In this digital
era, it is difficult to think of any event in our day to day life without using Information and Communication Technology.Information and communications technology (ICT) which refers to all the technology used to
handle telecommunications, broadcast media, intelligent building management
systems, audiovisual processing and transmission systems, and network-based
control and monitoring functions.
ICT is often considered an extended synonym for
information technology (IT) and its
scope is more broad.
ICT has
more recently been used to describe the convergence of several technologies and
the use of common transmission lines carrying very diverse data and
communication types and formats.ICT include the
merging of audiovisual, telephone and computer networks through a common
cabling system. Internet service providers (ISPS) commonly provide internet,
phone and television services to homes and businesses through a single optical
cable. The elimination of the telephone networks has provided huge economic
incentives to implement this convergence, which eliminates many of the costs
associated with cabling, signal distribution, user installation, servicing and
maintenance costs.
In a wider sense information is
processed data. Most of the decisions taken in and around the world by and
large are based on the data and information. In today’s world Information is the key guiding force.When the information reaches the intended audience,
then only the purpose of creation of
information as well as its communication would be served.
In
traditional way radio, television, and print media were the widespread
technologies used for communication. The digital revolution has changed the way
these traditional technologies function. The analog television has become
digital television. In addition to the printed newspaper we also have
electronic versions. Along with traditional radio, we also have online radio.
UNESCO has defined ICT as forms of
technology that are used to transmit, process, store, create, display, share or
exchange information by electronic means.
It includes not only traditional technologies like radio and television,
but also modern ones like cellular phones, computer and network, hardware and
software, satellite systems etc..as well as the various services and
applications associated with them, such as videoconferencing.
ICT -Range of
Technologies
Information
|
Technologies
|
Creation
|
Personal Computers, Digital camera,
Scanner, Smartphone
|
Processing
|
Calculator, PC, Smartphone
|
Storage
|
CD, DVD, Pen drive, Microchip,
Cloud
|
Display
|
PC, TV, Projector, Smartphone,
|
Transmission
|
Internet, Teleconference, Video
conferencing, Mobile technology, Radio
|
Exchange
|
E-mail, Cellphone,
|
Graphical Representation :ICT
IN EVERYDAY LIFE-ICT
In
this present era lot of business transactions happen through internet and hence
called e-commerce. ICT facilitates marketing, customer visit, product browsing,
shopping basket checkout, tax and shopping, receipt and process order. Through
e-commerce one can also offer services pertaining to processing transactions,
documentation, presentations, inventory management and gathering product
information. In other words, every business activity can be done being at home.
ICT in
Financial Services
Every
service a traditional bank provides is available these days through online
service. Starting from transferring money from one account to other up to
running the day-today transactions of the bank are provided through internet.
Through the networking of banks, this has become a reality. Capital market
transactions, financial analysis and related services are available on the
online platforms.
ICT
in Entertainment
Internet
is a major source of entertainment. Internet is a hub of movies, games, books,
and social networking. Due to digital broadcasting, the television experience
itself is changing. We can easily record the television programs and view it.
Digital broadcasting has changed the way we experience television, with more
interactive programming and participation. Digital cameras, printers and
scanners have enabled more people to experiment with image production.
ICT
in Public Service
E-governance
practices are widely encouraged by both central and state governments. Digital
India initiative of Government of India and e-governance initiative of
Government of Karnataka are best examples of this. Many government services are
available in online nowadays. We can enrol ourselves in the electoral roll of
the local assembly constituency through the State Election Commission portal.
We can book an LPG cylinder through the website of the gas supplier, pay
electricity bills online through an online bill desk. Land related RTC can be
viewed through internet being at home. ICT is also providing a platform for a
conversation between the public and the government through various social
networking services.
ICT in Education
Information Communication Technology-Advantages:
Communication
ICT expands availability for more efficient
communications. Speed/time and money can be saved because it is much quicker to
send/share information around.
Globalization
Vedio conferencing saves money on flights and
accommodation.ict not only helps to brought people together it also helps the
world’s economy to become a single interdependent system.
Cost effectiveness
Numerous offers from telecommunication companies
and smart phones therefore making far cheaper than in the past. People uses
social network for free communication e.g. Viber, Skype, Facebook. Saving time
and money for petrol as people can go shopping from home through online
shopping.
Greater
availability
Websites are open for communication in every minute
of the year. A business can be open anytime anywhere giving a customer the
capability to make purchase from different sites and different countries.
Bridging cultural gap
Greater access to the ICT has helped to build the
bridges between different cultures giving them opportunity to exchange views
and ideas. Also, helps to educate both sides of communication bridge
thereby increasing awareness and reducing prejudice.
Creation of jobs
Creation of new and interesting jobs in IT sectors
is one of the major advantage of ICT. Computer programmers, web designers etc. Have
great employment opportunities created through the advancement of technology.
Education
There is new opportunity for further education to
improve qualification in so many economic sectors. One person can complete
a degree
from his/her home. It is possible to hold a job and still do degree.
ICT: Challenges
Lack of Security/Privacy
Though IT may have changed and more convenient, it
also brought along privacy and security issues. From email hacking, phone
signal interception etc. People are worried that personal information may
become public knowledge. IT keeps changing almost every day which means that
the individuals must be up to date in IT to secure their jobs. There is also
risk factors with the systems computer viruses, malware, spam, Trojans etc.,
attacking.
Lack of Job
Security
While IT may have streamlined the business process,
it has created job redundancies and subcontracting. Using the computers instead
of human resources employers save huge amount of money but employees are losing
their jobs as not needed anymore.
Social media
The network pages are open to everyone including
teenagers and young children’s which can affect their mental and physical
health by watching and playing violent games. They became addicted to the
phones, ipod, gaming consoles forgetting about outside activities and
communication in the society.
Cyber bulling
It is so easy now bullying and threatening others
in social network pages that this has become much easier for internet users all
over the world. They don’t realize what the consequences are to those
reading/hearing unpleasant comments. In the recent past there have been so many
investigation cases regarding cyber bullying with lethal consequences.
Reliance on technology
People don’t bother to read, calculate or write
without computers anymore in same time losing abilities of hand writing,
calculate without calculator even for minor addition, reading books .
Expansive: Too expansive to
afford
Lack of experience: Hard for teachers
to use with a lack of experience using ICT tools.
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