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5403 : INFORMATION AND

BY:
SAIRA HAMEED
LECTURER

ALLAMA IQBAL OPEN UNIVERSITY, ISLAMABAD

INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION
AND COMMUNICATION
TECHNOLOGY (ICT)
ICT Introduction
• ICT is an abbreviation of a term “Information and Communication
Technology”
• Information
• Information is generally referred to data which can be recorded,
organized and interpreted within a context in order to convey meaning.
• For example “NADRA” ( ) is an National Database & Registration
Authority organization which collects data from people. This data is
basically organized or compiled with the help of computers for
generating computerized National Identity Cards.
ICT Introduction
• Communication
• Communication is basically the transfer of ideas and messages among people through different
systems, devices or media such as computer, internet, cell phone, telephone, television or radio etc.
ICT Introduction
• Technology
• Technology is generally defined as making, modification, adaptation and usage of tools,
techniques, systems or machines for the purpose of solving problems or achieving goals in less
time period.
• After having a brief concept of all these terms individually, ICT can be easily defined as “Any
system, product or machine which can receive, store or transmit data/information electronically in
digital form”.
• Personal computers, digital television or internet can be considered the best examples of ICT.
• It basically revolves around those systems or devices which can easily record and interpret
information electronically within a context in order to convey meaning.
• Its basic purpose is to transfer ideas and messages among people for solving their problems in
short time period.
Basic Concept of ICT
• The ICT is just like an umbrella comprising of different communication devices or
applications such as radio, television, satellite systems, internet, cellular phones or
computer etc.
• Information and communication technologies are rapidly evolving nowadays.
• New products as well as services are developed and launched constantly in the market.
• This highly effects the definition, meaning and description of ICT concept as its
boundaries are continuously being modified or redefined.
• Therefore, it can be said that the ICT sector is basically considered to include:
• The manufacturing as well as assembling of various ICT-equipment.
• A variety of numerous service activities ranging from telecommunication to software-
development
Basic Concept of ICT
• A figure named as “ICT: A combination of different Communication Devices” (Figure 2)
shows the basic concept in a clear way:
Basic Concept of ICT
• In past decades, it has been seen that ICT has provided a wide range of new and
essential communication capabilities to society.
• No doubt, latest information and communication technologies have already created a
global village by which people can easily communicate and share their ideas with each
other.
• ICT basically refers to those technologies which provide access to the information by
means of telecommunications.
• It is very similar to IT (Information Technology) but it focuses mainly on different
communication technologies.
• Internet and cell phones are the best examples of communication technologies and also
the best communication mediums today.
Basic Concept of ICT
• Basically the internet provides a lot of facilities to the users through various ways such
as email, social-networking-websites (e.g. Face-book, twitter or linkedin etc.) or
numerous search engines like google/google scholar.
• With this significant information and communication technology, the people can
communicate with each other and share their views easily.
• Overall, it can be said that this technology connects people with each other.
• Similarly, the cell phones are widely famous among the people of all ages and have
become an important need of everyone.
Basic Concept of ICT
• With the help of this interactive information and communication technology, the people
can communicate with each other at any time easily through call.
• Instant messaging (a very safe way of communication) is also another important feature
of this technology which makes the life of people easier.
Basic Concept of ICT
• A figure named “ICT & Communication Technologies” (Figure 3)
shows this concept easily:
Basic Concept of ICT
• The information and communication technologies involve
innovations in computing (both hardware and software) as well as
telecommunications.
• The telecommunication is an essential and basic infrastructure which
is very necessary for economic as well as social development or rapid
growth of a country.
Role of ICT in Society
• No doubt ICT plays an important role in every walk of life or society
through use of various devices such as computer, internet, and cell phones.
• These ICT devices are most convenient and cheaper means of
communication across the globe.
• One can say that the ICT has turned a significant change in todays' society.
• The importance and positive influences of information and communication
technologies can be easily seen in various fields such as education, business,
training, health, environment, employment or government (public
administration) etc
Role of ICT in Society
• A figure named as “Importance of ICT” (Figure 4) shows its importance in various areas:
• Education
• Business
• Health
• Environment
• Training
• Employment
• Government
• In all these and many more areas, the ICT has brought a significant change, and is therefore
growing rapidly.
• The role of ICT in society is further explained with the help of various ICT applications.
ICT Applications
• The ICT applications enable people to communicate with each other in real time all over
the world. The detail of some of the most important examples of ICT application is
described below:
• Computer and Internet
• Cell Phone
• ICT in Teaching and Learning
ICT Applications
• Computer and Internet
• Computer is a most significant and major application of ICT which has gained an
immense importance in our society.
• It is one of the basic needs of today's generation.
• While using computer, it can be easily observed that the people are highly involved in it.
• They use their minds in order to achieve the target whether the goal belongs to play
video games or using any type of software or to solve any educational related problem.
ICT Applications
• Computer and Internet
• A figure named as “Computer and its Accessories” (Figure 5) shows the various
components of a computer:
ICT Applications
• Computer and Internet
• With the help of computer and internet, people can communicate with each other through
various ways.
• This improves their interaction with the whole world.
• In this way, they face different experiences which can be beneficial for them.
• The computer and internet provide many important benefits to its users such as they can
play games, listen music, watch videos, solve many problems related to their education as
well as communicate with each other through email facility/social networking websites etc.
• Computer in conjunction with internet is a well known social ICT application which enables
people to communicate easily through different communication mediums such as face-book
(a widely used social networking website) and electronic-mail (generally called email).
ICT Applications
• Computer and Internet
• The internet has become basic need of everyone in the society. Following are few
common advantages:
• Online sale and purchase
• Source of entertainment (movies/music)
• Software’s and document’s downloading
• Document’s sharing with each other through internet
• Searching through various search engines like Google or Yahoo etc.
• People’s communication through email, Skype or social networking websites (Face-
Book, Linked-In or Twitter) etc.
ICT Applications
• Cell Phone
• Cell phone is another well known ICT device which allows users to communicate with
each other.
• It provides many facilities to the users such as calling, instant messaging, listening music,
watching videos, playing games, using internet, maintaining phonebook and many more.
• Out of these basic features like calling, messaging, maintaining phonebook, and playing
games are available in almost all cell phones.
• However, additional multimedia like voice, video, and graphics are also included in many
cell phones which make this application more attractive, valuable, efficient and
interactive. The cell phone has become so popular among the people of all ages,
especially the young generation is looking fully dependent on it.
ICT Applications
• Cell Phone
• A figure named as “Simple-Phone & Multimedia-Phone” (Figure 6) is shown below:
ICT Applications
• Cell Phone
• Some of the basic features of cell-phones are explained below in detail:
• 1) Calling:
• It is most important feature of this ICT application. With the help of this feature, people
can connect with each other.
• 2) Messaging:
• Another important feature is instant-messaging. By using this feature, users can send
messages to each other.
• 3) Music/Videos:
• Listening music and watching videos have become a hobby of young generation.
ICT Applications
• Cell Phone
• The young generation seems to be very happy in listening different kinds of music and
watching different kinds of videos depending on their moods.
• For them, it is simply a way of entertainment.
• 4) Games:
• Many different kinds of computer games are available for the users in the cell phones.
Playing games is one of the most interesting activities of the children or young generation.
• They play games with great passion.
• This excitement can be seen easily while their interaction with this ICT application.
• This is a way of enjoyment and excitement for them.
ICT Applications
• Cell Phone
• 5) Internet:
• Using internet on cell phones is also becoming popular.
• Now modern cell phones have contained this important feature.
• With the help of this facility, the users can easily send instant emails and get responses
too.
ICT Applications
• ICT in Teaching and Learning
• No doubt, information and communication technologies have put a lot of positive effects
in educational areas where teaching and learning are most important aspects.
• The use of ICT is very necessary for sustainable growth of young generation.
• With the help of ICT, many problems can be solved easily and one can work more
efficiently. enormously.
• Now ICT inside the educational areas has developed has become an important part of
our society, therefore it is necessary that the people should be educated in “how to use
it” .
ICT Applications
• ICT in Teaching and Learning
• Overall, ICT enables teachers as well as learners to:
• Teach well
• Learn well
• Present well
• Work efficiently
• Share ideas easily
• Solve different problems easily
• Gain precise knowledge
• Achieve goals in less time period
ICT Applications
• ICT in Teaching and Learning
• Now the use of ICT is also increasing in educational areas.
• This theme gives young generation many ways of learning as well as generating new
ideas.
• This facility in classroom can prove to be very helpful for teachers to teach and for the
learners to learn.
• At school or college level, the young generation is in their growing age.
• So, at that time if they use this facility then their minds can become faster and they can
grow with the new technologies.
• So the computer can be used as a resource to sharp their minds.
ICT Applications
• ICT in Teaching and Learning
• While solving any problem (either related to education) through computers, they can
think deeply.
• There are a lot of excellent things which are usually done during this interaction.
• The teachers should also give special importance to engage learners in the design of new
applications and technologies.
• To achieve this target, it is very necessary to give importance to those ways which are
very appropriate for the assessment of the interactive touchy systems for the learners.
• Deep observational and experimental research is needed, and more conceptual ideas are
required for the achievement of this goal.
ICT Applications
• ICT in Teaching and Learning
• To enhance the learning abilities of the young generation, the teachers play an important,
energetic and active role by using ICT.
• Initially, the computer related education provides a platform to examine the association
among different areas of learning (formal learning and informal learning).
• For the learners, education related to the computer should be given at school level.
• Because interacting with the computer is the easiest way of learning.
• In this way, their vision can broad and they can think, act and describe their feelings in a
better way.
•
ICT Applications
• ICT in Teaching and Learning
• It may also prove to be very helpful for their participation in the field of development of
new systems and technologies.
• So it can be said that the ICT can be used as an aid to computer teaching as well as
learning.
• In a classroom, the interaction of teachers as well as learners with ICT can create that
environment of learning, where they face many effective experiences which are useful
for the enhancement of their thinking and learning abilities.
Lecture 1 Summary
• ICT Introduction
• Basic Concept of ICT
• Role of ICT in Society
• ICT Applications
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