ICT Class 11/12: Understanding ICT and Its Impact

ICT and Its Current State

• ICT stands for Information Communication Technology, an umbrella term referring to communication hardware or software that allows the access, storage, transmission, and manipulation of information.
• ICT encompasses radio, television, communication devices (smart and non-smart phones), desktops, computers, laptops, and network hardware and technologies.
• ICT is used across many industries and disciplines.

Desktops and Laptops

• Desktops are stationary computer systems with separate components, typically consisting of a separate monitor, keyboard, and mouse.
• Laptops are portable, all-in-one computers designed for mobility, integrating the monitor, keyboard, mouse, and other components into a single, compact device.

Mobile Phones and Smartphones

• Mobile phones are basic handheld devices for voice communication, with limited additional features such as text messaging and basic web browsing.
• Smartphones are advanced mobile devices that offer voice communication and a wide range of computing capabilities, including internet connectivity, email, apps, multimedia capabilities, and a touchscreen interface.

Television and Radio

• Television (TV) is an electronic device that receives and displays audio-visual content, including television programs and movies, via broadcast signals, cable connections, or internet streaming.
• Radio is an electronic device that receives and plays audio content, such as music, news, and talk shows, typically transmitted over the airwaves through radio frequency signals.

Emerging Technology Concepts

• Convergent Technologies refer to the combination of multiple devices into a single gadget, enabling more functionality and portability.
• Social Media refers to applications or platforms that allow users to communicate in online social communities or networks.
• Mobile Technologies refer to devices that are easily carried and allow fast means of communication.

World Wide Web (WWW) vs Internet

• The World Wide Web (WWW) refers to the software aspect of the internet, specifically the protocols or HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) that enable the transfer of information.
• The Internet refers to the actual interconnection of computers and other networks, including hardware like servers, routers, cables, and satellites.

Web Versions

• Web 1.0 (The Static Web) refers to the early days of the internet when websites were primarily static and one-way, with limited interaction or user-generated content.
• Web 2.0 (The Social Web) introduced interactive and user-centered websites, enabling social media platforms, online collaboration tools, and user-generated content.
• Web 3.0 (The Semantic Web) represents the evolution towards a more intelligent and interconnected web, incorporating concepts like artificial intelligence, linked data, and the Internet of Things (IoT) to provide a more personalized and context-aware online experience.