites.From their home,ordinary people use their computers and their telephone lines to link up to these server computers.They can then access computers overseas and find information on almost any topic they can think of.They can read foreign newspapers,find out about the latest trends in music,films,books and fashion through library catalogues(目录),and find research data on almost any subject. Other Activities on the Internet If the Internet users have a credit card(信用卡),they can shop for goods and services from the other side of the world.They can also join thousands of newsgroups (called “bulletin boards”,that is electronic message centres kept in computers).In these newsgroups,the Internet users can take part in discussions on many different topics with computers users around the world. It is also possible to send letters electronically to people overseas through this computer network.This function of the computer is called “e-mail” or “electronic mail”.The letters sent arrive almost instantly at the recipient’s(接受者) server computer on the other side of the world.The cost of sending the e-mail is a fraction(小部分) of the cost of an airmail letter,a fax or a telephone conversation. Ⅳ.Teaching Time:Four periods The First Period Teaching Aims: 1.Learn and master the following. (1)New words: engineering,solar,significant,mankind,constitution (2)Everyday English: If I got the money,I would… My plan is to… I hope that… I want/wish/hope/intend/plan to… I’d like to… I’m thinking of… (责任编辑：admin) |