Chp 6 Case Study 2. Tablet take their place in the PC market

1. Computers, using some AI techniques like those we discussed in Chapter 4,can learn. In the classroom while a child is using a tablet PC to learn the basic of addition, how can software be developed to aid in the learning process?Does this mean that teacher are no longer needed for some subjects. Are teachers needed ,in earlier grades while computers-based training can take over in later grades?Why and why not?

The software can be develop to encourage the kids skills and interaction with learning application. The correct usage of Audio and Visual aid will attract students learning.
“In a supervised environment, children as young as four or five are able to engage in learning activities using smartphones and tablets of all kinds,” says Jeannie Galindo, supervisor of instructional technology for the Manatee County School District in Florida. “In an unsupervised environment, I wouldn't recommend a smartphone or tablet purchase for a child until at least between the ages of 11 and 13.” It depends, if guidance and teacher's supervision required. Not all subjects can be on students self-initiative. Some exclusion can be applied to with proper guidance.
For school-age children, a smartphone or tablet can give them an additional learning layer, beyond the traditional classroom or book. “Smartphones and tablets provide students with multiple opportunities to access content and engage with curriculum,” Galindo says. “They connect students to the world beyond the four walls of their brick and mortar buildings and give them access to real world experts solving real world problems in real time. Technology makes their learning relevant.” Human emotion and psychological interaction needed to social with the students.

2. End-user systems, like those that allow patrons to order meals on an iPad, must be “idiot proof.” (We apologize for the crudeness of that term.) That is, systems must be usable without training and created in such a way, for example, that a patron at one table can’t accidentally change the order of a patron at another table. What does this mean for systems development?

Proper analysis regarding the systems to build, understanding the workflow and documenting the business requirement to ensure it meet the expectation. Prototyping, can help to give first hand of the product experience. Can complex and complicated end-user systems be developed and deployed on tablet PCs so that people can use the systems without training and without intervention by a knowledgeable person such as a waiter or waitress? Yes. The business can outsources the new application development to the third party to expedite the process.

3. What security issues are involved in allowing people to pay with tablet PCs? Does this payment process make it easier for someone to steal your credit card information? Can organizations afford to use the traditional SDLC and completely gather requirements before proceeding with development? Are you comfortable using a restaurant-supplied technology to enter your credit card information? Why or why not ?

The securities issues involved can be the identity theft and expose the users credit card information with others in the shared tablet PCs.
Yes, it will be much easier if any chance the tablet PC already being compromise by virus and rootkit.
Not in good enough technology economy. It will take longer and the product or application will be obsolete when they are ready for end users.
Personally I am not comfortable. There are no guarantee the devices is secured and reliable.
Offshore third-party outsourcing is a strategic tool for some software companies, if it is properly timed, executed and managed.
It depends, proper due diligence and analysis by the firms may help to develop the software system with the required skills.

4. What will happen to offshore outsourcing for software development? Can outsourcing firms in India and China for example be expected to develop software systems for use in U.S. schools? Can those same firms be expected to develop systems that meet FAA rules and restrictions?

Offshore third-party outsourcing is a strategic tool for some software companies, if it is properly timed, executed and managed. It depends, proper due diligence and analysis by the firms may help to develop the software system with the required skills. It will be challenging but doable, these outsourcing activities were primarily undertaken to help company reduce its cost structure and/or move non-core development activity outside the organization, so the company could focus on its core architecture development. Proper guidelines can mitigate the non-compliance.