Lesson 1 - Information and Communications Technology

What is ICT?

ICT is an acronym that stands for Information and Communications Technology.

ICT covers any product that will store, retrieve, manipulate, transmit or receive
information electronically in a digital form. For example, personal computers, digital television,
email, robots.

So ICT is concerned with the storage, retrieval, manipulation, transmission or receipt of

digital data. It is also concerned with the way these different uses can work with each other.

In business, ICT is often categorized into two broad types of product:

●​ Traditional computer-based technologies (things you can typically do on a personal

computer or using computers at home or at work)

Ex. Standard office applications, Specialist applications

●​ Digital communication technologies (which allow people and organisations to

communicate and share information digitally)

Communication of data by electronic means, usually over some distance, is often

achieved via networks of sending and receiving equipment, wires and satellite links.

Types of Network

●​ Internal networks
Usually referred to as a local area network (LAN), this involves linking a
number of hardware items (input and output devices plus computer processing)
together within an office or building.

The aim of a LAN is to be able to share hardware facilities such as

printers or scanners, software applications and data. This type of network is
invaluable in the office environment where colleagues need to have access to
common data or programmes.

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●​ External networks
Often you need to communicate with someone outside your internal
network, in this case you will need to be part of a wide area network (WAN). The
internet is the ultimate WAN - it is a vast network of networks.

In a broader context

Your ICT course will almost certainly cover the above examples of ICT in action, perhaps
focusing on the use of key applications such as spreadsheets, databases, presentation,
graphics and web design software.

It will also consider the following important topics that deal with the way ICT is used and
managed in an organisation:

●​ Nature of information (the "I" in ICT): this covers topics such as the meaning and value
of information, how information is controlled, the limitations of ICT and legal
considerations

●​ Management of information: this covers how data is captured, verified and stored for
effective use; the manipulation, processing and distribution of information; keeping
information secure and designing networks to share information

●​ Information systems strategy: this considers how ICT can be used within a business or
organisation as part of achieving goals and objectives

Evolution of the World Wide Web

In the past, the printing press established a strong division between the people who
were able to access the knowledge it distributed and those who were not. The same issue has
now arisen with the Web, together with the additional problem of the speed of its transformation.

Each new period in the evolution of the World Wide Web (WWW) has transformed the
way business is conducted and companies themselves. These different stages in the evolution
of the Web, each with a series of associated concepts, are used indiscriminately with no
knowledge of their differences, contexts and links.

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Web 1.0 – Static Web

When WWW was invented, most web pages were static. Static (also known as flat or
stationary page) in the sense that the page is “as is” and cannot be manipulated by the user.
The content is the same for all users. Its use was limited to publishing corporate information,
developing marketing and sales plans and transactions with customers. This Web ushered in
the first online strategy for businesses (Berners-Lee et al. 1992).

Web 2.0 – Dynamic Web

Web 2.0 is the evolution of Web 1.0 by adding dynamic web pages – users are able to see a
website differently than others. Examples of Web 2.0 include social networking sites, blogs,
wikis, video sharing sites, hosted services and web applications. Web 2.0 allows users to
interact with the page: Instead of just reading a page, the user may be able to comment or
create an account. Web 2.0 also allows users to use web browsers instead of just using their
operating system. Browsers can now be used for their user interface, application software (or
web application), and even for storage.

Folksonomy – allows users to categorize and classify/arrange information using freely chosen
keywords (tagging).

Web 3.0 – Semantic Web

It combines human and artificial intelligence to provide more relevant, opportune and
accessible information. The W3C standard encourages web developers to include semantic
content in their web pages. The term was coined by the inventor of WWW, Tim Berners-Lee.
Lee also noted that the semantic web is a component for Web 3.0.

According to W3C, “The Semantic Web provides a common framework that allows data
to be shared and re-used across platform, enterprise and community boundaries”. The aim of
Web 3.0 machine (or server) is to understand the user preferences to be able to deliver web
content specifically targeting the user.

Web 3.0 has a more powerful language derived from neuronal networks and genetic
algorithms, with a particular emphasis on analysis, processing capacity and how to generate
new ideas based on user-generated information. Web 3.0 is a neologism used to describe the
transformation of the Web into a database, a way of making content more accessible through
multiple non-browser applications, artificial intelligence technologies, the semantic Web, the
geospatial Web and the 3DWeb. The market often uses it to promote improvements in relation
to Web 2.0.

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Web 4.0 – “Mobile Web”

The fourth step in the evolutionary process is occupied by Web 4.0 based on wireless
communication (mobile devices or computers) connecting people and objects whenever and
wherever in the physical or virtual world in real time. Web 4.0 connects all devices in the real
and virtual world in real-time.

For example, the GPS that guides cars and now helps drivers to improve the planned
route or save fuel will shortly save them from having to handle it.

Web 5.0 - Open, Linked and Intelligent Web = “Emotional Web”

Various futuristic terms are currently being used in relation to technology use. Web 5.0,
the sensory and emotive Web, is designed to develop computers that interact with human
beings. This relationship will become a daily habit for many people. Although at the moment the

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Web is “emotionally” neutral, that is, it does not perceive what users feel and although emotions
are still difficult to map, there are already technologies that can measure their effects. One
example is www.wefeelfine.org which tracks emotional phrases on the Web, categorises them
and registers the frequency and location of clusters of sentiments Another example is the
company Emotiv Systems which has created neurotechnology. Using headphones, users can
interact with content that responds to their emotions or changes the facial expression of their
avatars in real time. If interactions can then be personalised to create experiences that excite
users, then Web 5.0 will undoubtedly be more affable than its predecessors.

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Trends in ICT

New trends arise within this industry every year, and it becomes important for
professionals to be familiar with these different trends and all that they entail. No matter what
profession one is working in, being familiar with these can improve your professional standing
and can help one understand what the potential upgrades are for the industry that you are
already working in.

1. Cloud Computing

One of the biggest trends that have emerged during the past year is that of cloud
computing. More and more industries are realizing that it is important for a company to have a
designated place for all of their digital information and resources, and having a well-protected
place that can take care of everything and keep the information safe has almost become a
necessity. Cloud computing is the go-to solution for brands who want to improve their work and
make it more efficient in a digital space.

2. Mobile Apps

Mobile applications have only grown in popularity over the past few years, and this year,
they are surfacing in bigger and better ways. Brands and industries all over the world are trying
to find ways in which one can improve their work through the use of mobile apps and through
the implementation of new resources that can make working on the go more efficient.

3. Big Data Analytics

Big data analytics is a trend that has grown over the past few years, and this is
something that is now being implemented in almost every kind of industry that makes use of
large-scale production processes and manufacturing and supply. Big data analytics allows
brands to process their information in a better manner and enables them to reach a much better
understanding of the areas they need to develop.

4. Smart Technology

Smart machines that use artificial intelligence or automation are on the rise, even in
small-scale units and smaller implementations. Homes are now becoming smarter as a result of
smart technology being used and opted for in homes. Simple tools such as Alexa have become
an essential part of homes, and these are only estimated to increase over the next year.

5. Virtual Reality

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The gaming industry has always been one that has experienced growth alongside the
field of information technology, and virtual reality has taken this one step further, giving
customers the very epitome of digital experience. Virtual reality gaming has already started to
become popular due to new technology, which improves the manner in which the industry can
grow.

6. Augmented Reality

Augmented reality is another approach to ‘artificial experiences’ that individuals are now
being given access to. This has improved the manner in which the field has been able to
develop. Augmented reality is seeing a lot more applicability outside the gaming industry as well
and is something that is seeing more implementation as compared to virtual reality.

7. Blockchain Data

Cryptocurrency might have been at an all-time high in 2017 and 2018, but the fact
remains that this is something that is yet to see a significant amount of development. Blockchain
technology is only now starting to grow in popularity and is being implemented by industries
across the world for all that it offers.

8. Growth of IoT Networks

The Internet Of Things is a concept that all digital devices are connected by a single
medium through which one would be able to control everything within their homes. More and
more brands realize that this is indeed the way of the future and is something that is within
technological reach. More brands are beginning to incorporate this concept, and the statistics
that showcase this are prevalent enough to attest to positive growth in this regard.