Introduction
ICT stands for Information and Communication Technology, which is a technology
that allows us to search for information and to communicate with each other.
Society has seen the ICT revolution in the leading edge. The new technologies of
the digital age have been accessible in our everyday life with the guaranteed
benefits so ICT has been encouraged as our great living standards. ICT integrate all
communication channels for us to use in our everyday life
About ICT.
Information and communications technology (ICT) is often used as an extended
synonym for information technology (IT), but is a more specific term that stresses
the role of unified communications. ICT provides access to information through
telecommunications. It is similar to Information Technology (IT), but concentrates
mostly on communication technologies such as the Internet, wireless networks,
cell phones, and other communication mediums. ICT includes any communication
device or application, encompassing: radio, television, cell phones, computer,
laptops, tablets, and network hardware and software, so on. ICT also provides the
various services online and applications associated with them.
Application Areas of Information and Communication Technology
1. Financial Systems 2. Retail Systems 3. Reservations 4. Communication
accounting point of sale Systems Systems
banking systems hotels fax and telex
payroll ii) stock ii) air-lines radio
control television
video
conferencing
e-mail
telecommuting
internet
5. Education 6. Industrial systems 7. Scientific and 8. Transportation
Computer simulation Research Systems Systems
Aided process weather air-traffic
Learning(CAL) control forecasting control
e-learning CAD medical shipping
computer (Computer research control
based Aided military/space automobile
simulation Design)/CAM exploration traffic control
(Computer
Aided
Manufacture)
9. Entertainment 10. Virtual reality 11. Library 12. Health
Systems i) uses of virtual Systems
i) computers and reality i) Library lending
movies ii) visor system
ii) multi- media
14. Marketing
i) e-commerce
ii) business
However, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has both positive and
negative impact on society.
Positive impacts of Information and Communication Technology
1. Access to information: Increase in access to information and services that
has accompanied the growth of the Internet. Some of the positive aspects of this
increased access are better, and often cheaper, communications, such as VoIP
phone and Instant Messaging.
2. Improved access to education: e. distance learning and on-line tutorials.
New ways of learning, e. interactive multi-media and virtual reality..
3. New tools, new opportunities: ICT gives access to new tools that did not
previously exist: digital cameras, photo-editing software and high quality printers,
screen magnification or screen reading software enables partially sighted or blind
people to work with ordinary text rather than Braille.
4. Communication: Cost savings by using e.VoIP instead of normal telephone,
email / messaging instead of post, video conferencing instead of traveling to
meetings, e-commerce web sites instead of sales catalogues. Access larger, even
worldwide markets.
5. Information management: Data mining of customer information to produce
lists for targeted advertising.
Improved stock control, resulting in less wastage, better cash flow, etc.
6. Security: ICT solves or reduces some security problems, e. Encryption methods
can keep data safe
from unauthorized people, both while it is being stored or while it is being sent
electronically.
7. ICT allows people to participate in a wider, even worldwide, society.
8. Distance learning: students can access teaching materials from all over the
world.
9. ICT facilitates the ability to perform ‘impossible’ experiments’ by using
simulations.
10. Creation of new more interesting jobs. Examples would be systems analysts,
programmers and software
engineers, as well as help desk operators and trainers.
Negative impacts of Information and Communication Technology
1. Job loss: Manual operations being replaced by automation. Electronic robots
replacing people on an assembly line. Job export on electronic Data processing
work being sent to other countries where operating costs are lower. Multiple
workers being replaced by a smaller number who are able to do the same amount
of work. e. A worker on a supermarket checkout can serve more customers per
hour if a bar-code scanner linked to a computerized till is used to detect goods
instead of the worker having to enter the item and price manually
2. Reduced personal interaction: Most people need some form of social
interaction in their daily lives and if they do not get the chance to meet and talk
with other people they may feel isolated and unhappy.
3. Reduced physical activity: This can lead to health problems such as obesity,
heart disease, and diabetes.
4. Cost: A lot of ICT hardware and software is expensive, both to purchase and to
maintain. An ICT system usually requires specialist staff to run it and there is also
the challenge of keeping up with ever-changing technology.
5. Competition: this is usually thought of as being a good thing, but for some
organizations, being exposed to greater competition can be a problem. If the
organization is competing for customers, donations, or other means of funding
nationally or even internationally, they may lose out to other organizations that
can offer the same service for less money.
