Understanding ICT and Its Relevance

Understanding ICT and Its Relevance to Society

• Information and Communications Technology (ICT): Encompasses technologies for processing, storing, securing, and transmitting information.
• Consumer Review Networks: Platforms enabling users to provide and share product information.
• Mobile Media: Communication devices characterized by their portability, allowing ease of movement.
• Assistive Media: Tools aimed at improving the functional capabilities of persons with disabilities (PWDs) through technology.

Components of ICT

• People: Individuals involved in the development and maintenance of ICT systems.
• Procedures: Specific actions taken in a sequence to ensure smooth operation of an ICT system.
• Hardware: Physical components of a computer system.
• Software: Programs and applications installed on hardware.
• Data: Raw facts that can be processed and transmitted, with singular termed as "datum."
• Information: Processed and organized data resulting in structured insights.

Type of Assistive Media

• Visually Impaired: Utilizes Braille and audiobooks for accessibility.
• Speech Difficulty: Incorporates sign language aids.
• Hearing Impairments: Employs hearing aids for better communication.
• Learning Difficulties: Includes tools like audiobooks, captions, text-to-speech, and therapies for dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia.

Social, Mobile, and Assistive Media

• Social Media: Platforms enabling sharing and reception of information and media content.
• Types of Social Media:
  • Social Networking Sites: Enable real-time conversations via messages or video chat.
  • Media-Sharing Sites: Focus on sharing multimedia content (photos, audio, videos).
  • Discussion Sites: Forums for debate and dialogue among participants.
  • Bookmarking and Content Curation Sites: For collecting and organizing resources for projects.
  • Blogging and Publishing Networks: Tools for creative content publishing and engagement.

Technological Convergence

• Defined as the combination of two or more technology functions into a single system.
• Diverge vs. Converge: Diverging technologies move away from each other, while converging technologies merge into one device or system.
• Multi-purpose devices: Examples include smartphones which integrate various functionalities.
• Modalities of Technological Convergence:
  • Computing Technology: Enhancements to electronic devices and gadgets.
  • Networking: Involved in uniting disparate technologies.
• Overall, ICT focuses on enhancing portability and usability across devices.