Unit – 3 (ICT)
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
Session 1: Introduction to ICT
To store Data we use many methods like writing on paper, recording
or we can type the content in digital format. All these are used to
store data. Some data are stored in digital format in mobiles,
computers or any other digital devices, these devices are called
ICT(information and communication technology) devices. In this
section, we will read about the functioning of some devices which we
use in daily life.
ICT at Workplace
ICT is a very important part of the workplace. Almost all the sectors
of the economy use ICT to store information and for the transaction
of money. Nowadays all the information is being digitalised as it is
very easy to send to many people in a very little time.
At the workplace, we use different programs to complete our tasks
like in banking we use ICT for maintaining records of people and for
the transaction of money. In the same manner, we use computers for
editing videos, booking tickets, animating, recording, storing data etc.
ICT at Home
ICT has also become a part of our home appliances. These days
Television is very common in every house for entertainment and
Mobile for calling. Now mobile is also used for online classes.
Smartphones with internet connections are very helpful to stay
connected with our friends, family through Facebook, Instagram etc.
Here are some examples of ICT uses in different sectors
Agriculture: Activities related to research and development
Beauty and Wellness: Use for Training programmes
Banking and Finance: Storing data and for the secure transaction of
money
Health Care: Research and development of health facilities
Session 2: ICT Tools: Smartphones and Tablets - I
Smartphone: Once the mobile phone was only used for talking but
nowadays smartphones came into existence. With smartphones we
can purchase things online, we can play games, watch movies, make
a video call, book a ticket and many more things. Android, IOS and
Windows are some common operating systems of smartphones.
TV and Radio: TV and Radio are used as ICT tools for a long time.
Radio is used to broadcast only sound. TV is used to broadcast both
sound and video. It is the easiest way to reach a large number of
people at a time.
Applications or apps: Apps are just like a program on the computer.
different apps have different functions. Some apps are already
present on phones or tablets. There are many apps present in online
stores like Google Play Store and Apple App Store. We can purchase
or download it free of cost.
Session 3: Parts of a Computer and Peripherals
Input Device: The devices that accept data or a set
of instructions from the outside world and then translate that data
into machine-readable and understandable form are known as input
devices.
The device through which we input data in a computer. Like- Mouse,
Keyboard
Keyboard
Types of keys on Keyboard
1. Function keys: Keys from F1 to F12 which performs special
functions
2. Control Keys: Ctrl, Alt, Tab, Shift are control keys
3. Enter Key: to enter the data
4. Navigation Key: The four arrow keys(Up, Down, Left, Right) are
navigation keys
5. Command Keys: Delete and backspace are command keys.
6. Windows Keys: It opens the start menu
Pointing Devices:
Mouse: It allows to control the pointer of the mouse on the screen and
select icons.
Joystick: It is commonly used for video games
Light pen: used to make graphic designs
Graphic Tablet: It allows you to write on the screen.
Touchscreen: To send touch signals to a computer
Trackball: It is just like a mouse but used for special purpose
Scanner: It scans the document and converts it into digital form
MICR: Magnetic Ink Character Reader used to read Cheques in Banks.
OCR: Optical Character Reader to convert books and prints to electronic
form
OMR: Optical Mark Reader used to detect marks on paper of MCQ
type exams
Barcode Reader: It is used to read barcodes on different things like
books, food packets etc
Microphone (Mic): To Input audio
Web Camera: to input Video
Biometric Sensor: To input Fingerprints
Smart Card Reader: It reads Credit and Debit Cards
Output Devices
Output Devices are used to get the output of the task done on the
computer. First of All, we input some data and then it goes into
processing after all we get the final result.
We get output from these devices: Monitor, Printer, Plotter, Speaker,
Headphone, Projector, speech synthesizer
Software
The software is basically a set of instructions or commands that tell a
computer what to do. In other words, the software is a computer
program that provides a set of instructions to execute a user’s
commands and tell the computer what to do. For example like MS-
Word, MS-Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
Types of Software
1. System Software
Operating System
Language Processor
Device Driver
2. Application Software
General Purpose Software
Customize Software
Utility Software
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
It is the part of the computer which carries out all the tasks. It mainly
processes the input data and gives the output data.
ALU: Arithmetic and Logic Unit carries out all logical and arithmetic
tasks like addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, <,>,= etc.
Control Unit (CU): It mainly coordinates with input and output
devices.
Motherboard
A motherboard also referred to as a system board, is the main circuit
board inside a computer. It connects input, processing and output
devices.
Session 4 : Computer Memory
It is a storage area where all the data is stored.
Primary Memory
Primary memory is also known as the computer system's main
memory that communicates directly within the CPU, Auxiliary
memory and the Cache memory. Main memory is used to kept
programs or data when the processor is active to use them. When a
program or data is activated to execute, the processor first loads
instructions or programs from secondary memory into main memory,
and then the processor starts execution.
RAM: Random Access Memory is an internal memory that is volatile
means no data is saved in RAM. Only tasks are carried out in this
memory.
ROM: Read Only Memory stores all the data. It is non Volatile that
means once data is saved it remains there until you delete it.
Secondary Memory
It is an external device to store data. Examples: Pendrives, CDs,
External Hard Disk Drive, Memory Card etc.
Key Concepts
• 8 bits make a byte
• 1024 bytes make a kilobyte(KB).
• 1024 KB make 1 megabyte (MB)
• 1024 megabyte make 1 gigabyte (GB)
• 1024 gigabytes make 1 terabyte (TB)
Ports and connections
The slots in which we connect a mouse, keyboard, pen drive, internet
etc.
USB: Universal Serial Bus Port used to connect a mouse, keyboard
pen drives
Display Port: It connects video devices like Monitor and Projector
Audio Ports: It is used to connect audio devices like Mic, Speakers
Ethernet Port: It connects to high-speed internet
Power Port: It is used to connect the power supply.
