Trends, Networks, and Critical Thinking in the 21st Century Culture

STUDY GUIDE (Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

Kumusta ge? Det kagkaham or shall I say, how are you? Look at the things
around you. Do you know that through technology, it has made learning, making
friends, having fun, and interacting so much easier than ever before? Whenever our
grandparents tell about their life, they always mention how their youthful years
formed the foundation for life ahead. It is thus concern that the youth today are being
affected by the technology in all areas of their lives.

Activity: Hanapin mo ako!

Directions. Take a look around you! Identify and list down at least 10 things that
you considered as technology advancement. Write your answer on the separate
sheet. Pass your activity on my Messenger (online students).
1. ______________________ 6. ______________________
2. ______________________ 7. ______________________
3. ______________________ 8. ______________________
4. ______________________ 9. ______________________
5. ______________________ 10. _____________________

Which among the things you have listed is the most advance and the least advance
technology?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________.

Have you found difficulties in selecting which is the most and the least advance
technology? Why or why not?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

Technology - a manner of accomplishing a task especially using technical processes,

methods, or knowledge.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT)– the tools and the processes
to access, retrieve, store, organized, manipulate, produced, present and exchange
information by electronic and other automated means (Marquez, 2018).

Communication - a process by which information is exchanged between individuals

through a common system of symbols, signs, or behavior

Information - knowledge obtained from investigation, study, or instruction

Digital Divide – the natural consequence of advancements in ICT. It refers to the

discrepancy in people’s access and skill related to ICT.

THE HISTORY OF ICT

In placing a brief history of the development of ICT, abacus was first invented
around 3000 B.C., even though that we are aware today that it was first developed
during the early 19th century, after the discovery of electricity in 1780s.

In 1833, Charles Babbage created the initial designs of the computer

but it was not until 1931 that the first electronic calculator was assembled by
Konrad Zuse.

In 1894, Guglielmo Marconi invented which covered the development

“wireless telegraphy” of the radio in 20th century. Television had its origins from
early transmission systems developed in the late 19th century. The earliest television
transmission was made in the 1920s.

Color television was developed in 1940s and became prevalent in the 1960s.
The telephone was invented in 1876 by Alexander Graham Bell.

Mobile phone technology was introduced in the 1970s and the earliest
mobile phones were sold in the 1980s. Advancements in digital technology led to the
greater popularity of mobile phones, gaining widespread use during the early 2000s.

The late 20th century was the high time for computer development. The first
microprocessor was introduced by INTEL in 1971 and the initial versions of the
computers that we see today was manufactured by IBM in 1981.

A decade after, what can be regarded as the defining moment for ICT was the
creation of the World Wide Web - what we know today as the Internet – in 1991
by Tim Lee.

Desktop computers were made more mobile through laptops and tablets.
Mobile phones, aside from being just tools for communication, are able to integrate
other ICT innovations such as internet access, camera, AM/FM radio, television, data
storage, and calculator, among others apart from being capable of using various
software application to augment their features.

In the Philippines, you can watch the news and discussion that you hear over
the radio in television programs such as Teleradyo. Ultimately, twenty-first century
development in ICT focuses more on how ICT can be used to produce positive
impact to society.

Activity: Write NEKKA if the statement is correct and JANO if incorrect. Write your
answer on the separate sheet. Pass your activity on my Messenger (online
students).

1. In 1894, Charles Babbage created the initial design of the computer.

2. Color television had its origin from early transmission system developed in the
late 19th century.
3. In the development of ICT, the invention of abacus is the evidence that even
before Christ, technology is already existing.
4. The computer that we see today was manufactured by INTEL in 1981.
5. 21st century development in ICT focuses more on how ICT can used to
produce positive impact to society.

Activity: Knowing Me, Knowing You! Identify the following pictures below that
considered to be the product of technology evolution and write its function. Write
your answer on the separate sheet.
FUNCTIONS OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

Data Capture – Data capturing, storage and transmission is important function of

ICT. With the aid of computer devices such as hardware and software, usually data
is captured by key board, bar codes, video camera, mouse etc.

Data storage – is an issue of covering space, which depends on following factors

such as disk space availability and flexibility of ICT in terms of making the data
available for use.

Data transmission – data can be transmitted from one place to another place or
from one computer to another computer. For this purpose, various devices like
modem, cables are used. For transmitting data, various types of networks like
Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), Metropolitan Area Network
(MAN), internet, intranet, extranet etc. are used.

Data Processing – is the method of conversion of data into meaningful information.

The processing is done in sequence of operations which translates inputs such as
geographical maps, images, satellite imageries, aerial photographs or in the form
tabular data collected from in-site survey, government records or personal
observations into output in the form of dimensional model or in other visual forms.

Data Manipulation – is the process of summarizing, re-arranging, improving or

scientific designs achieved either physically or by processor software. ICT helps in
operating the information and makes new information from present information.

Data Retrieval – is the process of discovering required information. ICT supports

the recovery of information’s either in the form of features or characteristic or both
in a computer-generated form. Data can be retrieved from one source to another
source with the help of computer software.

Data Display – Data display includes presenting of information in the form of text,
graphics, audio, and video. Display can be made through computer screen,
speakers and printers. (Prasad & Prasad, 2009).

TWO CONVERGING TECHNOLOGIES OF ICT

Computation technology - it provides a capability for processing data to be

converted into information.
Communication technology - it enables the required information to be coded and
transmitted through communication channel for intended users.

SCOPE OF ICT

ICT in Agriculture
E-Agriculture is an emerging field focusing on the enhancement of agricultural
and rural development through improved information and communication processes.

ICT in Education
Teaching learning process can be made more interactive and hence resulting
in more efficient. With the help of presentations, designing and simulation several
tough topics can be taught and learned in easier way.

ICT in Society
With the help of ICT people are spending considerable time on social networks
on the virtual world through e-mail, mobile, blogs, downloading etc. This has changed
the social behavior which is the emergence of a society of digital age – the
Information Society.

ICT in Balanced Regional Growth

ICT sector can give employment and generate revenue for smaller cities by
spreading its business operations to those cities. It can assist in improving the
supply of talent pool and development of physical and social infrastructure.

ICT in Corporate Governance

Global exposure has created good corporate governance practices with the IT
companies. This encourages other industries to follow better governance and
embrace higher standards of disclosure.

ICT in Healthcare
Health area can have several critical and important ICT solutions like tele-
medicine consultation in rural areas, consultation from expert doctors through
teleconferencing or video conferencing, reports can be send to the doctor through
email etc.

ICT in Banking and Insurance

Banks and insurance agents have diversified into Mutual funds, retail banking,
and merchant banking and so on. This has in turn led to computerization of
information related to all the banking transaction such as e-banking in order to
save time and to have effective utilization of available information.

ICT in Business Communication

Invention of computers, the miniaturization of electronics and the development
of wireless communication have all altered the business world. Business
communication, in particular, has seen some of the greatest advancements due to
technological developments.

Activity: Give examples in each scope of ICT and briefly explain in 3-5 sentences.
Pass your activity on my Messenger (online students).

1. ICT in Agriculture 5. ICT in Corporate Governance

2. ICT in Education 6. ICT in Healthcare
3. ICT in Society 7. ICT in Banking and Insurance
4. ICT in Balanced Regional Growth 8. ICT in Business Communication

BENEFITS OF ICT

A. Facilitating public and private sector activities areas such as in:

1. Public Administration - ICT brings transparency and efficiency in the

administrative work. Online working system will leave no scope for laziness and
dishonesty in work.
2. Urban and Rural Development - telecentres in rural areas can facilitate
economic liberation. Mobile telephony can also help rural entrepreneurs in keeping in
touch with their market outside their communities.
3. Transport - used to improve road, air and rail transportation. These operations
include payment for parking meters, identification of authorized parking space
occupants.

B. Improving the quality of life for citizens in:

1. Health - it supports efficient exchange of information between health

professionals, enable transfer of patient records between sites, telemedicine and
thus, improve clinical effectiveness, continuity, and quality of care by health
professionals.
2. Special Needs (for the Physically Challenged) - be extremely useful in
providing access to communication, education and open up opportunities for them.
Examples are Braille keyboards can help visually impaired or blind people, Short
Message Service (SMS) can be used to send and receive messaged by the hearing
impaired, the voice activated dialing service can be used by visually impaired.
3. Education - it helps in facilitating learning and exchange of educational materials.
The online learning system is another web-based application that is revolutionizing
the learning platform of education.
4. Environment – it helps collecting data about environmental issues. They allow
access to information and provide support system to manage and monitor
environmental issues.
5. Agriculture - can be used to impart information directly to farmers and the
farming community. It can handle agricultural issues such as water utilization and
management, pest control, harvest management and so forth.

C. Facilitating Activities in the Business Sector such as:

1. Manufacturing - linking the process chains in manufacturing as opposed to

improving or facilitating single steps in the production lines. The mass production of
goods and services is gradually giving way to a network-based production and
manufacturing system.
2. Electronic Commerce - Electronic commerce (e-commerce) is the use of
internet or telecommunications to carry out business of any type. Common examples
of e-commerce are online shopping, online banking, online stock trading
etc.
3. Travel and Tourism - It is used to provide multimedia information about
destination to prospective travelers. With the aid of ICT applications, prospective
travelers can view a destination, book accommodation, book the flight and other
forms of transport and pay for all these without leaving their homes.

IMPACT OF ICT
The impact of information technology can be visualized at local, national, regional
and global level both in positive and negative form. The followings are the major
affected areas due to information technology.
 Smartphones and Internet connection have significantly contributed to the
transformation of collective action. Easy Internet access through smartphone has
given people from all classes equal opportunities to mobilize and spread information
and other services. People perceived as marginalized now find more courage in
reaching out to those in the mainstream by connecting with sociopolitical movements
with similar interests online.

Aside from the traditional sociopolitical movements or Social Movement

Organizations (SMO), Internet-based movements which are highly dependent on
online propagation and e-movements, arising entirely online have emerged. Their
operations somewhat differ from the traditional SMO in the sense that the former
possess a Collaborative Innovation Network (CoIN) which refers to a highly motivated
group with a collective vision and is aided by the Web in attaining a common goal
through fast information and work exchanges.

Impact of ICT in Various International Events

Arab Spring

This phenomenon in the Arab world was inadvertently sparked by Mohammad

Bouazazi, a street vendor in Tunisia who set himself on fire in 2010 to protest after
a council inspector confiscated his vegetable stall. News about this spread and others
saw this as an opportunity to protest against the larger socioeconomic ills of the
country. Soon, the ensuing riots overthrew the dictatorship of the president.

The Arab Spring, as what it is now known, brought about destabilization and
disturbed the order in some Arab authoritarian countries particularly Tunisia, Egypt,
Libya, and Yemen. Several awakenings, protests, and uprisings erupted in many Arab
countries in the years that followed. Syria, for one, is now in a bloody civil war with
rebels trying to oust the regime of Bashar al-Assad.

One of the factors perceived to have contributed to such political upheaval was
ICT. Through television, Internet, smartphones, Facebook, Twitter, blogs, and other
social media outlets, the world became aware of the protests which eventually
snowballed and gave people the courage to act against dictatorships. The causes of
protests varied: economic failure, rampant corruption, act against security forces,
and demand for more liberal and democratic way of governance. The unfolding events
in Tunisia were watched by its neighboring countries and seemed to have inspired
them.

The use of Facebook, SMS (text messaging), and Twitter enabled users to
sustain interest and eventually moved them to action. Facebook allowed people to
express their political beliefs without fear of apprehension by state authorities. Like-
minded Facebook users established citizen networks with political objectives.

In Libya, the reporting about the civil war and subsequent NATO and UN
intervention was conducted using social media technology in the absence of
professional journalists who were banned in Libya. In Bahrain, the situation was
different. The government co-opted the media by asking for help in identifying some
leading protesters. It took the opportunity of political divisions which weakened the
protesters. Thus, no change of regime occurred in Bahrain.

A Pew Research Center article noted, “Social media indeed played a part in the
Arab uprisings. Networks formed online were crucial in organizing a core group of
activists, specifically in Egypt. Civil society leaders in Arab countries emphasized the
role of ‘the internet, mobile phones, and social media in the protests. Additionally,
digital media has been used by Arabs to exercise freedom of speech and as a space
for civic engagement.”

Since 2011, the goals of many Arab Spring protesters have been denied as
autocratic governments regain power and crack down on civil liberties. Nonetheless,
the uprisings have shown the power of mass demonstrations and peaceful protest,
as well as the ability of social media to both fuel protest and communicate its goals
to the outside world. The tumult of the Arab Spring also showed autocratic
governments—and the rest of the world—that millions of people living in Islamic
nations believe in free expression and democratic governance.

Terrorism
Extremists and terrorist groups have also used ICT, especially websites,
Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter, to further illegal and destructive acts and recruit
members and adherents. Jihadist groups such as Al-Qaeda and the so-called Islamic
State (IS) are two notable terror groups that have used ICT.

The IS, in particular, seems to have members who are well-versed in using
ICT in their operations. They produce well-scripted and choreographed videos and
recorded executions. They also have an online presence through Instagram, and they
publish an online monthly magazine. In addition, they utilize online messaging
services, even launching a hashtag campaign, among others. An article in Popular
Science noted, “From its start, social media has been integral to ISIS’s rise. It enables
ISIS militants to raise its prestige among terror groups and overtake older jihadist
competitors like Al-Qaeda. It serves to coordinate troops and win battles. And it
allows the group to administer the territory under its control.”

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/world/world-others/a-70-page-islamic-
state-terror-manual-found-online/

Cyberterrorism, a term coined by Barry Collin in 1997, means “unlawful

threats of attack against computers, networks, and the information stored therein to
intimidate or coerce a government and its people in furtherance of political or social
objectives.” This premeditated and politically motivated violence is aimed at
noncombatant targets by clandestine agents. There are at least four elements which
characterize cyberterrorism:

1. Politically motivated attacks leading to death or physical injury;

2. Cyber-attacks causing fear and/or bodily harm from cyber-attack techniques;
3. Attacks against critical information infrastructures such as energy,
transportation, and financial and government operations, and;
4. Attacks primarily aimed at monetary profit.

However, attacks that focus on nonessential service are not considered

cyberterrorism. Terrorist groups use the Internet for hostile activities such as
hacking, disseminating negative propaganda, and promoting high-risk activities.
They likewise use the Internet for intergroup communication. Terrorist groups
manipulate cyber media to release their propaganda statements. A study on hosting
service providers such as Blogspot and Wordpress reveals that the virtual world is
damaged due to the promotion of terrorist activities. Videos of hostage-taking,
attacks, explosions, and bombing are even shown.

A study by Yulei Zhang et al. (2010) has come across 10,000 extremist
websites which developed technology to interpret the conversation and content of
forums. The cyberspace is said to have allowed asymmetric or unbalanced warfare
between, on the one hand, the perpetuators such as extremists, terrorist groups, and
cyber criminals having the capability to inflict damage; and, on the other hand, the
unsuspecting, naïve public. Terrorist groups can inflict damage or create difficult
conditions to nations. Several countries have established cybersecurity agencies to
protect their and other countries from cyberterrorism.

Keep In Mind
ICT has also been used to facilitate and inquire action against a regime, as
what happened in the Arab Spring. It is also employed by terrorist groups to create
fear and destruction to lives and countries.

While some Internet-based movements and e-movements failed for reasons

such as lack of face-to-face interaction and inability to establish and sustain
interpersonal networks, others attained success. Jamie Friedland and Kenneth
Rogerson (2009) analyzed some of the successful Internet-based social movements
and the Internet’s role in their success.

They see the Internet as having a passive nature which means that “users
discover only what they seek” and “normally find information that merely reinforces
their interests or beliefs.” Nevertheless, the Internet “streamlines the process of
political mobilization” as it allows easier interconnections among like-minded
individuals. It facilitates faster and wider spread of messages though online sites.
The leadership structure of the traditional sociopolitical movements varies from
that of e-movements. While traditional movements possess a centralized, vertically
hierarchical command structure, e-movements have a horizontal and decentralized
structure. Leaders have more liberty to act and may not necessarily be politically
engaged. Many leaders of e-movements are computer experts responsible for
starting a full-blown e-movement. They are computer-savvy individuals who are
empowered by ICT rather than political activists. These leaders are likewise
unconstrained by the limitations of traditional social movement organizations such as
experiencing pressure from members due to their unconventional leadership styles.

On the contrary, e-movements allow the leaders to practice their preferred

styles, thus providing various ways and methods if achieving the goals of the
movement. The leader may also be the member who made the best proposal as the
course of action to take. No central leadership exists in an e-movement due to its
horizontal structure. Without a traditionally rigid chain of command, members and
leaders alike of online groups of protesters connect, coordinate, and plan their actions
together in a hazy structure like that of modern terrorists’ cells (Weimann, 2006a in
Friedland and Rogerson, 2009). What binds them is a common political agenda rather
than a central leadership; hence, their flexibility and ability for evasive physical
movement and shifting strategies.

The Internet also enables SMOs to either access or bypass mainstream media.
Through low-cost, efficient, and direct communication from the SMO, the general
public and the media get to monitor its movements, which actually seek wider media
coverage. Most SMOs believe that media coverage is necessary in amplifying their
concerns to the public whose strong and sustained support can lead to the SMO’s
strength and success. They also seek to establish a well-designed and well-
maintained website where they post their messages, counter negative media
coverage, correct misconceptions, and refute criticisms. The site lends a sort of
legitimacy to the SMOs.

Information and communications technology enable groups and movements,

big and small alike, to prosper and attain success in promoting their causes even
without a centralized and hierarchical structure. The horizontal, decentralized, and
flat structure facilitates the development of sociopolitical movements whose
interconnections are based on common sociopolitical concerns, interests, and goals.

Prepared by:

JOANNA NEKKA I. DUMDUM, LPT