Module 1 UNIT 3:

Information and
Communication Technology
(ICT) and You
Ms. Ma. Angela V. Rufo
MM Student
INTRODUCTION
• Inthe last unit, we briefly discussed the meaning of
Information and Communication Technology (ICT), the
development in ICT and some benefits of ICT. In this unit,
we shall discuss Information Technology and You. You will
learn about new forms of learning and ways of
communication with people at different levels.
OBJECTIVES
• By the end of the unit, you should be able to
-explain the five parts of an information system
-distinguish between systems software and application
software
-distinguish between general purpose and special purpose
application Software
INFORMATION SYSTEM
• An Information System consists of five parts namely: people,
procedures, software, hardware and data. Connectivity
allows computers to connect and share information, thereby
greatly expanding the capability and usefulness of an
information system (O’Leary and O’Leary, 2005).
• Over two decades ago in Nigeria, most people had little to
do directly with computers. Even though they filled out
computerized forms, took computerized tests and paid
computerized bills, the real work with computers was
handled by specialists – programmers, data entry clerks, and
computer operators.
• The advent of microcomputers has made it easy for nearly
everyone to use a computer. It is now possible
• for writers to write, artists to draw, engineers and scientists
to calculate, and measure distance, length and quantity
through the use of computers. All these and more are done
by students and businessmen.
• for new learning system to develop. People who work odd
hours or travel frequently may take courses on the web that
do not need to fall within the usual time of a quarter or a
semester.
• tohave new ways to communicate, to find people with
similar interest and to buy goods. Everywhere in
contemporary terms, we have all kinds of people using
electronic mail (e-mail), electronic commerce (e-commerce)
and the internet to meet and to share ideas and products.
• How do individual, including you, use Information and
Communication Technology (ICT)? Recently, many
interesting and practical uses of ICT have surfaced and they
really impacted positively on the lives of people. These
developments have made personal lives richer and more
interesting and they include applications ranging from
recording digital video clips to creating personalized
websites.
• It is pertinent to remind competent end users that an
information system is made up of five parts namely: people,
procedure, software, hardware and data. In addition, they
need to have a clear understanding of connectivity, the
wireless revolution, the internet, the web and role played by
Information and Communication Technology in their
professional lives.
PEOPLE
• People are the most essential part of Information System. They
are the end users of information. It is easy to overlook people but
they are obviously the most essential part of the system. The sole
aim of an information system is to make people or end users
more productive. That includes you. People are end users, you
can use the computer to make yourself more productive.
• Technology has made positive impact on people. It is equally
important to recognize its negative or potentially negative
impact. To effectively implement information technology, it is
worthwhile considering how to maximize its positive effects
while minimizing its negative effects. The significant areas of
concern include
• Privacy: Identifying the threats to personal privacy and how
one could protect himself against such.
• Security:This concerns the control of access to sensitive
information and how one can secure hardware and software.
• Ergonomics: This is about the issue of risks of technology
which may be physical like eye strain, backache, etc. or
mental risks which include noise and electronic monitoring.
• Environment: The ranging question is: What can individuals
and organizations do to minimize the impact of technology
on our environment?
PROCEDURE
• These are rules and guidelines to follow when using
software, hardware and data. They are written for computer
operators. They are also documented in manuals written by
computer professionals. For an information system to
function properly, it has to follow specified rules or
guidelines.
SOFTWARE
• Software This is the invisible part of a computer system. This
refers to all programmes that can be used on a particular
system. It provides step-by-step instructions to control the
computer or to convert data into information. Software can
be categorized into Systems Software and Application
Software.
SYSTEMS SOFTWARE
• Systems software controls the computer systems. It is a
collective name for the programmes that contribute to the
control and performance of the computer system. Systems
software can be sub-divided into Operating Systems,
Translators and Utilities.
OPERATING SYSTEMS
• These are major software required by all computers. No
computer can function without them because the computer
cannot understand your own instructions. The operating
system is a set of programmes designed to efficiently
manage the resources of the computer system. It performs
supervisory functions on input and output operations,
communicates with the computer operator, and allocates
the computer’s resources which allow the operation of the
computer to progress smoothly with minimum intervention
(Eyitayo, Eyitayo and Akeju, 2008). Operating system
contributes to the control and performance of the system.
• Notable examples are
• MS – DOS – Microsoft Desk Operating System: commonly
known as DOS, is used with a single microcomputer.
• NOVELL – is used in a network environment where many
computers are linked together to share resources.
• UNIX – is also used in a multi-user environment where a big
computer is available to many people at the same time.
• Window Operating System – this is used with a single
microcomputer or in a network environment. It makes the
use of the computer easier as you have no need to recall or
remember any command. Its graphical interface enables the
user to have fun while communicating with the computer.
APPLICATION • This includes general and special-
purpose applications. The general-
SOFTWARE purpose is also referred to as basic
applications that focus on specific
disciplines and occupations. These
include graphics, audio and video,
multimedia, web authoring and
artificial intelligence programmes.
Applications software are used with
systems software to perform specific
tasks given to the computer by the user
(Eyitayo, Eyitayo and Akeju, 2008).
Applications software can only work
effectively if used in conjunction with
the appropriate systems software.
HARDWARE • Hardware is the physical equipment
in an information system. This
consists of the typical equipment
controlled by software and its
processes data to create
information. These include
keyboard, mouse, monitor, systems
unit, and other devices. Information
is referred to as data which has been
processed in a way that makes it
meaningful and useful to the person
that receives it.
 • Data are facts, events, activities and
DATA transactions that are recorded. They
are raw materials from which
information is produced. In other
words, data are unprocessed facts or
raw facts and figures that are
processed into information.
Processing data creates information.
Users need data to create useful
information. Data are facts or
observations about people, places,
things, and events. Physical view
focuses on actual format and location
of data. Logical view focuses on
meaning and content of data.
• Data was initially limited to numbers, letters, and symbols that
the keyboards recorded but it is richer and it includes
• audio captured, interpreted, and saved using microphones and
voice recognition.
• music captured from the Internet, from MIDI devices, and other
sources.
• photographs captured by digital cameras, edited by image
editing software, and shared with others over the Internet.
• video captured by digital video cameras, TV tuner cards, and
Webcams. The four common file types are document files,
worksheet files, database files, and presentation file. We shall
discuss each of them.
DOCUMENT FILES
• Document files are created by word processors to save
documents such as memos, term papers, letters, etc.
WORKSHEET FILES
• Worksheet files are types of files created by electronic
spreadsheet to analyze budgets and to predict sales, etc.
DATABASE FILES
• The database files are created by database management
programmes to contain highly structured and organized
data. A typical example is an employee database file which
might contain all the workers’ names, social security
numbers and other relevant information.
PRESENTATION FILES
• These types of files are created
by presentation graphic
programmes to save presentation materials. Such files
contain audience handouts, speaker notes and electronic
slides.
CONNECTIVITY
• This is a concept related to using computer networks to link
people and resources. It describes the ability of end users to
share information with other users. Through connectivity,
computer networks make it possible for computers to be
connected to share data and resources.
CONNECTIVITY
• For example, a microcomputer can be connected by
telephone or other telecommunications links to other
computers and information sources almost anywhere. This
type of connection can link you to the world larger than
computers and the Internet.
THE WIRELESS REVOLUTION
• There is a dramatic change in connectivity and
communications through the widespread use of mobile or
wireless telephones. Students, teachers, parents, business
people and administrators carry out their routine talks and
communicate with these devices. The wireless technology
allows individual to stay connected with one another from
almost anywhere at any time.
• The digital convergence, that is, the merger of computer and
communications, is a revolution because wireless technology
was originally intended for voice communication but it is
now widely used to support all kinds of communication,
• especially computer communication. One can share a high-
speed printer, share data files, and collaborate on working
documents with a nearby co-worker without being
connected by cables or telephones. There are some wireless
technology that allows individuals to connect to the Internet
and share information almost anywhere in the world.
CONCLUSION
• Information system is made up of five parts namely: people,
procedures, software, hardware and data. People are the
most important. They are end users. Procedure provides the
guidelines while software are the invisible parts of the
computer system. They provide the instructions that control
the computer.
• They are in two categories: systems software and
applications software. The hardware are the physical
equipment and they are controlled by the software. They are
the control room of information. Data are raw facts and
when processed they become information. Information
system is viable through connectivity and this connectivity is
being enhanced by the wireless revolution.
REFERENCES/FURTHER READING
• Eyitayo, A. O., Eyitayo, O. T. and Akeju, O. M. (2008):
Computer Studies for Beginners 1. Ibadan: Bounty Press Ltd.
• O’Leary, T. J. and O’Leary, L. I. (2005). Computing Essentials
2005. Boston: McGraw Hill. Williams, B. K. and Sawyer, S. C.
(2005). Using Information Technology: A Practical
Introduction To Computer Communications. Boston:
McGraw Hill.