Objectives
At the end of the chapter, students must be able to:
• Define ICT in our society
• Discuss the application of ICT in our daily lives
• Positive and Negative effect of ICT in our Society
Lesson 1.2: Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
Information Communication Technology
ICT, or information and communications technology (or technologies), is the
infrastructure and components that enable modern computing. The term is generally accepted
to mean all devices, networking components, applications, and systems that combined allow
people and organizations (i.e., businesses, nonprofit agencies, governments, and criminal
enterprises) to interact in the digital world.
A diverse set of technological tools and resources are used to transmit, store, create,
share or exchange information. These technological tools and resources include computers, the
Internet (websites, blogs, and emails), live broadcasting technologies (radio, television, and
webcasting), recorded broadcasting technologies (podcasting, audio, and video players and
storage devices), and telephony (fixed or mobile, satellite , Visio / video-conferencing, etc).
Uses of ICT In Our Daily Lives
1. Communication
We all know that ICT takes a major role for us by means of communicating, way
back in the past our parents use to make letter and send it via postal mail. But now with
the help of ICT, it is easier to communicate with our loved ones. We can use cellular
phones that are designed for communicating with other people even they are miles away
far from us.
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.
ICT allows students to monitor and manage their own learning, think critically and
creatively, solve simulated real-world problems, work collaboratively, engage in ethical
decision-making, and adopt a global perspective towards issues and ideas. It also provides
students from remote areas access to expert teachers and learning resources, and gives
administrators and policy makers the data and expertise they need to work more
efficiently.
2. 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.
Nowadays, employers expect their staff to have basic ICT skills. This expectation
even applies to job roles where ICT skills may not have been an essential requirement in
the past.
Nowadays, finding a job is different, you can just use your smart phone, laptop,
desktop or any gadgets that is available in the comfort of your home.
3. Education
Information and Communications Technology (ICT) can impact student learning
when teachers are digitally literate and understand how to integrate it into curriculum.
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.
When teachers are digitally literate and trained to use ICT, these approaches can
lead to higher order thinking skills, provide creative and individualized options for
students to express their understandings, and leave students better prepared to deal with
ongoing technological change in society and the workplace.
4. Socializing
Social media has changed the world. The rapid and vast adoption of these
technologies is changing how we find partners, how we access information from the
news, and how we organize to demand political change.
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.
As the ICT has become ubiquitous, faster and increasingly accessible to non-
technical communities, social networking and collaborative services have grown rapidly
enabling people to communicate and share interest in many more ways, sites like
Facebook, Twitter LinkedIn You tube, Flicker, second life delicious blogs wiki’s and many
more let people of all ages rapidly share their interest of the movement without others
everywhere. But Facebook seems to be the leading areas of where people communicate
and share their opinions. What a change! “Nothing is permanent, but change” (As
Heraditus in the 4thcentury BC). Internet can be seen as the international networks of
interconnection of computer networks, the main purpose for the institution of internet
are quest for information i.e. browsing, electronic mail, knew groups fill transfer and
access and use of other computer. Socialization can be seen as a process by which a child
adapts a behavior to be an effective member of the society, which can only be achieved
through learning or education.
Applications of ICT (Computers) in Our Daily Lives
1. Business
Almost every business uses computers nowadays. They can be employed to store
and maintain accounts, personnel records, manage projects, track inventory, create
presentations and reports. They enable communication with people both within and
outside the business, using various technologies, including e-mail. They can be used to
promotethe business and enable direct interaction with customers.
2. Education
Computers can be used to give learners audio-visual packages, interactive
exercises, and remote learning, including tutoring over the internet. They can be used to
access educational information from intranet and internet sources, or via e-books. They
can be used to maintain and monitor student performance, including through the use of
online examinations, as well as to create projects and assignments.
3. Healthcare
Healthcare continues to be revolutionized by computers. As well as digitized
medical information making it easier to store and access patient data, complex
information can also be analyzed by software to aid discovery of diagnoses, as well as
search for risks of diseases. Computers control lab equipment, heart rate monitors, and
blood pressure monitors. They enable doctors to have greater access to information on
the latest drugs, as well as the ability to share information on diseases with other medical
specialists.
4. Retail and Trade
Computers can be used to buy and sell products online - this enables sellers to
reach a wider market with low overheads, and buyers to compare prices, read reviews,
and choose delivery preferences. They can be used for direct trading and advertising too,
using sites such as eBay, Craigslist, or local listings on social media or independent
websites.
5. Government
Various government departments use computers to improve the quality and
efficiency of their services. Examples include city planning, law enforcement, traffic, and
tourism. Computers can be used to store information, promote services, communicate
internally andexternally, as well as for routine administrative purposes.
6. Marketing
Computers enable marketing campaigns to be more precise through the analysis
and manipulation of data. They facilitate the creation of websites and promotional
materials. They can be used to generate social media campaigns. They enable direct
communication with customers through email and online chat.
7. Science
Scientists were one of the first groups to adopt computers as a work tool. In
science, computers can be used for research, sharing information with other specialists
both locally and internationally, as well as collecting, categorizing, analyzing, and storing
data. Computers also play a vital role in launching, controlling, and maintaining space
craft, as well as operating other advanced technology.
8. Publishing
Computers can be used to design pretty much any type of publication. These
might include newsletters, marketing materials, fashion magazines, novels, or
newspapers. Computers are used in the publishing of both hard-copy and e-books. They
are also used to market publications and track sales.
9. Arts and Entertainment
Computers are now used in virtually every branch of the arts, as well as in the
wider entertainment industry. Computers can be used to create drawings, graphic
designs, and paintings. They can be used to edit, copy, send, and print photographs. They
can be used by writers to create and edit. They can be used to make, record, edit, play,
and listen to music. They can be used to capture, edit and watch videos. They can be used
for playing games.
10. Communication
Computers have made real-time communication over the internet easy, thanks to
software and videoconferencing services such as Skype. Families can connect with audio
and video, businesses can hold meetings between remote participants, and news
organizations can interview people without the need for a film crew. Modern computers
usually have microphones and webcams built-in nowadays to facilitate software like
Skype. Older communications technologies such as email are also still used widely.
11. Banking and Finance
Most banking in advanced countries now takes place online. You can use
computers to check your account balance, transfer money, or pay off credit cards. You
can also use computer technology to access information on stock markets, trade stocks,
and manage investments. Banks store customer account data, as well as detailed
information on customer behavior which is used to streamline marketing.
12. Transport
Road vehicles, trains, planes, and boats are increasingly automated with
computers being used to maintain safety and navigation systems, and increasingly to
drive, fly, or steer. Theycan also highlight problems that require attention, such as low
fuel levels, oil changes, or a failing mechanical part. Computers can be used to customize
settings for individuals, for example, seat setup, air-conditioning temperatures.
13. Navigation
Navigation has become increasingly computerized, especially since computer
technology has been combined with GPS technology. Computers combined with
satellites mean thatit's now easy to pinpoint your exact location, know which way that
you are moving on amap, and have a good idea of amenities and places of interest
around you.
14. Working from Home
Computers have made working from home and other forms of remote working
increasingly common. Workers can access necessary data, communicate, and share
information without commuting to a traditional office. Managers are able to monitor
workers' productivityremotely.
15. Military
Computers are used extensively by the military. They are use for training
purposes. They are used for analyzing intelligence data. They are used to control smart
technology, such asguided missiles and drones, as well as for tracking incoming missiles
and destroying them. They work with other technologies such as satellites to provide
geospatial information and analysis. They aid communications. They help tanks and
planes to target enemy forces.
16. Social and Romance
Computers have opened up many ways of socializing that didn't previously exist.
Social media enables people to chat in text or audio in real time across large distances, as
well as exchange photographs, videos, and memes. Dating sites and apps help people to
find romance. Online groups help people to connect with others who have similar
interests. Blogs enable people to post a variety of views, updates, and experiences. Online
forums enable discussions between people on specialist or general topics.
17. Booking Vacations
Computers can be used by travelers to study timetables, examine route options,
and buy plane, train, or bus tickets. They can be used to explore and book
accommodation, whethertraditional hotels, or through newer services, such as Air BnB.
Guided tours, excursions, events, and trips can also be explored and booked online using
computers.
18. Security and Surveillance
Computers are increasingly being combined with other technologies to monitor
people and goods. Computers combined with biometric passports make it harder for
people to fraudulently enter a country or gain access to a passenger airplane. Face-
recognition technology makes it easier to identify terrorists or criminals in public places.
Driver plates can be auto scanned by speed cameras or police cars. Private security
systems have also become much more sophisticated with the introduction of computer
technology and internet technology.
19. Weather Forecasting
The world's weather is complex and depends upon a multitude of factors that are
constantly changing. It's impossible for human beings to monitor and process all the
information coming in from satellite and other technologies, never mind perform the
complex calculations that are needed to predict what is likely to happen in the future.
Computers canprocess the large amounts of meteorological information.
20. Robotics
Robotics is an expanding area of technology that combines computers with
science and engineering to produce machines that can either replace humans or do
specific jobs that humans are unable to do. One of the first use of robotics was in
manufacturing to buildcars. Since then, robots have been developed to explore areas
where conditions are too harsh for humans, to help law enforcement, to help the military,
and to assist healthcare professionals.
Impact of ICT in The Society
Positive impacts of Information and Communication Technology
• 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 phone 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.
• 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 enable partially sighted or blind people to work with ordinary
text rather than Braille.
• 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 websites instead of sales catalogs. Access to larger, even worldwide, markets.
• Information management: Data mining of customer information to produce lists for
targeted advertising. Improved stock control, resulting in less wastage, better cash flow,
etc.
• 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.
• ICT allows people to participate in a wider, even worldwide, society.
• Distance learning: students can access teaching materials from all over the world.
• ICT facilitates the ability to perform ‘impossible’ experiments’ by using simulations.
• Creation of new more interesting jobs. Examples would be systems analysts,
programmers, and software engineers, as well as help desk operators and trainers.
Negative impacts of Information and Communication Technology
• Job loss: Manual operations 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. A worker on 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
• 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.
• Reduced physical activity: This can lead to health problems such as obesity, heart disease,
and diabetes.
• 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 it and there is also the challenge of
keeping up with ever-changing technology.
• 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.
References
• Luna, A., Marbella, C., Mayor, J., Reyes, S., Sagum, J., Santos, J., Sapino, R., and Usero, S. (2021). Living
in the IT Era. Instructional Material for Students. [Link]
state-college/btte-english/module-living-in-the-it-era/16912330
• Salcedo, Lorielyn Mae (2020). Module 1 Living with IT ERA. Polytechnic University of the Philippines.
[Link]
era/module-1-living-with-it-era/10177565?queryID=f299b781b96ac12dffa4655482b93966
Activity 1.2
1. Name one positive impact of ICT that you are experiencing today and explain.
2. Give one negative impact of ICT that you are experiencing today and explain.
