What is ICT?

ICT is the short form of three basic terms — Information, Communication and Technology. The
representation of data in a meaningful way is called Information.

The term Communication may be referred as imparting or exchanging of information by

speaking, writing, or using some other medium. In other words, it may be referred as conveying
your feelings, thoughts and emotions in any verbal and non-verbal medium. Any communication
has four essential elements, namely ‘sender’, ‘message’, ‘medium’ and ‘receiver’. When all
four elements are in sync with each other in terms of sequence, relevance, appropriateness, etc.,
then communication becomes effective.

Technology refers to methods, systems and devices, which are a result of scientific knowledge,
being used for practical purposes.
Technology can be used for creation and communication of information.

The term Information and Communication Technology (ICT) includes various forms of
technologies that are used to create, display, store, process, transmit, share or exchange
information by electronic means. Such a discipline which deals in the creation and
communication of information is called ICT.

Radio, television, and print media (Newspaper, Books, Magazines, etc.) are the popular
technologies used for communication. The digital revolution has transformed the way these
traditional technologies function. For example, analog television has become digital television.
In addition to printed newspapers now we also have their electronic versions. Along with
traditional radio, we also have online radio.

Evolution of ICT
We cannot live in isolation. We need to interact and communicate with each other and with our
surroundings. In the ancient times people used smoke signals, drum sounds, pigeons and
messengers as modes of communication. These were relatively slow, unreliable and sometimes
unsafe means of communication.
With the advent of new technologies, the modes and methods of communication are changing
very fast. Radio, television, computers, telephones, smart phones, digital camera, laptop and
interactive board have revolutionized the ways of communication. These are very fast and can
link distant locations within no time.
We can easily send messages across the globe and learn about events all over the world in a blink
of eye. Numerous technological tools have come up which help us not only to communicate but
to create, store and manage information. The diverse set of technological tools and resources
used to store, manage, manipulate, create and communicate digital information come under
information and communication technologies (ICTs).
Why ICT?
ICT facilitates communication anywhere, anytime and by anyone. It has become easier to
communicate worldwide through the use of ICTs, for example, social media sites and apps,
blogs, wikispace, etc. The use of ICT is time saving and cost effective in various ways.
ICT has revolutionised the world. There was a generation that did not have telephone; there was
a time when radio and television were considered as the most advanced sources of information.
However now the new generation lives in the world of Internet, wireless, augmented and virtual
space. The world around has drastically changed. The dramatic change due to ICT has resulted in
innovation in every field. These innovations have reduced the size of the technological tools and
increased the speed with which they operate to process data and communicate information.
All these advancements and innovations give scope for betterment and effectiveness. Thus they
are discussed below for easy Understanding:

 Access to Instant Data: Access to instant data supports in predictions, decision making
and also knowledge acquisition.

 Creation of Information for Communication: ICTs can be used to create

communication pieces in various forms like text, image, audio, video, multimedia, etc.
Once the information is in digital form it can be used for recreating resources out of the
original. Digital information is also easy to modify and share.

 Store and Organise: ICT helps in organising information in various forms. This
organisation of information helps in retrieving the required data. For example, in
libraries, all the information about books are organised as database by using management
software. If anyone wants to check the availability of books, it is easy to search in the
database and find the availability.

 Scope for Learning: ICT provides a great opportunity to learn. One can learn anytime,
anywhere and at his or her own pace. We can also create our own personal learning
environment. Availability of online courses, e-tutorials have opened up avenues for
continuous and life-long learning.

 Plan and Manage: Use of ICT tools can help in time management by scheduling the
works across devices and using various features like alerts, priorities, highlights, etc. ICT
tools can also be used in planning and managing the activities.
How ICT is Useful?
ICT has wide range of applications for the society but the extent of its use depends on the user.
ICT has its existence in all fields. Some of the fields are shown in the diagram below:

1. Application of ICT in Everyday Life

ICTs have become a way of life in the present day world. We are using various ICTs in our day-
to-day life for reading e-newspapers, e-magazines and e-books, online shopping, paying bills for
food, and using mobile apps, getting online appointments from doctors and so on.

2. Application of ICT in Education

a. Teaching, Learning and Assessment: ICT finds presence and expression in almost all the
functions of the schools, such as admission, time table, classroom instruction, evaluation,
laboratory management, learning resources management, examination and certification. It
is also being used for office automation. E-resources like websites, e-books, e-
newsletters, Open Educational Resources (OERs), etc., are used by most of the schools.
b. Inclusive Education: ICT is used for catering to the educational needs of every section of
the society, including children with special needs. Various assistive devices and
technologies are being developed which play an important role in fulfilling the specific
needs of these children. For example, talking books, talk back feature of mobile phones,
GPS inbuilt walking sticks, etc., are making substantial changes in people's lives.

3. Application of ICT in Art: Creative construction and connection are being done in various
domains with the advent of ICT. Creative composition, compilation and communication can be
done quickly by compatible ICTs. The role of ICT is vital in disseminating various art forms
popular in one area to another. The appreciation of Art and Culture gained popularity through
ICT. ICT has made it possible to showcase the creative works to the larger audience.
4. Application of ICT in Science and Technology
a. Health: The use of ICT in surgeries has made them less invasive, highly precise and
automated. Due to this the recovery time has reduced many folds. Robotic technology has
got a positive impact on present medical sciences. Now-a-days distance is not a constraint
for any complicated medical intervention to be done jointly by doctors located at
different places through networking.

b. Telecommunication: The field of Information Technology has seen a lot of

advancement with the help of ICT. The satellite communication has advanced a lot and
reached a number of people belonging to different setups. Low-cost smartphones and
very cost-effective services have made the availability of these to almost everybody in
the society. App based services available in different areas have made people’s life easy.

c. Agriculture and Natural Resources: Frequent and almost accurate weather updates
have revolutionised the agriculture sector. Early prediction of rains or other weather
conditions by Metrological Department has equipped the farmers in getting better yield.
The sustainable use of natural resources has also become possible due to ICT integration;
now it is possible to locate the oil wells, coal mines, etc., with the help of satellite
technology

5. Application of ICT in Business Transportation

ICT is used very effectively in the area of transportation. The GPS system is installed in vehicles,
to provide security and easy navigation to the commuters. Airplanes and trains use RADAR
systems for their control and path finding. Application-based services have revolutionised the
experience of transport system by their users. Online reservations of flights, trains, buses and
other services have further made our lives easier.
a. Marketing: Online marketing through various websites and mobile applications is very
popular in today’s world. People find them useful and hassle free. They are not only cost
effective but also saves a lot of time and effort of the people. The online sales and
services have generated a new type of employment, which require very less investment at
the source.
b. Tourism: Various online hotel booking systems have provided a great experience to the
users. With the advancement of ICT even checking the overall scenario of a place before
planning a visit has become feasible. Also, online payment facilities have simplified the
travel experience.
6. Application of ICT in Administration
a. Public Safety and Security: Deployment of ICT makes it possible for the police
departments to collect, store and rapidly disseminate the information to enhance public
safety. ICT can also be used for the identification of criminals by tracing their digital
footprints.
 b. e-Governance and Public Administration: e-Governance is generally understood as
the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) at all the level of the
Government in order to provide services to the citizens, interaction with business
enterprises and communication and exchange of information between different agencies
of the Government in a speedy, convenient efficient and transparent manner.

Some Benefits of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

Computer remains the focal point of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
because it refers to the range of tools and techniques that are computer based. Hence the
benefits of ICT centre round the benefits derived from the use of computer. The following
benefits could be derived from the utilization and integration of ICT into teaching and
learning.

 Fast, accurate and direct exchange of Information

Information or message goes electronically to the receiver. A large number of people are
linked up through internet and websites. There is no fear of loss of items or undelivered
package when the network functions properly. On-line banking, e-learning, e-registration,
etc. are examples of benefits derived from ICT.

 Rapid Information Processing

Computer can sort or search through huge amount of information. Computer can send
message or data in 1 byte (or character) at a time. This is called asynchronous transmission
and it can equally send or process data in block. This is called synchronous transmission.
Both small data and huge one can be transmitted within a specified time.

 Easy handling of large amount of information

Tertiary Institutions are now taking the advantage of the benefits that ICT offers.
Most institutions have computerized their systems for use at examinations, student
registration, payment of fees and other similar administrative operations are no longer
handled manually. ICT has made networking possible and has reduced the bottleneck of
accessing information regarding admission and other related functions. Examining bodies
like West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations
Council (NECO) no longer need to be on the necks of School Principals to send in their
entries since this is done on-line. In the same vein, individual students can access their results
with the use of scratch cards. Government can equally monitor tax-payers through electronic
registration.
Lecturers can link up with their students at various locations at the same time.
This is done through teleconferencing or videoconferencing. This is very vital improvement
that ICT offers in Distance Learning.
  Increase Availability of Information
The continuing rapid advance of Information Technologies has in reality made access to
knowledge easier and importantly much more readily available to the wider population and
around the world. There is a greater access to a variety of information sources. Learners,
teachers and people from other works of life can surf the internet for information relating to
their field of study and other related matters as a result of development in science and
technology.

 Improved Quality of Instruction

The use of ICT in education has paved the way for a more student-centred learning setting.
ICT improves the quality of instruction by increasing the desire of the learner to explore,
discover, and create unique solutions to learning problems. The teacher on the other hand is
no longer seen as the primary source of information but with the use of ICT, he is now
viewed as a support, collaborator, and a coach for students as they learn to gather and
evaluate information for themselves.
In essence, the use of ICT changes the roles of both teachers and students in the teaching and
learning processes. Instructions could be presented through the multimedia equipment thus
raining the standard or the quality of presentation.
Through the use of ICT, quick and concise presentation is enhanced.

 ICT is systematic
ICT applies the principles of systems approach to teaching and learning. This conserves the
teachers’ time and broadens teachers-students’ access to information. Teachers do not need
to stay all night in the libraries and bookshops to plan lessons as they used to source for
adequate and current books but, rather, they can browse the internet and get current texts.

ICT extends human experience

Human experience could be extended when dealing with materials that are not in the
immediate environment of the learner or, on the other hand, when dealing with materials that
could be injurious to the life of the students, for example, a wild animal like a lion cannot be
brought into the class live rather a film or video can present it live in the class or a zoo could
be networked to the classroom through the internet. Clinical students in a College of
Medicine in Nigeria could have access to a live surgical operation being performed in a
hospital in the United States of America through internet connectivity. Teleconferencing,
webhosting, videoconferencing, etc. are examples of ways by which ICT can extend human
experience.

3.3.8 ICT helps to overcome physical limitation

Through ICT, a lot of practices and procedures in all forms of endeavours have changed.
Devices such as mobile phones, digital cameras, PDAs, games consuls and MP3 players are
gaining grounds among the youths. Exposure to these materials is changing the situation
among the youths who have greater access to information and equally interact with modern
equipment that can aid their learning.
With the availability of satellite, internet connection, world-wide-web, etc., the whole world
is turned to a global village. Learners in developed countries and some institutions in
developing countries no longer have the barrier of distance to contact their teachers. Distance
learning students do not need to leave their job before they can access their learning
materials. They even stand a better chance than students who have to wait for the physical
presence of their teachers/instructors before they could proceed. With the utilization of ICT,
learners and their teachers can interact any time any day regardless of the location once they
are connected to the net.