What is ICT?
Tools used to create, store, share info.
Examples: Computers, smartphones, TV, radio, internet,
video calls.
ICT in Daily Life
Work: Banking, emails, video calls, documents.
Home: TV, social media, online shopping.
Healthcare: Patient records, online checkups.
ICT Tools
Smartphone: Calls, internet, apps (WhatsApp, Camera, Mail).
Tablet: Touch device, bigger than phone.
TV: Visual + audio for info/entertainment.
Radio: Oldest tool for news/music.
Computer System
A computer system consists of hardware and software that work
together.
Hardware: Physical parts of a computer.
o Internal Hardware: CPU, Memory, Communication Ports,
Modem.
o External Hardware: Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse, Printer,
Speakers.
Software: A set of instructions or programs that tells the hardware
what to do.
Characteristics of a Computer
1. Speed: Performs calculations at a very high speed (nanoseconds or
picoseconds).
2. Accuracy: Highly accurate, with no ambiguity. Errors are usually
due to technical problems or bad data.
3. Storage: Has memory to store data permanently or temporarily.
o Storage capacity is measured in bytes (KB, MB, GB, TB).
4. Diligence: Works continuously for hours without getting tired
or making errors.
CPU (Brain of Computer)
ALU: Maths & logic.
CU: Controls flow of data.
Memory (Registers): Temporary storage.
Memory
Computer's Memory: Stores data and instructions.
Categories:
1. Primary Memory: Main memory of the computer. Data is
erased when the computer is switched off.
RAM is considered a primary memory. RAM is volatile,
meaning it loses its data when the power is turned off, and it's
used for temporary storage while the computer is running.
ROM is non-volatile, meaning it retains its data even when
the power is off, and it contains essential startup instructions
that the computer needs to boot up
2. Secondary Memory: Auxiliary memory for long-term
storage. Data remains even when the computer is off.
o Examples: Hard disk, floppy disk (now obsolete – not using it
now).
Memory Units:
o Bit: Binary digit (0 or 1).
o Byte: A group of 8 bits.
o Nibble: A group of 4 bits.
Signals
Analog Signal: Continuous 'Sine' wave. Keeps changing with fixed
time period
o Examples: Videos, human voice, TV and radio waves.
Digital Signal: Discrete 'Square' wave (1s and 0s). (discrete-
separate)
o Examples: Data in computers, digital clocks.
Difference between Analog and Digital Signal
Analog Signal Digital Signal
Signifies a continuous signal. Signifies a discrete signal (0 or 1).
Continuous 'Sine' waves. 'Square' waves.
Broadcasts information in the signal Broadcasts information in the binary
form. form.
Operating System (OS)
System software that controls all activities of a computer.
It provides a user-friendly interface to interact with the computer.
Examples: Windows (Windows 10, Windows 11), MS DOS.
Booting: The startup process of loading the operating system into
RAM.
Features of Windows (Graphical User Interface - GUI)
User-friendly environment.
Allows interaction by clicking icons.
Interface between hardware and software.
Supports multimedia.
Multitasking: Allows multiple operations at once.
Supports MS DOS (Single User Operating System).
Ports
Connect devices (printer, mouse)
Communication Ports are connecting nodes that link peripheral
devices (like printers, scanners, etc.) to the processor.
Serial: Slow (sends bit by bit).
Parallel: Faster (sends 8 bits at a time).
USB (Universal Serial Bus) Port
A type of port designed to connect a wide variety of peripherals,
such as printers, mice, joysticks, and digital cameras. One plug for
many devices.
Modem
A Modem is a device that modulates digital signals from a
computer into analog signals to be sent over a telephone line.
It also demodulates incoming analog signals back into digital
signals that the computer can understand.
Modems can be internal, external, or USB.
Chapter 3: Peripheral Devices
Peripheral devices are external hardware components connected to a
computer to expand its functionality. They are classified into three main
categories:
Input Devices
These devices are used to send instructions and data to the CPU for
processing. They act like the "sense organs" of a computer.
Devices used to enter data or commands into a computer.
Keyboard: Most common input device. Has keys (letters, numbers,
function keys) to type and give commands.
Mouse: Pointing device; moving it moves a pointer on screen to
click, select, and open files or programs.
Light Pen: Pen-like pointing device. It detects light from the screen
to draw or select items. Mostly used in design (CAD).
Scanner: Captures pictures or documents and converts them into
digital form for storage or editing.
Web Camera (Webcam): Captures video and images; used for video
calls, online meetings, or live streaming.
Output Devices
These devices receive processed data from the computer and present it to
the user in a visual or printed format.
Visual Display Unit (VDU) / Monitor: An electronic device that
displays images and text on a screen. Common types include LCD
and LED monitors.
Printer: A device that produces a permanent, readable copy of data
on paper. Printers are classified by their printing method:
i) Impact Printers
Print by striking an inked ribbon on paper.
Noisy and lower quality.
o Example:
Dot Matrix Printer: Uses tiny needles to form characters
in dots. Cheap but low print quality.
ii) Non-Impact Printers
o Print without touching paper.
o Quiet, faster, and better quality.
o Examples:
Inkjet Printer: Sprays tiny ink drops, good for color
printing.
Laser Printer: Uses laser beam and toner; very fast, high
quality, ideal for bulk printing.
LCD Projector: A device that uses a light display to magnify and
project presentations onto a screen for a larger audience.
Secondary Storage Devices
These devices store data permanently (non-volatile) and have higher
capacity than primary memory.
Hard Disk: Main storage in computers. Large capacity (up to 1
TB+), stores OS, software, and files.
SSD (Solid State Drive): Faster than hard disk, no moving parts,
used internally or as portable storage.
CD (Compact Disc): Optical disc for music, videos, or data.
o CD-R: Write data once.
o CD-RW: Erase and rewrite multiple times.
DVD (Digital Versatile Disc): Similar to CD but stores more (up to
4.7 GB). Used for movies and data backup.
Blu-ray Disc: Higher capacity than DVD, used for HD videos and
large files.
Pen Drive/Flash Drive: Small USB device, portable, rewritable,
stores large files easily.
SD/Micro SD Card: Tiny memory cards for mobiles, cameras,
tablets (1 GB–128 GB+).
Unit 3: ICT Skills-I - Internet and Networking
Internet
The Internet is a global network of interconnected computer networks. It allows
communication and the sharing of vast information resources. The World Wide Web (www)
is a collection of documents linked together by the Internet.
Advantages of the Internet
Communication: Provides fast and cheap communication via email, instant
messaging, and video conferencing.
Information: Enables people to learn and gain knowledge through online Browse.
Services: Used for various tasks like online shopping, ticket booking, and banking.
Entertainment: Offers online music, movies, and games.
Business: Provides a platform for people to market their products and run their
businesses.
Convenience: Provides online storage facilities (cloud storage).
Disadvantages of the Internet
Distraction: The internet can be addictive and a source of distraction.
Bullying and Crime: It is a place for online bullying, hacking, and cybercrime.
Security: Personal data can be at risk of being hacked or misused.
Viruses: It is a source of internet viruses and attacks.
Over-reliance: Excessive reliance on online activities can make people lethargic.
Internet Services
Chatting: An online process for interacting with others by typing and sharing text
messages and photos.
WhatsApp Messenger: A popular mobile application for instant messaging, voice
calls, and free video calls.
Social Networking (Facebook): A free online website for creating profiles,
uploading photos, and videos, and interacting with friends and family.
Video Conferencing: An interaction with others through video calls, allowing people
in different locations to share ideas and conduct meetings.
E-mail (Electronic mail): A system for sending and receiving messages
electronically over a computer network. An email address is required to use this
service.
Web Portal: A single access point to information on a specific subject, like a school
portal for student records or a library portal for collections.
Internet Services: The internet is used for communication, education, entertainment,
live television, and online shopping.
Internet Terminology
Uniform Resource Locator (URL): The unique address of every web page on the
internet.
Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP): A set of rules for transferring hypertext
documents between two or more computers. http://www.yahoo.com is an example
URL format.
Website: A set of pages on a particular subject published by an individual or
organization.
Web Page: A document written in Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) that is
accessible via a web browser.
Hyperlink and Hypertext: A hyperlink is a link that, when clicked, opens another
document. Hypertext is text with hyperlinks.
Internet Service Provider (ISP): An organization that provides access to the internet
for a fee. Examples include BSNL, Airtel, Jio, and Vodafone.
IP Address: A unique numeric address assigned to a computer on the internet.
Domain Name Servers (DNS): A directory that translates domain names (like
google.com) into IP addresses.
Web Browser: A software application that helps users access and view different
websites. Popular browsers include Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome,
and Safari.
HTTP :
1.Protocol
The first part, like http:// or https://, tells your browser how to
communicate with the website's server. HTTPS is a more secure version of
HTTP.
2. Host (or Subdomain)
This is often www (which stands for World Wide Web), but it can be other
things, like mail or blog. The host is the address of the server where a
website is running.
3. Domain Name
This is the unique name of the website, such as google or Wikipedia. It's
the core identity of the site.
4. Top-Level Domain (TLD)
This is the suffix at the end of the domain name, like .com, .org, .edu, or a
country code like .uk. It indicates the type of organization or location.
5. Path
This part comes after the TLD and specifies the exact location of a page or
file on the website's server, like /about/history.html.
Example:
https://www.example.com/products/laptops.html
https:// = Protocol
www = Host
example = Domain Name
.com = Top-Level Domain
/products/laptops.html = Path
What is ICT?
Information and Communication Technology (ICT): Tools and
resources used to create, store, manage, and share information.
Examples: Computers, laptops, smartphones, tablets, radio,
television, internet, video conferencing.
ICT in Daily Life
Workplace: Banking, software, communication (email, video
conferencing), managing documents.
Home/Personal: Television for entertainment, internet for staying
connected, social media, online shopping, booking appointments.
Healthcare: Digital tools for patient records, remote consultations.
ICT Tools
Smartphones: Mobile devices for calls, internet, apps, messaging,
videos. Key apps include WhatsApp, Contact, Camera, Browser, Mail,
Google Play Store.
Tablets: Portable devices larger than smartphones, smaller than
laptops. Touch-sensitive screen.
Television: Transmits visual images and sound for entertainment
and education.
Radio: Oldest and most popular ICT tool. Broadcasts news, music,
etc.
Computer System
A computer system consists of hardware and software that work
together.
Hardware: Physical parts of a computer.
o Internal Hardware: CPU, Memory, Communication Ports,
Modem.
o External Hardware: Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse, Printer,
Speakers.
Software: A set of instructions or programs that tells the hardware
what to do.
Characteristics of a Computer
1. Speed: Performs calculations at a very high speed (nanoseconds or
picoseconds).
2. Accuracy: Highly accurate, with no ambiguity. Errors are usually
due to technical problems or bad data.
3. Storage: Has memory to store data permanently or temporarily.
o Storage capacity is measured in bytes (KB, MB, GB, TB).
4. Diligence: Works continuously for hours without getting tired or
making errors.
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Also called the Brain of the Computer.
It processes all instructions and is composed of:
o Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU): Performs arithmetic and
logical operations.
o Control Unit (CU): Directs and controls the flow of data.
o Memory Unit (Registers): Stores data temporarily during
processing.
Memory
Computer's Memory: Stores data and instructions.
Categories:
1. Primary Memory: Main memory of the computer. Data is
erased when the computer is switched off.
o RAM (Random Access Memory): Data and programs are
loaded here for quick access by the CPU. It is a volatile
memory.
2. Secondary Memory: Auxiliary memory for long-term
storage. Data remains even when the computer is off.
o Examples: Hard disk, floppy disk (now obsolete).
Memory Units:
o Bit: Binary digit (0 or 1).
o Byte: A group of 8 bits.
o Nibble: A group of 4 bits.
Signals
Analog Signal: Continuous 'Sine' wave.
o Examples: Videos, human voice, TV and radio waves.
Digital Signal: Discrete 'Square' wave (1s and 0s).
o Examples: Data in computers, digital clocks.
Difference between Analog and Digital Signal
Analog Signal Digital Signal
Signifies a continuous signal. Signifies a discrete signal (0 or 1).
Continuous 'Sine' waves. 'Square' waves.
Broadcasts information in the signal Broadcasts information in the binary
form. form.
Export to Sheets
Operating System (OS)
System software that controls all activities of a computer.
It provides a user-friendly interface to interact with the computer.
Examples: Windows (Windows 10, Windows 11), MS DOS.
Booting: The startup process of loading the operating system into
RAM.
Features of Windows (Graphical User Interface - GUI)
User-friendly environment.
Allows interaction by clicking icons.
Interface between hardware and software.
Supports multimedia.
Multitasking: Allows multiple operations at once.
Supports MS DOS (Single User Operating System).
Ports
Connect devices (printer, mouse)
Communication Ports are connecting nodes that link peripheral
devices (like printers, scanners, etc.) to the processor.
Serial: Slow (sends bit by bit).
Parallel: Faster (sends 8 bits at a time).
USB (Universal Serial Bus) Port
A type of port designed to connect a wide variety of peripherals,
such as printers, mice, joysticks, and digital cameras. One plug for
many devices.
Modem
A Modem is a device that modulates digital signals from a
computer into analog signals to be sent over a telephone line.
It also demodulates incoming analog signals back into digital
signals that the computer can understand.
Modems can be internal, external, or USB.
