[GE / Living in the IT Era]

1 Introduction to Digital Age

Module 01 INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL AGE

At the end of this module, you are expected to:
1. Know when the digital age took place
2. Identify the different types of communication from early time up to the present
3. Know the role and importance of ICT

What does it mean when we say Digital Age?

It is a period in human history that started when computers were introduced
in the 1970s. It is evident in the rapid shift from mechanical industrialization
to technological innovation.
The Digital Age is also termed as the Information Age, Computer Age, or New
Media Age.
An important thing to note is that the meaning of the Digital Age will continue
to change over time as new technologies or devices will be developed through
research and development that will ultimately impact how we as humans will
interact.

Now let us define what is ICT?

ICT or Information and Communication Technology pertains to the unification and
integration of telecommunication lines (wireless or not), computers, software and
systems that enable access, storage, transmittal, and manipulation of information. It
concentrates on advancing the way we communicate in this Information or Digital Age.

Course Module
So how did Communication Evolve?

Figure 1. The Evolution of Communication

Cave Paintings and Carve Stones

Imaginative art or some form of communication were discovered by archaeologists in

the cave paintings and carved stones done by Neanderthals or early homo sapiens that
dates backs to around 130,000 to 100,000 B.C.

Carrier Pigeons

Another means of communication was the use of homing pigeons which dates back to no
less than 2,900 BC, when ships coming into Egyptian ports discharged pigeons to report
imperative guests. The Egyptian army likewise utilized bearer pigeons for military
correspondence. Homing pigeons were additionally utilized for correspondence in
China, India, Persia, and numerous different parts of Asia. Around 2,350 BC, King Sargon
of Akkadia sent a homing pigeon out with every one of his detachments. By 776,
transporter pigeons were being utilized to convey the news of Olympic triumphs to
Athens.

Marathon Man

The Story of Pheidippides is that which inspired the sporting spectacle of Marathon
running. Pheidippides an Athenian Herald or Courier was said to have run from
Marathon to Athens to report that the Greeks won against the Persians in the Battle of
Marathon.
 [GE / Living in the IT Era]
3 Introduction to Digital Age

First Daily Newspaper

The first daily newspaper ever to be distributed was the Einkommende Zeitungen in July
1, 1960 in Leipzig, Germany. The name of the newspaper means “approaching daily
papers”.
Telegraph

The Telegraph was created in the 1840s by Samuel Morse (1791-1872) and different
designers. It worked by transmitting electrical flags over a wire laid between stations.
Notwithstanding designing the broadcast, Samuel Morse built up a code (bearing his
name) which came to be known as the Morse code.

The Telephone
Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922), best known as the designer of the phone, worked
at a school for the hard of hearing while at the same time endeavoring to imagine a
machine that would transmit sound by power. Bell was awarded the principal official
patent for his phone in March 7, 1876, however he would later face a very long time of
lawful difficulties to his case that he was its sole creator, bringing about one of history's
longest patent fights.

Radio Signal

In 1901 Guglielmo Marconi an Italian inventor pioneered long-distance radio

transmission and transmitted the first transatlantic radio signal from Cornwall to
Newfoundland.

Television Broadcast

In April 7, 1927, AT&T (Bell Telephone Company) held the first public demonstration of
long-distance television transmission. Reporters watched as a TV image of Secretary of
Commerce Herbert Hoover was sent from Washington, D.C. to New York by phone lines.

Internet

Inter-networking began with when Packet switching networks which included the
ARPANET project of the US Protection Office joined multiple separate networks into a
network of networks.

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World Wide Web

The World Wide Web was developed from 1989 to 1994 at the European Council for
Nuclear Research and was made freely available to the world in 1994.

Instant Messaging

Instant Messaging basically began in the 70s and 80s but the new era of instant
messaging can be credited to America Online (AOL) AIM which gained popularity in May
1997
Blogging 1999

In 1999, the word blog sprung up and after five years, the term blog, was announced the
expression of the year by Merriam-Webster.

Facebook

Facebook, the world's most mainstream interpersonal interaction site was launched in
February 2004. It was founded by Mark Zuckerberg.
Twitter
Twitter was created by Jack Dorsey, Noah Glass, Business Stone, and Evan Williams in
2006. Rapidly gained popularity as of 2017 has 100 million daily active users.

That is how communication evolved. Now let us discuss the importance and benefits of ICT to the
Society and individuals

For Health:
– . Easy access to patient records.
– Access to medical information
– Online Appointment/s.
– Database for Medical Inventory
– Organized information about individual patients
For Education:
– Research and Resource over the internet.
– New ways and style of learning.
– Remote learning.
– Skills for life.
For the Solution of Crimes:
- Media and Communication.
- Storage and access of information.
 [GE / Living in the IT Era]
5 Introduction to Digital Age

- Forensic, Tracing and Fraud prevention.

- Database and prevention of fraud.
- Saves time.
For Communication:
– Ways of communication using ICT.
– Communication using E-mail, IM etc.
– Easy communication system benefits.
For Business:
- Changing ways of business.
- Information technology.
- E-commerce (selling/buying).
- Online Banking.
- For Work
- Work can be carried out easily.
- Information about work can be accessed from anywhere.
- Work can be taken to different location.
- Efficient and organized way of storing file.

By using ICT systems we are:

more productive as we are able to deal with transmit and receive vast amo unts of information and
process it quickly

References and Supplementary Materials

Online Supplementary Reading Materials

1. ICT systems and their usage;
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/ict/system/0ictsystemsrev1.shtml; May
9, 2018
2. Benefits of ICT for Society and Individuals;
https://www.scribd.com/doc/44798019/Benefits-of-ICT-for-Society-andIndividuals;
May 9, 2018
3. The evolution of communication: effects on the world of science;
https://sci10sectionm.wordpress.com/2013/12/08/the-evolution-
ofcommunication-effects-on-the-world-of-science/; May 9, 2018

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