Lesson 1_Introduction to Information Technology.pdf

# Lesson 1: Information and Communication Technology ## Uses of ICT In Our Daily Lives ### Communication * We all know that ICT takes a major role for us by means of communicating, way back in the past our parents use to make letters and send it via post mail. But now with the help of ICT it is...

# Lesson 1: Information and Communication Technology ## Uses of ICT In Our Daily Lives ### Communication * We all know that ICT takes a major role for us by means of communicating, way back in the past our parents use to make letters and send it via post mail. But now with the help of ICT it is easier to communicate with our loved 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. ### Job Opportunities * In the employment sector, ICT enables organizations 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. ## Applications of ICT (Computers) in Our Daily Lives 1. **Business** * Almost every business uses computers nowadays. They can be employed to store and maintain accounts, personnel records, manage projects, track inventory, create presentations and reports. They enable communication with people both within and outside the business, using various technologies, including e-mail. They can be used to promote the business and enable direct interaction with customers. 2. **Education** * Computers can be used to give learners audio-visual packages, interactive exercises, and remote learning, including tutoring over the internet. They can be used to access educational information from intranet and internet sources, or via e-books. They can be used to maintain and monitor student performance, including through the use of online examinations, as well as to create projects and assignments. 3. **Healthcare** * Healthcare continues to be revolutionized by computers. As well as digitized medical information making it easier to store and access patient data complex, information can also be analyzed by software to aid discovery of diagnoses, as well as search for risks of diseases. Computers control lab equipment, heart rate monitors, and blood pressure monitors. They enable doctors to have greater access to information on the latest drugs, as well as the ability to share information on diseases with other medical specialists. 4. **Retail and Trade** * Computers can be used to buy and sell products online - this enables sellers to reach a wider market with low overheads, and buyers to compare prices, read reviews, and choose delivery preferences. They can be used for direct trading and advertising too, using sites such as eBay, Craigslist, or local listings on social media or independent websites. 5. **Government** * Various government departments use computers to improve the quality and efficiency of their services. Examples include city planning, law enforcement, traffic, and tourism. Computers can be used to store information, promote services, communicate internally and externally, as well as for routine administrative purposes. 6. **Marketing** * Computers enable marketing campaigns to be more precise through the analysis and manipulation of data. They facilitate the creation of websites and promotional materials. They can be used to generate social media campaigns. They enable direct communication with customers through email and online chat. 7. **Science** * Scientists were one of the first groups to adopt computers as a work tool. In science, computers can be used for research, sharing information with other specialists both locally and internationally, as well as collecting, categorizing, analyzing, and storing data. Computers also play a vital role in launching, controlling, and maintaining space craft, as well as operating other advanced technology. 8. **Publishing** * Computers can be used to design pretty much any type of publication. These might include newsletters, marketing materials, fashion magazines, novels, or newspapers. Computers are used in the publishing of both hard-copy and e-books. They are also used to market publications and track sales. 9. **Arts and Entertainment** * Computers are now used in virtually every branch of the arts, as well as in the wider entertainment industry. Computers can be used to create drawings, graphic designs, and paintings. They can be used to edit, copy, send, and print photographs. They can be used by writers to create and edit. They can be used to make, record, edit, play, and listen to music. They can be used to capture, edit and watch videos. They can be used for playing games. 10. **Communication** * Computers have made real-time communication over the internet easy, thanks to software and videoconferencing services such as Skype. Families can connect with audio and video, businesses can hold meetings between remote participants, and news organizations can interview people without the need for a film crew. Modern computers usually have microphones and webcams built-in nowadays to facilitate software like Skype. Older communications technologies such as email are also still used widely. 11. **Banking and Finance** * Most banking in advanced countries now takes place online. You can use computers to check your account balance, transfer money, or pay off credit cards. You can also use computer technology to access information on stock markets, trade stocks, and manage investments. Banks store customer account data, as well as detailed information on customer behavior which is used to streamline marketing. 12. **Transport** * Road vehicles, trains, planes, and boats are increasingly automated with computers being used to maintain safety and navigation systems, and increasingly to drive, fly, or steer. They can also highlight problems that require attention, such as low fuel levels, oil changes, or a failing mechanical part. Computers can be used to customize settings for individuals, for example, seat setup, air-conditioning temperatures. 13. **Navigation** * Navigation has become increasingly computerized, especially since computer technology has been combined with GPS technology. Computers combined with satellites mean that it's now easy to pinpoint your exact location, know which way that you are moving on a map, and have a good idea of amenities and places of interest around you. 14. **Working From Home** * Computers have made working from home and other forms of remote working increasingly common. Workers can access necessary data, communicate, and share information without commuting to a traditional office. Managers are able to monitor workers' productivity remotely. 15. **Military** * Computers are used extensively by the military. They are use for training purposes. They are used for analyzing intelligence data. They are used to control smart technology, such as guided missiles and drones, as well as for tracking incoming missiles and destroying them. They work with other technologies such as satellites to provide geospatial information and analysis. They aid communications. They help tanks and planes to target enemy forces. 16. **Social and Romance** * Computers have opened up many ways of socializing that didn't previously exist. Social media enables people to chat in text or audio in real time across large distances, as well as exchange photographs, videos, and memes. Dating sites and apps help people to find romance. Online groups help people to connect with others who have similar interests. Blogs enable people to post a variety of views, updates, and experiences. Online forums enable discussions between people on specialist or general topics. 17. **Booking Vacations** * Computers can be used by travelers to study timetables, examine route options, and buy plane, train, or bus tickets. They can be used to explore and book accommodation, whether traditional hotels, or through newer services, such as Air BnB. Guided tours, excursions, events, and trips can also be explored and booked online using computers. 18. **Security and Surveillance** * Computers are increasingly being combined with other technologies to monitor people and goods. Computers combined with biometric passports make it harder for people to fraudulently enter a country or gain access to a passenger airplane. Face-recognition technology makes it easier to identify terrorists or criminals in public places. Driver plates can be auto scanned by speed cameras or police cars. Private security systems have also become much more sophisticated with the introduction of computer technology and internet technology. 19. **Weather Forecasting** * The world's weather is complex and depends upon a multitude of factors that are constantly changing. It's impossible for human beings to monitor and process all the information coming in from satellite and other technologies, never mind perform the complex calculations that are needed to predict what is likely to happen in the future. Computers can process the large amounts of meteorological information. 20. **Robotics** * Robotics is an expanding area of technology which combines computers with science and engineering to produce machines that can either replace humans, or do specific jobs that humans are unable to do. One of the first use of robotics was in manufacturing to build cars. Since then, robots have been developed to explore areas where conditions are too harsh for humans, to help law enforcement, to help the military, and to assist healthcare professionals. ## 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.