Period 5 SL & HL ITGS Converging Technologies

Your have two tasks to attempt during the lesson

Converging Technologies
This is an example of an IB question. You will likely need to do some research on the WWW to answer some of these such as (c) and possibly (a). However, the remainder you should be able to identify. You may quietly discuss possible answers to these questions in small groups.


Many IT developments have resulted from the merging of two or more technologies. For example, phones permitted people to communicate 1000 times faster than by sending written messages and computers let people compute and manipulate data 1000 times faster than by manual methods. When phones and computers were joined to create the Internet, there was a multiplier effect; people could then calculate, manipulate data, search for information, and exchange information a million times faster than by the old methods.

(a) List two other IT developments that use at least two different IT technologies to give a specific service or to achieve a specific function. [2 marks]




(b) Suggest one new IT development that might occur within the next ten years that will be made possible by the combining of two or more current IT technologies. [4 marks]




(c) List four uses of computer chips in modern cars. [4 marks]




(d) Discuss the ethical considerations that should be involved when a new technology is developed. [8 marks]


The PDA and Bluetooth technology

Emerging technologies have resulted in the convergence of computers and communications technology.If you thought mobile phones were intrusive, watch out for the Blackberry. These palm-sized mobile offices are threatening the very fabric of family life says Mimi SpencerYou Magazine, 24th July 2005.

Discuss the answers in twos and email your findings to serem@yahoo.com

a) What does the word ‘convergence’ mean in this context?

b) Give 3 examples of converging technology.

c)PDA is an example of a converging technology. What does PDA stand for.

d) What is Bluetooth technology and how is it used with PDA’s?


e) There are 5 ways to load content onto mobile devices – push, pull, peer, plug and stream. Describe each of these.


f) PDAs have many uses – the news identifies PDA’s being used by Doctors, in the classroom and to help drivers. Find out more about each of these situations.