8/9/2023

CCIT4085

Information
Technology
Fundamentals
1.1 - Information Technology, Computers and
Information Literacy
23-24s1

Information Technology,
Computers and Information
Literacy
▪ Data and Information
▪ Benefits of Using Information Technology and Computers
▪ Trends:
▪ Internet of Things (IoT)

▪ Big Data

▪ Cloud Computing

▪ Automation

▪ Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

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Information Technology,
Computers and Information
Literacy
▪ What is Information Literacy?
▪ The Process of Information Search and Models

Data and Information

▪ Conceptually, information is the message being conveyed. This

concept has numerous other meanings in different contexts.
▪ Generally speaking, information is a series of meaningful and
useful facts.
▪ To better understand the concept, let’s consider some related
terms:
▪ data, information, knowledge, and wisdom.

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Data and Information

▪ Data: raw, no meaning

▪ e.g. data in a spreadsheet

▪ Information: data that are processed and integrated to be

meaningful
▪ e.g. average, maximum, differences, chart, etc.

Data and Information

▪ Knowledge: useful patterns from organized data and

information
▪ e.g. IF <condition(s)> THEN <result>

▪ Wisdom: evaluate the discovered knowledge and make

recommendation for the future.

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Data and Information

Source: Russ Ackoff “From Data to Wisdom”, Journal of Applied Systems

Analysis, Volume 16, 1989 p 3-9
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Data and Information

▪ Both raw data and information can have different forms (or
types)
▪ Examples: text, numbers, images, audio, or video.

▪ In order to make raw data become useful information, a

process is required to "handle" and "digest" some forms of raw
data and "convert" them into some forms of useful information.
▪ These five steps together is called the information processing
cycle:
▪ input, process, output, store, and communicate

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Information Processing
Cycle
▪ Input– data is acquired or gathered and entered into the computer system. The
data is validated by checking for completeness and accuracy. Data in this case
refers to unprocessed text, numbers, images, video or audio.
▪ Processing– the operations performed on the data to produce information.
The Central Processing Unit (CPU) in the computer is responsible for processing
data.
▪ Output– presentation of the information to the user, and it should in the
required format. Output can be viewed, printed or heard and communicated to
those that require it. This can be in the form of softcopy, hardcopy, audio or
video output.
▪ Storage– saving data or output for future use. Data and information stored on
secondary storage (external memory) is not lost when the computer is
switched off.
▪ Communication– computers are able to communicate with other computers
and so can receive and send information. This communication can be in the
form of e-mails, instant messaging (IM), Short text messaging (SMS), multi-
media service (MMS), video conferencing, blogs or social networking.
Source: https://technofrequency.wordpress.com/2014/09/18/the-information-processing-
cycle/

Information Processing
Cycle

Source: https://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/story.php?title=information-processing-
cycle_1

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What is Information
Technology?
▪ First try:
▪ Information technologies are devices or systems that can capture
(input), process, exchange, store, and/or present data or information.
▪ Not good enough.
▪ The postal system, a filing cabinet, a library, a mathematical formula,
a VCR recorder can all fit in the above description, however, they
are not information technologies.
▪ A better answer:
▪ Information technologies can be considered as electronic systems of
hardware and software that can capture, digitally process, exchange,
store, and/or present data or information.

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Benefits of Using Information

Technology and Computers
▪ A computer is a typical kind of information technologies.
▪ Take computer as an example, there are many advantages of
using them:
▪ Speed: huge processing speed

▪ Reliability: (quite) reliable hardware and software

▪ Consistency: consistent results

▪ Storage: huge storage capacity and many different media

▪ Communication: easy to be connected

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Benefits of Using Information

Technology and Computers

▪ Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have

become more powerful, accessible and widespread.
▪ Innovation and technology are drivers for economic growth and
the key to enhance competitiveness.
▪ Remarkable changes are highlighted from current technology
trends:
▪ Internet of Things (IoT)

▪ Big Data

▪ Cloud Computing

▪ Automation

▪ Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

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Internet of Things (IoT)

Source: www.edureka.co

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Internet of Things (IoT)

▪ The Internet is no longer just a network of computers, servers
and mobile devices. IoT comprises all sorts of devices
connected to the Internet, including household appliances,
security cameras, transportation systems, medical devices,
home entertainment systems, etc.
▪ Trillion dollar industry with billions of dollars of capital
investment into IoT. It reshaped the consumer experience,
increased automation, gathered information in a better way. The
potential is virtually limitless.

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Internet of Things (IoT)

▪ If programmed appropriately, smart devices are able to evaluate
data that is provided to them and modify processes or settings “on
the fly”.
▪ If provided with sufficient data, they can “learn” and modify their
own code based on the new parameters.
▪ Smart cities use sensors to control many of their infrastructure
systems such as traffic flow, parking, water utilization, and hydro.
▪ Self-driving cars are equipped with many ultrasound sensors,
cameras, precision GPSs, and computers.
▪ The Cloud - data centers or groups of connected servers used to
store and analyze data, provide access to on-line applications,
and provide backup services.

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Internet of Things (IoT)

▪ A sensor needs to be connected to a network so that the gathered
data can be stored and shared.
▪ Controllers are responsible for collecting data from sensors and
providing network or Internet connectivity.
▪ Controllers may have the ability to make immediate decisions, or they
may send data to a more powerful computer for analysis.
▪ Sensors often work together with a device called an actuator.
▪ Actuators take electrical input and transform the input into
physical action.
▪ Artificial Intelligence (AI) - devices have the ability to “think” on
their own.

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Big Data
▪ Big data refers to:
▪ a large volume of data
▪ structured or unstructured
▪ can be analyzed for better decisions
▪ Characteristics of big data:
▪ Volume
▪ Velocity
▪ Variety
▪ Variability
▪ Complexity

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Big Data
▪ Volume - organizations collect data from different sources
▪ Business transactions
▪ Social media
▪ Information from sensor
▪ machine-to-machine data

▪ Velocity: data streams in at an unprecedented speed and

must be dealt with in a timely manner
▪ RFID tags
▪ sensors
▪ smart metering

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Big Data
▪ Variety: data comes in all types of formats
▪ structured data, numeric data
▪ unstructured documents
▪ email
▪ video, audio
▪ stock ticker data, financial transaction

▪ Variability
▪ data flows can be highly inconsistent with periodic peaks
▪ daily, seasonal and event-triggered peak data loads can be
challenging to manage

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Big Data
▪ Complexity
▪ data comes from multiple sources
▪ difficult to link, match, cleanse and transform data across
systems
▪ it is necessary to connect and correlate relationships,
hierarchies and multiple data linkages

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Big Data
▪ Collecting and analyzing data enables:
▪ cost reductions

▪ time reductions

▪ new product development and optimized offerings

▪ smart decision making

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Big Data (self-study)

▪ Banking
▪ understand customers and boost their satisfaction
▪ minimize risk and fraud
▪ maintain regulatory compliance

▪ Education
▪ identify at-risk students

▪ ensure students are making adequate progress

▪ implement a better system for evaluation and support of

teachers

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Big Data (self-study)

▪ Government
▪ managing utilities
▪ running agencies
▪ dealing with traffic congestion
▪ preventing crimes
▪ must also address issues of transparency and privacy

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Big Data (self-study)

▪ Health Care
▪ Patient records
▪ Treatment plans
▪ Prescription information
▪ when big data is managed effectively, health care providers
can uncover hidden insights that improve patient care

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Big Data (self-study)

▪ Manufacturing
▪ boost quality and output
▪ minimize waste
▪ solve problems faster
▪ make more agile business decisions

▪ Retail
▪ Retailers need to know
▪ the best way market to customers
▪ the most effective way to handle transactions
▪ the most strategic way to bring back lapsed business

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Distributed Computing (self-

study)
▪ Distributed data processing takes the large volume of data
and breaks it into smaller pieces.
▪ These smaller pieces are distributed in many locations to be
processed by many computers.
▪ Each computer in the distributed architecture analyzes its part
of the Big Data picture (horizontal scaling).

Source: vitalflux.com 27

Data Visualization

▪ Data mining is the process of discovering patterns in

large data sets.
▪ The mined data must be analyzed and presented to
managers and decision makers.
▪ Popular charts include line, column, bar, pie, and scatter.

Source: www.pcmag.com
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Data Analysis
▪ Data analysis is the process of inspecting, cleaning,
transforming, and modeling data to uncover useful
information.
▪ Having a strategy helps a business determine the type of
analysis required and the best tool to do the analysis.
▪ Tools and applications range from using an Excel
spreadsheet or Google Analytics for small to medium data
samples, to the applications dedicated to manipulating and
analyzing really big datasets.
▪ Examples: Knime, OpenRefine, Orange, and RapidMiner

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Cloud Computing

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Cloud Computing
▪ The cloud is a collection of data centers or groups of
connected servers.
▪ Cloud services for individuals include:
▪ storage of data, such as pictures, music, movies, and
emails
▪ access many applications instead of downloading onto local
device
▪ access data and applications anywhere, anytime, and on
any device

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Cloud Computing
▪ Cloud services for an enterprise include:
▪ access to organizational data anywhere and at any time
▪ streamlines the IT operations of an organization
▪ eliminates or reduces the need for onsite IT equipment,
maintenance, and management
▪ reduces cost for equipment, energy, physical plant
requirements, and personnel training needs

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Automation
▪ Automation is any process that is self-driven, reduces, and
eventually eliminates, the need for human intervention.
▪ The IoT opens up a new world in which tasks previously
requiring human intervention can become automated.

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Automation
▪ How is automation being used?
▪ Smart Home Automation
▪ Smart Buildings
▪ Industrial IoT and Smart Factories
▪ Smart Cities
▪ Smart Grid
▪ Smart Cars
▪ Stores and Services
▪ Medical Diagnosis and Surgery
▪ Aircraft Auto-Pilot

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Artificial Intelligence, Machine

Learning and Deep Learning

Source: towardsdatascience.com 35

Artificial Intelligence, Machine

Learning and Deep Learning

Source: www.datasciencecentral.com 36

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Artificial Intelligence and

Machine Learning
▪ Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the intelligence demonstrated by
machines.
▪ AI uses intelligent agents that can perceive their
environment and make decisions.
▪ AI refers to systems that mimic cognitive functions normally
associated with human minds such as learning and
problem solving.
▪ Machine Learning (ML) is a subset of AI that uses statistical
techniques to give computers the ability to “learn” from their
environment.
▪ This enables computers to improve on a particular task
without being specifically programmed for that task.
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Machine Learning

▪ Common uses of ML technology include:

▪ Speech Recognition – used in digital assistants.
▪ Product Recommendation - Systems build up a customer
profile and recommend products or services based on
previous patterns.
▪ Shape Recognition - Programs exist that allow crude hand-
drawn diagrams and notes to be converted to more formal
diagrams and text.
▪ Credit Card Fraud Detection - A profile is constructed about
the purchasing patterns of a client.
▪ Facial Recognition

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Trend of Information
Technologies in HK (extra)
▪ Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) was set up
on July 1, 2000. It creates a vibrant ecosystem with
excellent software and hardware support for research,
development and innovation activities in four core
strategies:
▪ Providing world-class technology infrastructure
▪ Offering financial support to develop and commercialize
R&D results
▪ Nurturing talent
▪ Strengthen science and technology collaboration with the
Mainland and other economies
▪ Funding schemes are provided to encourage HK co. to
develop innovative ideas and technology businesses.

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What is Information Literacy?

▪ Information Literacy - a set of abilities requiring individuals to:

▪ recognize when information is needed
▪ have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed
information

(source: American Library Association)

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What is Information Literacy?

▪ An information literate individual should be able to:

▪ determine the extent of information needed
▪ access the needed information effectively and efficiently
▪ evaluate information and its sources critically
▪ incorporate selected information into one’s knowledge base
▪ use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose
▪ understand the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use
of information, and access and use information ethically and legally

source: alair.ala.org
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What is Information Literacy?

(extra)
▪ Information literacy is related to information technology skills, but
has broader implications for the individual, the educational system,
and for society.
▪ Information technology skills enable an individual to use
computers, software applications, databases, and other
technologies to achieve a wide variety of academic, work-related,
and personal goals.
▪ Information literate individuals necessarily develop some
technology skills.

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What is Information Literacy?

(extra)
▪ Information literacy, while showing significant overlap with
information technology skills, is a distinct and broader area of
competence.
▪ Increasingly, information technology skills are interwoven with, and
support, information literacy.
▪ “Computer literacy” is concerned with rote learning of specific
hardware and software applications, while “fluency with
technology” focuses on understanding the underlying concepts of
technology and applying problem-solving and critical thinking to
using technology.

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What is Information Literacy?

(extra)
▪ Information literacy focuses on content, communication, analysis,
information searching, and evaluation.
▪ Information technology “fluency” focuses on a deep understanding
of technology.
▪ “Fluency” with information technology may require more
intellectual abilities than the rote learning of software and
hardware associated with “computer literacy”, but the focus is still
on the technology itself.

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What is Information Literacy?

(extra)

source: https://libguides.madisoncollege.edu/InfoLitStudents
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The Process of Information

Search and Models
▪ The information search process (ISP) is a six-stage process of
information seeking behavior in library and information science.
▪ The ISP was first suggested by Carol Kuhlthau in 1991.

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The Process of Information

Search and Models
▪ The model of the ISP is articulated in a holistic view of
information seeking from the user’s perspective in six stages:

▪ Initiation, when a person first becomes aware of a lack of knowledge

or understanding and feelings of uncertainty and apprehension are
common.

▪ Selection, when a general area, topic, or problem is identified and

initial uncertainty often gives way to a brief sense of optimism and a
readiness to begin the search.

▪ Exploration, when inconsistent, incompatible information is

encountered and uncertainty, confusion, and doubt frequently
increase and people find themselves “in the dip” of confidence.
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The Process of Information

Search and Models
▪ Formulation, when a focused perspective is formed and uncertainty
diminishes as confidence begins to increase.
▪ Collection, when information pertinent to the focused perspective is
gathered and uncertainty subsides as interest and involvement
deepens.
▪ Presentation, when the search is completed with a new understanding
enabling the person to explain his or her learning to others or in
someway put the learning to use.

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Information Literacy
Framework for HK Students
(extra)

source: www.edb.gov.hk

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Objectives of the Information

Literacy Framework (extra)
▪ To enable students to master the necessary skills to comprehend,
locate, analyze, critically evaluate and synthesize information and
apply their knowledge to inform decisions and problem solving
▪ To develop students as reflective learners who are able to plan,
reflect upon and regulate their process of inquiry in a rapidly
changing, information-based environment
▪ To enable students to appreciate that being an independent
learner will contribute to personal growth, enjoyment and lifelong
learning
▪ To empower students with greater autonomy and social
responsibility over the use of information in their individual as well
as collaborative learning

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Reference

▪ Big Data (www.sas.com)

▪ https://www.edb.gov.hk/attachment/en/edu-system/primary-
secondary/applicable-to-primary-secondary/it-in-edu/Information-
Literacy/IL2005E.pdf
▪ https://www.edb.gov.hk/attachment/en/edu-system/primary-
secondary/applicable-to-primary-secondary/it-in-edu/Information-
Literacy/IL20180516E.pdf

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