CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION

AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY

Information And Communication Technology: An Overview
The concept of technology has evolved throughout the years. As the
rate of human progress increased, society has adapted in such a way
that technology no longer appeals to mechanical or electrical systems
alone. The term technology has presently included advancements in
communication and how information is handled, enabling government,
organizations, industries, and common individuals to improve on their
decision-making, business processes, and everyday living. The term
Information and Communications Technology or ICT was defined in a
study conducted by Zuppo (2012) as “related to technologies that
facilitate the transfer of information and various types of electronically
mediated communication.”
However, the term ICT itself
was considered too broad,
that Zuppo created an ICT
hierarchy to identify key
aspects, such as ICT in
education, business, and the
economic sector. These
classifications, however,
“contain some degree of
commonality in that they are
related to technologies that
facilitate the transfer of
information and various types
of electronically mediated
communications.”
IT versus ICT
Information Technology (IT) – pertains to the industry
that involves computers, software, networking and
other IT infrastructures.
Information Communication Technology (ICT) – is
technology that supports activities involving
information such as gathering, processing, storing and
presenting data. Described as using computers and
other digital technologies to assist individuals or
institutions in handling or using information.
ICT is made up of three words, namely
Information, Communication and
Technology:
•Information refers to the knowledge obtained
from reading, investigation, study, or research.

data – processed data – information – processed information - knowledge

ICT is made up of three words, namely
Information, Communication and
Technology:
•Communication is an act of transmitting
messages.
•Technology has evolved in ways that has made
people’s daily lives much easier.
Activity (50 pts)
Direction: Give examples of how to represent the following.

data – processed data – information – processed information - knowledge

EVOLUTION OF TECHNOLOGY
The evolution of technology has always depended on one thing: the
human rationale. Humans end to think of ways on how to improve tasks,
workload, or simply day-to-day activities. The basic concept of technology
started off with the basic tool.
By combining a set of tools, humans have come up with machines that
can do tasks faster and more efficiently.
Another type of machine that is nowadays considered a necessity are
computers. A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control
of instructions stored in its own memory, that can accept data, manipulate
the data according to specified rules, produce results and store the results
for future use.
Majority of machines, including computers, have evolved into the field of
automation.
HISTORY OF COMPUTERS
First-Generation Computer (1946 – 1959)
Electronic Numeric Integrator and
Calculator (ENIAC) – first electronic
computer developed in 1946 by J.
Presper Eckert and John W. Mauchly
from the University of Pennsylvania
and was financed by the United
States Army. It could store only
limited amount of information and
only do arithmetic operation such as
addition and subtraction of up to 10
digits.
HISTORY OF COMPUTERS
Second-Generation Computer (1959 – 1965)

The transistor was used as the interior

sections of second-generation.
Transistors were much smaller, faster,
and dependable than the vacuum
tubes of the first-generation
computer. They generated less heat
and consumed less electricity but still
very costly.
HISTORY OF COMPUTERS
Third-Generation Computer (1965 – 1971)

Jack Kilby invented the Integrated

Circuit (IC) that was used in
exchange of transistors as the interior
sections used to build the computer.
A single IC has many transistor,
resistors and capacitors that even the
full circuit board of transistors can be
replaced entirely with one chip.
HISTORY OF COMPUTERS
Fourth-Generation Computers (1971 – 1980)

The period of the

fourth-generation computers, Very
Large Scale Integrated (VLSI)
circuits were used. These circuits
have about 5,000 transistors and
other circuit elements with their
connected circuits on a single chip
known as the microprocessor.
HISTORY OF COMPUTERS
Fifth-Generation Computers (1980 – onwards)
In this generation, the Very Large Scale
Integrated (VLSI) technology has evolved to
Ultra Large-Scale Integration (ULSI)
technology, with the manufacture of
microprocessor chips having 10 million
electronic components. This generation
involves artificial intelligence (AI), natural
language and expert system that interprets
the means and practices of producing
computers that think like human beings.
THE COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER
The hardware pertains to the computer’s physical
devices. It is any part of the computer that can be seen
and touched. A computer’s hardware consists of
interrelated electronic devices that are used to
manipulate the computer’s operation, input devices,
and output devices.
Input Devices sent data and instructions from the user or from another
computer system on the internet while output devices send back the
administered data to the user or to another computer system.
The following are some of the most common and important input devices of a
computer:
• Keyboard – accepts letters, numbers, and commands from the user.
• Mouse – lets one select options from on-screen menus.
• Microphone – allows user to speak into the computer to input data and
instructions.
• Scanner – converts printed material (such as text and pictures) into a form the
computer can use.
• Digital camera – allows one to take pictures then transfer the photographed
images to the computer or printer.
Output Devices is any hardware component that transmits information
to one or more people. The three commonly used output devices are
follows:
• Printer – produces text and graphics on a physical medium such as
paper.
• Monitor – displays text, graphics, and videos on a screen. Many
monitors look similar to a television.
• Speaker – allows one to hear music, voice, and other sounds.
The System Unit is the enclosure composed of the
main elements of a computer that are used to
administer data. This can be referred to as a computer
case or tower. The circuitry of the system unit
containing the primary components of a computer with
connectors into which other circuit boards can be
positioned is recognized as motherboard.
Storage Devices
A computer can be utilized with only processing,
memory, input, and output devices. To make it very
valuable, however, a computer also needs a place to
hold program files and all related files when they are
not in use. The goal of using a storage is to keep data
permanently.
WHY IS A COMPUTER SO POWERFUL?
•Speed
•Reliability and Consistency
•Accuracy
•Communications
CLASSIFICATIONS OF COMPUTERS
•Personal Computer
•Workstation
•Minicomputer
•Mainframe
•Supercomputer
TYPES OF COMPUTERS
•Desktop computers
•Laptop computers
•Tablet computers
•Smartphones
•Wearables
•Smart TVs
MEDIA IN THE DIGITAL AGE
Media refers to the means of communication that uses
unique tools to interconnect among people. The forms of
media today include the television, radio, cellular phones, and
internet (which involves the accessing and using of various
social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and
YouTube, among others).
MEDIA IN THE DIGITAL AGE
•The Message – media is considered to be the message itself
for those who create and own the rights of content.
•The Medium – refers to the tools used in sending a message
from source to destination.
•The Messenger – the one who delivers the message.
 EVOLUTION OF MEDIA
The media has transformed based on two things:

(1) how information is presented; and

(2) how the connection is established.
OVERVIEW OF CURRENT TRENDS
In an article from Forbes.com, DeMers (2016) identified seven major trends in 2017.
1. Internet of Things (IoT) and Smart Home Technology
- Controlling home appliances through a mobile phone – such as switching the
lights on and off, setting the timer for the washing machine, and controlling the
television to record shows that might be missed due to traffic and more others.
2. Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality
- In 2016, games such as Pokemon Go and the release of the anticipated VR
headset, Oculus Rift, served as a turning point for AR and VR technology.
3. Machine Learning
- Also called artificial intelligence, having machines decide for you seems to be a
daunting task and would probably make you think of robots and talking computers.
The iOS intelligent personal assistant, Siri, has also been upgraded with enhanced
learning making the use of iPhone more efficient.
Its latest features include the following:
• Face ID – The owner’s face is the new password. It is a more secure way to unlock the
phone and keep the data safe.
• A11 Bionic – Is claimed to be the “most powerful and smartest chip ever in a
smartphone,” with a neutral engine capable of up to 600 billion operations per second.
A neutral engine, a type of artificial intelligence, enables computers to learn from
observation.
• Wireless Charging – A charging cable is not needed to charge the device.
• iOS 11 – In its latest operating system, one can pay friends in messages. Siri can also
translate languages.
• Augmented Reality – AR is not designed for fun. It is also meant productivity and
efficiency. It allows one to navigate without looking at a map, visualize industrial
equipment, and many others.
4. Automation
- Through advanced technology, it is now possible to automate previously
human-exclusive tasks. This is very much evident through wearable devices such as step
counters and heart rate monitors used by health-conscious individuals. Information
collected is automatically saved and stored in mobile devices for analysis later on.
5. Big Data
- Big data is a term that describes large volumes of data. But it is not how much data
an organization has, it’s what they do with it that matters. Big data can be analyzed for
insights which can help management make better decisions and come up with more
effective strategic plans. Waze is an example of an app which uses big data. The app helps
users determine traffic, direction identification, accident notifications, and route
estimations.
6. Physical-Digital Integrations
- Majority of organizations nowadays are moving towards system automation. As such,
they identify their physical elements and create digital data for more efficient operation
and backup. The concept of having a “paperless company” in which transactions, reports,
and services are done using automated systems is one such example. Not only is it deemed
reliable, but also environment-friendly.
7. Everything on Demand
- Due to the prevalence of network connectivity, it is possible to have information on
demand. Music, movies, and even drivers (e.g., Uber) are made available through an app in
a smartphone.
IMPACT OF ICT ON INDIVIDUALS,
ORGANIZATIONS AND SOCIETY
•Positive Effects
1. Improved access to education
2. Access to information and communication
3. Security
•Negative Effects
1. Reduced personal interaction and physical activity
2. Job loss or increase in unemployment
3. Security
ETHICAL ISSUES IN ICT
• Plagiarism – occurs when a person copies another person’s ideas,
words, writing and call it as his or her own.
• Exploitation – it is an action in which one deals with a person
dishonestly, unethically and dishonorably, in order to take advantage
of the latter’s works and/or resources.
• Libel – it may categorized as insult, slur or slander. Either written or
spoken or even through actions, as long as the accusation is not true
and without any evidences it may lead to libel.
• Software Privacy – refers to an act of installing or copying software
into the computer in the absence of an end-user licensing agreement
and or producing copy disregarding the copyrights.