INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY-MACE 2016/BM

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATINS TECHNOLOGY (ICT)

Introduction
What is ICT?
ICT stands for Information and Communications Technology.
Two technologies make up ICT, and these are:
– Information Technology
– Communications Technology
What is Information Technology?
• IT is a combination of facilities for collecting, storing, retrieving and processing of information.
• IT can be manual or electronic.
• The major component of electronic information technology is the computer.
• Electronic information technology has many advantages as compared to manual information
systems.
What is Communications Technology?
• Communications Technology is a collection of facilities for transmission and reception of
information.
• Communications Technology can be manual or electronic.
• The major components of electronic Communications Technology are computers and
telecommunications facilities.
What is technology?
• Technology refers to the collection of tools that make it easier to use, create, manage and
exchange information.
• Technology is just a tool. In terms of getting the kids working together and motivating them, the
teacher is the most important”. (Bill Gates, 2010)

ICT is an umbrella term that includes any communication device or application, encompassing: radio, television,
cellular phones, computer and network hardware and software, satellite systems and so on, as well as the various
services and applications.
Having looked at ICT, now let us look at the meaning of ICTs.

ICTs are diverse set of technological tools and resources used to communicate, and to create, disseminate, store,
and manage information.
The evolution of modern ICTs started over 100 years ago, first with the telegraph, then telephones, radios, television,
early computers, large and bulky mainframe computers, and, finally, the development of the personal computer in the
early 1980s.

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The enormous popularity of the Internet, in particular the World Wide Web, has resulted in a computer that is more
than a simple computational device. In fact, the computer has changed into a device used for communication, media
creation, learning, and so much more. Recent advancements in ICT merge the various forms of communications (the
telephone, television, and computers) into effective, interactive, mobile devices.

Even though the merging of these technologies into mobile devices continues to evolve, the first decade of the 21st
century was known as the age of convergence. This age of convergence will continue to evolve in new, exciting, and
yet to be determined ways as we live, teach, learn, and work in the second decade of this century. This merging of
technologies is possible because significantly faster processors and high-speed wireless networks have been able to
capitalize on the advancements made in the areas of digital graphics, video, animation, audio, and online media.

Today’s personal computers and mobile devices take advantage of a computer’s individual power, digital media
capabilities, and the ability to be interconnected with others in networked environments, also known as social
networking. As a result, multimedia technology systems have become increasingly more powerful and better able to
handle information rich in visual and aural content.
Now let us understand the type of gadgets used in ICT.
TYPES OF GADGETS USED IN INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY.
There are many types of gadgets used in ICT. These gadgets are used for many different tasks. We have
highlighted a few of the below.

ICT gadgets/ devices or digital media is defined in a variety of ways; however, for the purposes of this module,
digital media is defined as those technologies that allow users to create new forms of interaction, expression,
communication, and entertainment in a digital format. The term digital media has been coined to reflect the evolution
of multimedia computing into multisensory communications. The goal of multimedia, and now digital media, is to
reproduce as closely as possible the reliability and effectiveness found in face to-face communications, and then
emulate that in virtual and online environments, such as social networking, using computers, mobile devices, and
other technologies.

Types of ICT Gadgets

A good way to think about ICT gadgets is to consider all the uses of digital technology that already exist to help
individuals, businesses and organisations use information. ICT covers any product that will store, retrieve,
manipulate, transmit or receive information electronically in a digital form. For example, personal computers, mobile
computers and devices, game consoles and servers, super computers and embedded computers, digital television,
Radio, email and robots.
Personal Computers
A personal computer, or PC, is a computer that has the capability to perform input, processing, output, and storage
activities. A personal computer contains a processor, memory, and one or more input, output, and storage devices.
Many people associate the term personal computer, or PC, with computers that use Microsoft Windows, which is a
popular operating system used on many of today’s computers. All personal computers, how-ever, do not use
Windows. For example, Apple computers use a different operating system, Mac OS, but they still are a type of
personal computer

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Figure 1 Personal Computer

Laptop computer
A mobile computer is a personal computer that you can carry from place to place. One popular type of mobile
computer is the notebook computer. Other popular types include tablet computers and net books. A mobile device is
a computing device small enough to hold in your hand and usually does not have disk drives.
A notebook computer, also called a laptop computer, is a portable, personal computer small enough to fit on your lap.
Today’s notebook computers are thin and lightweight, yet they can be as powerful as the average desktop computer

Figure 2 Laptop

The tablet computer, or simply tablet, is typically smaller than a notebook computer that you interact with by touching
the screen with your finger. If preferred, you can use a wireless keyboard and other accessories with a tablet. The
iPad is one example of a tablet computer. The tablet computers usually store programs and data permanently in
memory chips inside the system unit or in small storage media such as flash memory cards. Most tablet computers
are Internet-enabled, meaning they can connect to the Internet wirelessly. Often, you can connect a mobile device to
a personal computer to exchange information between the computer and the mobile device, which is a process called
syncing.

Figure 3 Tablet Computer

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A popular mobile devices are smart-phones and e-book readers; others include portable media players, and digital
cameras. Offering the convenience of one-handed operation, a Smartphone is an Internet-enabled phone that usually
provides personal information management functions such as a calendar, an appointment book, an address book, a
calculator, and a notepad. In addition to basic phone capabilities, a Smartphone allows you to send and receive e-
mail messages and access the Web-usually for an additional fee. Some Smartphones communicate wirelessly with
other devices or computers. Many also function as a portable media player and include built-in digital cameras so
that you can share photos or videos with others as soon as you capture the image. Many Smartphone also offer a
variety of application software such as word processing, spreadsheet, and games, and the capability of conducting
live video conferences. Many Smartphones have keypads that contain both numbers and letters so that you can use
the same keypad to dial phone numbers and enter messages. Others have a built-in mini keyboard on the front of the
phone or a keyboard that slides in and out from behind the phone. Some have touch screens, which you can use to
press icons on the screen to make selections or to enter text through an on-screen keyboard. Instead of calling
someone’s smart-phone or cell phone, users often send messages to others by pressing buttons on their phone’s
keypad, keys on the mini key-board, or icons on an on-screen keyboard. Types of messages users send with smart-
phones include text messages, instant messages, picture messages, and video messages

Figure 4 Smartphones

Game Consoles a game console is a computing device designed for single player or multiplayer video games.
Standard game consoles use a handheld controller as an input device: a television screen as an output device; and
hard disks, optical discs, and or memory cards for storage. Popular models include the Nintendo Wii, Sony
PlayStation, and Microsoft Xbox. These models utilize traditional handheld game devices. In addition to supporting
game play, many consoles allow users to listen to music, watch movies, and connect to the Internet. The Wii console
utilizes an interface that permits individuals to play games using normal kinetic motions rather than utilizing buttons
and toggle switches. In education, the Wii console could be useful in helping students develop psychomotor skills
and as a tool to energize students’ cognitive domain of learning through interactivity.

Figure 5 Game Console

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LCD projectors

Digital projectors are used in situations when a very large viewing area is required, for example during presentations,
for advertising, or in your home for watching movies.
A projector connects to a computer, a DVD player or a satellite receiver just like an ordinary monitor. The image is
produced inside the device and then projected out through a large lens, using a powerful light source.

Figure 6 LCD Projectors

A digital camera is an input device that records and stores photographic images in digital form. Many current models
are also able to capture sound or video, in addition to still images. These stored images can be uploaded to a
computer immediately or stored in the camera to be uploaded into a computer or printer later. Images may also be
archived on a photographic compact disc or external hard disk.

Figure 7 Digital Camera

Digital Television

The television is a telecommunication system for broadcasting and receiving moving pictures and sound over a
distance.

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Figure 8 LED Digital Television

Radio

A radio receiver receives its input from an antenna and converts it into a form usable for the consumer, such as
sound.

Figure 9 Radio Receiver

After looked at the types of gadgets. Our next discussion, we will look at information society.

The Information Society

In understanding the information society, you need to have knowledge on how a computer works. Let’s define a
computer.

A computer is defined as an electronic device which accepts data, processes the data, stores and produces the
result as information under the direction of a stored program of instructions with speed and accuracy. Information is
defined as the result of processing, manipulating and organizing data in a way that adds to the knowledge of the
receiver. Data is converted into information using the information processing cycle (IPC) which consists of four
operations: input, process, output, and storage.

Before going further, let’s look at how data is processed into information through the use of a computer.

Data consists of raw facts, which the computer can manipulate and process into information that is useful to people.
Computerized data is digital, meaning that it has been reduced to digits, or numbers. The computer stores and reads
all data as numbers. Although computers use data in digital form, they convert data into forms that people can
understand, such as text, numerals, sounds, and images.

For instance, what do the numbers 02557689 mean to you? Probably nothing - this is because they have no specific
meaning or application. They are examples of data.

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Data consist of raw facts and figures - it does not have any meaning until it is processed and turned into something
useful.
Data comes in many forms, the main ones being letters, numbers, images, symbols and sound. However, it is
essential that data is available because it is the first step in creating meaningful information.
Tip2
For example the three data items above could represent some very important information:

DATA INFORMATION

Your winning lottery ticket number

02051959 Bank account number, date of birth as 2 May
1959 or telephone number

Data Processing Input (Data) Processing Output (Information) Turning data into information is called processing. It
involves a set of logically related tasks that is performed by the computer to achieve a defined outcome.

Information Processing
Input, Process, Storage and Output Operations
A computer system has four basic operations namely input, processing, storage and output. The diagram below
shows the flow of data and instructions in a computer system.
.

Input
The input stage of computing is concerned with getting the data needed by the program into the computer. Input
devices are used to do this. The most commonly used input devices are the mouse, keyboard, scanner, joystick,
barcode reader, digital camera, microphone, flash disk etc.

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Processing
The program contains instructions about what to do with the input. During the processing stage the computer follows
these instructions using the data which has just been input. What the computer produces at the end of this stage, the
output, will only be as good as the instructions given in the program. In other words, if garbage has been put into the
program, garbage is what will come out of the computer. This is known as GIGO, or 'Garbage In, Garbage Out'.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The CPU is the 'brain' of the computer. It is where all the searching, sorting, calculating and decision making takes
place. The CPU contains a tiny quartz clock. Each time this clock 'ticks', one instruction can be dealt with by the
CPU. So the more times this clock ticks per second, the more instructions the CPU can carry out and the faster
things get done. The speed of the CPU is measured in either Megahertz (MHz) or more commonly now in Gigahertz
(GHz). A 1 MHz CPU can carry out one million instructions per second. A 1 GHz CPU can carry out 1 billion
instructions per second. A typical CPU installed in a computer today would run at around 3 GHz.

Figure 10 CPU

CPU Components
You need to have a basic understanding of the three main parts of a CPU. These are:

 Control Unit
 Immediate Access memory
 Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)

The Control Unit

This has three main jobs:

1. It controls and monitors the hardware attached to the system to make sure that the commands given to it by
the application software are used. For example, if you send something to print, the control unit will keep a
check that the instructions are sent to the printer correctly.
2. It controls the input and output of data so that the signals go to the right place at the right time
3. It controls the flow of data within the CPU

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The Immediate Access Memory

The memory is part of the computer which holds data and instructions for processing. Logically, it is an integral
component of the CPU, but physically it is a separate part placed on the computers mother board. Memory stores
programme instructions or data for only as long as the programme they pertain to is in operation. The CPU access
the main memory in a random manner, that is the CPU can access any location of this memory to either read
information from it or store information in it. The primary memory is of two types: random access memory (RAM) and
the read only memory (ROM).
Random Access Memory
Random access memory directly provides the required information to the processor. RAM stores programmes and
data that are currently running. It is volatile in nature, which means the information stored in it remains as long as the
power is switched ON. As soon as the power is switched OFF, the information contained in it vanishes.

Read Only Memory

Read only memory can only be read, not written. In other words, the CPU can only read from any location in the
ROM but cannot write. The contents of ROM are not lost even in case of a sudden power failure, thus making it non-
volatile in nature.
Cache Memory
CPU often stores pieces of data it will need to access in a cache. And data takes long to get from the memory to the
CPU than actually processing it. Cache comes in to alleviate this problem by making the data instantly available to
the CPU. Cache can be built right into the CPU/ can be separated on the motherboard
Arithmetic and Logic Unit
This is where the computer processes data either by manipulating it or acting upon it. It consists of two parts:

1. Arithmetic part - which does exactly what you think it should - it performs the calculations on the data e.g.
3+2=5
2. Logic part - this deals with logic and comparisons. For example, it works out if one value is greater, less
than or equal to another.

WHAT IS A COMPUTER?
A computer is an electronic machine which process, stores and retrieves information in a desired manner or format.

A computer is made up of hardware and software. Thus logically a computer =hardware + software

TERMINOLOGIES
 HARDWARE: The physical part of the computer that can be touched or handled e.g. keyboard, mouse,
monitor etc.
 SOFTWARE: Refers to a set of instructions or programs that the computer that commands the computer
what to do e.g. operating software (windows 7, windows 8, windows 10, Ubuntu, Linux etc.) and application
software (Microsoft office package).

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 PROGRAM: Set of instructions written in the language of the computer.

 DATA: Refers to unprocessed information
 INFORMATION: Refers to data processed and analyzed data
 COMMUNICATION: Refers to sending and receiving information.
 COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY: It is a collection of facilities for transmission (sending) and
reception (receiving) information.

USES OF A COMPUTER

In our everyday life we use computers for the following;

 Calculations
 Storage of data
 Sorting information
 Create text
 Create spreadsheets
 Create drawings
 Create charts
 Sending and receiving messages from the electronic mail.
 Browsing the internet

ADVANTAGES OF A COMPUTER
 Accuracy- A computer does not make mistakes on its own.
 Speed _ computers are very fast, they can process data at the fast rate.
 Storage _ they can store vast information. They can also retrieve and search what has been stored.
 It is user friendly.

DISADVANTAGES OF A COMPUTER
 Strain injuries such as eye sight problems and headaches
 Since it is a programmable machine, it can’t understand anything out of programming
 It loses information when there is no backup kept.
 Risk of neck, back and shoulder pair by not using a fully adjustable operator’s chair.
 It is expensive to maintain
 It is vulnerable to viruses
 It is expensive to purchase

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_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Check your understanding

1. What is a computer?
2. Mention two elements of a computer
3. Define the following terms:
(i) Program
(ii) Data
(iii) Hardware
(iv) Information
4. List any five uses of a computer.
5. Why is a computer important to our everyday living?
6. A computer is said to be accurate, what does the word accurate mean?

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS

Computers are classified in five classes whose differences can be attributed to a number of factors such as:
 Their physical size
 Their speed of processing data
 Their memory capacity
 Their storage capacity
 Their cost of acquisition
 Their hardware and software requirements
 Their environmental requirements
 Their ease of use

There are five types of computers. The list below show such types beginning from the smallest to the largest.
1. Microcomputers
2. Servers
3. Minicomputers
4. Mainframe computers
5. Supercomputers
1. MICROCOMPUTERS
These are often called personal computers (PCs) because of being single user. They run programs designed to
help individuals accomplish their work more productively.

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Microcomputers are the most widespread and popular because of a the following reasons:
 They are small in size, and therefore do not occupy large space. E.g. laptops, are portable.
 They are not as costly as the other computers.
 They are easier to operate and maintain.
 They can operate in ordinary environments, i.e. they do not necessarily require highly controlled
environments.

Examples of microcomputers are:1. Desktop computers 2. Laptop computers 3. Notebook computers 4.Palmtop
computers

PARTS OF A COMPUTER

MONITOR

MOUSE

CPU
Keyboard
 MONITOR: It displays information in soft
D copy
 KEYBOARD: Device used to enter data, text and commands
 MOUSE: A pointing device used to select information and input commands.
 CPU: The brain of computer which controls the operation the computer.

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INPUT PERIPHERALS OR DEVICES JOYSTICK: An input device that looks similar to a

control device that is used for playing games.
 Peripherals are devices that are connected
to the computer box or Central Processing A joystick allows an individual to move an object in
Unit (CPU).
a game such as navigating a plane in a flight
simulator.
TYPES OF PERIPHERALS

 Input devices – these pass data into the

computer system.
 Output devices – these pass information out
of the computer system
 Backing storage devices – these store
programs and data.

INPUT DEVICE

This is the hardware or device used to enter or Keypad is a small and special keyboard with fewer
transfer data into the computer system. It is keys or buttons used in special dedicated devices. it
categorized into Manual input devices & consists of digits, symbols and/or alphabetical letters
Automatic/Automated input devices. which can be used to enter data. For example,
calculator, cell phone, remote control etc.
MOUSE: Mouse: is an input device that controls the
movement of the cursor or pointer on the display
screen.

TRACKERBALL : Is an input device that looks like an

upside down mouse. The pointer is moved by rotating
the ball using a thumb or finger.

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MICROPHONE allows a user to speak to the computer to enter data

and instructions into the computer system.
Microphone: is an input device used to send audio
into the computer system. Is an input device that

KEYBOARD

Keyboard : is an input device used mainly for typing text into the computer system. The keyboard has keys for letters
and numbers. The following are the main parts of a keyboard:

The function keys, The numeric keypad (number pad), navigation keys (arrow keys), QWERTY or Alphanumeric
Keys.

PARTS OF THE KEYBOARD

(i) Function keys (F1 to F12)

The Function keys found on the top row perform different functions or tasks depending on which program someone is
using. Example in a word processor (Ms Word) F7 key is used for spell checking, F1 is used for help etc

(ii) Numeric Keypad or Number pad

The numeric keypad, located on the right side of most keyboards, allows you to enter numbers quickly. Although not
available on laptops

(iii) Arrow keys or Navigation keys

The navigation keys, such as the four directional arrow keys allow you to move the cursor and position within a
document or webpage

(iv) Alphanumeric or QWERTY pad

This has keys for letters, numbers and special keys Ctrl (Control), Shift, Alt, Fn, Alt Gr, Caps lock, : ; %,&, $, @,” ?, #,
Window button, Pg(Page) down, Pg(Page)Up, Del(Delete), Enter, Esc(Escape), Home, Tab, Pause break, Prt
Sc(Print Screen), End, Back space, Space Bar,

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This figure below is tipical example of keybord

Point to Note: Try own your own to draw and label the keyboard as shown above.

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GRAPHIC TABLET SCANNER

Graphic Tablet/Drawing tablet: This is a highly Scanner: This is a device that captures printed
accurate hardware input device that is used for material, text, images into the computer and convert it
drawing or sketching. e.g. an artist drawing into a digital file.

BARCODE READER

Barcode Reader: is a device that uses light-beam to

read and interpret bar codes in the computer.
E.g. Point Of Sale (POS)
DIGITAL CAMERA

Digital Camera: is an input device that stores

the pictures and videos in electronic format

TOUCH SCREEN( picture as shown under ICT

gadgets)

Touch screen: This is a device which is both an input

and output. It is a special screen that allow a user to
choose options by touching images

WEBCAM / WEB CAMERA

Web Cam or Web Camera:

is a small camera connected to a computer used to

capture and transmit audio and video over the
Internet.

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OPTICAL CHARACTER READER/RECOGNITION

(OCR)

OCR: is the device that process text or letters and

converting them into data that a computer can
interpret

OPTICAL MARK READER /

RECOGNITION (OMR)

OMR: is a device that detects the presence of pencil

marks made on a piece of paper or document. E.g.
marking grade 7 multiple questions exams

MAGNETIC INK CHARACTER

READER/RECOGNITION (MICR)

MICR: is a device that is used in the bank for reading

paper cheques

OUTPUT DEVICE

 This is the device that pass processed

information or results to the user.

Two types of output are hard copy (printed output)

and softcopy (visual or sound/audio.

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Soft-copy: This is output information displayed

visually on a VDU/ screen/monitor or in audio form.

Audio output: is output from the speaker/loudspeaker

Hard-copy: This is a permanent paper printed by a

printer.

MONITOR/VISUAL DISPLAY UNIT(VDU)/SCREEN

This is an output device that displays signals on a

computer screen. It is used to view images and
documents. There are different types of computer
monitors such as the Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT),
Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), Thin Film Transistor
(TFT-LCD) and the Light Emitting Diodes (LED).
INKJET PRINTER

Inkjet Printer: This is an output device that prints by

spraying ink on paper. It is mostly used at home

PRINTER

Printer: This is an output device that prints text or

graphics on paper.

TYPES OF PRINTERS

Below are some of the examples of printers:

 Laser Printer,
 Ink Jet Printer
 Dot Matrix Printer DOT MATRIX PRINTER
 LASER PRINTER
 Laser Printer: This is an output device that Dot Matrix Printer: it is an output device that print
prints high-quality resolution text and images that are made up of a number of individual
graphics by means that is similar dots.
to photocopying.

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SPEAKERS

SPEAKER: This is an output device which is

sometimes connected to the computer to give out
beeping signals and audio sounds.

PLOTTER

Plotter: is a special output device that prints, draws,

produce high quality graphical images on very large HEADPHONES
pieces of paper. E.g. Computer Aided Design (CAD),
Architect and technical drawings (drawings of Headphones: are output devices with a pair of small
buildings and maps). loudspeakers that are placed over the head, for
Types of plotters are drum plotters, flatbed plotters listening to audio signals such as music or speech.
etc.
Storage Capacity and File Size
Size Equal to
8 bits 1 byte
1024 bytes 1 kilobyte
1024 kilobytes 1 megabyte
1024 megabytes 1 gigabyte
1024 gigabytes 1 terabyte

The size of a file and a storage device's capacity will

always be written in its simplest form. For example,
an operating system would report 1 terabyte hard
disks [HARD DISK: a device used to store vast
amounts of data, the data is stored on a disk] size as
1TB not as 1024GB, although both are correct.

LCD PROJECTOR

LCD PROJECTOR: An output device that can display

and project large images from the computer system.

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