4.

23706 Information Technology 1

Semester 1, 2008

Lecture outline, Activities & Readings

Topic 1: ICT – an overview (week 1-3)

 Definition
 Concepts
 Developments
 ICTs

Topic objective: At the end of this topic, students should be able to understand the
definition of IT, ICT concepts, and apply it to different environments.

 Working Definition
Behan & Holmes (1990) Information technology is the term used to describe the technologies
that enable us to record, store, process, retrieve, transmit and receive information. It encompasses
modern technologies such as computers, facsimile transmission, micrographics,
telecommunications and microelectronics. Older technologies such a document filing systems,
mechanical accounting machines, printing and cave drawings are included in the term.

 Concepts:
data, information, knowledge, information science, information technology, information
systems, database systems, communication, telecommunication

 Developments:
Computers, Internet, Telecommunications

 ICTs:
Computers, telephones, mobile phones, radio, TV, satellite, networks, fibre optic, copper
wire,

Activity - Group Discussion & Presentation on:

 What is IT? – discuss using the working definition as it applies to computers

Required Reading:
Behan & Holmes, pp1-3, Reading 1.1 pp20-25