Empowerment Technology

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)

• ICT involves using technologies like mobile phones, the Internet, to locate, save, send, and edit information.
• Examples include making video calls using the internet, sending texts over cellular networks, and using payphones.
• The goal of ICT is to create a unified way to communicate, making communication easier and saving resources.
• ICT has reduced the need to travel long distances and spend significant amounts of money to deliver messages.
• Applications like Messenger and Facebook enable instant messaging and posting of notices widely, using less data.

Three Kinds of Websites

• Web 1.0 (Static Website): Content is static and unchangeable, appearing the same to all users with read-only access.
• Examples include Yahoo, Encarta, and Java.
• Web 2.0 (Dynamic Website): Content varies based on the user's preferences or input, allowing for interaction.
• Users can comment, create accounts, and collaborate, making the web more participatory.
• Examples include social networking sites, blogs, wikis, and video-sharing platforms.
• Web 2.0 Key Features:
• Folksonomy: Users categorize information using freely chosen keywords (e.g., hashtags).
• Rich-User Experience: Users need to create an account to fully experience a website.
• User Participation: Users can contribute content through comments and reviews.
• Long Tail: Services are offered on demand rather than as one-time purchases, often requiring subscriptions.
• Software as a Service: Users subscribe to software only when needed.
• Mass Participation: Website content is influenced by people from diverse cultures.
• Web 3.0 (Semantic Website): Framework allowing data to be shared and reused across applications, understanding user preferences to deliver targeted content.
• Web 3.0 saves your browser history, analyzes preferences and improves the user experience.

Trends in Information Communication Technology (ICT)

• ICT is focusing on innovations that cater to the needs of various users.
• Convergence: Technological advancements work together on similar tasks.
• Smartphones can use cloud technologies and LTE to access files anywhere.
• Social Media: websites that enable users to create, co-create, discuss, modify, and exchange user-generated content.
• Internet users now spend more time on social media sites than other types of sites.

Six Types of Social Media

• Social Networks: connect people with shared interests or backgrounds (e.g., Facebook).
• Bookmarking Sites: store and manage links to websites (e.g., Pinterest).
• Media Sharing: upload and share images, music, and video (e.g., YouTube).
• Microblogging: short updates from users for subscribers or followers (e.g., Twitter).
• Blogs and Forums: users post content and others can comment (e.g., WordPress).
• Mobile Technologies: smartphones and tablets perform tasks found in personal computers.

Mobile Phone Operating Systems

• iOS: Used in Apple devices (iPhone, iPad).
• Android: Developed by Google as an open-source system.
• Blackberry: Operating System (OS)used in Blackberry devices.
• Windows Phone OS: a closed-source system by Microsoft.
• Symbian: the original Smartphone OS used by Nokia.
• WebOS: Used for both smartphones and Smart TVs.
• Windows Mobile: Developed by Microsoft for Smartphones and pocket PCs.
• Assistive Media: a non-profit service helping those with visual and reading impairments through audio recordings.

Rules of Netiquette

• It’s crucial to manage the internet safely due to its accessibility.
• Be mindful of online sharing.
• Read terms and conditions before accepting.
• Review privacy policies to understand data handling.
• Understand security features on social networks.
• Keep passwords private.
• Avoid public networks, and use incognito mode for security.
• Avoid online contact with strangers.
• Do not post about future vacations to maintain home security.
• Add known friends only.
• Avoid untrusted websites.
• Keep antivirus software updated.
• Secure WiFi networks by using passwords.
• Avoid downloading from untrusted sites.
• Purchase valid software instead of pirated versions.
• Do not reply or click on suspicious emails.

Internet Threats

• Malware: Harmful software.
• Virus: replicates and transfers between computers.
• Worm malware: transfers between devices.
• Trojan: disguises as useful, but exposes your information via hackers.
• Spyware: secretly monitors user activity and keystrokes.
• Adware: sends advertisements, often as pop-ups.
• Spam is unwanted email, which can spread malware.
• Phishing: Acquire sensitive information through deceptive emails.
• Pharming: Exploits domain name to spread malware.

Protecting Reputations Online

• Embarrassing moments are easily recorded and uploaded, use care with posting.
• Digital content can permanently affect reputations.
• Before posting online, think carefully. Set posts to ‘private.’
• Report inappropriate posts.
• Be careful not to use names that may be easily scanned by search engines.
• Copyright Infringement
• Users must respect intellectual property rights.
• Get consent before using someone’s work.
• Tips to avoid Copyright Infringement:
• Use your own words and credit the original source.
• Check copyright pages to know if it is copyrighted.
• Add creativity.
• Know fair use limitations that allow using copyrighted material without consent for commentaries, criticisms, search engines, parodies, news reports, research, library archiving, teaching, and education.

Online Research

• Start with a question.
• Narrow search using filters.
• Use advanced search options.
• Check for credible sources.

Advanced Word Processing Skills

• Mail Merge: merges main document with data for mass distribution.
• Form Document: main content of the message.
• Data File: recipient information.
• Merge Field/Place Holder: position where recipient data will be inserted.
• Steps to Create Mail Merge:
• Open MS Word.
• Click Mailings Tab.
• Select Recipients with appropriate data.
• Insert Merge Field.
• Finish & Merge with options to edit, print, or send emails.
• Integrating Images and Materials:
• Includes electronic photographs, line art, shapes, and predefined smart art.
• Image Placement:
• Includes in line, square, tight, or through positions.

Imaging and Design for Online Environment

• Basic Principles of Graphics and Layout:
• Balance: distribution of visual weight.
• Emphasis: area that attracts attention.
• Movement: visual guiding elements.
• Pattern, Repetition, Rhythm: repeating elements for unity.
• Proportion: unity through relation.
• Variety: using design elements to draw attention.

Infographics

• Infographics: used to present information and statistics in a graphical way.
• Steps to Create Infographics using Piktochart:
• Create an account.
• Select a template.
• Use the Piktochart editor to input data.
• Add graphics, uploads, background, text, style, and use of chart tools.
• Editing Tips:
• Double-click text for edit.
• Arrange objects by using the toolbox on top.
• Double-click charts to edit data.
• Save or download infographic to the desktop.

Online Image File Formats

• Need compressed images for website use.
• Common image formats:
• JPEG: for real-life photographs.
• GIF: for computer-generated graphics with transparency and animation support.
• PNG: for screenshots with high compatibility.
• Principles and Techniques of Image Manipulation:
• Choose best format based on image content.
• Size images appropriately.
• Add relevant captions.
• Creating and Manipulating Images:
• Use efficient image manipulation tools like PhotoScape.

Online Platforms for ICT Content Development

• Social Media Platforms: create accounts, pages, and groups for content sharing, restricted by "one size fits all design".
• Blogging platform websites: focus on content and design allowing authors to publish articles and reviews through websites, email, and social networks. Allows creating and designing of websites.
• Content Management System (CMS): used in blogs, news websites, and shopping to publish, edit, manipulate, organize, and delete web content. Wordpress allows users to create and design blogs with free themes.
• WYSIWYG presents on screen what the audience views like Microsoft Word.
• How to Create a Blog using WordPress: * Choose website type. * Customize the site. * Add and publish posts.
• Creating Static Websites:
• MS Word: Simple website design.
• Web Portals: centralizes information from several sources.
• Yahoo !: news, email.
• Facebook Groups allows for posting and communication.
• WordPress allows viewers to interact. Google Drive and Microsoft Online allow groups to work together.
• Online Collaborative Tools
• You can use Facebook groups , WordPress and yammer