Computer Applications - Week -1 (Information Communication and Communication)

Week 1 - Introduction

Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

Definitions:

1. The term ICT refers to an umbrella term that include any communication devices or
applications e.g. Radio, TV, cellular phones, computers and network hardware, software and
satellite.
2. ICT refers to a technology used to handle telecommunication broadcast media, intelligent
buildings system and audio visual, processing and transmission system and network which are
based in controlling and monitoring function.
3. ICT refers to a technology that provides access to information through telecommunication.
Note: ICT is similar to information technology, but focuses primary on communication
technologies. This includes:
i. Internet
ii. Wireless network
iii. Cellphones and other communication mediums.

Uses of ICT in the organizations:

There are various issues to remember concerning to the importance of ICT in education:

1. ICT Brings Inclusion: - The advantage of ICT in education is that all the students in
the classroom can learn from the course material. Students with special requirements
are no longer at a drawback because they have the necessary materials. Students can
use special ICT tools so that they can use the ICT tools to their educational
requirements. Despite this, it opens up new problems related to the 'digital divide' and
provides those who are less fortunate with access to ICT resources and tools.
2. E-Learning or Online Learning: - The ICT tools provide a new way of learning for
students and teachers. Online or E-learning is getting popular. Different extraordinary
events are happening in our lives, opening up opportunities for schools to ensure that
students can access course materials while in the classroom. Outside students are also
allowed to make sure. One can also learn in class, such as at home or in hospitals.

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Computer Applications - Week -1 (Information Communication and Communication)

3. ICT Enhances Subject Learning: - These days, it is well known that in education, ICT
adds a huge value to key learning areas like numeracy and literacy.
4. ICT Use Motivation Learning: - The demand of society for new technology has not
left out children and their requirements. With new technology, children are fascinated,
motivating and encouraging children to learn in the classroom.
5. ICT Use Allows for Effective Differentiation Instruction with Technology: - We all
learn and understand things differently at different levels, styles, and the technology
offers chances for this to happen.
6. ICT in Education Improves Engagement and Knowledge Retention: - Students
become more involved in their work if the ICT is integrated into lessons. And the
reason behind that is the technology offers various opportunities to make it more
enjoyable and fun in the context of teaching similar things in a number of ways. As a
result of this increased busyness, it is said that they are capable to retaining knowledge
more efficiently and effectively.
7. ICT Use Encourages Collaboration: - We only need a computer, iPad, or laptop in
the classroom to understand how it works. Naturally, ICT brings children together so
that the children can discuss and talk about what they are exactly doing for their work.
This in turns opens communication avenues that lead to the development of language.
8. ICT Use Develops ICT Literacy and ICT Capability: - ICT literacy and ICT capability
are the skills of the 21st century which are best developed in ICT and remain
transparent in the subject learning context. Offering them meaningful activities that
are embedded in purposeful subject-related contexts is a great way to develop the
capability of ICT.

1. It is used in banking sectors, e.g. E-Banking or Mobile banking (Mpesa/ Airtel Money etc.)
through the use of ICT bank users can withdraw or deposit money online and the balance will
reflect on their actual accounts.
2. ICT is used in E-Hospital; here patient can use their mobile phone or the internet to give
descriptions of what their fell and doctors on the other side can prescribe or/and
recommendation of the best medication (drugs/ medicines) to take.
3. ICT is used in E-Learning; students can enroll for an online course from learning institutions
access learning materials from the internet (institution E-Portal) sit online tests and upon
completion they are awarded certificate. Examples of online courses are: ICDL, CISCO etc.

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 Computer Applications - Week -1 (Information Communication and Communication)

4. ICT can also be in online business such as [Link], [Link], [Link], to sell and buy
goods or/and services online.
5. ICT is used for sending letters through emails.
6. Used in the telecommunication industries for communication e.g. Safaricom, Airtel Orange
etc.

Impact of ICT on Society

ICT has reshaped the world’s economic landscape and workforce dynamics.

- Through E-commerce new businesses opportunities has been created and consumers alike,
supporting globalization by enabling transactions and interactions to occur across borders
seamlessly.
- Smart cities are improving urban living by leveraging IT and communication technology to
improve transportation, public services and municipal infrastructure.
- As technology and collaboration tools continue to advance, organizations are finding it
necessary to continually reevaluate their best practices for sharing digital information.
- Digital literacy has become a necessary skill for everyone. The digital economy has introduced
new types of jobs, improved productivity and allowed employees to collaborate remotely from
just about anywhere they can connect to the internet.
- The environmental effects of ICT have also been profound. Data centers and electronic devices
require significant amounts of power to operate, and the rapid growth and constant evolution
of technology has led to a surge in e-waste as obsolete devices are discarded. This waste often
contains hazardous materials that pollute the environment and can harm human health.

Best practices for building a more connected, inclusive and environmentally responsible world
include:

 Supporting ESG (environmental, social and governance) initiatives.

 Prioritizing the development of affordable, repairable digital technologies.

 Investing in infrastructure and connectivity solutions that provide remote and underserved
areas with access to ICT services.

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 Encouraging the development and adoption of open standards and robust data protection
regulations like GDPR.

 Facilitating international cooperation and partnerships between governments and businesses.

 Developing new ways to educate people about ICT.

 Promoting the creation and dissemination of local content that reflects the values of users
worldwide.

Positive impact of ICT in the community

1. Faster communication speed: - in the past it took long time for any news or message to be sent.
Now with the internet, news or messages are sent via email friend, business partners or any
one efficiently.
2. Lower communication cost: - using the internet is more effective than other modes of
communication such as telephone, mailing or carrier services.
3. Reliable mode of communication: - computers are reliable with the internet information could
be accessed and retrieved from anywhere at any time.
4. Effective mean of sharing information: - with the advance in technology information can be
shared through news, discussions group and forums in the internet e.g. Facebook, twitter,
Google group etc.
5. ICT has created paperless environment: - this means information can be captured, stored and
retrieved through the digital media. Online chart and instant messaging also help creating
paperless environment.
6. Borderless environment: - internet offer fast information retrieval, accessibility, versatility,
interactivity. It has become borderless source for service.
7. Creation of employment: -people with ICT skills can secure jobs in ICT and IT related fields
such as; banks, insurance company and other companies.

Negative impact of ICT to the society

1. Unemployment: -Although IT has streamlined the process of business, it has created

redundancy and subcontinent in the job. Employers can save more money by using
computers instead of human resources, but due to this, employees are losing their jobs
as no longer needed.

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2. Lack of Security/Privacy: - Although IT has changed and may be more convenient, it

has also raised issues of privacy and security. Phone signal interception, email hacking,
etc., people are concerned that personal information can become public knowledge. IT
continues to change almost every day, which means that to secure their jobs, everyone
has to be up-to-date in IT. Risk factors for attacking computer viruses, trojans, spam,
malware is also present in the systems.

3. Cyber Bullying: - In social network pages, it is now so easy to bully and bully others as
it has become very easy for the users of the internet around over the world. They do not
realize the consequences of reading/listening to hostile comments. There have been
various investigation cases involving cyberbullying with lethal implications in the recent
past.

Stop

4. Reliance on Technology: - People no longer bother to read, write, or calculate without

computers because of losing handwriting skills (why write if spell checker can be used).
Calculate without calculator even for the small addition, reading books (why read if there
is huge information on the internet).

Avoid hurting the feelings of someone through emails or other forms of electronic
communication; respect other's online right; avoid insulting anyone. If someone
disrespects you, you stay calm; avoid discussion groups or forums crashing groups;
respect other people's privacy online; be responsible online."

5. Social Media: - Network pages are open for everyone who can influence their physical
and mental health by playing and watching violent games, including young children and
teenagers. They are addicted to iPods, phones, gaming consoles, forgetting about
society's external activities and communication.

6. Preparation Time: - Preparation takes more time so that the internet can be used
effectively for education. In addition to designing internet-based plans, we have to surf
the Internet in order to download the lesson plans and adapt them to support the course's
objectives or visit sites to choose appropriate places for the classes needed.

1. ICT has reduced employment rate.

2. Decline in moral behavior. (youths can visit and view pornographic materials from the internet)
3. ICT has brought about healthy issues (problems) e.g. persons who spend a lot of time using
computers many suffer from backaches, cancer, eye problems etc.
4. ICT has contributed to high raise in fraud cases.

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5. It has resulted to identify theft.

6. ICT has resulted to hacking of crucial information, where hackers get access to information so
that they can use it to perform crime.

Equipment and facilities that are found in an ICT organization

Computers:

 Used in writing and keeping records of different entities in the organization i.e. keeping
records of employees, products, customers etc.
 Used to in retrieving and updating of stored information
 If the computer is connected to the internet it can be used for sending or receiving emails from
different persons.

Printers:

 Used to convert soft copy document into hardcopy document for reading and filling

Scanner:

 Used for scanning or converting document, objects or images into softcopy (computer
sensible form)

Photocopier:

 Used for making multiple copies of an existing documents

Telephone/mobile phone:

 Used for communication purposes.

Modem:

 Used for connecting computers to access internet.

Fax machine:

 Used for sending and receiving fax messages

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