SOCIAL INFORMATICS

MODULE 3
 (15 Marks)
IT and Society
In recent years, information technology has become significant to the process of
economic development. Information technology is utilized in almost all areas such
as education, industry, health, agriculture, design, manufacturing, business,
military, etc. IT has now become an integral part of every business. Modern
business organizations use IT for managing, processing, storing and presenting the
data efficiently and speedily. Information technology plays a key role in
education. Many educational institutions now offer online classes that can be
accessed on computers or laptops, tablets, and even mobile phones. It has
facilitated cheap communication using e-mail and social networking. It also plays
a major role in the fields of finance, health care, security, etc. Apart from
corporate and business use, IT plays a major role in the personal life of millions of
people. People can connect to millions of other people, their friends, relatives and
family members in just a matter of few minutes with IT.
Digital Divide (2 Marks 2022, 1 Mark 2021)

Digital divide is a social issue that divides the world into two camps,
those who have access to the internet and other advanced information
technologies and those who don't. The term digital divide or digital
split is used to describe the discrepancy between people who have
access to and the resources to use new information and communication
tools, such as the internet, and people who do not have the resources
and access to new information and communication tools.
IT for National Integration (4 Marks 2021)
National integration is the awareness of a common identity amongst the
citizens of a country. India is a very large country having the second largest
population in the world. A unique feature of our country is that all the major
religions of the world are practiced here like Hinduism, Islam, Christianity,
Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism etc. There are also great varieties in costume,
food habits, and social customs. Geographically our land is diverse and there
are amazing differences in climate. Despite all these differences India is a
political entity, every part of which is governed under the same Constitution.
Unity is our strength. United we stand, divided we fall. Our unity is related
to prosperity. The power of information technology has helped our nation to
achieve economic prosperity. IT helps economic growth and brings the
whole country together as one nation.
 Applications of IT

Information technology is a general term that describes any technology

that helps to produce, manipulate, store, communicate or disseminate
information. Information technology plays a vital role in most of our
daily activities. Information technology has applications in almost all
aspects of our daily life including education, health care, business, trade,
commerce, defense, etc.
1. IT Applications in Medicine (4 Marks 2022)
Information technology plays an important role in medicine. For example,
the imaging techniques is vital in diagnosis of diseases. A scanner takes a
series of pictures of the body by means of Magnetic Resonance Imaging
(MRI). A computer then combines the pictures to produce detailed three-
dimensional images of the body's organs. In addition, the MRI produces
images that show changes in body and blood flow. Computer software is
used for diagnosis of diseases. It can be used for the examination of
internal organs of the body. Some of the complex surgeries can be
performed with the help of computers. Computer-assisted Surgery (CAS)
is a fast-advancing field in medicine, which combines medical expertise
with computer intelligence to give faster and more accurate results in
surgical procedures. In CAS, a model of the patient is created, and then
analyzed prior to surgery. Today, it is possible to obtain experts' opinions
within seconds by means of the internet. Medical professionals sitting on
opposite sides of the globe can communicate within minutes with the help
of the internet.
Doctors can exchange images and messages in seconds and derive
conclusions speedily. They can seek advice and share knowledge in a
convenient manner over the internet. Medical practitioners can discuss
medical issues in medical forums, they can blog, write articles, and
contribute to medical journals available online. It is due to computer
networking technology that network communication has become easy.
Doctors and nurses can monitor the patients admitted in hospitals through
webcam. Expert doctors can be consulted through video conferencing. IT
provides the development of electronic medical records in hospitals. This
technology can condense medical information into a single database. It
reduces paper costs and allows healthcare providers to access pertinent
patient information easily.
2. IT Applications in Healthcare
A new term, Health Information Technology (HIT) is widely used in
healthcare industry. Health information technology is the area of IT
involving the design, development, creation, use and maintenance of
information systems for the healthcare industry.
Automated and interoperable healthcare information systems are expected
to lower costs, improve efficiency and reduce error, providing better
patient care and service.
The electronic medical record (EMR) is the central component of the
health IT infrastructure. Doctors often require information about a patient's
family history, physical ailments in the family (if any), already diagnosed
diseases and prescribed medicines. This information can be stored in a
computer database.
They can be used to store information about the medicines prescribed, the
medicines which the patient is allergic to are stored in an electronic format.
Computer systems are also used for hospital administration, including
hospital admissions scheduling, billing and payroll, facility scheduling and
inventory control. Another advantage of medical IT is online access to
health insurance companies.
3. IT Applications in Business
Information technology is all about storing, manipulating, distributing
and processing information. Information technology (IT) has become a
vital and integral part of every business organisation. From multi-
national corporations who maintain mainframe systems and databases to
small businesses that own a single computer, IT plays a role. Information
technology is used in all the areas of business activity.

i) MARKETING
Marketers use IT systems to collect information on the type of
customers, what kinds of things they are buying, why they are buying
them, and what can be done to encourage them to buy more or to
increase customer loyalty. These analysis programs can be complex and
are charted through IT programs. Graphic design and advertising
campaigns are also created using IT system. Businesses increase their
income through these methods of advertising.
ii) ACCOUNTING
Computerized accounting system is used in all modern business
organizations. A good accounting package will allow an accountant to
check for errors, run automatic analysis programs and send consolidated
financial data to the executives, in a timely manner.

iii) COMMUNICATION
e-mail is the principal means of communication between
employees, suppliers and customers. Email is a simple and inexpensive
means to communicate. The modern tools of communication includes
instant messaging system, online meeting tools and video-conferencing
systems. Voice over internet protocol (VOIP), telephones & smart-
phones offer high-tech ways for communication.

iv) INVENTORY MANAGEMENT

Organizations need to maintain enough stock to meet demand
without investing in more than they require. Inventory management
systems track the quantity of each item a company maintains, triggering
an order of additional stock when the quantities fall below a pre-
determined amount.
v) DATA MANAGEMENT
Today, most companies store digital versions of documents on servers and
storage devices. These documents become instantly available to everyone
in the company, regardless of their geographical location. So there is
effective data management through IT.

vi) ELECTRONIC DATA INTERCHANGE(EDI)

EDI facilitates exchange of orders between different businesses and allows
Just In Time (JIT) stock ordering. Businesses place orders electronically
once production schedules have been set for the next period.

vii) CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems capture every
interaction a company has with a customer, so that a more enriching
experience is possible. If a customer calls a call centre with an issue, the
customer support representative will be able to see what the customer has
purchased, view shipping information, call up the training manual for that
item and effectively respond to the issue. The entire interaction is stored in
the CRM system, to make the further transactions smoother.
4. IT Applications in Commerce
Commerce is a branch of business which is concerned with the exchange of
goods and services. It includes buying and selling of goods, transporting them
to the places of requirement, warehousing, banking, insurance, advertising and
such other activities relating to exchange. Technology plays a vital role in
commerce. Every aspect of commerce is heavily influenced by technology.
The influence of IT in commerce is the development of e-commerce.
Electronic commerce or e-commerce is buying and selling of goods and
services on the internet, especially the World Wide Web. It is the use of
internet and the web to transact business. For example, one is able to buy an
airline ticket, download music or book just by giving credit card number and
clicking the download button in a webpage, transfer money from one account
to another, etc. The most attractive element of e- commerce is that the websites
are available 24 x 7 which means you are able to transact business 24 hours a
day, seven days a week. Handheld computers will often be used by the
couriers to scan the product that is being transported to prove it has been
picked up and register it in their personal computer system so it can be kept
track of during the transporting procedure. The customer is provided with
information to track the progress of the item in transit. Computers also uses
GPS navigational systems to ensure whatever is being transported is picked up
from the correct location.
5. IT Applications in Industry
Information technology has influenced every sphere of our life in one
way or other. Computers are making human life easier and comfortable.
Computers are helping to design, analyse and manufacture the product
with short span of time.

i) DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING

Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacture
(CAM) are two systems that are widely used in manufacturing business.
CAD helps to design products on computers, rather than having to create
endless drawings. The system can create realistic 3D images of the
finished product. CAD also allows virtual testing of the product before it
is actually made, reducing lead times and minimising waste in new
product development. Benefits of CAM include improved quality,
reduced wastage, faster production and less reliance on labour.
ii) AUTOMATION
Automation is the use of machines, control systems and information
technology to optimize productivity in the production of goods and
delivery of services. Automation is "a technique of automatically
controlled operation of an apparatus, process or system by mechanical
or electronic devices instead of human beings."

iii) PRODUCT DESIGN CYCLE

Computer is used in the complete development life cycle of the product.

iv) COMPUTER INTEGRATED MANUFACTURING

Modern industries use information technology and factory automation to
improve manufacturing operations. This combination of information
technology and factory automation is often called computer- integrated
manufacturing.
6. IT Applications in Defence (2 Marks 2022)
Right from designing to testing of arms, other equipments etc.
computers are used. Almost all of the modern weapons and other
defence equipment involve computers for their proper functioning.
Computers have been applied in all areas of defence throughout the
world. More and more use of computerized weapon systems is being
made by the advanced countries, thereby making them more effective.
On ground, in air and under water, computers have found innumerable
applications in defence.
The need for accurate and timely information is vital for defence.
Computers with their high speed and unlimited storage have
tremendously changed the concept of warfare.
7. IT Applications in Law
IT is used in law, to ease the tasks and reduce the paper works.
i) LEGAL RESEARCH
One of the most important uses of computers in the legal profession is
conducting legal research. The legal projects require extensive legal research,
including references to previous judgments. Now, online legal databases of case
laws, legal forms etc. are available.
ii) MANAGEMENT
The increased use of computers in the legal workplace has changed the way law
firms are managed. For example, traditionally client case tracking was done
using a calendar. Now, cases are tracked and filing deadlines are recorded
electronically.
iii) ELECTRONIC DOCUMENTS
The important legal documents are scanned and stored in computer systems and
they are presented in electronic format itself to the other party.
iv) SOLICITATION
Websites of many lawyers provide valuable general information such as
explanations of legal rights and the legal process. Some websites allow a
potential client to directly e-mail or chat with a legal professional before
scheduling a consultation. Lawyers also uses social networking platforms to
communicate with current and prospective clients.
8. IT Applications in Crime Detection
Computers are used to hold databases of information, to run
sophisticated software that can recognize faces or identify fingerprints.

i) DATABASES
Computer technology allows law enforcement services to store and
retrieve vast amounts of data. This information can include details of
incident reports, criminals' descriptions, fingerprints and other
identifying marks. Another crucial pool of information is DNA data
taken from suspects. DNA databases allow samples of DNA taken from
suspects to be matched with samples taken from crime scenes.

ii) SHARING INFORMATION

Computers are invaluable tool for communication between individuals
and law enforcement agencies. Documents, photographs and other
material can be sent almost instantaneously from one location to
another, saving valuable time.
iii) TRACKING
Advanced global positioning satellite (GPS) technology and cell
phone ubiquity has provided law enforcement officials with
additional resources to track and investigate criminal activity.
Vehicles equipped with GPS equipment can be tracked as long as the
device remains activated.

iv) COMPUTATIONAL FORENSICS

Computational forensics or Cyber Forensics (CF) is an umbrella
term for a large number of computing practices that assist crime
scene investigators such as 3D modelling, signal processing,
graphical analysis and even robotics. It involve sophisticated
comparisons of DNA samples or fingerprints in a large database in
search of a match.
9. IT Applications in Publishing
Now almost all news papers and magazines have online versions of their
print versions. In fact, it is a multimedia version of their printed content.
An online newspaper is the online version of a newspaper, either as a
stand-alone publication or as the online version of a printed periodical.
Online newspapers, Journals and magazines are also made available
digitally on the Web. Online news papers can be classified into two:
Online-only newspapers (does not have hard copy connections)
Hybrid newspapers (online and limited hard copy publishing)
10. IT Applications in Communication
We are in the midst of a third major revolution in human civilization.
First there was the Agricultural Revolution, then the Industrial
Revolution, and now we are in the Information Revolution. Basically,
information technology has two parts - computer technology and
communication technology. Computer technology provides the basis
for processing of data to convert it into useful information.
Communication technology, also called telecommunication technology,
consist of electronic devices and systems for communication over long
distance. The invention of the telephone by Alexander Graham Bell in
the year 1875 was the first technological invention that impacted
communication to a massive extent. Other subsequent inventions like
the internet, cell phones, etc., further eased and changed the
communication process.
Computer Based Communication Systems:- An automated communication
system that uses a computer for disseminating information can be called a
computer based communication system. Some of the IT based communication
tools are:-

i) INTERNET
Internet is a global connection of inter-connected networks which can be accessed
by anyone throughout the world. It is the world's largest computer network. It is
accessible to individuals, companies, colleges, government agencies and other
institutions all over the world. Communication over internet includes e-mail,
chatting, social networking, video conferencing, etc.

ii) MOBILE PHONE

A mobile phone is a wireless handheld device that allows users to make calls and
send text messages, among other features. It is often referred to as a cellular phone
or cell phone. Mobile phones connect to a wireless communications network
through radio wave or satellite transmissions. mobile phones provide voice
communications, Short Message Service (SMS), Multimedia Message Service
(MMS), web browsing and e-mail.

iii) CHAT
Chat, via instant messaging or community chat rooms, allows users to do quick,
short message transmission in real time. The messages are usually just a couple of
sentences long most popularly used by people.
iv) FAX (Facsimile)
A fax (short for facsimile and sometimes called telecopying) is the telephonic
transmission of scanned-in printed material (text or images), usually to a telephone
number associated with a printer or other output device. Fax machine is a
telephonic transmission device that uses a telephone line to receive or send texts
and pictures.

v) VIDEO CONFERENCING
Video conferencing is a telecommunication technology that allows users in
different locations to hold face-to-face meetings without moving to a single
location. It integrates video and audio to connect users anywhere in the world as if
they are in the same room. Each user or group of users who are participating in a
video conference typically must have a computer, camera, microphone, video
screen and a sound system.

vi) SOCIAL NETWORKING

A valuable gift that the Internet has given us is including Facebook, Twitter and
Linkedln allow the social networking sites. These websites allows users to create a
profile representing themselves, and post status updates and pictures of
themselves. They can also add friends to their profile. This helps people stay
connected to each other and effectively communicate with one another.
11. IT Applications in Resource Management
Resource management is the efficient and effective deployment of an
organization's resources when they are needed. Such resources may include
financial resources, inventory, human resources or production resource.
Anyone who manages people and other resources is a resource manager.
A resource manager's ultimate goal is to ensure that the available business assets
and resources are efficiently used. The ideal situation is a utilization of 100% of
the resources. The resource manager requires a good view of what is coming up
and creating short-term, mid-term and long-term resource plans. Here, he uses the
computer for the effective and efficient utilization of resources.
IT allows us to store and retrieve large amounts of information quickly and
inexpensively. Different computers-based programs are used to calculate the
salaries, wages, bonuses and other benefits. These programs provide all the
necessary information about each and every employee of the organization.
Accounting software is extensively used for managing and accounting finance.
Computer controlled inventory management system, Enterprise Resource
Planning (ERP) system, etc. are used by business organizations.
12. IT Application in Weather Forecasting
Weather forecasting is a prediction of what the weather will be like in
an hour, tomorrow, or next week. Weather forecasting involves a
combination of computer models, observations, and knowledge of
trends and patterns. Weather forecasting is the application of science
and technology to predict the state of the atmosphere for a given
location. Human beings have attempted to predict the weather from
olden days. Computer based weather forecasting depends on accurate
collection of data from weather stations, airports, satellites and
different sensitive devices all around the world.
13. IT Applications in Education (15 Marks)
Information and Communication Technology (ICT), especially internet plays
an important role in education. Imparting education has become easier and
much more interesting than before. Large chunks of data can be stored in
computers. They enable quick processing of data with very less or no chances
of errors in processing.
The advantages of computers include:
1. Storage of information
2. Quick data processing
3. Audio-visual aids in teaching
4. Better presentation of information
5. Access to the internet
6. Quick communication between students, teachers and parents
Computer teaching plays a key role in the modern education system. Students
find it easier to refer to the internet than searching for information in fat books.
The internet can be used to refer to information on different subjects. Both
teachers and students benefit from the internet. Education is no longer
limited to classrooms. Even if students and teachers are not in the same
premises, they can very well communicate with one another.
Significance of IT in Education
i) Access to many resources
ii) Fast access to information
iii) Any time learning
iv) Collaborative learning - study in groups. complete a task in groups.
v) Multimedia approach - Audio-visual education makes learning easy and
interesting.
vi) Authentic and up to date information - Internet operate on common
standards and provides true and correct information
vii) Online library - plenty of data is available in this online library.
viii)Distance learning - ICT have opened up new possibilities for distance
learning
ix) Better access to children with disabilities- IT provides various software and
techniques to educate them.
14. IT Applications in Film
Computers have become integral to the timely creation movies. They are used in
various ways during development, pre-production, production and post-
production. The film industry provides the opportunity to combine the creativity
of the artist with the power of computer technology to produce excellent movies.
A movie begins with an idea. The source of the idea may be a book, an article or a
newspaper story. Then the screen play and the script are prepared. The present film
industry cannot sustain without the aid of computers.
i) SCREENPLAY
Today, screen plays are not hand written, and most screenwriters use a variety of
computer programs that will automatically format text into a screenplay.
ii) PRE-PRODUCTION
Once a shooting script has been prepared, then the production activities of
preparing budget, preschedule, location chart, properties, etc. are set with the aid
of computers.
iii) PRODUCTION
The actual shooting of a movie may occur at the studio, on location, or a
combination of both. Through computer support, producers at the major studios
get daily reports on the previous day's expenditures for a particular feature.
Computer technology is also used during production to assist in the generation of
the animated images seen on the screen. Animation techniques can be divided
into two categories: 2-D animation and 3-D animation.
iv) POST-PRODUCTION
The post-production phase of movie making consists of creating and adding special
visual effects and titles, adding music and sound effects, and, finally, processing,
editing, and printing the finished product in the motion picture laboratory.
v) SPECIAL EFFECTS
There is an entire division of special effects called Computer Generated Imagery
(CGI) that uses computers to place creatures, backgrounds and more into movies
that cannot be created in real life.
vi) EDITING
Modern editors use a computer to go through a movie frame by frame and scene by
scene and can cut and move very precisely with the click of a mouse.
vii) MUSIC
The soundtrack of a movie helps create suspense, energy and tension during key
points. The music is often created in a studio by real musicians and orchestras and
recorded by computers, so it can be modified and fine-tuned using computer
programming.
15. IT Applications in Media
For most of the people today, the media is the main source of knowledge and
entertainment in their everyday lives. Media consists of both print media and
electronic media.
Print media refers to forms of media that disseminates printed matter. They
include newspapers and magazines. Print media are portable, disposable
publications printed on paper and circulated as physical copies in the form of
books, newspapers, magazines and newsletters.
Electronic media is media that uses electronics or electromechanical energy for
the audience to access the content. Video recordings, audio recordings,
multimedia presentations, slide, etc. can be accessed through electronic media.
Television, radio, and internet are the common forms of electronic media.
Both the print media and electronic media use computers extensively from pre-
production to distribution.
 Artificial Intelligence (1 Marks 2022)
A branch of Computer Science named Artificial intelligence pursues creating the
computers or machines as intelligent as human beings.

Applications of AI
i) Heavy Industries: The entire manufacturing process is now totally automated,
controlled and maintained by a computer system in the auto mobile
manufacturing units. They carry out dangerous tasks like handling hazardous
radioactive materials. Japan is the leading country in the world in terms of
robotics research and use.
ii) Finance: Banks use intelligent software applications analyze financial data.
Software programs that can predict trends in the stock market tends beat
humans in predictive power.
iii) Aviation: Airlines use expert systems in planes to monitor atmospheric
conditions and system status. The plane can be put on auto pilot once a course
is set for the destination.
iv) Weather Forecast: Neural networks are used for predicting weather conditions.
Previous data is fed to a neural network which learns the pattern and uses that
knowledge to predict weather patterns
v) Games: Now machines are available that can play master level chess. There is
some AI in them. They play well against people mainly through brute force
computation - looking at hundreds of thousands of positions in a split of a
second.
 Virtual Reality
Virtual reality can be defined as an upcoming technology that makes
users feel in a Virtual Environment (VE) by using computer hardware
and software. Virtual reality is an artificial environment created with
computer hardware and software and presented to the user in such a way
that it appears and feels like a real environment. It is a three-
dimensional, computer generated environment which can be explored
and interacted with by a person
 Bio-Computing (1 Marks 2022)
Bio-computing (Biologically Inspired Computing) can be defined as
the use of computers in biological research. Bio-computing techniques
have been used successfully to find solutions to difficult problems in a
wide range of areas such as classification and decision making, pattern
recognition, non-linear dynamics (modeling), computer security,
biometrics, time series prediction, image processing, and many more.
It is the application of computing to problems in biology, biochemistry,
and genetics.
What is Electronic Waste (e-waste)?
Electronic waste, or e-waste, is a term for electronic products that have
become unwanted, non-working or obsolete, and have essentially
reached the end of their useful life. Because technology advances at
such a high rate, many electronic devices become "trash" after a few
short years of use.
Electronic waste is not just waste, it contains some very toxic
substances, such as mercury, lead, cadmium, arsenic, etc. The toxic
materials in electronics can cause cancer, reproductive disorders,
and many other health problems, if this waste stream is not
properly managed. Environmental scientists emphasize on 3R
(reduce, recycle and reuse) process as an alternative to the present e-
waste management practice.
Management of e-waste
1. Acquisition of only essentially required quantity
2. Proper organisation
3. Give away or donate any usable item
4. Take them back to store
5. Sale of old equipments
6. Learn about the local recycling options
7. Educate one self
 (1 Marks 2021,22,
4 Marks 2022)
What is Green Computing?
Green computing, also known as green technology is the
environmentally responsible and eco-friendly use of computers and
related resources.
In broader terms, it is also defined as the study of designing,
manufacturing/engineering, using and disposing of computing devices
in a way that reduces their environmental impact. Such practices
include the implementation of energy-efficient central processing units
(CPUs), servers and peripherals as well as reduced resource
consumption and proper disposal of electronic waste (e-waste)
The goals of green computing are to reduce the use of hazardous
materials, maximize energy efficiency during the product's lifetime, and
promote the recyclability or biodegradability of de - functioning
products.
To promote green computing concepts at all possible levels, the
following four complementary approaches are employed:
i) Green use: Minimizing the electricity consumption of computers
and their peripheral devices and using them in an eco-friendly
manner
ii) Green disposal: Re-purposing an existing computer or
appropriately disposing of or recycling, unwanted electronic
equipment
iii) Green design: Designing energy-efficient computers, servers,
printers, projectors and other digital devices
iv) Green manufacturing: Minimizing waste during the
manufacturing of computers and other subsystems to reduce the
environmental impact of these activities
An ordinary computer user can employ the following general tactics to
follow green computing
i)Use the hibernate or sleep mode when away from a computer for
extended periods
ii) Use flat-screen or LCD monitors, instead of conventional cathode
ray tube (CRT) monitors
iii) Buy energy efficient notebook computers, instead of desktop
computers
iv) Activate the power management features for controlling energy
consumption
v) Make proper arrangements for safe electronic waste disposal
vi) Turn off computers at the end of each day
vii) Refill printer cartridges, rather than buying new ones.