Technology is Everywhere!

Week 1 Discussion  |  CI2000: Computer Fundamentals  |  60 Points

Aligns with CO-1 (Computer Software Concepts)


The Scenario

It’s your first day at a busy family medicine practice. As you walk through the door, technology is everywhere—patients check in at a touchscreen kiosk, medical assistants update charts on workstations, a nurse reviews lab results on a tablet, and the front desk printer hums in the background. Every piece of hardware you see is powered by software—the invisible engine that makes it all work.

Your challenge this week is to look at the technology around you with fresh eyes and identify the software that healthcare professionals rely on every single day.

Discussion Prompt

Think about the technology you use every day—on your phone, at work, or at school. Now imagine yourself in a medical office setting. Identify at least THREE types of software a medical assistant might use on a typical day.

For each software type you identify:

  1. Name it — What is the software? (e.g., Microsoft Word, Epic EHR, Windows 11)
  2. Classify it — Is it system software, application software, or productivity software?
  3. Explain — How does this software support patient care or clinic operations?

Personal Experience

In addition to your software examples, describe a time when technology either helped you or frustrated you in a professional or academic setting. What happened, and what did you learn from the experience?

Requirements

  • Initial post: 200+ words
  • Identify and discuss 3 or more software types with classification
  • Include a personal experience with technology
  • Two replies to classmates — 75+ words each

Due Dates

  • Initial Post: Wednesday by 11:59 PM (ET)
  • Two Replies: Sunday by 11:59 PM (ET)

Grading Rubric

CriterionPoints
Identifies 3+ software types with specific examples20
Correctly classifies each software (system / application / productivity)15
Connects software to healthcare / patient care15
Two substantive replies to classmates (75+ words each)10
Total60

“Technology is nothing. What’s important is that you have a faith in people, that they’re basically good and smart, and if you give them tools, they’ll do wonderful things with them.”

— Steve Jobs