ICT SKILLS

G8A By : Dan Ngabo

 INTRODUCTION TO ICT AND ICT SKILLS

Aim:
 The aim of this session is to give a brief introduction to ICT Skills and
introduce the terminology related to the subject.
Related terminology
 Before moving onto the topic of ICT Skills let us have a look at the different
terms such as IT, ICT, and Computer Science related to this course unit and
let us identify the differences among these terms.
 ICT - INFORMATION AND
COMMUNICATION
TECHNOLOGY
The term Information and Communication Technology can be considered as an
extended version of the term IT as it involves a „C‟ that represents the
communication of data by electronic means, usually over some distance.
In contrast with IT according to the Wikipedia, Information and Communications
Technology or (ICT), is often used as an extended synonym for information
technology (IT). But it is a more specific term that stresses the role of unified
communications and the integration of telecommunications.
The term ICT is more inclined and widely used in the educational sector. Some
have simplified ICT as using audiovisual equipment for learning at school and the
use of networks that help transmit information across schools.
 CS (COMPUTE SCIENCE)

In addition to the terms IT and ICT described above, you might have heard
another terminology “Computer Science” which also sounds similar to the
above two.
Computer Science is the mother of all computational disciplines (Computer
Engineering, Information Technology/Information Science, Software
Engineering, ICT, etc.), In simple words, Computer Science is all about
computers.
Now you may have some idea that the ones who can afford to be in touch
with the information and communication technology can be updated with
evolving knowledge while the ones who fail or have less chances may remain
in the pre-knowledge stage.
 OBJECTIVES

It is clear that you require some skills ranging from basic to advanced, that
are needed to be able to work with computer based information systems.
Simply, you will require the capability of using computers and computer
software in order to deal with information and communication technologies.
There fore he fundamental objective of this course unit is to be able to:
 Convert
 Store
 Protect
 Process
 Transmit/communicate
 WHAT IS A COMPUTER

computer is a general purpose  A computer is an electronic device

device which can be programmed to which is capable of receiving the inputs
carry out a finite set of arithmetic or (data from the user), storing it for a
desired period of time, manipulating it
logical operations. Since a sequence
according to the set of instructions
of operations can be readily
(called program) and producing the
changed, the computer can solve output to the user in desired form. It
more than one kind of problem. performs a variety of operations in
 Wikipedia accordance to the set of instructions.
 http://www.trivology.com
 CHARACTERISTICS OF A COMPUTER

1. Speed
 A computer can perform tasks very fast. For example, the amount of work
that a human being can do in an entire year (if he worked day and night and
did nothing else) can be accomplished by a computer within a few minutes.
2. Reliability
 Electronic components in modern computers are dependable because they
have a low failure rate. The high reliability of the components enables the
computer to produce consistent results.
 CONTINUATION……

3. Accuracy
 The accuracy of a computer is consistently high and the degree of accuracy of a
particular computer depends upon its design. Errors can occur in a computer, but these
are mainly due to human mistakes. Thus, computers can process large amounts of
data and generate error-free results, provided the data is entered correctly.
4. Diligence
Unlike human beings, a computer is free from boredom, tiredness, lack of concentration,
etc., hence a computer can work for hours without making any errors or complaints.
Even if ten 7 million calculations have to be performed, a computer will perform the ten
millionth calculations with exactly the same accuracy and speed as the first one.
 LIMITATIONS OF A COMPUTER

It is obvious that the computer has a variety of capabilities. Similarly, this
man made machine has some its own limitations as well. Such limitations are
given below:
 The computer can do only what you tell it to do-you cannot expect the computer
give you something which you did not ask.
 It cannot generate information on its own-the computer will work only if you
opera.
 DIFFERENT TYPES OF COMPUTERS
 It is said that the ENIAC, which is considered as the first electronic
general-purpose computer was of size of a large room (See Figure
2.1 and 2.2 below)..
 DIFFERENT TYPES OF PERSONAL
COMPUTERS (PCS)
A Personal Computer (Mostly referred to as PC in the community) is designed
as a more user-friendly device to be directly used by the end-user rather
having an especially skilled separate computer operator.
It is noticeable that only few famous forms of PCs used today are listed below
and the list may be extended by adding many more in the future with the
advancement of the technologies.
 DESKTOP PCS

Usually the Desktop computers are placed in a fixed location and the name
has derived as it is intended to be sitting on a top of a desk. A monitor,
mouse, and a key board can be seen as parts of a typical desktop computer.
these computers consume low power and cost effective than the laptop
computers that will be described next.
 LAPTOP COMPUTERS

Laptops are similar to desktop PCs in operation, but designed for mobile use.
Capable of operating on the battery power and the battery can be charged
with the external power adaptor.
An in-built keyboard, Liquid Crystal Display unit (LCD screen), a touch pad
(also known as track pad) to act as the mouse are the commonly seen
components.
 NETBOOK

Net books belong to the laptop family, but are inexpensive and relatively
smaller in size. Though the set of features and the capacity of netbooks were
lesser compared to regular laptops at the time of introducing them to the
market, nowadays the netbooks come in advanced features and in high
capacities as similar to modern laptops. Figure 2.5 shows some images of
Netbooks.
 TABLETS

Tablets are mobile computers larger than PDAs and smaller than Laptops
described above. Usually operated by its touch screen and no formal key
board are used. The people using them spent most of their time outside and
would not have access to a keyboard or mouse.
 MAIN PARTS OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM

You learned in the previous section that computers come in many varieties,
from tiny computers to very large super computers.
But no matters how complex it is or how big it is, every computer is part of a
system. A complete computer system consists of four main parts as follows :
 Hardware
 Software
 Data
 User (Live ware)
 HARDWARE

The tangible parts that make up the computer are called „Hardware‟. The
physical parts such as monitor, key board, processor, and speakers can be
identified as hardware.
We can use the generic term device to refer any piece of hardware.
You will learn deeply about computer hardware in Session 03 of this course
material.
 SOFTWARE

Computer software is a set of instructions that tells computer hardware what

to do. The computer will work according to the instructions given to it.
We can use the generic term computer program to refer any piece of
software. Some software are specially designed for the primary functions of
the computer to manage its operations while some software are designed for
the users to get their work done, ex. to prepare a letter.
 DATA

Any individual fact or piece of information in a form suitable for use with a
computer is known as „data‟.
This information may be in the form of text, documents, images, audio clips
or software program.
The primary use of the computer is to convert these data into useful
information to the user.
The computer accepts data from some sources or from the user to produce
useful information. Thus the raw data fed into the computer may not make
much sense to the users until it is processed.
 USER/ LIVE WARE

Though the computers automate most functions we cannot say that it is fully
automatic, as the intervention of a human being or an operator is often
needed.
You may think whether a user is essential as you might have seen some
performs their job without a person sitting in front of the computer.
But you should not forget that the people design and build the programs
running on it.
 WHAT IS COMPUTER HARDWARE?

You are already aware that a computer system is made up of several

different components. Those that can be seen and touched are referred to as
the Computer Hardware (or simply „hardware‟).
The following diagram (Figure 3.1) summarizes the classification of the
computer hardware.
Computer
hardware

Input/
Processing Memory Storage
output
device device device
device
 THE CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU)

 The Central Processing Unit is an electronic device which runs computer programs: a set
of sequential instructions. It is also called as the Computer Processor or the brain of the
computer.
 he CU is the circuitry that controls the flow of data through the processor, and
coordinates the activities of the other units within it. In a way, it is the "brain within the
brain", as it controls what happens inside the processor, which in turn controls the rest of
the PC.
 The Control Unit (CU) As you know, a computer program or set of instructions must be
stored in memory for a computer to process data. The CPU uses its CU to execute these
instructions. Further, the CU directs and coordinates most of the operations of the
computer. The speed at which the processor
 COMPUTER MEMORY

A character is stored in the computer as a group of 0s and 1s, called a Byte.

The size of the memory is measured by the number of bites available. The
following equalities give the measuring units of the memory.
8 Bits = 1 Byte

1024 Bytes = 1 Kilobyte

(1KB) 1024KB = 1 Megabyte

(1MB) 1024 MB = 1 Gigabyte

(1 GB) 1024 GB = 1 Terabyte (1 TB)

 RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY (RAM)

The Random Access Memory (RAM) is a volatile form of a computer memory.

This small memory is capable of memorizing temporarily. It can be read and
written. That is, you can both write data into RAM and read data from RAM.
 INPUT DEVICES

What is Input?
Input is any data or instructions you enter to the memory of a computer.
Once input is in memory, the CPU can access it and process the input into
output. There are four types of input namely: data, programs, commands,
and user responses.
A computer executes instructions and processes data into information and
stores the information for future use. Input devices are used to enter
instructions and data into the computer.
 KEYBOARD

The keyboard is the main input device for most computers. It is a text based
input device that allows the user to input alphanumeric characters and some
other special characters.
keyboard is consisting of a set of keys mounted on a board. Each key or
button acts as an electronic switch corresponding to a symbol.
 MOUSE

The mouse functions as a pointing device by detecting two-dimensional

motion relative to its supporting surface. Physically, a mouse consists of a
small case, held under one of the user's hands, with one or more buttons.
t sometimes features other elements, such as "wheels", which allow the user
to perform various system-dependent operations, or extra buttons or
features can add more control or dimensional input.
 SCANNER

A scanner is a light-sensing input device that reads printed text and graphics
and then translates the pattern of light and dark colors into a digital signal
that the computer can store and manipulate.
he resulting image can be of different qualities depending on the resolution
of the scanner. The Flat-bed scanner is the most popular scanner which is
similar to a photo copy machine except that it creates a file (softcopy) of the
document instead of a paper copy (hardcopy).
 BAR CODE READER

A bar code reader uses laser beams to read bar codes. Most items in shops,
special in super markets in Sri Lanka have a bar code printed or affixed on
them.
The Bar code is a trip of vertical bars of varying widths that creates a unique
reference for the particular item. Groups of bars represent individual digits
and most bar codes are made up of 12-13 digits.
Bar code reader uses a visible red light to scan the bar code and it is
interpreted through a decoder.
 OUTPUT DEVICES

 What is output?
Output is data that has been processed into a useful form called information.
A computer processes input into output.
Computers generate several types of output, depending on the hardware and
software being used and the requirements of the user. You may choose to
display or view this output on a monitor, print it on a paper using a printer, or
listen to it through speakers or a headset.