The Current State of ICT

ICT (Information and Communications Technology)

• ICT is an extended term of Information Technology (IT) that stresses the role of unified communications and integration of telecommunications, computers, and necessary enterprise software.
• ICT refers to all technology used to handle telecommunication and access information.

Types of Ware

• People Ware: humans using ICT
• Hard Ware: technology (e.g., computers, smartphones)
• Middle Ware: software applications

Internet and Web

• Internet: the actual interconnection of computers and other networks (hardware aspect)
• Web: a system that enables people to access information over the internet (software aspect)
• HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol): a system or procedure that enables the transfer of information on the internet

Trends in ICT

• Convergence: synergy of technological advancements to work on a similar goal
• Social Media: internet-based communication tools and computer-assisted channels for users to interact, communicate, and share information
• Mobile Technologies: the popularity of smartphones and tablets has taken a major rise over the years

Operating Systems

• iOS: used in Apple devices (iPhone, iPad)
• Android: an open-source operating system developed by Google
• Blackberry OS: used in Blackberry devices
• Window Phone OS: a closed source and proprietary operating system developed by Microsoft
• Symbian: the original smartphone OS; used by Nokia devices
• Web OS: originally used for smartphones; now used for smart TVs
• Windows Mobile: Microsoft for smartphones and pocket PCs

Types of Social Media

• Social Networks: sites that allow connection with others with similar interests or backgrounds
• Bookmarking Sites: sites that allow storing and managing links to various websites and resources
• Social News: sites that allow users to post their own news items or links to other news sources
• Media Sharing: sites that allow uploading and sharing of media content (images, music, video)
• Microblogging: sites that focus on short updates from users
• Blogs and Forums: websites that allow users to post their own content

Notable Figures and Organizations

• Tim Berners-Lee (1998): invented the World Wide Web
• World Wide Web: an information system on the internet that allows documents to be connected by hyperlinks
• W3C (WWW Consortium): an international community working together for the long-term growth of the web
• ICT Hub of Asia: the Philippines
• BPO (Business Process Outsourcing): call centers

Other Key Concepts

• Assistive Media: a non-profit service designed to help people with visual impairments
• Telecommunication: distance communication, such as telephone, radio, and data communication
• Media Literacy: the ability to read, analyze, evaluate, and produce communication in various media forms
• Information Literacy: the ability to recognize when information is needed and to locate, evaluate, use, and communicate information
• Technology Literacy (digital): the ability to use digital technology to locate, evaluate, use, and create information
• Front End: the user interface that allows interaction with an application
• Back End: the data and infrastructure that make an application work
• Semantics: the meaning of words, phrases, and symbols