ALS Module 3 - Leadership & Teamwork: Activity 1 | Guides & Sample Answers

ABISO:

1 – The activity featured in this video comes from Module 3 – Leadership & Teamwork produced by the Education Development Center.

2 – The purpose of this video is to give guidelines to ALS learners who are not well-versed in the English language by translating the questions into Taglish.

3 – The sample answer is written in Taglish so that it will not be copied by the learners as their own since the answer should be written in English in their module.

4 – This is for learning and teaching purposes only.

5 – If anyone wants to remove anything from this video, please email me first at poncianosantos1959@gmail.com or leave a comment.

Module 3 – Leadership and Teamwork 

Activity 1: Introductory Activity & Learner’s Reflection 

1. Write five ideas that you can recall about the demonstration of non-verbal communication, listening actively and appropriately or practice of good customer service skills. 

     Sumulat ng limang ideya/kaisipan/kaalaman na iyong natatandaan/natutunan (sa Module 2) tungkol sa pagpapakita ng non-verbal communication(pakikipagtalastasan na hindi ginagamitan ng pananalita), aktibo at tamang pakikinig, o kung paano ipakita ang tamang serbisyo sa mga customers. 

Halimbawa: 

1. Maaaring ipakita ang pakikipagtalastasan na hindi gumagamit ng salita sa pamamagitan ng kilos ng katawan tulad ng pagtango, pag-iling, pagsimangot, laging pagtingin sa relo, pagpapakita ng pagkainip, at marami pang iba. 

2. Ang paggamit mo ng non-verbal communication ay maaaring nakatutulong o makasagabal sa pagpapahayag mo ng iyong saloobin. 

3. Ang mabuting pakikipagtalastasan ay nangangailangan ng respeto sa bawat isa at tamang pakikinig. 

4. Kung hindi nauunawaan ang sinasabi ng kausap, mangyaring hintayin siyang matapos magsalita bago hinggan ng dagdag paliwanag o klaripikasyon. 

5. Maging kalmado habang nakikipag-usap sa isang mapilit o nagrereklamong kustomer/parukyano. 

2. Read the proverb at the beginning of the module. “Leaders are always taken as role models” (Ang mga lider ay tinuturing na huwaran). What does it mean?

 

    Basahin ang sawikain sa simula ng module “Ang mga lider ay tinuturing na huwaran.” Ano ang kahulugan/ibig sabihin nito? 

Halimbawa: 

Nais ipahayag ng sawikain na dahil sa mga katangiang taglay ng isang lider o pinuno, sila ay lagi nating itinuturing na isang huwaran na dapat pamarisan kundi man gawing idolo. Isinasaisip natin na ang isang lider ay mas matalino sa atin, may katangi-tanging kaalaman at kasanayan, at mas mataas ang puwesto sa atin. Dahil dito, siya ay ating tinitingala, nirerespeto, at ginagawang inspirasyon. 

3. In your own words, how do you relate this proverb to yourself? Can you recall your first role model when you were younger? What were his or her qualities that you liked? Why? 

        Sa iyong sariling pananalita, paano mo iuugnay ang sawikain sa iyong sarili? Natatandaan mo ba kung sino ang iyong role model o iniidolo noong ikaw ay bata-bata pa? Anu-ano ang mga katangian na nagustuhan mo sa kanya? Bakit? 

Halimbawa: 

Isa sa mga iniidolo ko noong ako ay mas bata pa ay ang aking guro sa Matematika sa high school. Siya ay si Bb. Mercedes Yandoc. Idolo ko siya dahil magaling siyang magpaliwanag habang nagtuturo. Sinasagot niya ang aming mga tanong kung may hindi kami maunawaan sa aralin. Inuulit-ulit niya ang pagpapaliwanag hanggang kami ay matuto. Pinakikinggan niya ang aming hinaing at panukala kaya lumalim ang aming respeto sa kanya. 

4. This module will focus on leadership and teamwork at work. What do you think is the relevance between the proverb and the importance of leadership skills at work? How does it relate to your real-life situation? 

        Ang module na ito ay nakatuon sa pamumuno at pagtutulungan sa trabaho. Ano sa isip mo ang kaugnayan sa pagitan ng sawikain at ang kahalagahan ng mga kasanayan sa pamumuno sa trabaho? Paano ito maiuugnay sa tunay na buhay?

Halimbawa: 

Ang kasabihan o sawikain na “Ang mga lider ay tinuturing na huwaran” ay may kaugnayan sa mga layunin ng modyul dahil ang mga layunin ay nagbibigay paliwanag, katangian, at kasanayang dapat taglayin ng isang mabuting pinuno. Ang mga katangian at kasanayang ito ay dapat na maunawaan nang husto upang magampanan ng lider ang kanyang trabaho nang tama. Ang mga kaalamang ito ay mahalaga dahil isa sa mga adhikain ng bawat isa ay ang magkaroon ng hanapbuhay at ang mga katangiang dapat taglayin ng isang pinuno at tagasunod ay dapat isaalang-alang upang maging maayos ang relasyon o samahan ng bawa’t isa sa oras ng trabaho. 

 5. Look at the picture and imagine that you are with your friends playing tug of war game. You are a member of the group that wins the first round, loses the second round, but wins the final round and is declared as the champion. How did you feel when you won the first round? When you lost? When your team is declared as champion? 

        Tingnan ang larawan at imadyinin na kasama mo ang iyong mga kaibigan na naglalaro ng “tug of war”. Kabilang ka sa pangkat na nanalo sa unang laro, natalo sa ikalawa, pero nanalo sa huling round at idineklarang kampeon. Ano ang pakiramdam mo nang manalo ka sa unang round? Nang matalo? Nang ideklarang kampeon ang inyong pangkat? 

Halimbawa: 

Masaya ako nang nanalo ang aming pangkat sa larong “tug of war” sa unang pagkakataon. Ganoon na lang ang aking lungkot at panghihinayanang nang kami naman ang natalo sa pangalawang “round”. Naisip ko na baka hindi ko napag-igi ang aking paghatak. Napakasaya ko nang muli kaming manalo sa huling yugto ng laro at tanghaling kampeon. Nagkamayan, nagyakapan, nagpalakpakan, at masayang nag-usap ang lahat ng kasapi ng pangkat. Pagkatapos ay kinamayan din namin ang pangkat na natalo sa laro. 

6. Have you experienced participating in actual competition in the past? What was the competition all about? Did your team win or lose the game? What do you think was your team’s strategy for winning the game? 

Nakaranas ka bang makilahok sa isang aktuwal na paligsahan noon? Para saan ang paligsahan? Nanalo ba o natalo ang inyong pangkat? Ano sa palagay mo ang estratehiya ng inyong pangkat kaya nanalo sa laro? 

Halimbawa: 

Noong school intramurals nang maranasan kong makilahok sa aktuwal na paligsahan. Isa ako sa mga manlalaro ng basketball ng mga Juniors o third year students. Naging kampeon sa paligsahan ang aming koponan ng panahong iyon. Bukod sa mas matatangkad ang aming grupo sa iba, ang pagkakaisa ng team ang isang dahilan kung bakit kami nanalo. Isa pang dahilan ay ang walang sawang suporta ng aming coach sa oras ng pagsasanay. Pinapanood namin ang pagsasanay ng ibang team upang malaman kung paano sila maglaro at iayon ang amin depensa sa kanila. Dagdag pa rito ay ang pagsunod namin sa kapitan ng team at pagsasagawa ng mga tungkulin na nakaatang sa amin habang naglalaro. 

7. What were your contributions to the team that you think were factors for winning or losing the game? How about your teammates, what were their contributions? Was there a member in your group who acted as a leader and guided the team? What strategies did she or he use? 

Anu-ano ang iyong kontribusyon sa inyong pangkat na sa palagay ay dahilan kaya kayo nanalo o natalo sa laro? Ano naman ang mga ambag ng iyong mga kakampi? Mayroon ba sa grupo na tumayong lider at nagbigay gabay sa inyong koponan? Anong mga estratehiya ang kanyang ginamit? 

Halimbawa: 

Bilang kasapi, sinunod ko ang mga payo ng aming coach at kapitan ng aming koponan upang manalo kami sa laro. Nakiisa ako sa layunin ng pangkat at ginawa ang responsibilidad na nakaatang sa akin habang naglalaro. Ang aking mga kakampi ay lubos ang suporta sa akin. Tinulungan nila ako upang mapahusay pa ang aking paglalaro ng basketball sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng tips o pointers kung paano humawak ng bola, mag-dribble, mag-lay up, at tamang pag-shoot. Tumayong pinakalider sa koponan ang aming captain. Siya ang nagbigay gabay sa aming mga bagitong manlalaro. Ibinahagi niya ang kanyang kaalaman at kakayahan sa amin. Isa sa estratehiyang kanyang ginamit ay ang pagkukumbinsi sa amin na kaya naming manalo kung pagsisikapan namin. Nagbigay siya ng regular na pagsasanay. Pinapanood din niya kami sa mga praktis ng aming katunggali upang maiayon ang aming depensa at opensa sa kanila. Ipinahayag din niya na nasa pagkakaisa at pagtutulungan ng bawat isa upang makamit namin ang tagumpay. Sabi pa niya, “Mag-enjoy lang kayo!” na amin namang ginawa habang naglalaro.

Pagtatampok sa mga ALS passers na unti-unting natutupad ang mga naudlot na pangarap

Kilalanin natin ang ilan sa mga ALS passers na unti-unti nang natutupad ang kanilang naudlot na mga pangarap. Tandaan natin na ang isa sa mga pamosong personalidad na naging matagumpay ay "Ang Pambansang Kamao" na si Senator Manny Pacquiao. Siya ay kumuha ng A&E test at pumasa sanhi upang maipagpatuloy niya ang kanyang pag-aaral.

Senador Manny Pacquiao

Sa ngayon, itampok naman natin sina:

Benjie Placencia

"Isa akong dating nagtatrabaho lang sa isang piggery pero noong nalaman ko na may ALS ay agad akong pumasok at nag aral. Sa tulong ng mga teachers at co-teachers nila ay pumasa ako sa exam. Ngayon ay nag-aaral ako sa college sa kursong BEED. Second year na ako ngayon. Salamat sa ALS.  Sobrang laki ang nabago at naitulong sa akin lalo na sa trabaho."

Khora Salvedia Sape

"I was a Fourth Year High School drop-out. Nagka-asawa at nagkaanak. But through ALS, nagkaroon ako ng chance to continue and finish my high school. Nag-aral ng college at grumaduate ng HRM. After I graduated, kumuha ng units ng BS in Secondary Education. Now I am on my way to finish my Masteral Degree in Hospitality Industry. Kaya guys, hindi hadlang ang pagiging nanay or ama para hindi na matupad ang ating mga pangarap. Andiyan si ALS na handa tayong tulungan para maabot ang ating minsang naudlot na pangarap. Keep on dreaming mga ka-ALS."

Soreño Papasin Iris

"Sobra thankful ako dahil 3rd year high school lang po ako noon. Ngayon, gradaute na ako sa ALS. Kahit buntis ako noon, nagpursige akong mag aral sa ALS . Sa araw ng graduation, i yon din ang araw na nanganak ako. Napakabless ko po dahil kahit hindi nakarampa, at least pasado ako sa exam. Ngayon, p’wede ko nang magamit ang diploma ko. 😊😊 Thanks po,  Solid ALS!"

Christine Lapore

Ako po si Christine Lapore.  I'm proud ALSian. Sa rami ng aking pinagdaanan sa buhay, hindi ako bumitaw sa aking pangako na tatapusin ko ang aking pag-aaral para maisakatuparan ko ang aking mga pangarap para sa mga taong mahalaga at parte ng buhay ko. Year 2015 nang my isang pangyayari sa buhay ko na hindi ko inaasahan. Thirteen years old ako nang unang sumabak sa ALS pero sa hindi inaasahang pangyayari,  biglang dumilim ang mundo ko.  Sinira ang aking dangal, pagkatao at kaluluha pero lahat ng iyon ay nilabanan ko sa tulong ng mga guro ng ALS.  Sa dami ng nangyari sa akin ay patuloy pa rin akong nangagarap hanggang nahinto ako sa pag-aaral noong 2016 dahil sa nangyari sa akin.  Noong  2017, bumalik ako para mag-aral ulit. Sumabak ako sa exam noong 2019 at sa awa ng Diyos ako ay napabilang sa mga nakapasa sa EDMUND RICE MINISTRIES, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental. Maraming salamat po!

Meriam R. Mayor

"Ako ay isang OFW since 2009. Ang inabot ko lang ay 2^nd year high school. Dahil sa kagustuhan ko rin na makapag-aral ulit, nang malaman ko sa lugar namin sa Daet, Camarines Norte na may ALS ay agad akong pumunta sa barangay hall namin upang mg tanong at agad naman akong inasikaso. Noong panahon  na nag-aaral ako ay kapapanganak ko lang ng tatlong buwan at cesarian pa. Pero kahit ganoon ang kalagayan ko na may baby na,  nagsikap pa rin ako na mag-aral. Salamat sa partner ko na super supportive sa akin dahil kahit may work siya at kailangan kong pumasok ay uuwi siya para siya naman ang mag-alaga ng anak namin. Nakatutuwa lang na kahit 36 na ako at that time ay napapasali pa rin ako sa mga contest at nagwawagi rin naman kahitg paano. Noong nalaman ko na pumasa ako ay sobrang saya ko kaya lang ay hindi na ako nakapag- attend ng graduation dahil nandito  na ulit ako sa abroad. Hindi ko naranasan ang magsuot ng toga. Siguro sa picture na lang ako nakasuot ng toga pag-uwi ko ng Pilipinas. Balak ko pag-uwi ay  mag-aral ng Caregiving dahil in demand siya sa abroad."

JM Nazareth Alinsunorin

"Hi! Ako po si John Mark Alinsunorin.  Elementary lang ang naabot ko, maagang nagtrabaho at namulat sa reyalidad ng buhay . Pumasok sa ALS CLC Antipolo ngunit’ muling huminto dahil namatay ang aking ina. Dahil dito ay nawalan na ako noon ng gana na magpatuloy sa ALS sapagka’t wala nakong inspiration Napabarkada, gala roon, gala rito.  Sama kung saan may inuman at napariwara . Nalipat ako rito sa Pinugay,Baras, Rizal at  naisip ko kung ganito nal ang ba talaga ako. Hanggang sa niyaya ako ng Ate ko na mag-ALS  muli at napasok nga ako.  Noong una ay nahihiya ako kasi Grade 5 lang ang inabot ko at laro-laro lang sa akin ang pag-aaral.  Nawala ang hiya ko nang maging guro ko si Ma'am Rosario Ajoc Taro. Ang galing niya magturo, lahat ng detalye ay matutunan mo . Pinasulat kami ng essay na may pamagat na “Ang Kahalintulad Ko”.  Sa aking sanaysay ay inihalintulad ko ang aking sarili sa “Kandila” sapagkat ito ay nagbibigay liwanag sa dilim ngunit paunti-unting nauubos at naglalaho na parang buhay ng tao. Sa gabi ako nagre-review  at sa umaga ay ako ang nag aasikaso sa bahay . Marami akong naririnig sa iba na hindi ako makakatapos ngunit hindi iyon naging hadlang bagkus ay nagpursige ako sa pag-aaral para makapasa . Hayun na nga at nakapasa ako at sumabak sa sekondarya at muling nakapasa sa gradong 68.80 percent.  Sa ALS ko naranasan ang makapagsuot ng toga 🎓 Kaya salamat sa Ate ko na nagyaya sa aking bumalik sa pag aaral kahit non-formal school lang . Marami ring salamat sa aming butihing guro na hindi nagsawa at nagtiyaga sa aming magturo. Higit sa lahat, maraming salamat sa ALS (Alternative Learning System) sa pagbibigay ng pakakataon sa lahat na muling makapag aral at makatapos.

 

Evaniza Denum Calzada

"Hi! I'm Evaniza Denum Calzada, proud ALSian.  Second year high school lang ang natapos ko. Nagkapamilya nang maaga ngunit hindi naalis sa isip ko ang makapagtapos ng pag aaral. Graduating ang anak ko sa college nang malaman ko ang tungkol sa ALS. Nag aral ako at hindi ko akalain na mararanasan ko ang makapag-aral muli. Napasali rin ako sa mga quiz contest from district to region at nakakuha rin ng place in the help of God. As of now,  I'm taking up BEED . Thanks sa ALS for giving me an opportunity to continue my studies despite of hard life as a working mother and discrimination from other people who  said na “Wala na ako maabot dahil sa  idad ko.”  Hindi  ako nagalit sa kanila bagkus sila ang ginawa kong inspiration.  Now I'm proud ALSIAN and 2nd year college student of BEED."

Jupre Virtudazo

"Hay! Mahirap ang buhay namin noon kaya hindi na ako nakapagtapos ng sekondarya. Pumunta ako ng Maynila upang magbakasakali. Pumasok ako sa ALS at nagtapos noong 2018. Sa ngayon,  second year college na ako taking  up Bachelor of Science  in Secondary Education,  Major in English. Salamat po Lord, hindi  mo ako pinabayaan!"

Melanie M. Aguilar

"Hi! I’m Melanie M. Aguilar from Nueva Ecija. I'm 35 years old, married and I have 3 children. Graduating ako ng 4th year high school noong 2002  pero napilitang magdrop-out dahil sa kahirapan.. Nagtrabaho sa abroad pero hindi pinalad kaya nag-work dito sa Pilipinas hanggang nagkaasawa at nagkaanak. After 16 years, may nabasa akong post about sa ALS para sa mga hindi nakapagtapos ng elementary at high school. Nag-inquire ako at nag aral sa ALS. Mahirap pagsabayin ang pag aaral, pagtatrabaho, at  pag-aasikaso sa asawa at mga anak ko. Ang daming struggles pero kinaya ko hanggang makapasa sa exam at maka-graduate ako sa ALS with honors.  Nag-try ako mag-exam sa isang kilalang university dito and luckily, pinalad ako. 2nd year college na ako this semester taking up Bachelor of Science in Industrial Education (BSIE). Konting tiyaga pa at  masusuot ko rin ang itim na toga. Trust the process talaga.. "All good things are worth to wait". Proud ALSian batch 2018-2019, Nueva Ecija."

Rachel Sevinc

"Thank you po sa ALS. Second  year high school lang po ako noong nagkababy ako. So nag-stop po ako at nag-work pero dahil sa ALS , 3rd year college na po ako ngayon."

Christian Bantilan

"Ako rin binigyan ng pag asa ng ALS.  Salamat po, Lord!"

=====

(Ipagbigay-alam kung mayroon man pong pagkakamali."

Practice Test on ALS Module "Technology - Its Benefits and Negative Effects"

 Choose the letter of the correct answer:

1.        ____________________ is about discoveries and inventions, the products and methods that man uses to control or make use of his environment.

a.        Technology

b.        Science

c.        Discovery

d.        Innovation

2.        Which of the following statements about discovery and invention is true?

a.        Inventions always follow discoveries.

b.        Discoveries always follow inventions.

c.        Invention is creating things that did not exist before, while discovery is finding out about things that already exist.

d.        Discovery and invention are about improving things that are already in existence.

3.        On what technology is the electric lamp an innovation?

a.        incandescent bulb

b.        oil lamp

c.        fluorescent lamp

d.        flashlight

4.        Which one among the inventions below did not revolutionize the world?

a.        computer

b.        horse carriage

c.        automobile

d.        television

5.        How did the introduction of the Internet revolutionize the world?

a.        It enabled computers to be linked together.

b.        It enabled a widespread sharing of information.

c.        It enabled people to do many things including shopping using the computer.

d.        all of the above

6.        Technology enables workers to ____________________.

a.        increase their production

b.        reduce the amount of labor

c.        have more leisure time

d.        all of the above

7.  In the field of health, technology is able to ____________________.

a.        cure all illnesses

b.        diagnose all illnesses

c.        provide cures for many illnesses

d.        prevent all illnesses

8.        Technology can change our beliefs and value systems by ____________________.

a.        giving us access to various sources of information

b.        giving us the opportunity to be exposed to other people’s culture

c.        giving us the chance to hear others’ opinions and beliefs

d.        all of the above

9.        Most problems that are related to technology are mainly brought about by____________________.

a.        lack of planning and consideration of the possible negative effects

b.        lack of funding to implement the technology

c.        lack of knowledge on the technology

d.        all of the above

10.        Technology causes some people to lose their job because____________________.

a.        it is able to do the tasks that human workers used to do

b.        it is able to do the tasks faster and more efficiently

c.        it is able to do the task at less cost

d.        all of the above

11. According to Emmanuel Mesthene, “Technology  is ____________________”

a. good 

b. bad

c. neutral

d. all of the above

12. Which of the following is a desirable effect of technology?

a. Rapid use of natural resources

b. Loss of job

c. Products innovation

d. Less face-to-face interaction

13. The negative effects of technology can be prevented through/by __________

a. technology assessment

b. increased use 

c. customer’s satisfaction

d. mechanization

14.  Which of the following is NOT a challenge that technology faces today?

a. Spreading its benefits to most people

b. Preventing its undesirable effects on future technology

c. Preventing unemployment

d. Fighting its negative effects 

15. To change a process so that it is performed by machinery rather than with the use of human or animal labor is called _________.

a. innovation

b. mechanization

c. industrialization

d. machination

16.    He is the inventor of the television

a. Philo Taylor Farnsworth

b. Alexander Graham Bell

c. Isaac Newton

d. Thomas Edison

17.     Which of the following is considered as primitive vs. modern technology

a. Telephone and cell phone

b. Gas stove and oven

c. Electric fan and air-conditioner

d. Stone and lighter

18. Which is NOT a product of technology

a. chalk

b. coal

c. calculator

d. cellular phone

19.     A system for transmitting messages and data from one computer to another, using a telephone connection and a modem.

a. internet

b. facsimile machine

c. telephone

d. e-mail

20.     Which is NOT a desirable effect of technology?

a. It speeds up the exchange of information.

b. It makes leisure time better.

c. It increases the use of natural resources.

d. It brings us a higher standard of living.

CORRECT ANSWERS:

ALS Module "Technology Its Benefits and Negative Effects - Lesson 2: The Negative Effects of Technology and the Challenges That It Faces

 LESSON 2 - The Negative Effects of Technology and the Challenges That It Faces

According to Emmanuel Mesthene, “Technology is neither good nor bad, it is neutral.” While technology brings us conveniences and luxuries, as what we have discussed in Lesson 1, it can also cause problems. It is all a matter of how technology is used. Some people now think that we are allowing technology to become our master rather than our slave. This implies that if we are to take advantage of technology, then we have to think about how to utilize it well.

 

In this lesson, we will discuss the undesirable effects of technology and the challenges that it faces.

 

After studying this lesson, you should be able to:

 

discuss the harmful effects of technology; and

 

explain some challenges technology is facing.

NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF TECHNOLOGY

Most problems related to technology arose mainly because those who created the technology did not consider their possible harmful effects. For example, many people welcomed the invention of the car in the early 1900s. They believed that cars would be quieter and less smelly than the horses that were commonly used in those days.

But as more and more cars came into use, the traffic noise proved more annoying than the clatter of horse hoofs. Car exhaust also proved worse than the smell of horse manure. The fumes polluted the air with carbon monoxide and other impurities that threatened human health. Also, cars today cause so much traffic congestion in the city that it may sometimes be actually faster to travel on horseback.

        Most people did not realize the negative effects of technologies because these effects will only be obvious once they occur on a large scale.

Let’s go back to the flying car example.Yes, the flying car can get you off the traffic, but not for long. Sooner or later, more and more people will have their own flying cars. By then, you’ll experience air traffic, and maybe air accidents as well.

THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF TECHNOLOGY

1 - Environmental Pollution

Environmental pollution is one of the most harmful effects of technology. Most if not all countries now face problems of air, water, soil and noise pollution.

Motor vehicles have grown in number and still continue to increase. They are likely to worsen the air and noise pollution that they have already created. Aside from vehicles, factories that manufacture products also pollute the environment mainly due to the waste that they produce. Open dumpsites, logging operations and many other activities aided by technology destroy the natural environment.

2 - Depletion of Natural Resources

The rapid advance of technology may also cause the depletion of our natural resources. Because of the need to produce many products in large quantities, our natural resources are used up very fast.

The use of electric powered machinery, for example, has greatly increased factory production. However, it has also reduced the supply of oil and other fuels needed to produce electricity. Once they are used up, these fuels cannot be replaced for a very, very long time. As power production increases, the supply of fuel decreases.

3 - Unemployment

Mechanization, or the use of machines instead of manual labor, has displaced many workers or removed them from their work. Machines now perform many tasks that were formerly done by people.

Have you experienced making a phone call in an office where a voice answers you and then tells you to press certain numbers? The voice may say, “press 1 if you want to talk to someone or 2 if you want other services.” These telephones are actually programmed machines that can do the tasks that human telephone operators used to do.

4 - The Creation of Dissatisfying Jobs

Some tasks required by industrial technology fail to give workers a feeling of accomplishment. Most factory workers now do only certain tasks in creating a product rather than creating a whole product. For example, when canned goods are manufactured, factory workers most of the time just oversee the whole process, since the machines do everything including filling the cans, sealing them, and packaging or putting the labels on them. This often results to less job satisfaction for the factory workers. Also, performing the same task again and again can be monotonous and boring.

5 - Change in People’s Behavioral Patterns and Values

Technology provides us with variety and that this variety leads to value and behavioral changes. While variety may be good, the resulting behavioral and value change may not always be positive. With the coming of technology-aided communication, people are able to talk with less face-to-face interaction. Even the way families interact changes.

For example, if the family has a television set, the time that should be ideally spent for family conversation and interaction may instead be used to simply watch television. If the family has several television sets, say one TV for each of the children, the likelihood that the family will spend more time together decreases even further.

THE CHALLENGES TO TECHNOLOGY

Given the extent of technology’s influence in our lives, it faces several challenges today. One of its biggest challenges is how to fight the bad effects of existing technologies. Another is how to prevent similar effects in the development of new technologies. Still another challenge is how to spread technology’s benefits to as many people as possible.

1 - Fighting the Negative Effects

Technology’s bad effects are hard to remedy mainly because there are different technologies to deal with. For example, we have problems about the negative effects of some television programs on children, and the waste created by technologies. This variety of problems will need a variety of solutions. But people have to realize first that there is need to take action. Car makers for example can help solve the problem of air pollution by installing a catalytic converter (a kind of filter) to purify the emissions from car exhausts. Producers of technology must develop means of fighting the bad effects of their products.

2 - Preventing Undesirable Effects

Some experts believe that most harmful effects of technology can be prevented. Any proposed technology should be tested and studied before it is put into use. Such evaluation is called technology assessment.

The purpose of an assessment is to discover in advance all the possible good and bad effects that a new technology may have on society and the environment. An assessment might show that the benefits of a new technology are greater than any undesirable effect. Or it may show that the undesirable effects would be so harmful that they would outweigh any benefits.

3 - Spreading the Benefits of Technology

The benefits of technology are limited largely to the industrial nations like the United States, Japan and Germany. But even in these countries, the benefits of technology are not evenly distributed. This means that the benefits may be felt in some areas or by certain groups of people, but not in other areas or by other groups of people. Meanwhile, many families in the industrial countries lack even the basic necessities in life.

        In the Philippines, for example, some people use computers while others have not heard or seen one yet. You can help in this area by teaching what you know about technologies to others. For example, if you know how to operate a computer, you can teach others the basic skills in the use of computers. Or, if the roles are reversed and you are the one who don’t know much about computers, you can take the effort to learn from someone who is knowledgeable.

Let’s Sum Up

Technology has harmful effects like:

(1) environmental pollution; 

(2)  depletion of natural resources; 

(3) unemployment; 

(4) creation of dissatisfying jobs; and 

(5) undesirable changes in people’s behavioral patterns and values.

Given that it has both positive and negative effects, several challenges face technology. Among these challenges are:

(1) fighting the present negative effects of technology; 

(2)  preventing the undesirable effects of technology; and 

(3) spreading the benefits of technology.

NOTES:

1 – This is an edited copy of the ALS Module entitled “Technology – Its Benefits and Negative Effects.

2 – This is reproduced for teaching and learning purposes only.

3 – The credit goes to the original creator and/or publisher of this module.