Online Tutoring on Computer
Introduction
The human nature to enhance living standards has leaded to many innovations. Over time, human ingenuity, discovery, improved knowledge, and better technology have enabled us to produce more goods and services from the available resources (Gwartney et al, 2011). The urge of betterment in life style and overcoming the growing demands lead to the advancement in technologies.
Perfection and timely performance of a task was the basic requirement of the global cooperate community. As such computer is claimed to be the most effective invention of the century that changed global communication means and mode of business operations. The current shape of personal computer that we have today is far more advanced, compact, fast and accessible than it was in the past. Further advancements in computer technology also leaded to the invention of internet.
Computers have penetrated in our daily life stream and now all our daily operations are dominated by this man made machine. The reshaping of computers has made it possible for ordinary men master his own computer. This is an era of widespread computing, which will be characterized by one individual-to-many computers, dominated by handheld, intelligent, and everyday devices with imbedded technology and connectivity (Maumbe & Okello, 2013). Computer is all around us from a simple calculator to laptop, iPod or a tablet, we can’t think of a single activity without it.
Defining a Computer:
Initially computers were designed for performing a single task, mostly for saving huge data or locating the positions, by the military. It had a very small memory and was designed primarily to calculate the trajectories of missiles (Rajaraman & Adabala, 2015). Later on the idea of stored program was presented and new modifications were made enabling the machine to save date and other machine instructions. Whereas these giant computer machines were too heavy on power consumption and were used only by research and science organizations. Gradually many modifications were made to enhance its capabilities, making it a multitask machine, economical and compact, accessible by a common man.
New Generation of Computers:
Computer is a simple compact machine that acts as a personal manager. It is a robot tamed by its user. Every individual user utilizes this machine as per his own personal requirement. Computer can save huge data, the same data can be retrieved or printed whenever needed, can perform designing tasks, do huge calculations, can be used for communication purposes – sending emails or chatting and also for entertainment like playing games or watching movies.
Laptops, Ipads and Tablets are the latest versions of personal computers. Tablets have gained more popularity as it is more compact, just of a size of school note book and can be carried anywhere. Laptops are now being replaced by even more personal and sentiment devices – tablets and mobile phones (Friedland & Jain, 2014).
The induction of Tablets in the computer family brought the whole world on the shortest 8” screen. It’s a simple ordinary paper note book size screen, which operates on a single soft finger touch. In contrast of PCs and laptop no keyboard and mouse are required for Tablets, for typing purpose virtual keyboards appears on the screen. During the early days of Tablets, it was equipped with a slow processor and a RAM of very low memory space, and no other accessories. Due to much competition and consumers demands Tablets now are loaded with a high speed processor, considerable high memory space, camera and speakers. Even the screen resolution is far much better that it was in the past.
The Tablet technology is based on ‘Pen Computing’ technology, instead of pen finger tips are used and is more advanced than the pen based tablets of the past. The concept of the tablet was based on handwriting recognition as an interface instead of a keyboard (Daim, Pizarro, Talla, 2014).
Tablets are considered as a device performing both laptop and a cell phone tasks. Most tablets use a mobile operating system (OS) similar (or identical) to operating systems used on smartphones (Muir, 2011). The most advantageous point of a Tablet is its small size and less weight i.e., carrying one’s whole office in a single pouch. These simple miracle screens vary according to their specifications. Its performance is based upon the task it has to perform.
Tablet Structure:
The main components in a Tablet are similar to an ordinary PC, but to save the much space consumed as in PCs they are smaller in size, high in performance and are neatly packed. Unlike PCs, Tablets does not gets heated up even after a long hours working, as the microprocessors used are smaller in size. Thus less heat is produced without affecting its performance. Rechargeable batteries installed inside the Tablets is the main power source. Each individual model of Tablet has different battery life, most commonly it is 8 – 10 hours.
In contrast of the PCs processors in Tablets are underclocked i.e., it is a bit slower in following the instructions. This setting is made by the manufacturers in order to save battery life and less heat production but it does not affect its overall performance. Moreover the screens of the Tablets are split into two types, Resistive and Capacitive. The most successful is the Capacitive. As the Resisitive screens performs on pressing a bit hard on the screen, while Capacitive simply operates on a soft touch. Even the resolution is comparatively better than the Resisitive.
Advantages & Disadvantages:
Considering the small size and performance Tablets are ideal personal manager for any business executive. Besides its unlimited advantages there are certain disadvantages associated with this most effective invention of the century. The biggest advantage is that the user is always in touch with his business no matter where he is but it depends on the availability of internet service (wifi). Secondly, most of the Tablets are equipped with external memory card slot, in case the internal RAM memory is not enough to store the data external memory card be used. Individuals, instead of carrying extra heavy bag full of files and papers, simply take along their Tablet containing all their data.
As compare to laptops it works continuously for longer hours on a single battery recharge. This does not affect its performance speed that is equal or better than laptops.
Whereas the small screen of Tablets besides being more presentable and portable sometimes becomes inconvenient for the user. The biggest disadvantage of Tablet is entering long data as for data input popup virtual keyboard is used mostly users find it difficult to enter long notes or emails. Some Tablets are accompanied with covers having a small keyboard on one side but still it cannot be operated as laptop or PC keyboard.
Comparing the price, paying a good amount for a small screen, with restrictions of loading full featured apps and strenuous virtual keyboard makes the tablets less popular than laptops. The software and apps used in Tablets are in much simplified form, also the features offered are limited. Sometimes the user get irritated when the Tablet does not operates with full features. It must be assumed that Tablet is limited version of a laptop.
Uses:
Tablets are a multipurpose screen. Ideal for presentations in personal meetings or in classrooms, acquiring any particular information through internet or simply checking mails. It is widely used in military operations for strategic planning, mapping and other command & control procedures. Referring a Tablet for specific points during a classroom lecture makes it more reliable than the notes on single paper sheet. It is also used as an entertainment device while travelling or socializing. A Tablet can be the best companion or a business associate if the right device is selected and properly used.
References:
Daim, U. T., Pizarro, M., Talla, R. (2014) Planning and Roadmapping Technological Innovations. London: Springer.
Friedland, G., Jain, R. (2014) Multimedia Computing. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Gwartney, D. J. et al. (2011) Economics: Private and Public Choice. USA: Cengage.
Maumbe, B., Okello, J. J. (2013) Technology, Sustainability, and Rural Development in Africa. USA: IGI Global.
Muir, N. (2011) Laptops and Tablets For Seniors For Dummies. Indiana: John Wiley.
Rajaraman, V., Adabala, N. (2015) Fundamentals of Computers. New Delhi: Phi Learning.
