INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT)

 INTRODUCTION:

                             ICT (Information and  communication technology) is an umbrella term that includes any communication devices or application,encompassing radio, television,cellular phone,computer and network hardware and software,satellite systems and so on, as well as the various services and applications associated with them, such as video conferencing and distance learning. ICTs are often spoken of in a particular context such  as ICTs in education, health care or libraries.

                                     In recent year there has been a groundswell of interest in how computers and the Internet can best be harnessed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of education at all levels and in both formal and non-formal settings. But ICTs are more than just these technologies;  older technologies such as the telephone,radio and television have a longer and richer history as instructional tools. For instance, radio and television have for over forty years been used for open and distance learning. Paper print remains the cheapest, most accessible and therefore it has become the most dominant delivery mechanism in both developed and developing countries. We know that invention of Telephone by Alexander Graham Bell in 1875 played a vital role in the communication.It evolved as wireless communication and later in 1940s as audiovisual devices. The use of computer and the internet is still in its infancy in developing countries,if these are used at all, due to limited infrastructure and the attendant high costs of access.

What is ICT Education and why is it important?

                                Information and communications Technologies (ICT) education is basically our society efforts to teach its its current and emerging citizens valuable knowledge and skills around computing and communication devices, software that operates them, applications that run on them and systems that are built with them.

APPLICATIONS OF ICT :

          1. ICT In Education: we are living in a constantly evolving digital world. ICT has an impact on nearly every aspect of our lives- from working to socialising, learning to playing The digital age has transformed the way young people communicate, network, seek  help , access information and learn . We must recognise that young people are now online population and access is through a variety of means such as computers,TV and mobile phones.

   As technology becomes more and more embedded in our culture, we must provide our learners with relevant and contemporary experinces that allow them to successfully engage with technology and prepare them for life after school.

       2.ICT in Health: The integration of computer system sound and video in the health sector has played a vital role in diagnosing the disease of a patient. The symptoms,the pictures and other types of information from the computerized device such as CT Scan,Ultra Sound, ECG etc.,help the doctors to diagnose the patients condition and accordingly they can recommand suitable method for the treatment. Telemedicine center help the people at remote location to communicate with the doctors or consultant about the problem encountered by the patient and the doctor suggest some medicines.

    

    3.ICT in Banking:      Every banking system is computerized these days. Different banks are interconnected with the help of computer network system . They can transfer data from one bank to another bank. Similarly,the account holders can access money from computerized ATM centers at different places. The customers can see the transaction on their mobile phones with the help of e-banking system, sms banking system and ABBS.

      4.ICT in Communication: Communication system was the only way of transferring data at early time of origin of computer.After the evolution of highly efficient technologies, communication system has surpassed the essence of everything. Now, communication is not just next or voice, you can send text , voice, video and animations, etc. Anywhere you desire with the help of communication system . The communication system is not confined in the cell phone just for talking but it has been able to transfer many kinds of data one place to another.

        5.ICT in E-commerce:  E-Commerce, an acronym  for Electronic Commerce is an emerging business system. The customers can place the order for the goods and they can make the payment through the banking system. There is a relation between a business  house and another business house in the business system. The transaction between a business house and another business house is known as B2B  . Similarly, a business house has transaction with the consumer or customer. This relation is know as B2C . Thus, different kinds of relation exist in business and the transaction are made using the computer technology.