INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY(ICT)

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) (a) Communication Systems What Does ‘ICT’ Stand For? ICT stands for Information and Communication Technology. It encompasses technologies that provide access to information through telecommunications, computing, and other related mediums. Types of ICT ICT includes various types of communication systems categorized as follows: Broadcasting Broadcasting involves transmitting information through mediums accessible to a large audience. Radio Broadcasting: Transmitting audio programs via radio waves. Example: FM/AM radio stations. Television Broadcasting: Transmitting video and audio content to viewers. Example: News channels like CNN, BBC. Satellite Systems: Using satellites to relay broadcasting signals. Example: Direct-to-Home (DTH) television. Telecommunication Telecommunication systems transmit information over distances. Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN): Example: Traditional landline telephony. Mobile Phone Systems: Wireless communication using cellular networks. Example: GSM, CDMA technologies. Circuit Switched Packet Telephone System (CSPT): A combination of circuit-switched and packet-switched communications. Satellite Telephone Systems: Communication via satellites for remote areas. Example: Iridium satellite phones. Fixed Wireless Telephone Systems: Uses radio frequencies instead of wired connections. Data Networks Data networks enable digital communication between devices. Personal Area Network (PAN): Short-range network for personal devices. Example: Bluetooth devices. Local Area Network (LAN): Network within a small area like an office. Example: Office Wi-Fi. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN): Covers a city or large campus. Example: City-wide Wi-Fi. Wide Area Network (WAN): Spans large geographical areas. Example: The Internet. Information Systems Systems for organizing and managing data. Data Processing Systems: Automates data processing tasks. Example: Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). Global Positioning System (GPS): Provides geolocation and time information. (b) Application Areas of ICT Application Areas ICT is applied in various fields to enhance communication, efficiency, and collaboration. Teleconferencing Allows multiple participants to communicate via audio in real-time. Example: Conference calls. Videoconferencing Enables real-time video and audio communication. Example: Zoom, Microsoft Teams. Telecommuting Employees work remotely using ICT tools. Example: Cloud-based platforms like Google Workspace. (c) Internet Key Internet Concepts Definition of Internet The Internet is a global network connecting millions of private, public, academic, and government networks worldwide. Important Terms Homepage: The main page of a website. Browser: Software used to access websites. Examples: Google Chrome, Firefox. Chat Room: Virtual space for text-based communication. Cyber Café: Venue offering internet access for a fee. HTTP: Protocol for transferring hypertext documents. HTML: Markup language for creating web pages. ISP: Internet Service Provider. Webpage: A single document on the web. Website: A collection of interconnected webpages. Types of Internet Browsers Internet Explorer Firefox Opera CometBird ICT-Based Gadgets Examples of ICT-based gadgets and their uses: Mobile Phones: For communication and internet access. Computers: For various computing and communication tasks. Fax Machines: To send scanned documents. Automated Teller Machines (ATMs): For financial transactions. Dispensing Machines: For vending goods automatically. Point of Sale (POS) Machines: For retail payments. Automated Cash Register (ACR): For billing and inventory management. Radio and Television Sets: For broadcasting reception. (d) Electronic Mail (E-Mail) Services Definition E-Mail refers to the electronic exchange of messages via the Internet. E-Mail Services Sending and receiving emails. Chatting through email platforms. Steps to Create an E-Mail Account Choose an email provider (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo). Fill out the registration form. Verify identity through a security code. Features of an E-Mail Address Contains a username and domain. Example: example@domain.com (e) Networking Definition of a Computer Network A network connects multiple devices to share resources and information. Types of Networks PAN: For personal use. LAN: Covers small areas like an office. MAN: Spans a city. WAN: Covers large geographical areas. Network Topologies Star: All nodes connect to a central hub. Bus: Uses a single backbone to connect devices. Ring: Devices form a circular connection. Network Devices Hub: Connects multiple devices. Modem: Converts digital signals for transmission. Switch: Directs data to specific devices. Router: Connects networks. NIC: Enables device networking. (f) Introduction to the World Wide Web (WWW) Definition The World Wide Web (WWW) is a system of interlinked hypertext documents accessed via the Internet. Basic Terminologies Website: A collection of webpages. Webpage: A single document. Protocol: Rules governing communication. Example: HTTP, HTTPS. Uses of WWW Information sharing. E-commerce. Online learning. (g) Cables and Connectors Types of Network Cables and Connectors Cables: Twisted Pair Coaxial Fiber Optic Telephone Connectors: RJ45 RJ11 Types of Computer Cables and Connectors Cables: Power cables Data cables (USB, printer cables) Connectors: Male and female connectors Summary This document provided an overview of ICT communication systems, applications, internet concepts, and networking. ICT plays a pivotal role in modern communication, enabling enhanced connectivity and efficiency across various domains.