By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

• Explain how computing impacts everyday life and modern society.
• Identify common uses of computing in different industries.
• Understand the growing role of data, connectivity, and automation in the 21st century.

Computing in the Modern World

Computers surround us. They are utterly everywhere and impossible to avoid completely. I am using a computer to type these words, and you are using a computer to read them. It wasn’t always like this – it’s easy to forget that only about fifty years ago, the average person did not even own a computer. No games console, no mobile phone, no smart speaker or anything. It was a completely different world to the one we know today, and it wasn’t even that long ago. 

From banking, to healthcare, to transport and entertainment, computers dominate the world outside of our homes. So we can’t go far without seeing them. I challenge you to think of a place where you won’t ever find a computer. (People might bring their phones to a public park!)

Data powers much of the modern world. Everyone wants a piece of it. And in the ethics topic, you’ll learn more about why it is so important to understand how our world is controlled by computers. 

So what’s behind it all? What’s the deal with computers?

The OCR GCSE course will teach you about:

• Hardware – the physical parts of a computer

• Software – the programs that run on them

• Networks – how computers connect to share data

• Cyber security – how to keep data safe

• Algorithms – step-by-step instructions for solving problems

• Programming – writing your own code

But just understand this… Computers aren’t just machines, they are an extension of us. Understanding how they work only gives you more power and freedom. You will become a better thinker, especially if you can use the tools responsibly.