 ICT, or information and communications technology (or technologies), is

the infrastructure and components that enable modern computing.

 Among the goals of IC technologies, tools and systems is to improve the
way humans create, process and share data or information with each other.
 Another is to help them improve their abilities in numerous areas, including
business; education; medicine; real-world problem-solving; and even
leisure activities related to sports, music, and movies.
 There is no single, universal definition of ICT because the technologies,
devices and even ideas related to ICT are constantly evolving. However, the
term is generally accepted to mean all devices, networking
components and applications. When combined, these help people and
organizations interact in the digital world.
 The list of ICT components is exhaustive and continues to grow. Some components, such
as computers and telephones, have existed for decades. Others, such as smartphones, digital
TVs and robots, are more recent entries.
ICT components include the following:
 Devices (hardware).

 Software.

 Middleware.

 Data.

 Wired networks.

 Wireless networks.

 Communication technologies.

 The cloud.
 ICT has changed drastically how people work, communicate, learn and live. It
continues to revolutionize all parts of the human experience as first computers and
now robots do many tasks humans once handled.
 ICT's importance to economic development and business growth has been so
monumental that it's often credited with ushering in the Fourth Industrial
Revolution. ICT also underpins broad shifts in society, as individuals are moving
from personal, face-to-face interactions to ones in the digital space. This new era is
frequently termed the digital age.
 Hardware is a general term for the physical components that make up a computer
system.
 The key-board, mouse, monitor, printer and so on.
 Hardware can either be external or internal.
 INTERNAL

RAM(Random ROM(Read Internal Hard disk

Access only Video card Sound card
Motherboard Drive/Solid state
Memory) memory) drive(HDD/SDD)

RAM is an ROM is a memory A video card allows

The motherboard is a internal chip used to store A sound card is an
the computer to send HDD are magnetic
printed circuit board where data is information that integrated circuit board
graphical information in nature and are
found in all computers. temporarily needs to be that provides a
to a video display one of the main
It allows the processor stored when permanent. It is often computer with the
device such as a methods for
and other component running used to contain for ability to produce
monitor, tv or storing data, files
hardware to function applications. This example, sounds. These sounds
projector. It usually and most of the
and communicate with memory can be configuration data can be heard by the
connects to the system and
each other. It acts as a written to and for a computer user either through
motherboard. application
hub that other read from RAM. system. They are speakers or
software.
computer devices RAM stores the often referred to as headphones.
connect to. data, files or part non-volatile
of the operating memories.
system currently
in use.
 EXTERNAL

INPUT OUTPUT STORAGE DEVICES

 A typical computer system is made up of hardware and software.

DEVICE EXAMPLES
INPUT DEVICES KEYBOARD, MOUSE
OUTPUT DEVICES MONITOR PRINTER
SECONDARY STORAGE DEVICES DVD, REMOVABALE HARD DISK DRIVE
Four key components of Internal Hardware Devices are:
1. Central processing unit
2. Internal Hard disk drive
3. RAM
4. ROM
 It is the part of the computer that interprets and executes the commands from the computer
hardware and software. It is normally the part of the motherboard.
 CPU is referred as a microprocessor.
 The CPU is made up of a control unit, which controls the input and output devices; an
arithmetic and logic unit (ALU), which carries out calculations and makes logical decisions;
and the immediate access store (RAM).
 The internal HDD or SDD is the computer’s main internal storage; that is where the
applications software, disk operating system and files (e.g, text, photos or music) are stored.
 RAM is an internal chip where data is temporarily stored when running applications. Since
its contents are lost when power to the computer is turned off, it is often referred to as a
volatile or temporary memory.
 ROM is a memory used to store information that needs to be permanent. It contains e.g the
configuration data for a computer system. These cannot be altered and can only be read
from. The information does not lost when computer is turned off.
 To enable computer systems to function and to allow users to communicate with
computer systems special soft wares known as Operating systems has been
developed.
The general tasks for a typical operating system include:
 Control of the operation of the input, output and backing storage devices.
 Supervising the loading, running and storage of applications programs.
 Dealing with errors that occur in application programs
 Maintaining security of the whole computer system
 Maintaining a computer log
 Allowing communication between the user and computer system.
 1. PC/DESKTOP COMPUTERS:
 It usually refers to a general purpose computer that is made up of a separate
monitor, keyboard, mouse and processor unit.
 The advantages of desktop computers over laptop computers are as follows:
 1. Spare parts and connections tend to have a better specification (eg a faster
processor ) for a given price.
 Power consumption is not critical since they usually plug straight into a wall socket
and the large casings allow a better dissipation of any heat build-up.
 Because they are usually fixed in one location, there is less likelihood of them
being damaged.
 Internet access is also more stable since they are not moved around
 The most obvious is that they are not particularly portable since they are made up
of separate components.
 Because they are not particularly prtable, it is necessary to copy files , etc. when
you want to do some work elsewhere (for example, at home)-with a laptop you
simply take the whole computer with you.
 They tend to be more complicated since all the compinents need to be carried
around with you and then connected to the computer by wires or wireless
connections.
 It is a portable, personal computer often designed to fit on your lap. They are thin
and light weight.
 Hey features are:
 .lightweight
 low power consumption
 Because everything is in one single unit, there are no trailing wires, etc.
 They can take full advantage of Wi-fi
 Since they are portable, they can link into any multimedia system\
 It is a special type of notebook computer that you can interact with by touching the
screen with your finger or a digital pen.
 A digital pen looks like a small ink pen but uses pressure instead of ink.
 Tablets PCs are useful especially for taking not lectures, at meetings, conferences
and other forums where the standard notebook computer is not practical.
 Lower weight and longer battery life
 Bluetooth connections for printer and other devices.
 One design of tablet PC has a keyboard attached to it , it is called convertible
Tablet.
 Another which does not include a keyboard is called a slate tablet.
 Mobile devices which are smart enough to carry in a pocket, usually do not have
disc drives. Instead, these devices store programs and data permanently on a
special memory inside the system unit or on small storage media such as memory
cards. You can connect a mobile device to a personal computer to exchange
information between the computer and the mobile device.
 Popular types of mobile devices are smart phones and PDAs, e-book readers,
handheld computers, portable media players, and digital cameras.
 Offering the convenience of one handed-operation, a smart phone is an internet-
enabled phone that usually also provides personal information management
functions such as a calendar, an appointment book, an address book, a calculator
and a notepad.
 In addition to basic phone capabilities, a smart phone allows you to send and
receive e-mail messages and access the Web-usually for an additional fee.
 Some smart phones communicate wirelessly with other devices or computers.
 Many also function as a portable media player and include built-in digital cameras
so that you can share photos or videos with others as soon as you capture the
image.
 Many smart phones also offer a variety of application software such as word
processing, spreadsheet and games and the cabability of conducting live video
conference.
 A PDA , which often looks like a smart phone, provides personal looks like a smart
phone, provides personal information management functions such as a calendar, an
appointment book, an address book, and a notepad.
 Explain:
 -Super computers
 Mainframe computers
 SERVERS
 USES OF COMPUTERS
 To be valuable, information must be accurate, organized, timely, accessible, useful,
and cost effective to produce. Generating information from a computer system
requires the following five elements.
 1. Hardware
 2. Software
 3. Data
 4. People
 5. Procedures
 Step1:
 IT Staff (people) develop processes (procedures) for recording checks (data)
received from customers.
 Step 2:
 Employees (people) in the accounts receivable department use a program
(software) to enter the checks (data) in the computer.
 Step 3:
 The computer (hardware) perform calculations required to process the accounts
receivable data and stores the results on storage media such as hard disk
(hardware).
 A network is a collection of computers and devices connected together, often
wirelessly, via communication devices and transmission media.
 When a computer connects to a network, it is online.
 Network allows users to share resources, such as hardware, software, data and
information.
 Sharing resources saves time and money.
 In any network one or more computers act as a server.
 The server controls access to the resources on a network.
 The other computers on the network, each called a client or workstation, request
resources from the server.
 The major difference between a server and client is that a server has more storage,
more power and expanded communication capabilities .
 The world largest computer network is the internet.
 Client Client
(desktop) (laptop)

wire wireless

Printer Server
(desktop)
 The internet is a worldwide collection of networks that connects millions of businesses,
government agencies, educational institutions and individuals. Uses:
Communicate with and meet other people.
Shop for goods and services
Bank and invest
Participate in online training
Engage in entertaining activities, such as planning vacations, playing online games,
listening to music, watching or editing videos, and reading books and magazines.
Download music and videos
Share information, photos and videos
Access and interact with Web applications
 Short for World wide web, is one of the more popular services on the internet.
Think of the web as a global library of information available to anyone connected
to the internets.
 The web contains billions of documents called web pages.
 A web page can contain text, graphics, animation , audio, and videos.
 A web site is a collection of related Web pages.
 Many people use the Web as a means to share personal information, photos and
videos with the world. For example, you can create a web page and then make it
available or publish it, on the internet for others to see.
 You can also join millions of people worldwide in an online community, called a
social networking web site or an online social network, that encourages members
to share their interests and ideas.
 Hundreds of thousands of people today also use blogs to publish their thoughts on
the web. A blog is an informal web site consisting of time-stamed articles in a diary
or journal format, usually listed in reverse chronological order.
 As other reads the articles in a blog, they reply with their own thoughts.
 A blog that contain the video is called a video blog .
 A microblog such as twitter allows to publish short messages for others to read.
 Podcasts are a popular way people verbally share information on the Web.
 A podcast is recorded audio stored on a web site that can be downloaded to a
computer or iPod.
 A web application is a web site that allows users to access and interact with
software from any computer or device that is connected to the internet.
 Examples of software available as Web applications include those that allow you to
send and receive email messages, prepare your taxes, organize digital photos,
create documents and play games.
 Book page no 91---------------------
 CLASS ACTIVITY
 Software, also called a program, consists of a series of related instructions
organized for a common purpose that tells the computer what tasks to perform and
how to perform.
 You interact with a program through its user interface.
 The user interface controls how you enter data and instructions and how
information is displayed on the screen.
 Software today often has a graphical user interface.
 With a graphical user interface (GUI) you interact with a software using text ,
graphics and visual images such as icons.
 An icon is a miniature image that represents a program, an instruction or some
other object.
 The two categories of software are
 1. system software
 2.application software
 System software consists of the programs that control or maintain the operations of
the computer and its devices. System software serves as the interface between the
user, the application software and the computer’s hardware. Two types of system
software are:
 1. Operating system
 2. Utility programs
 An operating system is a set of programs that coordinates all the activities among
computer hardware devices. It provides a means for users to communicate with the
computer and other software. Many of today’s computers use Microsoft’s windows
 Three popular personal computer operating systems are Windows, Mac OS and
Linux.
 When a user starts a computer, portions of the operating system are copied into
memory from the computer’s hard disk. These parts of the OS remain in memory
while the computer is on. Once the operating system is loaded, it coordinates all
the activities of the computer.
 This includes starting application software and transferring data among input and
output devices and memory. While the computer is running , the operating system
is in memory.
 A utility program allows a user to perform maintenance type tasks usually related
to managing a computer, its device, or its programs. For example, you can use a
utility program to transfer digital photos to an optical disc. Most operating systems
include several utility programs for managing disc drives , printers and other
devices and media.
 Utility programs typically offer features that provide an environment conductive to
successful use of application software.
 For example, utility programs protect a computer against malicious software ,
manage files and disks, compress files.
 Application software consists of programs designs to make users more productive
and/or assist them with personal tasks. A widely used type of application software
related to application communications is a Web browser which allows user with an
internet connection to access and view Web pages or access programs.
 Other popular application software includes word processing software,
spreadsheet software, database software and presentation software.
 Many other types of application software exist that enable users to perform a
variety of tasks.
 These include personal information management, note taking, project
management, accounting, document management, computer aided design,
desktop publishing, paint/image editing, photo editing , audio and video editing,
multimedia authoring, web page authoring, travel, mapping, education, reference
and games or simulations.
 Application software has a variety of uses:
 1. To make business activities more efficient
 2. To assist with graphics and multimedia projects
 3. To support home, personal and educational tasks
 4. to facilitate communication.
 A programmer sometimes called a computer programmer or developer is
someone who develops software or writes the instructions that direct the computer
to process data into information. When writing instructions, a programmer must be
sure the program works properly so that the computer generates the desired
results.
 Programmers use a programming language or program development tool to create
computer programs. Popular languages include C++, JAVA, Visual Basic.
 Some users choose cloud storage instead of storing data locally on a hard disk or
other media. Cloud storage is an internet service that provides storage to
computer users.
 Types of services offered by cloud storage providers vary: some provide storage
for specific types of files, such as photos or email messages, whereas other store
any type of file.
 Many cloud storage providers offer additional services such as encryption,
passwords, web applications and web services.
 Top 10 cloud storage services
 DropBox
 iCloud
 Google Drive
 Microsoft One Drive
 IDrive
 Mega
 Box
 pCloud
 Tresorit
 Amazon Drive
 How you benefit from cloud storage depends on your reasons for using them and other personal factors. However,
there are many common benefits that individuals and businesses report from using cloud storage, such as:

 Accessibility - Access your saved files from all of your devices from anywhere, providing that you have an internet
connection. This makes cloud storage an excellent solution for individuals and businesses that frequently travel
between two or more locations and use multiple devices.
Data security - Cloud storage providers will protect your data through different methods, such as file encryption. This
may be a safer way to store your files than keeping them on your personal computer or hard drive.
Cost effectiveness - Cloud storage can be much more cost effective than storing files on hardware. This depends on
how many files you have, but many providers offer free or low cost plans.
Collaboration - If you need to share and work on files with other people, such as colleagues, cloud storage makes it
easy to access the same information in real time. This also applies to families sharing photo albums, letters or any other
digital information.
Scalability - As your need for more storage increases, you'll have the option to scale your cloud storage allowance.
Files are becoming increasingly more demanding with the advances in technology, and cloud storage can help meet
your needs as they develop.
Risk management - Storing files yourself poses a risk. If your hardware breaks, it's stolen, lost or inaccessible, you
may lose access to essential files forever. With cloud storage, the risk is minimised, and the provider is responsible for
implementing safety procedures.