ICT NOTE BY ICT CDS | ICT CDS JAN 2022

What is ICT?
ICT is the short form of three basic terms — Information, Communication and
Technology. The representation of data in a meaningful way is called Information.
What are basics of ICT?
ICT stands for 'Information Communication Technology'. Everyday usage of digital
technology includes when you use a computer, tablet or mobile phone, send email,
browse the internet, make a video call - these are all examples of using basic ICT skills
and technology to communicate.

Thus information (meaningful data) can help in decision‑making also.

The term communication may be referred as imparting or exchanging of information by
speaking, writing, or using some other medium. In other words, it may be referred as
conveying your feelings, thoughts and emotions in any verbal and non-verbal medium.
Every communication has four essential elements, namely ‘sender’, ‘message’, ‘medium’
and ‘receiver’. When all four elements are in sync with each other in terms of sequence,
relevance, appropriateness, etc.. then communication becomes effective.
TECHNOLOGY refers to methods, systems and devices, which are a result of scientific
knowledge, being used for practical purposes.
Technology can be used for creation and communication of information. The term
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) includes various forms of
technologies that are used to create, display, store, process, transmit, share or exchange
information by electronic means Such a discipline which deals in the creation and
communication of information is called ICT Radio, television, and print media
(Newspaper, Books, Magazines, etc.) are the popular technologies used for
communication. The digital revolution has transformed the way these traditional
technologies function. For example, analog television has become digital television. In
addition to printed newspapers now we also have their electronic versions. Along with
traditional radio, we also have online radio.
Evolution of ICT
We cannot live in isolation. We need to interact and communicate with each other and
with our surroundings. In the ancient times people used smoke signals, drum sounds,
pigeons and messengers as modes of communication. These were relatively slow,
unreliable and sometimes unsafe means of communication.

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With the advent of new technologies, the modes and methods of communication are
changing very fast. Radio, television, computers, telephones, smartphones, digital
camera, laptop and interactive board have revolutionized the ways of communication.
These are very fast and can Link distant locations within no time. We can easily send
messages across the globe and learn about events all over the world in a blink of eye.
Numerous technological tools have come up which help us not only to communicate but
to create, store and manage information. The diverse set of technological tools and
resources used to store, manage, manipulate, create and communicate digital information
come under information and communication technologies (ICTs).
Why ICT?
ICT facilitates communication anywhere, anytime and by anyone. It has become easier
to communicate worldwide through the use of ICTs, for example, social media sites and
apps, blogs, etc. The use of ICT is time saving and cost effective in various ways.
ICT has revolutionized the world. There was a generation that did not have telephone;
there was a time when radio and television were considered as the most advanced sources
of information. However now the new generation lives in the world of Internet, wireless,
augmented and virtual space. The world around has drastically changed. The dramatic
change due to ICT has resulted in innovation in every field.
• Access to instant data: Access to instant data supports in predictions, decision making
and also knowledge acquisition.
● Creation of information for communication: ICTs can be used to create communication
pieces in various forms like text, image, audio, video, multimedia, etc. Once the
information is in digital form it can be used for recreating resources out of the original.
Digital information is also easy to modify and share.
● Store and organise: ICT helps in organizing information in various forms. This
organisation of information helps in retrieving the required data. For example, in libraries,
all the information about books are organised as database by using management software.
If anyone wants to check the availability of books, it is easy to search in the database and
find the availability.
● Scope for learning: ICT provides a great opportunity to learn. One can learn anytime,
anywhere and at his or her own pace. We can also create our own personal learning
environment. Availability of online courses, e-tutorials have opened up avenues for
continuous and life‑long learning.

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● Plan and manage : Use of ICT tools can help in time management by scheduling the
works across devices and using various features like alerts, priorities, highlights, etc. ICT
tools can also be used in planning and managing the activities.
How ICT is Useful?
ICT has wide range of applications for the society but the extent of its use depends on the
user. ICT has its existence in all fields. Some of the fields are shown in
1. Application of ICT in Everyday Life ICTs have become a way of life in the present
day world. We are using various ICTs in our day-to-day life for reading e-newspapers, e-
magazines and e-books, online shopping, paying bills for food, using mobile apps, getting
online appointments from doctors and so on.
2. Application of ICT in Education
a. Teaching, Learning and Assessment: ICT finds presence and expression in almost all
the functions of the schools, such as admission, time table, classroom instruction,
evaluation, laboratory management, learning resources management, examination and
certification. It is also being used for office automation. E‑resources like websites, e-
books, e-newsletters, Open Educational Resources (OERs), etc., are used by most of the
schools.
b. Inclusive Education: ICT is used for catering to the educational needs of every section
of the society, including children with special needs. Various assistive devices and
technologies are being developed which play an important role in fulfilling the specific
needs of these children. For example, talking books, talk back feature of mobile phones,
GPS inbuilt walking sticks, etc., are making substantial changes in people's lives.
3. Application of ICT in Art: Creative construction and connection are being done in
various domains with the advent of ICT. Creative composition, compilation and
communication can be done quickly by compatible ICTs. The role of ICT is vital in
disseminating various art forms popular in one area to another. The appreciation
of Art and Culture gained popularity through ICT. ICT has made it possible to showcase
the creative works to the larger audience.
4. Application of ICT in Science and Technology
a. Health: The use of ICT in surgeries has made them less invasive, highly precise and
automated. Due to this the recovery time has reduced many folds. Robotic technology
has got a positive impact on present medical sciences. Now‑a‑days distance is not a
constraint for any complicated medical intervention to be done jointly by doctors located
at different places through networking.

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b. Telecommunication: The field of Information Technology has seen a lot of

advancement with the help of ICT. The satellite communication has advanced a lot and
reached a number of people belonging to different setups. Low‑cost smartphones and
very cost‑effective services have made the availability of these to almost everybody in
the society. App based services available in different areas have made people’s life easy.
c. Agriculture and Natural Resources: Frequent and almost accurate weather updates have
revolutionised the agriculture sector. Early prediction of rains or other weather conditions
by Metrological Department has equipped the farmers in getting better yield. The
sustainable use of natural resources has also become possible due to ICT integration; now
it is possible to locate the oil wells coal mines, etc., with the help of satellite technology.
5. Application of ICT in Business Transportation ICT is used very effectively in the area
of transportation. The GPS system is installed in vehicles, to provide security and easy
navigation to the commuters. Airplanes and trains use RADAR systems for their control
and path finding. Application-based services have revolutionized the experience of
transport system by their users. Online reservations of flights, trains, buses and other
services have further made our lives easier.
a. Marketing: Online marketing through various websites and mobile applications is very
popular in today’s world. People find them useful and hassle free. They are not only cost
effective but also saves a lot of time and effort of the people. The online sales and services
have generated a new type of employment, which require very less investment at the
source.
b. Tourism: Various online hotel booking systems have provided a great experience to
the users. With the advancement of ICT even checking the overall scenario of a place
before planning a visit has become feasible. Also, online payment facilities have
simplified the travel experience.
6. Application of ICT in Administration
a. Public Safety and Security: Deployment of ICT makes it possible for the police
departments to collect, store and rapidly disseminate the information to enhance public
safety. ICT can also be used for the identification of criminals by tracing their digital
footprints.
b. e-Governance and Public Administration:
e-Governance is generally understood as the use of Information and Communication
Technology (ICT) at all the level of the Government in order to provide services to the
citizens, interaction with business enterprises and communication and exchange of

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information between different agencies of the Government in a speedy, convenient

efficient and
transparent manner.
Common ICT Gadgets
Smartphone
Laptop and tablet
Headphones
Earphones
Wear tracker
Smartwatch
Mouse
Fax machine
Projector
Web camera
Biometric scanner
Digital camera
Remote control
Dvd
Joysick..

The Advantages ICT

1. Timely, better and cheaper access to knowledge and information.

2. Speeds up transactions and processes.
3. Provides opportunities for human beings to interact with one another in new ways
easily.
4. Makes distance to become irrelevant in business transactions and dealings.
5. ICT has brought about innovative ways of interaction.
6. It provides employment opportunities to people globally
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7. It is very useful as a medium of instruction in schools. It also makes people to acquire

knowledge especially in ICT.
8. When used in governance, it leads to efficiency. This is called e-administration.
9. It is useful in medicine for medical diagnosis.

The D i s a dvantages ICT

1. It can lead to job loss as a result of computerization of transactions in an office.

2. Youth often abuse the internet by using it mostly for entertainment, watching
pornography and using it to commit crime, notably cybercrime.