Living in the IT Era module 1

2. INFORMATION AND
COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY
related to technologies that facilitate the transfer of information
and various types of electronically mediated communication.

4. IT VERSUS ICT
ICT is technology that supports activities involving information such
as gatherings, processing, storing, and presenting data.
IT pertains to the industry that involves computers, software,
networking and other IT infrastructure to help relay or manage
information. Simply put, IT is a subset of ICT as the technology used
in the field of IT aids in the use of ICT.

6. HISTORY OF COMPUTERS
FIRST -GENERATION COMPUTER (1946- 1958)
Second generation: 1959-1965
Third generation: 1965-1971
Fourth generation: 1971-1980
Fifth generation: 1980-onwards

7. FIRST -GENERATION COMPUTER (1946- 1958) Operation based on vacuum tubes
These tubes were the first technology that
allowed the digital processing of data.
They needed a lot of electricity for their
operation and they had to stay
continuously on. For this reason, these
machines reached high temperatures that
made their operation slower and made it
necessary to use air conditioning in the
rooms where they were installed.
The technical characteristics of first-
generation computers made their
manufacturing and operation very slow
and costly.
All those computers were developed to
order and designed to fulfill a specific
function. They were manufactured by
hand and individually, for that reason a
massive production was not possible.

8. The first computers
Colossus - 1943
The Colossus were a series
of ten machines designed
in Great Britain during
World War II. Its purpose
was to decipher the
messages that were
intercepted in the
communications of Nazi
Germany.

9. The first computers cont….
ENIAC
(Electronic Numerical
Integrator and Computer)
This computer could solve a great
variety of mathematical problems
and one of its advantages was its
ease of reprogramming.

10. The first computers cont….
Manchester Baby
1948
The Manchester Baby had
three different programs: the
first was to look for the
highest divisor of the
number 218 and the second
perfected this same function.
Finally, the third was to
perform calculations of long
divisions.

11. The first computers cont….
UNIVAC
1951
(Universal Automatic Computer)

12. Second generation: 1959-1965. Transistor-based operation.
transistors were used that were cheaper,
consumed less power, more compact in size, more
reliable and faster than the first-generation
machines made of vacuum tubes.
The main features of second generation are
 Use of transistors
 Reliable in comparison to first generation computers
 Smaller size as compared to first generation computers
 Generated less heat as compared to first generation
computers
 Consumed less electricity as compared to first generation
computers
 Faster than first generation computers
 Still very costly
 AC required
 Supported machine and assembly languages

13. Third generation: 1965-1971. Integrated circuit based operation.
This development made computers smaller in size, reliable, and
efficient
The main features of third generation are
 IC used
 More reliable in comparison to previous two generations
 Smaller size
 Generated less heat
 Faster
 Lesser maintenance
 Costly
 AC required
 Consumed lesser electricity
 Supported high-level language

14. Fourth generation: 1971-1980. VLSI microprocessor based.
he main features of fourth generation are
 VLSI technology used
 Very cheap
 Portable and reliable
 Use of PCs
 Very small size
 Pipeline processing
 No AC required
 Concept of internet was introduced
 Great developments in the fields of networks
 Computers became easily available

15. Fifth generation: 1980-onwards. ULSI microprocessor based
AI includes
 Robotics
 Neural Networks
 Game Playing
 Development of expert systems to make decisions in real-life
situations
 Natural language understanding and generation

16. The Three Major Components of a Computer System
 hardware
 software
 humanware

18. Why Computers are Powerful
 Speed - computer can perform trillions of operations in one second.
 Reliability and Consistency – has low failure rate.
 Accuracy – the accuracy of the computer’s output depends on the
accuracy of the input.
 Communication – the message being transmitted can contain facts,
thoughts, perceptions, judgements, beliefs, attitudes, commands, and
even reactions.

19. Digital Age, Information Age, and
Computer Age

20. Media in the Digital Age
Media as creative content

21. Advertising media

23. Overview of Current trends
In an article from Comptia.org, Watters(2020) identified 10 major IT trends in 2020.
Artificial Intelligence(AI)
Blockchain
Cybersecurity
Drones
Edge Computing
Internet of Things (IoT)
Quantum Computing
Quantum Computing
3D Printing
5G

24. Artificial Intelligence(AI)

25. Blockchain

26. Cybersecurity as Critical Business Function

27. Drones

28. Cloud and Edge Computing

29. Internet of Things (IoT)

30. Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality

31. 3D Printing

32. 5G

33. IMPACT OF ICT on INDIVIDUALS
Positive Impact
• Access to information
Possibly the greatest effect of ICT on individuals is the huge 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. In addition, the use of ICT to access
information has brought new opportunities for leisure and entertainment, the facility to make contacts and form
relationships with people around the world, and the ability to obtain goods and services from a wider range of
suppliers.
• Improved access to education
Distance learning and on-line tutorials. New ways of learning, e.g. interactive multi-media and virtual reality. New job
opportunities, e.g. flexible and mobile working, virtual offices and jobs in the communications industry.
• Security
Examples of security measures are: (1) the use of encryption method to keep and protect data from any malicious
software; (2) the use of password/s for personal information protections; and (3) the development of physical
security systems such as biometrics.

34. Negative Impact
 Job loss
One of the largest negative effects of ICT can be the loss of a person’s job. This has both economic consequences, loss of
income, and social consequences, loss of status and self-esteem. Job losses may occur for several reasons, including:
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 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
Being able to work from home is usually regarded as being a positive effect of using ICT, but there can be negative aspects
as well. 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
Users may adopt a more sedentary lifestyle. This can lead to health problems such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.
Many countries have workplace regulations to prevent problems such as repetitive strain injury or eyestrain, but lack of
physical exercise is rarely addressed as a specific health hazard.
 Security
Data or files must always be kept secure and safe. The internet connection must always be safeguarded from different
attacks such as data modifications, identity/IP address spoofing, password-based attacks, denial-of-service, etc.

35. IMPACT OF ICT on ORGANIZATIONS
Positive Impact
▪ Communication
By using ICT has brought a number of benefits to organizations, such as: Cost savings by using e.g. VoIP instead of normal
telephone, email / messaging instead of post, video conferencing instead of traveling to meetings, e-commerce web sites
instead of sales catalogues. Access to larger, even worldwide, markets. Web sites can be seen from all parts of the world
and orders can be taken wherever there is a compatible banking system to process payments, e.g. credit / debit card, Pay-
Pal, bank transfer facility. Web sites also have 24 hour opening and are available every day of the year. Flexible response.
Organizations with good communications can respond to changes quickly. This may mean better customer relations, an
improved supply chain for goods and services, faster development of new products to meet a new opportunity, etc.
▪ Information management
Organizations can benefit from using ICT for information management. e.g. Data mining of customer information to
produce lists for targeted advertising. Improved stock control, resulting in less wastage, better cash flow, etc. Mangers are
better informed and will have more reliable and up-to-date information on which to base their decisions.
▪ Security
Although the use of ICT can bring its own security issues, it can also solve or reduce 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. This is important for reasons such as data protection legislation or commercial secrecy. ICT enables physical
security systems such as fingerprint, iris or facial recognition.

36. Negative Impact
▪ Cost
The cost of using ICT may cause a number of problems for organizations. 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. These extra costs should be offset by the positive effects
of using ICT, but if an organization gets its cost-benefit analysis wrong it may lose money.
▪ 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.
▪ Security
This is always a problem for any organization that uses ICT. Data must be kept secure, Internet connections must be
protected from attack, new viruses and other forms of malware are released nearly every day.