Online Working from Home (Edexcel IGCSE ICT)
Revision Note
Written by: Robert Hampton
Reviewed by: James Woodhouse
Availability of digital devices
How has the availability of digital devices changed the way people work?
Traditionally, workers required access to computer systems and would access them from an office environment (centralised)
To facilitate access, office hours such as 09:00 to 17:00 were common
As digital devices became cheaper and more powerful, these devices were increasingly used at home
Digital devices can be used to:
Run a range of software
Access the internet
Access online systems & applications
This has led to opportunities for people to work from home
This is a decentralised approach
Using the internet to work from home has benefits and drawbacks for organisations and its employees
Benefits and drawbacks to organisations
Benefits | Drawbacks |
|---|---|
Can attract talented, motivated workforce | Concerns about data security |
Can employee from a wider location (internationally) | More difficult to manage and support employees |
No need to buy/rent office space | Employees might not work as hard |
No commuting for employees (no lateness) | Complications with payroll for workers in different coutries |
Workers may work more effectively from home |
Benefits and drawbacks to employees
Benefits | Drawbacks |
|---|---|
No travel to work (less stress, saves money etc.) | Distractions at home (family, leisure activities) |
More time working/resting, no travelling | Lack of social interaction |
Work at a time to suit them | Feel disconnected from the company |
Less distractions | |
Comfortable environment | |
Organise work around social or family commitments | |
No uniform/business clothes (saves money) |
Worked Example
Kevin uses the Internet to work from home.
Kevin does not have to waste time travelling to work.
Describe one other positive impact the Internet has on how Kevin works
[2]
Answer
A description such as:
The Internet is always available [1] so he can work at times suitable to him [1]
OR
He can collaborate with others [1] to share expertise / reduce the time to complete a task / share workload [1]
OR
He can access a wider range of sources [1] allowing him to make better decisions [1]
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