Basic English for Computing / Basic English for Computing (Units) / UNIT 23
.doc23 Future trends 1
Tuning-in
Task 1 Smart cards, robotics, and virtual reality are three areas of computing where developments are taking place very fast. Working in groups, try to add to these lists of current and possible future applications.
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Smart cards identification high-security access electronic money |
Robotics welding cars repairing nuclear power plants bomb disposal |
Virtual reality games virtual travel |
Listening: Virtual reality
Task 2 Listen to Part 1 of this recording. Complete the gaps in this table of equipment required to use virtual reality.
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Equipment |
Alternative name |
Purpose |
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head-mounted display |
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VR glove |
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makes your hand feel pressure |
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VR mouse |
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Task 3 Listen to Part 2. Make a note of the existing and possible future uses of virtual reality which are mentioned.
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Existing uses |
Possible future uses |
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Reading: Future developments
Task 4 Work in groups of three, A, B, and C. Read one of these texts on developments in computing, and make notes in the table below.
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Development |
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Application/s |
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How soon? |
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Text A |
SMART CARDS A chip to save your life If your friend suddenly had an accident and was unconscious or incoherent, could you provide any information to an ambulance crew? Would you know her blood type, her allergies, the prescription drugs she takes? Probably not. Even family members may not have this information, or be too distraught themselves to provide needed medical information. Enter the MediCard, a plastic card that has an embedded chip containing all that patient information. Small computers that can read the cards are installed in ambulances and in hospital emergency rooms.This system is working successfully in some communities.The biggest problem is making sure that people carry their cards at all times. |
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Text В |
ROBOTICS What is a micro-machine? One of the most important steps in computing technology in the coming years is likely to be a return to mechanical methods. Using the same process used to create chips, it's possible to fabricate mechanical parts - levers, gear wheels, and small motors. The best known example of a micro-machine was created by Sandia Laboratories in New Mexico in the US. It's a complete motor developing 50pW of power in one square millimetre - still a bit big for some of the micro-machines planned for the future. What are micro-machines going to be used for? Obvious applications are sensors, gyros and drug delivery.The idea is that a micro-machine could have a strain sensor or a gyroscopic attitude sensor and electronics built into a single chip-sized package. The idea of using a micro-machine to deliver drugs is getting a bit closer to more sci-fi applications. Only a step further is the idea of building insect-sized robots that could do difficult jobs in very small places. Swallowing an ant-sized machine to cure you or putting one inside some failed machinery seems like a really good idea!
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Text С |
VIRTUAL REALITY Getting practical Here are some applications of virtual reality under development. Wearing head mounts, consumers can browse for products in a 'virtual showroom'. From a remote location a consumer will be able to manoeuvre and view products along rows in a warehouse. Similarly, from a convenient office a security guard can patrol corridors and offices in remote locations. Air traffic controllers may someday work like this. Microlaser scanner glasses project computer-generated images directly into the controller's eyes, immersing the controller in a three-dimensional scene showing all the aircraft in the area.To establish voice contact with the pilot of the plane, the controller merely touches the plane's image with a sensor-equipped glove. Using virtual reality headsets and gloves, doctors and medical students will be able to experiment with new procedures on simulated patients rather than real ones. |
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Task 5 From your notes, explain what you have read to other students in your group.
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Language work: Making predictions |
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Study these predictions. Many more people will join the Internet. Doctors will experiment with new procedures on simulated patients. Micro-machines are going to be used for drug delivery. |
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We can use will and is/are going to to make predictions about things we are confident will happen. |
Task 6 Make predictions about these things.
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1 the number of PCs in use 2 the power of computers 3 the capacity of storage devices 4 the size of computers 5 the use of smart cards |
6 the use of mainframes 7 robots and housework 8 computers and cars 9 wearable computers 10 the price of computers |
Problem-solving
Task 7 What kind of information would you encode in the following smart cards? Compare your answers with other students in your group.
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1 a medical card 2 an identification card |
3 a sports club membership card 4 an electronic wallet |
Writing
Task 8 Study this graphic which shows how a smart card system could be used in a college, or other large organization. Use it to write a report recommending that your institution or company introduce a smart card system.
Start like this: A student /company smart card can be used in many ways. It can be used as a key to the building. Only cardholders can open the doors.
