Topic: Introduction to ICT
ICT: ICT stands for Information and Communications Technology. It is the use of computing and
telecommunication technologies, systems and tools to facilitate the way information is created, collected,
processed, transmitted and stored. It includes computing technologies like servers, laptop computers and
software applications, as well as the wired and wireless communication technologies that support telephones,
the Internet and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Goals of ICT:
The goals of ICT are as follows:
To improve access to information and make human-to-human, human-to-machine and machine-to-machine
communication easier and more efficient.
To drive innovation
To enhance productivity
To foster global connectivity
History and Evolution of ICT:
The concept of ICT can be traced back to the 19th century with the development of the telegraph and the
telephone. These two inventions revolutionized the way people worked and interacted socially by making it
possible for one person to communicate with another person in a different location in real or near-real time.
In the middle of the 20th century, radio and television introduced the concept of mass communication, and by
the end of the century, the internet had become a mainstream tool for communication, commerce and
entertainment. Its use continued to grow rapidly in the following years, revolutionizing the way people work
and digitally transforming the way people communicate.
Today, broadband internet and smartphones have made it easier than ever for people to create, access, share and
consume information and in the future, ICT promises even more exciting developments. 6G networks will
provide faster and more reliable connectivity, generative AI systems like ChatGPT will change the way people
create and acquire information and emerging technologies.
IT vs ICT:
Using IT and ICT interchangeably can lead to confusion, particularly in situations where the distinction between
the two is important. IT deals primarily with computer hardware, software, and networking technologies, ICT
includes not only these technologies but also communication technologies such as telegraph, telephone, radio
and television.
Topic: ICT Devices
ICT Device: A collection of hardware components used/designed for automatic processing and storage of
electronic information. It includes laptops, tablets, telephones, smart phones, desktop computer, printer,
speaker, camera or other electronic equipment.
Examples of ICT Devices
ICT devices includes:
Computer: A computer is an electronic device that accepts data (input), processes it into useful information
(output) and stores it for future use.
Tablet: A tablet is a super thin touchable computer. It can be used to draw, read and learn.
Smartphone: A tiny machine that one can carry in his pockets. It helps you to make calls, take pictures and
explore the internet.
Interactive whiteboard: It is like a magic whiteboard. You can write and draw on it. It can be used to
display pictures and play videos.
Headphones: An output device that gives audio output.
Printer: An output device that gives hard copy output.
Digital Camera: A camera that captures photographs and stores them in digital memory.
Projector: A device that is used to project rays of light, a system of lenses for projecting slides or film on
to a screen.
Robot: A robot is an automated machine that can execute specific tasks with little or no human intervention
Smart TV: A smart TV is a television that includes an internal processor and onboard storage and enables
internet connectivity, similar to a smartphone or personal computer.
Topic: Components of ICT
ICT components include the following:
1. Hardware: Hardware refers to devices that enable you to perform major functions such as input, output,
storage, communication, processing, and more. It includes computer, smarphones, networking equipment etc
2. Software: The program that run on hardware is called software, such as operating systems, applications,
and middleware.
3. Data: It includes raw facts and figures that are processed by ICT system. Data can be in the form of text,
image, video, audio etc
4. Wireless Network: A network in which the communication takes place by electromagnetic signals and not
through physical cables/wires.
5. Wired Network: A network in which communication takes places using physical cables/wires.
6. Communication Technologies: Communications technology, also known as information technology,
refers to all equipment and programs that are used to process and communicate information. For example
phone, Email, social media etc.
7. Cloud: The cloud refers to servers that are accessed over the Internet, and the software and databases that
run on those servers
8. Users: Individuals who have access and utilize ICT based on their experience of using ICT systems.
9. Protocols: In ICT a protocol is a set of rules for formatting, processing and communicating data.
10. Internet: The Internet is a global network of billions of computers and other electronic devices. With the
Internet, it is possible to access almost any information, communicate with anyone else in the world.
