Basic Technology,JSS 2 First Term, Week 2
Topic: Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
ICT is an acronym that stands for Information and Communication Technology. ICT covers a broad spectrum of activities involving production, processing and distribution of information and knowledge. The basic element of ICT and the determinants of level of access to it are explained below;
- Information “I” can be in the form of voice, text, images or data.
- Communication “C” is the transfer of information from either point-to-point or point-to-multipoint. The transfer is usually over some distance.
- Technology “T” with it, the transfer of information is affected. The technology is by electronic means. The transfer of information is often achieved via networks of sending and receiving equipment, wires and satellite links.
ICT can be categorized into three main interlocking sub-sectors:
- Telecommunication: It is the communication using fixed lines, mobile platforms, fixed wireless or optical fibre.
- Computer Hardware: It is used for sending and receiving information. Super computers, mainframe computers, minicomputers, microcomputers are examples of types of computers. Examples of computer hardware are keyboard, mouse, monitor and system unit.
- Computer Software: It is the program that instructs and directs the computer and other devices connected to it so that the computer will know what to do with the information or data to be sent or received. Operating system (OS) and application programs are examples of computer software.
