Topic B: Final Course Reflection

Communication technologies play an important role especially in times of disaster, because with it we can save lives and restore connections amongst everyone. Without communication technology we would suffer much more and many problems would grow bigger. Each part that makes up the technology ecosystem hold a serious role because with it all we can prevent a disaster from getting out of control, parts such as (hardware, software, organizational infrastructure, social systems, and individuals users) create the ecosystem that holds us together and that is how information is quickly shared and spread out for quick aid response or alerting others. Because without this technology ecosystem we can become disabled, and limited from getting a hold of important information to be secure. Plus, with the help of the internet of things objects become a helping hand to locate a certain location, and people. Technological applications/ objects help to secure the health and the safety of those affected by a disaster, because they are widely used throughout paths of communicating, transportation, tracking, health care, and utilities when helping those individuals to be safe. Digital assistants is important to own in order to be prepared for any unexpected disasters because they can help secure that one is updated with current things happening around them. Many people are afraid of having their homes being updated to be a “smart home” but in reality it is very helpful to have a home updated with technological devices/ applications because it will be easy to keep track of it just in case one has to evacuate a location, and/ or the home can send out a message to responders to know where they can find more people. If each city decided to adapt more technology then they’ll become a smart city, this will create a very powerful city network connection in which neighboring cities will be sending back information, updates and aid to handle each disaster properly. All this technological aid can help save many lives, but it will not work if cities do not have access to the rest of the world. There are many cities in the U.S that have access to computers, but there are many other cities that do not have access to computers or other technological devices which prevents them to be accessible or reachable. Digital Divide plays a big role in why many cities are unprepared for disasters, because they are not mobile and do not have access to the internet in which they will need in order to get access and resources to help them back back on their feet. Cities will become well prepared if they get either the funds to get access to internet, or that a company such as google builds internet infrastructure in which internet is accessible in order that everyone stays connected.That is why it is important to have access to internet because then civilians get couraged to get a personal computer or any handheld device and from that point forward their lives will be simplified and they’ll be connected to the rest of the world which is vital when speaking about disasters. But, what if a city can not afford or get access to internet do to their surroundings then maybe another alternative source can be radio even though it is a older form of technology, but it is still useful in order to play importance in a time of disaster.