COMPUTERS IN OUR
D A I LY L I F E
Week 2
2
TOPICS
o Introduction
o What is Information Technology?
o Advantages and Disadvantages of IT?
o What is Information and Communications
Technology?
o Uses of ICT In Our Daily Lives
o Impact of ICT on the Society
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I N T RO D U C T I O N
o Today, all people use computers and rely on computers to perform their tasks
whether personal or professional. Professionals are different in their fields and skills,
but one thing is common to all of them, they use computers to do their jobs.
o The accountant uses computers for financial management; programmers use them
to create programs; teachers prepare lectures and presentations; architects create
blueprints; students use computers for various reasons like creating reports and
thesis and for research purposes.
o Businesses, companies, and organizations use computers to process data, store and
retrieve information, and provide results and outputs.
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THE COMPUTER
o A computer refers to an electronic device
that accepts data and instructions, performs
logical and mathematical operations, and
generates the outputs of the processing.
The outputs or results are the information
that we need.
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C H A R AC T E R I S T I C S A N D
C A PA B I L I T I E S O F C O M P U T E R
o Speed - The computer can work very fast. It takes only a few seconds for calculations that
we take hours to complete. A computer can perform millions (1,000,000) of instructions
and even more per second.
o Accuracy - The degree of accuracy of a computer is very high and every calculation is
performed with the same accuracy.
o Diligence - A computer is free from tiredness, lack of concentration, fatigue, etc. It can
work for hours without creating any errors.
o Versatility - It means the capacity to perform completely different types of work. You may
use your computer to prepare payroll slips.
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C H A R AC T E R I S T I C S A N D
C A PA B I L I T I E S O F C O M P U T E R
o Power of Remembering - A computer has the power of storing any amount
of information or data. Any information can be stored and recalled as long
as you require it, for any number of years.
o No IQ (Intelligence Quotient) - A computer is a dumb machine and it
cannot do any work without instruction from the user. It performs the
instructions at tremendous speed and with accuracy. It is you to decide
what you want to do and in what sequence. So a computer cannot take its
own decision as you can.
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C H A R AC T E R I S T I C S A N D
C A PA B I L I T I E S O F C O M P U T E R
o No Feelings - It does not have feelings or emotions, taste, knowledge, or
experience. Thus it does not get tired even after long hours of work. It does
not distinguish between users.
o Storage - The Computer has an in-built memory where it can store a large
amount of data. You can also store data in secondary storage devices.
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W H AT I S I T ?
o Information technology (IT) is
the use of any computers,
storage, networking, and other
physical devices, infrastructure,
and processes to create,
process, store, secure, and
exchange all forms of electronic
data.
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I T S O F T WA R E A N D H A R D WA R E
o IT includes several layers of physical equipment (hardware), virtualization and
management or automation tools, operating systems, and applications
(software) used to perform essential functions.
o User devices, peripherals, and software, such as laptops, smartphones or even
recording equipment, can be included in the IT domain.
o IT can also refer to the architectures, methodologies, and regulations
governing the use and storage of data.
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I M P O R TA N C E O F I N F O R M A T I O N
TECHNOLOGY
o We are living in the information age and are constantly inundated from every
area of our lives with information technology. It is now a part of our everyday
lives and has greatly impacted society.
o We use information technology to do school work, research for work,
recreation, and almost anything else that can be imagined. Family and friends
can stay connected through internet applications and smart devices.
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A D VA N TA G E S O F I N F O R M A T I O N
TECHNOLOGY
o Protecting and Storing Information - Electronic storage systems are being
created to hold the information that is being shared over the internet and
internal intranets. Secure maintenance of customer and company files is vital
to the integrity of the company.
o Virtual vaults keep information safe by limiting access to a select few. Security
systems are put in place to protect your electronic information and keep it
from being wiped out or damaged during a system breakdown. Hackers are
also kept at bay with intense securities.
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A D VA N TA G E S O F I N F O R M A T I O N
TECHNOLOGY
o Automated Processes - The ability to find ways to complete more work in a
shorter amount of time is essential to the success of a company. Information
technology improves a company’s efficiency by implementing automated
processes to make employees more capable of handling a larger workload.
Reports, queries, and monitoring financials can be completed by computer
programs, leaving employees free to complete other tasks.
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A D VA N TA G E S O F I N F O R M A T I O N
TECHNOLOGY
o Communication - Communication in every aspect of human interaction is
essential. In the business world, communication is imperative to the success of
the company. Emailing, video conferencing, and chat rooms allow for easier
communication between employees and supervisors as well as employees
and clients.
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A D VA N TA G E S O F I N F O R M A T I O N
TECHNOLOGY
o Remote Access or Telecommuting - When a company has implemented an
information technology system, many times employees can then access the
company’s network electronically. This enables employees to work from home
or while on the road. This gives the employees more flexibility and they are
more productive because they can still work when not in the office.
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D I S A D VA N TA G E S O F I N F O R M A T I O N
TECHNOLOGY
o Expenses of Implementation and Maintenance - Setup costs for implementing
an information technology system within a home or business can be very
costly. Software training can also take another big bite out of the budget.
Information technology
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D I S A D VA N TA G E S O F I N F O R M A T I O N
TECHNOLOGY
o Elimination of Jobs - By implementing IT systems into a company, tasks take
less time, and therefore, employees have more time throughout the day.
Paperwork is processed and filed immediately, reports are generated with the
touch of a button, and financial statements are generated automatically.
Companies are finding that they can combine jobs and need a smaller staff to
operate fully.
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W H AT I S I N F O R M AT I O N A N D
C O M M U N I C AT I O N T E C H N O L O G Y
(ICT)?
o ICT is the technology required for information processing, in particular, the
use of electronic computers, communication devices, and software
applications to convert, store, protect, process, transmit and retrieve
information from anywhere, anytime.
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W H AT I S I N F O R M AT I O N A N D
C O M M U N I C AT I O N T E C H N O L O G Y
(ICT)?
o Information refers to the knowledge
obtained from reading, investigation, study,
or research. We need information to make
decisions and to predict the future. For
example, scientists can detect the formation
of a tsunami using the latest technology
and warn the public to avoid disasters in
the affected areas.
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W H AT I S I N F O R M AT I O N A N D
C O M M U N I C AT I O N T E C H N O L O G Y
(ICT)?
o Communication is an act of transmitting messages. It is a process whereby
information is exchanged between individuals using symbols, signs, or verbal
interactions. Previously, people communicated through signs or symbols,
performing drama and poetry. With the advent of technology, these ‘older’
forms of communication are less utilized as compared to the use of the Internet,
e-mail, or video conferencing.
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W H AT I S I N F O R M AT I O N A N D
C O M M U N I C AT I O N T E C H N O L O G Y
(ICT)?
o Technology is the use of scientific
knowledge, experience, and resources to
create processes and products that fulfill
human needs. Technology is vital in
communication.
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U S E S O F I C T I N O U R DA I LY L I V E S
o Communication - Nowadays people are in touch with the help of ICT.
Through chatting, E-mail, voice mail, and social networking people
communicate with each other. It is the cheapest means of communication. It
also provides students from remote areas access to expert teachers and
learning resources and gives administrators and policymakers the data and
expertise they need to work more efficiently.
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U S E S O F I C T I N O U R DA I LY L I V E S
o Job Opportunities - In the employment sector, ICT enables organizations to
operate more efficiently, so employing staff with ICT skills is vital to the smooth
running of any business. Being able to use ICT systems effectively allows
employees more time to concentrate on areas of their job role that require soft
skills. For example, many pharmacies use robot technology to assist with
picking prescribed drugs. This allows highly trained pharmaceutical staff to
focus on jobs requiring human intelligence and interaction, such as dispensing
and checking medication.
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U S E S O F I C T I N O U R DA I LY L I V E S
o Education - Schools use a diverse set of ICT tools to communicate, create,
disseminate, store, and manage information. In some contexts, ICT has also
become integral to the teaching-learning interaction, through such approaches
as replacing chalkboards with interactive digital whiteboards, using students’
own smartphones or other devices for learning during class time, and the
“flipped classroom” model where students watch lectures at home on the
computer and use classroom time for more interactive exercises.
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U S E S O F I C T I N O U R DA I LY L I V E S
o Socializing - The internet and social media provide young people with a range
of benefits, and opportunities to empower themselves in a variety of ways.
Young people can maintain social connections and support networks that
otherwise wouldn't be possible and can access more information than ever
before. The communities and social interactions young people form online can
be invaluable for bolstering and developing young people's self-confidence
and social skills.
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P O S I T I V E I M PAC T S O F I C T
o Access to information: Increase in access to information and services that has
accompanied the growth of the Internet. Some of the positive aspects of this
increased access are better, and often cheaper, communications, such as VoIP
phones and Instant Messaging. Improved access to education, e.g. distance
learning and online tutorials. New ways of learning, e.g. interactive multi-media
and virtual reality.
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P O S I T I V E I M PAC T S O F I C T
o New tools, new opportunities: ICT gives access to new tools that did not
previously exist: digital cameras, photo-editing software, and high-quality
printers, screen magnification or screen reading software enables partially
sighted or blind people to work with ordinary text rather than Braille.
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P O S I T I V E I M PAC T S O F I C T
o Communication: Cost savings by using e.g. VoIP instead of the normal
telephone, email, messaging instead of post, video conferencing instead of
traveling to meetings, e-commerce web sites instead of sales catalogs. Access
to larger, even worldwide, markets.
o Information management: Data mining of customer information to produce
lists for targeted advertising. Improved stock control, resulting in less wastage,
better cash flow, etc.
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P O S I T I V E I M PAC T S O F I C T
o Security: ICT solves or reduces some security problems, e.g. Encryption
methods can keep data safe from unauthorized people, both while it is being
stored or while it is being sent electronically.
o Distance learning: students can access teaching materials from all over the
world.
o Creation of new more interesting jobs. Examples would be systems analysts,
programmers, and software engineers, as well as help desk operators and
trainers.
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N E G AT I V E I M PAC T S O F I C T
o Job loss: Manual operations are being replaced by automation. e.g. robots
replacing people on an assembly line. Job export. e.g. Data processing work
being sent to other countries where operating costs are lower. Multiple workers
are being replaced by a smaller number who are able to do the same amount
of work. e.g.
o A worker at a supermarket checkout can serve more customers per hour if a
bar-code scanner linked to a computerized till is used to detect goods instead
of the worker having to enter the item and price manually
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N E G AT I V E I M PAC T S O F I C T
o Reduced personal interaction: Most people need some form of social
interaction in their daily lives and if they do not get the chance to meet and talk
with other people they may feel isolated and unhappy.
o Reduced physical activity: This can lead to health problems such as obesity,
heart disease, and diabetes.
o Cost: A lot of ICT hardware and software is expensive, both to purchase and to
maintain. An ICT system usually requires specialist staff to run them and there is
also the challenge of keeping up with ever-changing technology.
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N E G AT I V E I M PAC T S O F I C T
o Competition: this is usually thought of as being a good thing, but for some
organizations being exposed to greater competition can be a problem. If the
organization is competing for customers, donations, or other means of funding
nationally or even internationally, they may lose out to other organizations that
can offer the same service for less money.
T H A N K YO U
