Introduction to ICT

Overview

• ICT: Stands for Information and Communications Technology.
• Focuses on technologies providing access to information through telecommunications.
• Key Difference from IT: While IT focuses on information, ICT focuses on communication.

Importance of ICT

• Plays a crucial role in modern society.
• Access to information leads to changes impacting personal lives and society as a whole.
• Example: The 2017 Google error that shut down the Internet in Japan, affecting transportation.

Focus of ICT

• Telecommunication: Using technology to communicate information over distances.
• Internet: A primary, but not sole, method of data transmission.
• ICTs utilize a wide range of technologies.

Information and Communication

• Information: Meaningful data leading to knowledge.
• Communication: Transfer of information.
  • Methods include text, voice, and video.

Types of Communication

Synchronous Communication

• Definition: Occurs at the same time.
• Examples: Phone conversations, instant messaging, video, and audio conferencing.
• Requires real-time interaction.
• May use various media channels, e.g., cellular networks or VoIP.

Asynchronous Communication

• Definition: Occurs at different times.
• Examples: Emails, Wikipedia, and Google.
• No immediate response expected.
• Can be one-to-one or one-to-many.

Communication Technologies

• Different technologies fit into various quadrants of:
  • One-to-many
  • One-to-one
  • Synchronous
  • Asynchronous
• Examples:
  • Email (asynchronous) can be used for personal or group messages.
  • Voice call is synchronous.

Summary

• ICT focuses on communication technologies.
• Information: Data converted to knowledge.
• Communication: Process of transferring information.
• Two communication types: Synchronous (same time) and asynchronous (different times).