Module 1

Overview on Information Technology

OBJECTIVES:

W
At the end of this module,
elcome to Module 1 of the course you are expected to:
on Living in an IT Era entitled,
“Overview on Information 1. Discuss Information
Technology;
Technology”. Here, we look at how the world
2. Differentiate a computer
around us evolve through information technology from a
technology. This module will also discuss about communications
the definition of information technology. We shall technology
also go over information technology’s timeline 3. Tabulate the major
contributions of
and identify significant people who made an
information technology
important contribution to this technology. to mankind.

“Technology must be like oxygen: ubiquitous, necessary, and invisible.”

- Chris Lehmann -

The quote above describes how information technology evolves today. Truly,
technology is no longer a luxury to some people. In fact, it has become a necessity to
each and every one. It is everywhere – in school, office, markets, hospitals, train
stations, and even in our homes. Somewhere within the confines of our very own
homes, we feel the presence of information technology. Devices that are found at home,
in school, in offices and other places have the presence of computing and
communications technology. This unique combination is what we know today as
information technology”. Let me ask you a question – why do you need to learn about
information technology? Is it not enough that you know how to use portable gadgets
such as smartphones and Ipads, ATM machines, Smart TVs? Well, to answer to that is
to say that one needs to be an informed user – a person knowledgeable about
information technology and information system. Below are some of the possible reasons
why we need to have an in-depth knowledge about information technology:
  First, you will have an advantage to your future organization’s
applications because you will have better understandings on how IT
operates on its own;
 Second, you will be given the chance to help your future organization
in enhancing their quality outputs;
 Third, even as a newly hired employee with lesser experience, you will
be given the chance to participate in the organization’s decision
support and making when it comes to IT applications;
 Fourth, being an informed user will allow you to be updated to both
information and technologies which will guide you in helping the
organization recommend IT related decision making;
 Fifth, you will understand how IT can further enhance your
productivity towards your work and your team’s work; and
 Finally, if you plan to become an entrepreneur, then being an informed
user will guide you to use IT as you start your business venture.

According to Williams & Sawyer (2012), “Information technology (IT) is a general

term that describes any technology that helps to produce, manipulate, store, communicate,
and/or disseminate information”.

Information Technology is a combination of two very significant technologies

that that continues to evolve in time. These are:

1. COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY

Computer technology is a technology which makes use of computer in

order to accept a data and perform processes and manipulation in order to
come up with an information which we can use. Computer technology aids
us by way of solving problems and executing processes within a short span of
time

2. COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY

Communications technology which is also referred as telecommunications

technology, allows electromagnetic devices and systems to communicate over
long distances. Some examples of communications technology include
telephones, radio, satellite, broadcast television and cable TV.

When these two technologies merged, the birth of information technology is

invented. You see phones with computer functionality and televisions that are capable
of processing data.
IT Career Opportunities

One of the positive impact of information technology to the world is the rise of
career opportunities from among the people of all walks of life. Individuals as early as
teenagers have been given the chance to earn for their living. Likewise, even persons
with disabilities were not prevented from earning. This is because several IT skills have
been introduced and are constantly being needed by organizations. In fact, some IT jobs
do not even require physical presence and are more flexible to the advantage of an
employee. The following table below lists down some of the IT career opportunities:

Position Job Description

Chief Information Officer Highest-ranking IS manager; is responsible for all
strategic planning in the organization
IS Director Manages all systems throughout the organization
and the day-to-day operations of the entire IS
organization
Information Center Manager Manages IS services such as help desks, hot lines,
training and consulting
Applications Development Coordinates and manages new systems
Manager development projects
Project Manager Manages a particular new systems development
project
Systems Manager Manages a particular existing system
Operations Manager Supervises the day-to-day operations of the data
and/or computer center
Programming Manager Coordinates all applications programming efforts
System Analyst Interfaces between users and programmers;
determines information requirements and technical
specifications for new applications
Business Analyst Focuses on designing solutions for business
problems; interfaces closely with users to
demonstrate how IT can be used innovatively
Systems Programmer Creates the computer code for developing new
system software or maintaining existing system
software
Application Programmer Creates the computer code for developing new
applications or maintaining existing system
software
Emerging Technologies Forecasts technology trends; evaluates and
Manager experiments with new technologies
Network Manager Coordinates and manages the organization’s voice
and data networks
Database Administrator Manages the organization’s databases and oversees
the use of database management software
Auditing or Computer Security Oversees the ethical and legal use of information
Manager systems
Webmaster Manages the organization’s World Wide Web site
Web Designer Creates World Wide Web sites and pages

How did Information Technology start?

The following video clip https://youtu.be/bGo6vlWbKl0 entitled “Technology

evolution Timeline” will show the early beginnings of various technologies including
the computer technology and communications technology and how they evolve in time.

Early computing devices are traced as early as 3000 B.C. when Babylonians
invented abacus, a mechanical computer that is capable of performing computations
such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Since then, other computing
devices where later invented. Such innovations were results of careful study from
computer scientists and computer engineers in order to address the demands of the
society.

Module Summary

This module discussed the evolution of information technology. It presented a

summary about the two important technologies that merged in order to create an
information technology. And finally, it discussed about the many types of computers
which identified its purposes and function and how it gave use to the society.

Learning Resources:

1. www.pinterest.com
2. https://youtu.be/bGo6vlWbKl0
3. Rainer, K., Prince, B., & Cegielski, C.(2015), Introduction to Information System