Canadian Quality Of Life Due To Technology

Essay, Research Paper

Over the past century, Canada has seen many changes in all aspects of society due to the increasing number of technology. However, the big question is if technology has improved our quality of life. Many argue that it hasn?t and they hold this opinion for many reasons. One reason is that it is extremely difficult to find a good-paying job if a person?s marks in school were not high. For these less fortunate, the only job they can find may be paying minimum wage, and a lot of the time, that is not enough to support a family. Another drawback to the new technology in Canada is that many heavy laborers are losing their jobs to machines. More and more, factories are replacing humans with robotics or lasers, which causes people to be laid off. Lastly, a negative effect of technology in Canada is that much more training is needed to do a job that was once a heavy labor job done by one man. Now we must learn to operate these new machines and technologies that do the work for us. On the other hand, the majority of Canadians feel that technology has improved our quality of life. The main reasons for these beliefs are the dramatic increases in the quality of health care, education, and the high standard of living in our society. I agree with those who hold these beliefs, and there are many reasons why.

People are said to have a high standard of living when they are able to buy most of the things they want. Compared to many other countries, Canada has an extremely high standard of living. One effect on our high standard of living is the large number of consumer goods that are circulated. Technology has contributed to this because technology can be used to reduce the cost of producing goods by eliminating human labor in a certain area. Technology also helps to make goods stronger, and can thus be used more and will last longer. Another effect on Canada?s high standard of living is the large access to food we have. Canada is one of the world?s largest food exporters, which means that we have lots of food to eat here. Technology contributes here because it has allowed for food to be harvested to it?s full capacity and has made harvesting the food easier and more efficient. Also, it has allowed for easier shipping of food. Before refrigeration, food would spoil if it took too long to get from the farm to the market. This resulted in a large number of unprocessed foods to be sold. All the preceding factors contribute to the large amounts of food we can get a hold of. Lastly, another way technology has improved our standard of living is the effect it has in our homes. New construction materials such as fiberglass insulation has created a more comfortable environment for us when in our homes. Modern heating systems keep us warm in cold temperatures. Products like natural gas, oil, and electricity have made using products easier, more efficient, and better for the environment. Technology has created all these things, and without them, many Canadians would not be able to survive without them if they had to.

A higher level of education is necessary in today?s society as a result of our growing and changing economy. Technology has aided in the education of children drastically to improve their learning capabilities. One way technology has aided education is shown in math. Not too many years ago, the students in mathematics classes used slide-rules, charts, or just plain memory to figure out problems. Now, with the use of technology, we use calculators that can fit in our pockets to solve the problems for us. This makes it possible for those who are slower at doing problems to be able to keep up. As long as they know how to do the problem, it is OK to use a calculator. Secondly, another way technology has aided in education is through audio-visual materials. Now in school libraries, you will not just find books, but an array of audiocassettes, magazines, slides, and even movies! These audio-visual aids are a large help in schools because they provide more information on certain subjects, and also help the student visualize what they are learning about. But now, there are not just new ways of researching or problem solving. There is a new technique that almost every school around Canada is using. This is the use of computers. In most schools around Canada, the numbers of computers can reach upwards of 6 computers per classroom! That is approximately one computer per five students. These computers are used for many things. At the elementary level, fun programs are used to teach children typing skills, math skills, or others with the use of animated characters and sound. The material is being taught, but the kids don?t know it because they are having fun! When you get up into the junior high or high school level, though, the uses for computers are expanding. They are used to type up neat reports, and most importantly, search for information on the Internet. The Internet is a great source of information if people know how to use it. One day maybe the Internet will take over libraries! Well, it is very evident the changes in education that technology has caused and many of these changes are very effective in teaching students.

The last of the most prominent ways in which technology has changed Canada?s quality of life is through health care. You can tell that Canadians? standard of living is higher because of the increasing life expectancy rate and the dropping infant mortality rate. There are many new technologies that have led to these conditions. One new practice that contributes to the lowering of the infant mortality rate is the use of monitors and incubators. These machines help premature, diseased or suffering babies stay alive until they are well enough to receive normal care. Secondly, another technological advancement is the use of vaccinations. These vaccinations are available everywhere. Now, shots are even given in schools to protect children at an early age. Hepatitis B shots are given in grade 5, measles shots are given in grade 7, and in grade 9 the students receive tetanus and diphtheria shots. Though these free vaccinations are discontinued after high school finishes, they are still available for a small fee at a local health center. Due to the vaccinations, the life expectancy rate is getting higher. For males, the life expectancy rate is near 73 years, while females are expected to live until 78. Finally, one last technological advancement in the area of health care is the use of implants or artificial organs. When someone suffers a severe heart problem in which his or her heart cannot work by itself, a small machine called a pacemaker is inserted to keep the heart beating at a regular rate. This extends the life of ill seniors, while allowing them to lead a normal lifestyle. Also, organs can be donated, shipped, and implanted into bodies that need new organs for survival. This process has saved the lives of many otherwise fatal cases. Through the use of health care, there is a cure or medicine to ease the effects, excluding some major diseases, for almost everything.

Technology in Canada is being used in many more areas of life than mentioned previously, but these are some of the areas most affected by it. Because of these advancements, many people?s lives are dramatically affected for the better. If this rate of technology continues, life will keep getting better and better for Canadians. I hope that this does happen because technology is very intriguing as well as helpful and many people can learn from it. Overall, technology in Canada has increased the average Canadian?s quality of life.