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Technology In Action, 17th edition

Published by Pearson (January 1, 2021) © 2022

  • Alan Evans Montgomery County Community College
  • Kendall Martin Montgomery County Community College
  • Mary Anne Poatsy

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For introductory courses in computer concepts, digital literacy, or computer literacy.

Using technology to teach technology

Best-selling Technology in Action uses practical content and hands-on projects to engage students in computing tasks and skills they can apply at work, in class, or at home. Designed for today's technically savvy students, the text introduces difficult concepts at a basic level early on, then expands upon these skills as students build mastery.

The 17th Edition includes all-new coverage of Ransomware as a Service, CPUs that fight back against malware, and bandwidth throttling, as well as new Dig Deeper articles, such as "Building Your Own Gaming Computer."

Hallmark features of this title

Hands-on projects

  • Try This projects develop professional knowledge (e.g., the "What Does Facebook Know About You?" project is a path to explore the information social media platforms collect about users).
  • Solve This projects reinforce chapter concepts, prompting students to use Microsoft® Office skills to solve real-world problems.
  • Make This projects teach mobile app development for Android or iOS and familiarize students with various app-building platforms.

Real-world, student-focused learning

  • Managing a Digital lifestyle coverage arms students to navigate topics such as the Dark Web, keeping data private, and using cryptocurrency.
  • Tech careers coverage discusses current trends, including the way AI and other tech will continue to impact careers.

New and updated features of this title

Real-world, student-focused learning

  • NEW: The global COVID-19 pandemic is covered in reference to tech challenges, successes, ethics, and social equity, along with the @ effort for vaccine discovery.
  • UPDATED: Team Time exercises, designed for working in online environments like Microsoft® Teams™ or Zoom, have been updated, as have quizzes providing a self-check of objectives in each chapter.

Emerging tech and related challenges

  • UPDATED: Learning outcomes and objectives reflect new tech and current topics (e.g., a new objective addressing the uses of Cloud technologies to create, store, and share, as well as the relationship between AI and Cloud Computing).
  • UPDATED: Bits & Bytes passages throughout provide up-to-date coverage of new technology developments, resources, and insights.
  • NEW: Coverage of digital asset protection and key threats include new content on audio captcha, password managers, hardware keys, mobile alarm software, and digital forensics.
  • UPDATED: Coverage of ethical issues has been updated to encompass the impact of current events. Up-to-date content is provided in end-of-chapter activities, the Point/Counterpoint Ethical Debate feature, and Ethics in IT activities, as well as in the MyLab Sound Byte on how to discuss and debate ethical issues.

Features of MyLab IT for the 17th Edition

  • Students can earn a Digital Competency badge to show potential employers their mastery of the most current core digital literacy areas, such as living online and computer fundamentals.

NOTE: For courses that cover both Computer Concepts and Office Applications, Technology in Action is available in a combined MyLab IT with content from our market-leading applications titles GO! or Exploring.

Features of Pearson eText for the 17th Edition

  • NEW: Included in the eText, the Technology in the News widget provides monthly technology news updates to spark relevant discussions and help instructors and students stay up-to-date on the latest innovations. Discussion points, and weekly activities are included with the new or updated content.
  • CHAPTER I: The Impact of Technology in a Changing World
    • Technology in Society
    • Artificial Intelligence and Ethical Computing
  • CHAPTER II: Looking at Computers: Understanding the Parts
    • Understanding Digital Components
    • Processing, Storage, and Connectivity
  • CHAPTER III: Using the Internet: Making the Most of the Web's Resources
    • Collaborating and Working on the Web
    • Using the Web Effectively
  • CHAPTER IV: Application Software: Programs That Let You Work and Play
    • Accessing, Using, and Managing Software
    • Application Software
  • CHAPTER V: System Software: The Operating System, Utility Programs, and File Management
    • Understanding System Software
    • Using System Software
  • CHAPTER VI: Understanding and Assessing Hardware: Evaluating Your System
    • Evaluating Key Subsystems
    • Evaluating Other Subsystems and Making a Decision
  • CHAPTER VII: Networking: Connecting Computing Devices
    • How Networks Function
    • Your Home Network
  • CHAPTER VIII: Managing Your Digital Lifestyle: Challenges and Ethics
    • The Impact of Digital Information
    • Ethical Issues of Living in the Digital Age
  • CHAPTER IX: Securing Your System: Protecting Your Digital Data and Devices Threats to Your Digital Assets
    • Protecting Your Digital Property
  • CHAPTER X: Behind the Scenes: Software Programming
    • Understanding Programming
    • Programming Languages
  • CHAPTER XI: Behind the Scenes: Databases and Information Systems
    • Database Fundamentals
    • How Businesses Use Databases
  • CHAPTER XII: Behind the Scenes: Networking and Security in the Business World
    • Client/Server Networks and Topologies
    • Setting Up Business Networks
  • CHAPTER XIII: Behind the Scenes: How the Internet Works
    • Inner Workings of the Internet
    • Coding and Communicating on the Internet

APPENDICES

  • A. The History of the Personal Computer
  • B. Careers in IT

Glossary

About our authors

Alan Evans, MS, CPA, is currently a faculty member at Moore College of Art and Design and Montgomery County Community College, teaching a variety of computer science and business courses. He holds a BS in accounting from Rider University and an MS in Information Systems from Drexel University, and he is a certified public accountant. After a successful career in business, Alan finally realized that his true calling is education. He has been teaching at the college level since 2000. He enjoys attending technical conferences and exploring new methods of engaging students.

Kendall Martin, PhD, is a full professor of Computer Science at Montgomery County Community College with teaching experience at both the undergraduate and graduate levels at a number of institutions, including Villanova University, DeSales University, Ursinus College, and Arcadia University. Her education includes a BS in electrical engineering from the University of Rochester and an MS and a PhD in engineering from the University of Pennsylvania. Kendall has industrial experience in research and development environments (AT&T Bell Laboratories) as well as experience with several start-up technology firms.

Mary Anne Poatsy, MBA, is a senior faculty member at Montgomery County Community College, teaching various computer application and concepts courses in face-to-face and online environments. She enjoys speaking at various professional conferences about innovative classroom strategies. Mary Anne holds a BA in psychology and education from Mount Holyoke College and an MBA in finance from Northwestern University's Kellogg Graduate School of Management. She has been in teaching since 1997, ranging from elementary and secondary education to Montgomery County Community College, Gwynedd- Mercy College, Muhlenberg College, and Bucks County Community College, as well as training in the professional environment. Before teaching, Mary Anne was a vice president at Shearson Lehman Hutton in the Municipal Bond Investment Banking Department.

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