MODULE 1

Lesson 1

IT versus ICT & History of Computer

OBJECTIVES

At the end of this chapter, the students should

be able to:
Define Information and Communication
Technology and trace the evolution of
Technology, particularly computers

Living in the Information Technology EraIntroduction to Computers Page 1

 Computers are everywhere: at work, at school, and at
home. Many daily activities either involve the use of
or depend on information from a computer.
Computers are a primary means of communication for
billions of people. People use computers to
correspond with businesses, employees with other
employees and customers, students with teachers,
and family members with friends and other family
members. In addition to corresponding via text
messages, people use computers to send each other
pictures, diagrams, drawings, music, and videos.
Local and national news, weather reports, sports
scores, air line schedules, telephone directories,
maps and directions, job listings, credit reports, and
countless forms of educational material always are
accessible. From the computer, you can meet new
friends, share photographs and videos, shop, fill
prescriptions, file taxes, or take a course.

At home or while on the road, people use computers to manage schedules,

balance check books, pay bills, track personal income and expenses, transfer
funds, and buy or sell stocks. Banks place automated teller machines (ATMs) all
over the world, making it easy for customers to deposit or withdraw funds at
anytime. At the grocery store, a computer tracks purchases, calculates the
amount of money due, and often generates coupons customized to buying
patterns. Vehicles include onboard navigation systems that provide directions, call
for emergency services, and track the vehicle if it is stolen.
In the workplace, employees use computers to create correspondence such as e-
mail messages, memos, and letters, calculate payroll; track inventory; and
generate invoices. Some applications such as automotive design and weather
forecasting use computers to perform complex mathematical calculations. At
school, teachers use computers to assist with classroom instruction Students
complete assignments and do research on computers in lab rooms and at home.
People also spend hours of leisure time using a computer. They play games,
listen to music, watch videos and movies, read books and magazines, research
genealogy, compose music and videos, retouch photographs, and plan vacations.
As technology continues to advance, computers are becoming more a part of
everyday life. Thus, many people believe that computer literacy is vital to success
in today's world. Computer literacy involves having a knowledge and
understanding of computers and their uses.

Living in the Information Technology EraIntroduction to Computers Page 2

 IT versus ICT

When do we use the term ICT ICT is made up of three words, namely
and how does it differ from IT? information, communications, and
ICT, or information and technology.
communications technology, is
Information refers to the knowledge
often used in a more general
obtained from reading, investigation,
sense, and is described as using
study, or research. Some of the tools
computers and other digital
that transmit information are the
technologies to assist individuals
telephone, television, and radio. Not to
or institutions in handling or using
be confused with data, information is
information. ICT is technology
regarded as processed data.
that supports activities involving
Computers normally process data that
information such as gathering,
are later understood as information.
processing, storing, and
Information is needed to make
presenting data. Increasingly,
decisions and to foresee the future.
these activities also involve
For example, scientists can detect the
collaboration and
formation of a tsunami using the latest
communication.
technology and warn the public to
IT, or information technology, avoid disasters in the affected areas.
pertains to the industry that
Processed information is called
involves computers, software,
knowledge. Knowledge helps fulfil
networking, and other IT
daily tasks. For example, knowledge is
infrastructure to help relay or
used to predict tomorrow’s weather
manage information important in
and decides if there is a need to bring
modern-day living as seen
an umbrella. Knowledge is also used
primarily in large companies or
to analyze the stock market and check
corporations.
which company is worth investing in.

Communication is an act of transmitting messages. It is a process in which

information is exchanged between individuals through verbal and non-verbal
means. In the prehistoric days, humans communicated through signs or symbols
as evidenced by cave paintings and drawings, rock art, stone carvings, and the
like. With technology, communication is faster, more convenient, and more
efficient. When face-to-face meeting is not possible, long distance communication
or virtual communication is now common and easy with the use of smart phones
and computers with internet access.
Technology has evolved in ways that improve people's daily activities. As
mentioned above, technology has made communication much easier and faster
through telephones, fax machines, mobile devices, and the internet. It has also
made broadcasting of information, such as news or weather reports, more
effective. Radio, television, satellites, and the World Wide Web are powerful tools
that can be used by individuals to gather needed information to aid them in their
office, school or house work, or in simple day-to-day activities.

Living in the Information Technology EraIntroduction to Computers Page 3

 HISTORY OF COMPUTER
With the evolution of technology, computers have taken a major role in the last
three decades. This is due to the fact that people have become increasingly
dependent on computers to do their daily tasks in school, at work, or in their
routines. What started off as simply for research purposes, computers are now
designed to be more compact, more mobile, and more integrated in people's daily
activities.

First-generation Computer (1946-1959)

The first electronic computer was developed in 1946.
Designed by J. Presper Eckert and John W. Mauchly
from the University of Pennsylvania and financed by
the United States Army, the Electronic Numeric
Integrator and Calculator (ENIAC) is considered to be
the first-generation computer.

ENIAC was a modular computer, composed of several panels capable of

performing different functions. However, it could store onlylimited or small
amount of information and only do arithmetic operations such as addition
and subtraction of up to 10 digits. The computer was roughly 167 square
meters in size, and weighed 27 tons.

Second-generation Computer (1959-1965)

In this second generation, the transistor was
used as the interior sections of the computer.
Transistors were much smaller, faster, and
more dependable than the vacuum tubes of
the first generation computer. They generated
less heat and consumed less electricity but
were still very costly.

Third-generation Computer (1965-1971)

In 1965, Jack Kilby invented the integrated circuit
(IC) that was used instead of transistors as the
interior sections to build the computer. A single
IC has many transistors, resistors, and
capacitors that even the full circuit board of a
transistor can be replaced entirely with one chip.
This chip made the computers smaller, unfailing,
and effective. In this third generation, remote
processing, time-sharing, and multiprogramming
operating system were used.

Living in the Information Technology EraIntroduction to Computers Page 4

 Fourth-generation Computer
(1971-1980)
From 1971 to 1980, very large scale
integrated (VLSI) circuits were used to
build computers. These circuits have
about 5,000 transistors and other circuit
elements with their connected circuits
on a single chip known as the
microprocessor. These fourth
generation computers such as personal
computers became more powerful,
dense, reliable, and inexpensive. The
other application of this microprocessor
technology can be used and applied for
pocket calculators, television sets,
automotive devices, and audio and
video appliances
Living in the Information Technology EraIntroduction to Computers
Fifth-generation Computer
(1980 onwards)
In this fifth generation, the VLSI
technology has evolved into what is
called ultra large-scale integration
(ULSI) technology, with the
manufacture of microprocessor
chips having 10 million electronic
components. This generation
involves computer intelligence
which is associated with artificial
intelligence (AI). natural language,
and expert systems that interpret
the means and practices of
producing computers that think like
human beings.
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