Name of Lecturer: MR.

HAMID MILTON MANSARAY

Course Title: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

Course Goal: To give students’ in-depth practical understanding of Information and

Communication Technologies.
Class & Semester: Semester 1. Course Status: Compulsory

Lecture Notes
Course Code: ICT111 Credit Hours: 2hrs
BSc. Procu, BBAG, BBAHRM, BBAM, BSc. Economics, BSC. ACF, Social Work, Dev.
Studies, Public Admin, Geography, Rural Dev., Political Science.
Email: [email protected] Phone: +23276563575
Date & Time: Wednesday 10:00am to 12:00pm and 01:00pm to 03:00pm

COURSE OUTLINE

1. INTRODUCTION TO ICT – General overview, Basic definitions and concept, use of ICT in
organizations, Impact of ICT in contemporary society, Computer Trouble shooting, keyboard
shortcuts.
2. COMPUTER APPLICATION 1 - WORD PROCESSING (Theory and practice)
3. COMPUTER HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE IN ORGANISATION – Introduction Computer
Components Computer Hardware – Input devices, CPU, Computer Memory, Output Devices,
Meaning and importance of computer software, Classification of computer software, Software
installation, Unit Measurement)
4. DATA COLLECTION, PROCESSING AND ANALYSIS – Overview, definition of data,
information and data processing, Data collection tools and methods, Data resource management,
Data processing functions and operations, Data storage hierarchy, Advantages of computer data
processing, Steps to data processing.
5. COMPUTER APPLICATION 2 – SPREEDSHEET (Theory and practice)
6. COMPUTER ERGONOMICS
7. ETHICS IN ICT

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 LECTURE 1 OUTLINE: INTRODUCTION TO ICT

1.1 General Overview

1.2 Basic definitions and concept
1.3 Uses of ICT in organizations
1.4 Impact of ICT in contemporary society
1.5 Troubleshooting and keyboard shortcuts

1.1 GENERAL OVERVIEW

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) is an umbrella term that covers any software and
hardware product that can store, retrieve, manipulate, transmit or receive information electronically in a
digital form. Examples include personal computers, digital electronics, email, robots, radio, cellular
phones and networking hardware. For our study, we are concerned with computer (Hardware and software)
and telecommunication technology (data, image and voice networks).

A computer is an electronic data processing device, which accepts and stores data as input, processes the
data input, and outputs processed information in a required format. A contemporary computer system consists
of a central processing unit, primary storage, secondary storage, input devices, output devices, and
communications devices.
FIVE BASIC FUNCTIONS
Step 1 − Takes data as input.
Step 2 − Stores the data/instructions in its memory and uses them as required.
Step 3 − Processes the data and converts it into useful information.
Step 4 − Generates the output.
Step 5 − Controls all the above four steps.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF COMPUTERS
Advantages Disadvantages
• High Speed. A computer cannot take any decision on its own.
• Accuracy Dependency
• Large storage capability
• Reliability

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 1.1.1 CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS

Types of Computers

• Analog Computers - Analog computers are used to process analog/continuous data (pressure,
temperature, voltage, speed and weight)
• Digital Computers - Digital computers are computers that process the data in binary form
ie. 0's and 1's. The main benefit of digital computers is that they are quick and re-
programmable. Example, laptops, smartphones, and calculators.
• Hybrid Computers - are mainly used for specialized applications where both analog and
digital data processing is done. Example, Hybrid computers installed on a petrol pump do not
only measure the amount of petrol but also calculates its value. In this way, It is capable of
both functions.

1.1.2 CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS BASED ON SIZE

1. Super Computers – are the fastest high-performance systems used primarily for scientific and
engineering work.
2. Mainframe Computer
3. Mini Computers / mid-range computer - Lies between the mainframe and
the microcomputer
4. Micro Computers - desktop computer belongs to the category of microcomputer.

1.1.3 COMPUTER – GENERATIONS

Generation in computer terminology is a change in hardware and software technology. Initially, the
generation term was used to distinguish between varying hardware technologies. There are five computer
generations known till date.
• First Generation - The period of first generation: 1946-1959 (Vacuum tube based).
• Second Generation - The period of second generation: 1959-1965 (Transistor based)
• Third Generation - The period of third generation: 1965-1971(Integrated Circuit based)
• Fourth Generation -The period of fourth generation: 1971-1980 Very large integrated circuits

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 (VLSI microprocessor based) were combine with millions or billions of transistors onto a
single chip.
• Fifth Generation -The period of fifth generation: 1980-onwards Ultra large-scale integration
(ULSI microprocessor based) where introduced which is the process of integrating or
embedding millions of transistors on a single silicon semiconductor microchip.

1.2 BASIC DEFINITION IN ICT

• Booting is the process of loading the operating system.
• Backup - an extra copy of a file, document or all data stored on a computer
• Browser- a program you use to browse files; web browsers like Firefox, Chrome or Edge will
browse internet files.
• Antivirus - a piece of software designed to prevent viruses entering a computer system or
network
• Cursor - any of various means, typically a flashing bar or underline, of identifying a particular
position on a computer screen, such as the insertion point for text
• Binary digit – a binary is called a bit and represents either a 0 or a 1.
• Information Systems (IS) – is a combination of hardware, software, personnel, data and
procedures that interact to support and improve day-to-day operations in an organization

• Data – are raw, unprocessed and unorganized (unstructured) facts and figures that are
relatively meaningless to the user. Example: A-Z, a-z, 0-9, +,-,/,*,<,>,= etc.
• Information – Information is derived from data. It is the processed data, which has some
meaningful values for the receiver and thus aid decision-making. Information is an important
component in decision making.

 Timely − Information should be available when required.

 Accuracy − Information should be accurate.
 Completeness − Information should be complete.

1.2.1 CHARACTERISTICS OF HIGH-QUALITY DATA

For the decision to be meaningful, the processed data must qualify for the following characteristics

• Accuracy – Data should be sufficiently accurate for the intended use and should be captured
only once, although it may have multiple uses. Data should be captured at the point of activity.
• Timely −Data should be captured as quickly as possible after the event or activity and must be
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 available for the intended use within a reasonable time period.
• Validity – Data should be recorded and used in compliance with relevant requirements,
including the correct application of any rules or definitions.
• Relevance – Data capture should be relevant to the purposes for which it is to be used. This
will require periodic review of requirements to reflect changing needs.
• Completeness – Data requirements should be clearly specified based on the information needs
of the organization and data collection processes matched to these requirements.
• Uniqueness – In order to add value to an organization, information must be unique and
distinctive.

1.3 USES OF INFORMATION

• Decision Making - When managers are ready to make choices (decisions) the need good,
accurate and up-to-date information. If they act without relevant information it could lead to
disaster or failure.
• Monitoring and control - Business will compare actual performance against its predicted
(budgeted) performance. Then, they will act upon it.

1.5 APPLICATION OF ICT IN ORGANIZATIONS

Healthcare – Used in hospitals, labs, and dispensaries, to keep record of patients and medicines, in scanning
and diagnosing different diseases eg. ECG, EEG, ultrasounds and CT scans, etc. Major fields of health care in
which computers are used.
• Diagnostic System
• Lab-diagnostic System
• Patient Monitoring System
• Pharma Information System
• Surgery
Communication

• E-mail, Fax and telex

• Chatting (whatsapp, facebook etc)
• Video-conferencing
• Radio and television

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 • Internet

Marketing

• Advertising − professionals advertisers create art and graphics, print and disseminate ads with
the goal of selling more products.
• Retail System (e-Commerce) − Allows customers to use catalogues that provide access to
product information and permit direct entry of orders to be filled by the customers eg. Point of
sale (POS), stock control.

1.4 IMPACT OF ICT IN CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY

The use of ICT in society has both positive as well as negative impact. Some of the issues that result from the
use of ICT in the society include:

• Effects on Employment - Job Creation, Job Replacement, Job Displacement

• Effects on automated production - Repetitive strain Injuries, Eyestrain, Headache,
electromagnetic emission and environmental issues)
• Issues of workers health - This are effects on our health e.g Repetitive strain Injuries,
Eyestrain, Headache, electromagnetic emission and environmental issues
Automated Production
Used in manufacturing industries to automate their process in order to reduce cost, increase
production e.g computer-controlled robots
• Cultural Effects - ICT has presented challenges to our moral and cultural values. ICT has
changed the way we talk, affected our privacy, human rights and integrity e.g use of internet,
Computer related crime, use of computers to forge certificates, passport and other documents.

1.5 TROUBLESHOOTING TECHNIQUES

Troubleshooting is the process of identifying what is wrong with these faulty systems when the problem is not
immediately obvious. Troubleshooting usually follows a systematic, four-step approach;
• Identify the problem
• Plan a response,
• Test the solution
• Resolve the problem.

Steps one to three are often repeated multiple times before a resolution is reached.

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 1.5.1 SHORTCUT KEYS
Shortcut keys help provide an easier and quicker method of navigating and executing commands in the
computer software.
1.5.1.1 Example of Microsoft some windows shortcut keys
• Windows Key + D Minimizes all windows and returns the user to the desktop
• Windows Key + E Open Microsoft Explorer
• Windows Key + L Lock the computer (Windows XP and above only)
• Windows Key + M Minimizes all windows

1.5.1.2 Example Word Shortcut Keys

• Ctrl + A Select all contents of the page
• Ctrl + B Bold highlighted selection
• Ctrl + C Copy selected text
• Ctrl + X Cut selected text
• Ctrl + P Paste
• Ctrl + I Italic highlighted selection
• Ctrl + U Underline highlighted selection
• Ctrl + Z Undo last action

1.5.1.3 Example Excel Shortcut Keys

• Alt + Shift + F1 Insert New Worksheet
• Shift + F3 Open the Excel formula window
• Ctrl + A Select all contents of the worksheet

Assignment:
 Due Tuesday, 5th December, 2023 at 5pm
 Forward softcopy to: [email protected]
Assignment:
In not more than two pages, give a summary of this lecture note

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 References:
1. “Using Information Technology: A Prac Communications “by Williams Sawyer, 6th Edition
(McGraw Hill).
2. “Computers, Communications & information by Sarah E. Hutchinson and Stacey C. Sawyer
3. “Fundamentals of Information Technology by Alexis Leon and Mathews Leon.