Introduction To Information

Technology
 Introduction
• Communication and information technology is
considered one of the most important factors in
driving development in the global economy. It has
integrated into all aspects of daily life, significantly
advancing various activities and positively impacting
relationships between individuals and nations. It
serves as a powerful tool for achieving national
development goals and eliminating poverty, hunger,
and disease.
• On the other hand, information technology and
communication tools have brought about a
fundamental revolution in life as a whole.
 Information Technology
Role in Developing a
Civilized Society
• Today, technology and scientific
advancement are the backbone of human
progress, refinement, and the expansion of
capabilities and potential. The various
outcomes of this progress have significantly
influenced human movement in the current
century, making individuals live in rhythm
with the pace of technological development
and its continuous innovations.
• The primary factor behind the depth of
this impact is the increasing evolution
of communication technologies, which
has transformed the entire world into
what feels like a single country, city, or
small village. This phenomenon, known
as globalization, signifies the removal
of cultural and economic barriers and
boundaries between nations.
 Characteristics of the
Contemporary Information
Society
• Information Explosion.
• Increasing Importance of Information as an input
in systems and as a fundamental resource.
• Emergence of Technological Innovations in
information processing.
• Growth of Societies and Organizations that rely
entirely on information.
• Development of Human and Automated
information processing systems.
• Diversity of Information Users.
• Increase in Digital and Non-Printed
Information sources.
• Emergence of Changing User
Expectations.
• Reduction in Workforce.
• Utilization of Modern Information Services.
Defining Information Technology
• Information Technologies are
systems of hardware and/or software
that capture, process, exchange,
store and/or present information using
electrical, magnetic and/or
electromagnetic energy.
• There are two main components:
– The first category: related to preparing
or processing information, such as
computer systems.
– The second category: related to
transmitting information, such as remote
communication systems
 Data Vs. Information
Data: Raw unorganized facts
:Information
A collection of facts organized in such
way that they have additional value a
.beyond the value of the facts themselves

• Defining and organizing relationships

among data creates information.
What Counts as information
Methods for conveying information
 What Is the Role of
?Information Technology
• Information technology plays a
prominent role in business and
provides a foundation for much of
our current workforce. From
communications to data
management and operational
efficiency, IT supports many business
functions and helps drive
productivity.
 Why Do We Need
?Information Technology
• information technology drives much of
what we do in our personal and
professional lives. It is the foundation of
our communication, technological
advancement, innovation, sustainability
and recreation. We use information
technology on a personal level to
connect and communicate with others,
play games, share media, shop and be
social.
 Evolution of IT
• Pre-Mechanical Age: The earliest
forms of information technology date
back to the pre-mechanical age,
where people used symbols and
signs to communicate and record
information. Examples of this include
cave paintings, hieroglyphics, and
the abacus.
• Mechanical Age: The mechanical age
of IT began in the 1800s with the
invention of the mechanical
calculator, which could perform basic
arithmetic operations. This was
followed by the development of the
punched card, which was used to
store and process information in the
first digital computers.
• Electromechanical Age: The
electromechanical age of IT began in
the mid-20th century with the
development of the first electronic
computers. These computers used
vacuum tubes and relays to process
information and were large and
expensive.
• Transistor Age: The transistor age of
IT began in the late 1940s with the
development of the transistor, which
replaced vacuum tubes in electronic
devices. Transistors were smaller,
faster, and more reliable than
vacuum tubes and enabled the
development of smaller, more
powerful computers.
• Integrated Circuit Age: The integrated
circuit age of IT began in the late 1950s
with the development of the first
integrated circuits, which allowed
multiple transistors to be integrated onto
a single chip. This enabled the
development of smaller, faster, and more
efficient computers, as well as other
electronic devices such as smartphones,
tablets, and digital cameras.
• Personal Computer Age: The personal
computer age of IT began in the 1970s
with the development of the first
personal computers, such as the Apple
II and the IBM PC. These computers
were smaller, more affordable, and
easier to use than previous generations
of computers, and enabled widespread
adoption of computing in homes and
businesses.
• Internet Age: The internet age of IT began in
the 1990s with the widespread adoption of
the World Wide Web and the development of
the first web browsers. The internet enabled
people to communicate, share information,
and conduct business on a global scale, and
has had a significant impact on virtually
every aspect of modern life.
•
• Mobile Age: The mobile age of IT
began in the 2000s with the
widespread adoption of smartphones
and other mobile devices. These
devices enabled people to access
information and communicate on the
go, and have transformed the way
we live, work, and socialize.
• Cloud Age: The cloud age of IT began
in the late 2000s with the
widespread adoption of cloud
computing. Cloud computing enables
users to access computing resources
and services over the internet,
without the need for local
infrastructure or hardware.
Why is information
technology required?
• Information technology enables people in
businesses to improve their use of
technology, increasing productivity and, as a
result, assisting in the growth of the business.
As we all know, technology is present
everywhere in the world, and its applications
are not limited to business. So, let’s take a
look at all the applications of Information
technology in various aspects and industries
around the world.
1. Healthcare
•With a simple definition, healthcare is a
massive and complex industry. Healthcare
can be defined as the provision of services
or treatment to people who are ill, either
mentally or physically. Information
technology has already made significant
contributions to the field of healthcare,
and advancements are still being made.
2. Education
•The education industry has undergone
significant change as a result of advances
in information technology. More students
are now eager to enroll in schools, owing
to the administration’s use of cutting-
edge technology in the classrooms.
Online e-libraries where students can
download ebooks and resources.
3. Communications
•The advancement of information technology
has made the world a smaller place, and the
entire world is now connected. Data can now
be shared anywhere in the world, regardless
of geographical location. Many organisations
have been able to transfer terabytes of data
in seconds, increasing not only productivity
but also saving a significant amount of time
and manpower.
4. Employment
•Every day, we could see hundreds of
job openings from all over the world.
Software engineers, data scientists,
cloud analysts, designers, and
developers are all involved in data
management in some way. We would
never see the above positions if it
weren’t for information technology.
5. Security
•Because the entire data is stored on the
cloud, and physical devices, and there is a
lot of data transferring involved, it is critical
to safeguard all of the data.IT aids in the
secure reading and transfer of data via risk-
free network channels. IT also aids in data
security through the use of passwords,
facial recognition, and fingerprint
recognition.
6. Governance
•The concept of E-Governance is currently
transforming the lives of millions of people all
over the world. The digitalization of government
activities has made the administration more
accountable and responsive to societal issues.
Even remote areas with no internet access are
being recognized by the government, and
authorities are providing the necessary
resources to the people.
7. Entertainment
•Information Technology has brought about
significant changes in all of our lifestyles. IT has
introduced a plethora of new entertainment
options into our lives. People can now watch
their favourite shows and movies and listen to
music via cable or wirelessly. People can now
watch 3D and even 7D movies, special audio
systems, and even access global radio channels
thanks to technological advancements.
8. Finance:
•IT has transformed the way we manage our
finances, making it easier to access banking
services and invest in the stock market. Online
banking has made it possible to check account
balances, transfer funds, and pay bills from
anywhere in the world. Investment platforms
like Robinhood, Acorns, and Betterment have
made it easier for people to invest their money
and manage their portfolios.
9. Transportation:
•IT has also had a significant impact on
transportation, making it easier to navigate and
plan travel. GPS technology has made it easier to
navigate unfamiliar roads and find the fastest
route to our destination. Ride-sharing services
like Uber and Lyft have made it easier to hail a
ride and avoid the hassles of public
transportation. Autonomous vehicles are also on
the horizon, promising to make transportation
safer and more efficient.
10. Virtual and Augmented Reality:
•Virtual reality technology can create a
simulated environment, while augmented
reality technology can enhance the real-world
environment with digital information. These
technologies have enabled immersive
learning experiences, improved the accuracy
of medical procedures, and created new
forms of entertainment, such as virtual
concerts and games.
11. Business:
•Internal Communication: Computer
network, Corporate website, Video
teleconferencing, Messaging (SMS,
email)
•Electronic Commerce: Call Centers,
Electronic transactions, Online sales
•Business operations; Factory
operation systems, Databases.
 Conclusion
• These are only a few of the applications of
information technology; however, if we look
closely, the applications of IT are limitless.
• The use of information technology is
growing at a rapid pace, and the main
reason for this is an increase in the use of
technology.
• Based on these, we can all agree that
information technology has changed the
world for the better.
See you next lecture