Introduction to Information and Communication Technology

Information and communications technology (ICT) refers to all the

technology used to handle telecommunications, broadcast media, intelligent
building management systems, audio visual processing and transmission systems,
and network-based control and monitoring functions. Although ICT is often
considered an extended synonym for information technology (IT), its scope is
broader.
Information technology (IT) is the use of computers to store, retrieve,
transmit, and manipulate data, or information, often in the context of a business or
other enterprise. IT system is generally an information system, a communications
system or, more specifically speaking, a computer system – including all hardware,
software and peripheral equipment – operated by a limited group of users. The term
is commonly used as a synonym for computers and computer networks, but it also
encompasses other information distribution technologies such as television and
telephones. IT is considered to be a subset of information and communications
technology (ICT).
ICT encompasses both the internet-enabled sphere as well as the mobile one
powered by wireless networks. It also includes antiquated technologies, such as
landline telephones, radio and television broadcast – all of which are still widely
used today alongside cutting-edge ICT pieces such as artificial intelligence and
robotics. The list of ICT components is exhaustive, and it continues to grow. Some
components, such as computers and telephones, have existed for decades but
smartphones, digital TVs and robots, are more recent entries.

Information Technology

Information technology (IT) is the use of any computers, storage, networking

and other physical devices, infrastructure and processes to create, process, store,
secure and exchange all forms of electronic data. Typically, IT is used in the context
of enterprise operations as opposed to personal or entertainment technologies. The
commercial use of IT encompasses both computer technology and telephony.
The term information technology was coined by the Harvard Business
Review, in order to make a distinction between purpose-built machines designed to
perform a limited scope of functions and general-purpose computing machines that
could be programmed for various tasks. As the IT industry evolved from the mid-
20th century, computing capability advanced while device cost and energy
consumption fell lower, a cycle that continues today when new technologies emerge.
According to Information Technology Trends in 2019, Information
technology refers to anything related to computing technology. The Internet, for
example, comes under the umbrella term IT. So does computer hardware, software,
and networking. Software includes all the computer programs – codes and
instructions – within a computer. Computers do not work without software.
Hardware, in this context, refers to the physical components of a computer system.
The screen (monitor), mouse, and motherboard, for example, are hardware items.
Evolution of Technology
 The evolution of technology has always depended on one thing: the human
rationale. Humans tend to think of ways on how to discharge tasks or workload, or
do daily activities easily.
The concept of technology always starts with the basic tool. In order to build
a house, one cannot simply use his or her own two hands to cut wood and attach the
wooden pieces together. A hacksaw, hammer, and set of nails are needed to
accomplish the task. The concept of a wheel has also made transportation much
easier, and enabled people to move several objects from one place to another with
ease.
By combining a set of tools, people have come up with machines that can do
the tasks faster and more efficiently. A Single-wheel transportation tool has inspired
the creation of a machine capable of transporting, not just objects, but also
passengers. Thus, vehicles have nowadays become more of a necessity rather than a
form of luxury
Another type of machine that is considered a necessity is the computer. A
computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions stored
in its own memory that can accept data, manipulate the data according to specified
rules, produce results, and store the results for future use. However, as technology
evolves, so do machines. Computers today are no longer the same computers your
parents must have first used. Most machines, including computers, have evolved
through the process of automation.
Automation is defined as "the technique of making an apparatus, a process,
or a system operate automatically." Automation includes a broad range of
technologies normally connecting computer systems to other systems, such as
sensors, wireless applications, expert systems, and systems integration, among
others. The integration is made in such a way that these interconnected systems are
capable of self-acting or self-regulation.
Automated systems can reduce the instances of errors, which are usually
caused by human-based decision and comprehension. Production companies often
use automated systems as part of their business process as automation increases
productivity and lessens the time to market.
However, an automated system is not the same as an intelligent system.
Intelligent systems are far more complex and are capable of learning. This is where
the concept of artificial intelligence comes in. One of the latest inventions in the
automotive industry 1s the intelligent car which is capable of driving and parking by
itself.

● Uses of ICT in Our Daily Lives

1. Communication

We all know that ICT take a major role for us by means of

communicating, way back in the past our parents use to make letter
and send it via post mail. But now with the help of ICT it is easier to
communicate with our love ones. We can use cellular phones that
 design for communicating with other people even they are miles away
far from you.

Nowadays people are in touch with the help of ICT. Through chatting,
E-mail, voice mail and social networking people communicate with
each other. It is the cheapest means of communication.

ICT allows students to monitor and manage their own learning, think
critically and creatively, solve simulated real-world problems, work
collaboratively, engage in ethical decision-making, and adopt a global
perspective towards issues and ideas. It also provides students from
remote areas access to expert teachers and learning resources,
and gives administrators and policy makers the data and expertise
they need to work more efficiently.

2. Job Opportunities

In the employment sector, ICT enable organization to operate more

efficiently, so employing staff with ICT skills is vital to the smooth
running of any business. Being able to use ICT systems effectively
allows employees more time to concentrate on areas of their job role
that require soft skills.

For example, many pharmacies use robot technology to assist with

picking prescribed drugs. This allows highly trained pharmaceutical
staff to focus on jobs requiring human intelligence and interaction,
such as dispensing and checking medication.

Nowadays, employers expect their staff to have basic ICT skills. This
expectation even applies to job roles where ICT skills may not have
been an essential requirement in the past.

Nowadays, finding a job is different, you can just use your smart
phone, laptop, desktop or any gadgets that is available in the comfort
of your home.

3. Education

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) can impact

student learning when teachers are digitally literate and understand
how to integrate it into curriculum.

Schools use a diverse set of ICT tools to communicate, create,

disseminate, store, and manage information.(6) In some contexts,
ICT has also become integral to the teaching-learning interaction,
through such approaches as replacing chalkboards with interactive
 digital whiteboards, using students’ own smartphones or other
devices for learning during class time, and the “flipped classroom”
model where students watch lectures at home on the computer and use
classroom time for more interactive exercises.

When teachers are digitally literate and trained to use ICT, these
approaches can lead to higher order thinking skills, provide creative
and individualized options for students to express their understandings,
and leave students better prepared to deal with ongoing technological
change in society and the workplace.

4. Socializing

Social media has changed the world. The rapid and vast adoption of
these technologies is changing how we find partners, how we access
information from the news, and how we organize to demand
political change.

The internet and social media provide young people with a

range of benefits, and opportunities to empower themselves in a
variety of ways. Young people can maintain social connections and
support networks that otherwise wouldn't be possible and can access
more information than ever before. The communities and social
interactions young people form online can be invaluable for bolstering
and developing young people's self-confidence and social skills.

As the ICT has become ubiquitous, faster and increasingly

accessible to non-technical communities, social networking and
collaborative services have grown rapidly enabling people to
communicate and share interest in many more ways, sites like
Facebook, Twitter LinkedIn You tube, Flicker, second life delicious
blogs wiki’s and many more let people of all ages rapidly share their
interest of the movement without others everywhere. But Facebook
seems to be the leading areas of where people communicate and share
their opinions. What a change! “Nothing is permanent, but change”
(As Heraditus in the 4thcentury BC). Internet can be seen as the
international networks of interconnection of computer networks, the
main purpose for the institution of internet are quest for information
i.e. browsing, electronic mail, knew groups fill transfer and access and
use of other computer. Socialization can be seen as a process by which
a child adapts a behavior to be an effective member of the society,
which can only be achieved through learning or education.

● Impact of ICT in The Society

Positive impacts of Information and Communication Technology

 ● Access to information: Increase in access to information and services that has
accompanied the growth of the Internet. Some of the positive aspects of this
increased access are better, and often cheaper, communications, such as VoIP
phone and Instant Messaging.
● Improved access to education, e.g. distance learning and online tutorials. New
ways of learning, e.g. interactive multi-media and virtual reality.
● New tools, new opportunities: ICT gives access to new tools that did not
previously exist: digital cameras, photo-editing software and high quality printers,
screen magnification or screen reading software enables partially sighted or blind
people to work with ordinary text rather than Braille.
● Communication: Cost savings by using e.g. VoIP instead of normal telephone,
email / messaging instead of post, video conferencing instead of traveling to
meetings, e-commerce web sites instead of sales catalogues. Access to larger,
even worldwide, markets.
● Information management: Data mining of customer information to produce lists
for targeted advertising. Improved stock control, resulting in less wastage, better
cash flow, etc.
● Security: ICT solves or reduces some security problems, e.g. Encryption methods
can keep data safe from unauthorized people, both while it is being stored or
while it is being sent electronically.
● ICT allows people to participate in a wider, even worldwide, society.
● Distance learning: students can access teaching materials from all over the world.
● ICT facilitates the ability to perform ‘impossible’ experiments’ by using
simulations.
● Creation of new more interesting jobs. Examples would be systems analysts,
programmers and software engineers, as well as help desk operators and trainers.

Negative impacts of Information and Communication Technology

● Job loss: Manual operations being replaced by automation. E.g. robots replacing
people on an assembly line. Job export. E.g. Data processing work being sent to
other countries where operating costs are lower. Multiple workers being replaced
by a smaller number who are able to do the same amount of work. e.g. A worker
on a supermarket checkout can serve more customers per hour if a bar-code
scanner linked to a computerized till is used to detect goods instead of the worker
having to enter the item and price manually
● Reduced personal interaction: Most people need some form of social interaction
in their daily lives and if they do not get the chance to meet and talk with other
people they may feel isolated and unhappy.
● Reduced physical activity: This can lead to health problems such as obesity, heart
disease, and diabetes.
● Cost: A lot of ICT hardware and software is expensive, both to purchase and to
maintain. An ICT system usually requires specialist staff to run it and there is also
the challenge of keeping up with ever-changing technology.
● Competition: this is usually thought of as being a good thing, but for some
organizations being exposed to greater competition can be a problem. If the
organization is competing for customers, donations, or other means of funding
nationally or even internationally, they may lose out to other organizations that
can offer the same service for less money