GENERAL EDUCATION ELECTIVE 3 |
They can use social media sites to advertise
LIVING IN THE IT ERA
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION AND
COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY
Information and Communications Technology is
a set of technologies that help us create
information, access information, analyze
information and communicate with each other.
ICT tools include the Internet, cell phones, global
positioning systems (GPS), texting, video games,
digital cameras, MP3 players, wikis, blogs and
more. Some of these tools are being used today
in classrooms all over the world, and will be used
even more in the future to support learning.
USE OF ICT
ICT for Leisure
1. We use mobile phones to make and receive
calls and text messages. Text message is also
known as Short Message Service (SMS).
2. We use computers or mobile phones to
access the internet:
a. To shop
b. To talk to family and friends
using social media
c. To book holidays and flights
d. To watch movies and TV shows
ICT in the Workplace
1. Businesses can use mobile phones to make
and receive text messages (SMS) and calls
2. They can use computer software to email
clients, type letters, and other
correspondence, generate invoice and pay
staff
3. They can use the internet to take orders
through their website and pay suppliers
4.
their products and connect with their
customers
ICT for Personal Finance and Shopping
1. Many banks, utility suppliers and
government sites give individuals the
opportunity to pay their bills and taxes
online
2. With the growth in internet usage, many
businesses have e-Commerce sites which
allow individuals to buy groceries, clothes,
cosmetics, sporting equipment, etc.
Practically anything can be bought online
today!
BASIC PRINCIPLES OF COMPUTER
Computer is an electronic device that
manipulates information, or “data.” It has the
ability to store, retrieve and process data.
Types of Computers
1. Mainframe Computer
 large, powerful and expensive
computers,
 often used within large systems and
organizations,
 can be used by more than one user
simultaneously.
2. Personal Computer – PC (Desktop
Computer)
 First PC was made by IBM in 1981,
 It was originally made for executing a
single task by a single user at the time.
 Today: a single person can execute many
tasks simultaneously (multitasking).
 Apple Macintosh (Mac) is a personal
computer made by Apple company,
3. Portable Computer or Laptop computer
(notebook)
 relatively small computers, easily carried
around,
  consists of LCD display and a small
keyboard,
 do not fall behind PCs by their functions
4. Personal Digital Assistant - PDA (Palm) or
Handheld Computer
 small computers that can fit into a
pocket or user's palm,
 meant for performing basic
personal/business functions:
• managing personal or business
tasks and assignments,
• maintaining the address book,
• accessing and browsing the
Internet,
• sending/receiving e-mails, etc.
 PDAs have now been replaced by
modern smart phones that combine the
features of a
• PDA with a mobile phone and
camera.
Hardware refers to the physical parts of the
computer, anything you can touch.
Divisions of Computer Hardware
1. Input Device is any device that allows
information to be entered into a computer
by typing, selecting, importing or download.
Examples of Input Devices
a) keyboard
b) scanner
c) touchpad
d) mouse
e) trackball
f) joystick
g) microphone
h) stylus
i) camera (web, digital)
2. Output Device is any device that outputs
information from a computer.
Examples of Output Devices
a) monitor
b) projector
c) printer
d) plotter
e) speakers
f) earphones
Software is the set of instructions that enables
the computer to perform its functions.
Types of Software
1. Operating System Software is the set of
instructions that looks after the internal
running of a computer and manages the
computer’s resources.
Examples of Operating System Software
a) MS-DOS (not user friendly system)
b) Microsoft Windows (e.g. Windows 8)
c) Apple Macintosh (e.g. Mountain)
d) Linux
e) UNIX
2. Application Software are computer
programs that are written to perform a
specific task.
Examples of Application Software
a) MS Word – Writing letters, etc.
b) MS Excel – accounting
c) MS Powerpoint – creating presentations
d) Internet Explorer (RIP)– Browsing the
Internet
Computer memory is any physical device
capable of storing information temporarily or
permanently.
Two types of Computer Memory
1. Random Access Memory (RAM) is the main
working memory of the computer.
It is used to store information on a
temporary basis.
2. Read Only Memory (ROM) is used to store
information that the Central Processing Unit
(CPU) needs in order to run the computer.
This is where you install application software
and save your files.
 Computer Memory is measured in bits. The
measurements of computer memory are:

1 Bit = 1 0r 0 (smallest measurement)

1 Byte = 8 Bits (equivalent to 1 Character or
letter)
1 Kilobyte = 1024 bytes
1 Megabyte = 1024 kilobytes
1 Gigabyte = 1024 megabytes
1 Terabyte = 1024 gigabytes

Storage Devices is any piece of hardware that

stores data. The most common type of storage
device is a hard drive.

Examples of Storage Device

a) Hard Drive (Internal and External)
It is used to store the computer’s
operating system, applications and
user’s files.
b) USB Flash Drives
They are a very popular storage
medium.
Used to store office documents, music,
pictures, etc.
c) CD-ROM
It can store pictures, music and office
documents.
d) DVD
Suitable for storing movie files
e) Online File Storage
Allows the users to store file to a specific
hard drive on the internet.
Often used by businesses to backup data
or to allow employees working in
different locations to share files.
f) Smart Media & Micro Drives
Used for digital camera storage
g) Memory Stick
Removable memory card launched by
Sony.
h) Smart Card
Pocket sized plastic card with an
embedded microchip.
It is used for identification, data storage
and application processing.