Information and

Communication
Technology
COURSE DESCRIPTION

• The course provides the learner with understanding of basic

principles of computer for provision, storage and transmission of
quality data aimed delivering high quality clinical services in various
settings.
COURSE AIM

• The course will equip the learner with in-depth knowledge and skills
for operation of computer in the delivery of healthcare system.
COURSE OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of the course, the learner should:

• Describe the general overview of a computer
• Describe windows operations
• Use word processing applications
• Describe Internet and Network communication
Unit 1: General overview of a
computer
This unit will look at
• Definition of Information and Communication Technology
• Definition of a computer
• Data and information
• Processing
• Types of computers
• Viruses
• The Parts
Introduction

 The first electronic computers were developed between 1940–1945.

 These were the size of a large room, consuming as much power as
several hundred modern personal computers
 Modern computers based on integrated circuits are millions to billions
of times more capable than the early machines, and occupy a fraction
of the space
 The ability to store and execute lists of instructions called programs
makes computers extremely versatile, distinguishing them from
calculators
Computer studies or Information,
communication technology
• Information communication technology is a contemporary term that
describes the combination of computer technology (hardware and
software) with telecommunications technology (data, image, and
voice networks).
Types of communication technology

• Telephone/Mobile Phone.
• Radio. ...
• Television. ...
• Internet.
• Communication technology is basically electronic communication.
• These days, the affect of communication technology on the communication
process is remarkable. It made people connect with each other so easily.
• It is the way where people now connect with each other by using
technology such as telephones, social networks, radio, televisions, and so
much more.
• The technologies of communication became an important aspect of a
human’s life
• Telephone/Mobile Phone (Cellular phones ).
• Radio. ...
• Television. ...
• Internet (Social Networks)
• Faxes Etc.
• Information communication technology is a contemporary (modern)
term (word) that describes the combination of computer technology
(hardware and software) with telecommunications technology (data,
image, and voice networks).
Computer

• A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of

instructions stored in its own memory that can accept data (input),
process the data according to specified rules, produce information
(output), and store the information for future use.
 Functions of a computer
• Taking in data as input
• Storing data/instructions in its memory and uses it when required
• Processing data and converts it into useful information
• Generating output
 Functions of a computer
• Taking in data as input
• Storing data/instructions in its memory and uses it when required
• Processing data and converts it into useful information
• Generating output
Evolution of computers
Computer Components

• Any kind of computers consists of HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE

Hardware:

• Computer hardware is the collection of physical elements that

constitutes a computer system.
• Computer hardware refers to the physical parts or components of a
computer such as the:
• monitor,
• mouse,
• keyboard,
• computer data storage,
• hard drive disk (HDD),
• system unit (graphic cards, sound cards, memory, motherboard and chips),
etc.
• all of which are physical objects that can be seen
Input Devices (Get information)

• Input device is any peripheral (piece of computer hardware)

equipment that provide data and control signals to an information
processing system such as a computer or other information
appliance.
• Input device translates data from form that humans understand to
one that the computer can work with. Most common are keyboard
and mouse
Example of Input Devices:-

• Keyboard • Pen Input

• Mouse (pointing device) • Video Capture Hardware
• Touchpads • Barcode reader
• Touch screen • Digital camera/ Cameras
• Microphone • Joystick
• Scanner • Electronic Whiteboard
• Webcam
 scanner

•Barcode reader
 keyboard and
mouse

microphone
Central Processing Unit (CPU)

• A CPU is brain of a computer. It is responsible for all functions and

processes.
Output devices (Give information)

• An output device is any piece of computer hardware equipment used

to communicate the results of data processing carried out by an
information processing system (such as a computer) which converts
the electronically generated information into human-readable form.
Example on Output Devices:

• Monitor
• LCD Projector
• Printers (all types)
• Speaker(s)
Processor
Processing Device (Arithmetic/logic/repetition)
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Has three basic parts
• Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) (this executes all
the arithmetic and logic instructions)
• Control Unit (this decodes instructions and
determines which is next to be executed)
• Buses/Registers (Buses are paths for
information entering or exiting the CPU
whereby Registers are memory for processing
information)
Headset
Data and Information

• Data: Facts and figures which relay something specific, but which are
not organized in any way and which provide no further information
regarding patterns, context, etc.
Data is a collection of unorganized facts, which include words, numbers,
images, and sounds. Computers process data to create information.
• Information: For data to become information, it must be
contextualized, categorized, calculated and condensed.
Information is data that is organized, has meaning and is useful.
Example: reports, newsletters, a receipt, a picture, an invoice or a
check.
Processing

• The procedure that transforms raw data into useful information is

called processing.
• This is done using the computer’s processor and memory
Processor
Processing Device (Arithmetic/logic/repetition)
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Has three basic parts
• Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
• Control Unit
• Buses/Registers
 The Central Processing Unit
The CPU continuously follows the fetch-decode-
execute cycle:
Retrieves an instruction from main me
fetch

execute decode
Carries out theDetermines what the
instruction instruction is
Hardware Organization

CPU

memory

motherboard

hard drive
39
Drive

• Disk drive (drive) – a computer device that stores and retrieves

information, data, files, programs, etc., from a disk.
• The drive is often referred to by its letter (your drive letter may differ)
FIRST FLOPPY DISK DRIVE : A:
SECOND FLOPPY DISK DRIVE : B:
FIRST HARD DISK : C:
Rest of the drives are named as D: onwards.
CD-ROM DRIVE: D:

If the computer has a second hard disk and

a cd-rom drive –
SECOND HARD DISK: D:
CD-ROM DRIVE : E:
Drive space

• This means storage space

 Units of Measurements

Bit (Binary Digit)(takes two values: 1 or 0)

Byte = 8 bits

KB (Kilo-byte) = 1024 bytes

MB (mega-byte) = 1024 KB
GB (giga-byte) = 1024 MB
TB (Tera-byte) = 1024 GB

43
 Storage
• Capacity is the number of bytes a storage medium can hold

Page 354 44
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 7
Figure 7-2
The Selectron Tube.
COMPUTER NETWORK
What is a Computer Network?
A group of two or more computers connected to
each other by:
a cable,
telephone lines, or
through wireless communication.
Local Area Network (LAN)
An interconnection of computers,
terminals, and other devices at a single
geographical site, for example, within the
same adjacent buildings.
Wide Area Network
A connection of computers in different
locations either national or international.
It is designed to cover a wider area than a
local area network.
For a computer to communicate with
another computer over the telephone
network, a MODEM (short for Modulator
Demodulator) is needed.
Changes data from digital (machine code) to
analog form so that it can be carried over
the telephone lines.
At the receiving end another modem
changes that data from analogue back to
digital form for the computer to read and
understand.
WHAT IS THE INTERNET?
A network made up of hundred of thousand of
computers all over the world, with millions of
users connected electronically
What can you do with the Internet?
• Information Browsing
• File Transfer
• International debates or discussion groups
• Electronic mail
WHAT IS THE WEB?
The Web is the part or service of the Internet that
uses text, images, sound, and video.
It links documents together
This linking is sometimes called hypertext.
The World Wide Web is a collection of electronic
documents that are linked together like a spider
web.
These documents are stored on computers called
servers located around the world
Computers classification

Computers can be generally classified by size and power as follows,

though there is considerable overlap:
Microcomputer aka Personal
Computer (PC)
• A small, single-user computer based on a
microprocessor. In addition to the
microprocessor, a personal computer has
a keyboard for entering data, a monitor
for displaying information, and a storage
device for saving data.
• There are 3 types of the Microcomputers :
1.Laptop
2.Desktop
3.Workstation
Minicomputer :

• Minicomputers are refrigerator-

sized machines.
• A multi-user computer capable
of supporting from 10 to
hundreds of users
simultaneously.
• Medium-sized companies or
departments of large companies
always use them for specific
purposes.
E.g. Production departments use
minicomputers to monitor
certain manufacturing processes
and assembly line operations
Mainframe

• Mainframe computer is a powerful

multi-user computer capable of
supporting many hundreds or
thousands of users simultaneously.
• They need specially wired, air
conditioned rooms.
• They are not powerful as
supercomputers.
• Mainframe computers are capable
of great processing speeds and
data storage.
E.g. Insurance companies use
mainframe to process information
about millions of policy holders.
Supercomputer

• An extremely fast and most

powerful computer that can
perform hundreds of millions of
instructions per second.
• These machines are special high
capacity computers used by
very large organizations.
E.g. NASA uses supercomputers
to track and control space
explorations.
Software

• Computer hardware is useless without software

• Software is the set of instructions and associated
data that direct the computer to do a task (The
instructions that tell the computer what to do)

58
1.Application Software - helps end-users perform general
purpose tasks
2.System Software - enables application software to
interact with the computer

Softw are

Application Softw are System Softw are

(Program s) (Operating system)
System Software

• System software is a term referring to any computer software which

manages and controls the hardware so that application software can
perform a task.

60
‘

• Manages the fundamental operations of the computer,

such as
- loading programs and data into memory,
executing programs, saving data to disks,
displaying information on the monitor, and
transmitting data through a port to a peripheral
device.
• Example - Operating Systems: Compiler, Loader, Linker, Interpreter.
Operating System:

• Operating System is a software, which makes a computer to actually

work.
• It is the software the enables all the programs we use.
• The OS organizes and controls the hardware.
• OS acts as an interface between the application programs and the
machine hardware.
• E.g.: Windows, Linux, IBM and Macintosh OS etc.,
System Software
• Compiler: A compiler is a program that reads a program in one language
– the source language and translates into an equivalent program in
another language – the target language.

Source Language Target Language

User language Machine language
System Software
Loader: A loader is the part of an operating system that is
responsible for loading programs into memory, preparing
them for execution and then executing them.
System Software
Linker: A linker or link editor is a program that takes one or
more objects generated by compilers and assembles them
into a single executable program.
System Software
• Interpreter: An interpreter is a computer program that
translates and executes instructions written in a computer
programming language line-by-line, unit by unit etc.,
Application Software – Basic
Tools
Developed for a specific task
• Word processors- e.g. Microsoft word, WordPerfect
• Spreadsheets- e.g. Microsoft Excel, Lotus 1-2-3
• Database managers- e.g. Microsoft Access, dBASE
• Graphics e.g. Microsoft Paint or Adobe PhotoShop
• Presentations e.g. MS PowerPoint

67
Application Software:
Word Processors:
Word processing is a tool that helps user in creating, editing, and
printing documents. Word processors will normally have the
following capabilities built into them:
• Spell checking
• Standard layouts for normal documents
• Have some characters appear in bold print, italics, or
underlined
• Center lines, make text line up on the left side of the
paper, or the right side of the paper
• Save the document so it can be used again
• print the document.

Examples: WordPerfect and Microsoft Word

Application Software

Spreadsheets: The spreadsheet packages are designed

to use numbers and formulas to do calculations with
ease. Examples of spreadsheets include:
• Budgets
• Payrolls
• Grade Calculations
• Address Lists
The most commonly used spreadsheet programs are
Microsoft Excel and Lotus 123.
Application Software

Graphic Presentations: The presentation programs

can make giving presentations and using overheads easier.
Other uses include:
• Slide Shows
• Repeating Computer Presentations on a
computer monitor
• Using Sound and animation in slide shows

The most recognized graphic presentation programs are

Microsoft PowerPoint and Harvard Graphics.
Application Software
Database Management System (DBMS):
• A DBMS is a software tool that allows multiple users to store,
access, and process data into useful information.
• Database programs are designed for these types of
applications:
• Membership lists
• Student lists
• Grade reports
• Instructor schedules
All of these have to be maintained so you can find what you
need quickly and accurately.

• Examples: Microsoft Access, dBASE, etc

Virus

A computer virus is an
application program designed
and written to destroy other
programs.

It has the ability to:

 Link itself to other programs
 Copy itself (it looks as if it
repeats itself)
Viruses, Worms, Trojan Horses

• Have you heard other names for malicious computer programs?

• Viruses, Worms, Trojan Horses
• There are technical differences between each of these, but all of
them attempt to run on your computer without your knowledge.
Malware

• The most general name for a malicious computer program is

malware.
• You may have heard computer programs called software.
• The word malware comes from MALicious softWARE.
How does malware invade your
computer?

• You have probably heard of some ways that malware can invade
your computer.
• What are they?
• Through email attachments
• By clicking on a web link when surfing the web
• By downloading a program that claims to be a game or cool picture
• Others?
Sources of Computer Viruses

Three primary sources

• The Internet
Via downloads and exchanges
• Diskettes
Exchanging disks
• Computer networks
Can spread from one network to
another
How do you know a computer I
affected
• Lack of storage capability
• Decrease in the speed of executing programs
• Unexpected error messages
• Halting the system
UNIT II: Windows applications
UNIT III: word processing
applications
• It is “application software” or a “program” which allows you to:-Enter
Edit and Format text.
Word processing

• Word processing software is used to manipulate a text document,

such as a resume or a report. You typically enter text by typing, and
the software provides tools for copying, deleting and various types of
formatting.
Functions of Word processing

Some of the functions of word processing software include:

• Creating, editing, saving and printing documents.
• Copying, pasting, moving and deleting text within a document.
• Formatting text, such as font type, bolding, underlining or italicizing.
• Creating and editing tables.
• Inserting elements from other software, such as illustrations or
photographs.
• Correcting spelling and grammar.
Word processing packages

• Framemaker
Adobe Systems incorporated
• iWork Pages
Apple
• Libre Office Writer
The Document Foundation (Open Source)
• Microsoft Office Word
Microsoft Corporation
• Open Office Write
Apache Software Foundation (Open Source Software)
• Kingsoft Office Writer
King Soft
• AbiWord
Source Gear Corporation
• Word Perfect
Carel
• Lyx
The Lyx Project
• ONLINE
Google Docs
Office 365 Word
Onedrive Word

• MOBILE
Documents to go
Kingsoft Office
Polaris Office
Uses of Word processing

• Creating, editing, saving and printing documents.

• Copying, pasting, moving and deleting text within a document.
• Formatting text, such as font type, bolding, underlining or italicizing.
• Creating and editing tables.
• Inserting elements from other software, such as illustrations or
photographs.
Using the Keyboard
Function Keys
Using the Keyboard
Alphanumeric
Keys
Using the Keyboard

Directional
Keys
Using the Keyboard
Backspace
Key
Using the Keyboard
Delete Key
Using the Keyboard

Caps Lock
Key
Using the Keyboard

Shift Key
Using the Keyboard

Enter Key
Using the Keyboard

Windows
Key
Using the keyboard
Features of a window
The Windows Desktop

My Computer

Start Button

Taskbar (multitasking)
 Program icons

Start button
Task bar

98
Anatomy of a Window

• Title bar with Min, Max or Restore, and Close buttons

• Menu bar, Toolbar, and Address bar
• Status bar and Scroll bars
 Menu bar Title bar

Minimize button

Maximize button Scroll bar

Close button

Window
frame

100
Drives
Files

• Output Units – are units that displays data called file.

• DOCUMENT = A file created using an application. The file is
only useful using the application that created it or a similar
application that can convert it.
• A file can be a document, a program, a song, a picture, or
any other named set of data. The term content refers to
text files, audio files, video files, e-mail messages,
spreadsheets, graphics, and Web files— information that
you read or view or listen to.
Each file must have a unique name.

The file name has two parts :

PRIMARY NAME &
SECONDARY NAME or extension.

The primary name is to identify the

contents and the extension is to identify
the type of the file.
 Program file and Data file

• Program files contain the instructions and resources necessary for a

computer program to run, while data files store specific data that the
program manipulates or operates on.
Folders

• Computer folders work in a similar way to paper folders.

• The analogy of a filing cabinet is useful for understanding the
organization of files on a computer. A drive on your computer is like a
drawer in a filing cabinet.
• The drive can be a hard disk drive, a DVD drive, a flash drive, or any
other storage device. The highest level is called the root (or root
folder or root directory).
• Files are stored in folders, just as papers can be stored inside folders
in a file drawer. And just like folders in a filing cabinet, computer
folders can also contain other folders. A folder inside another folder
is called a subfolder.
Windows Accessories

• Windows provides several programs organized as Accessories. These

programs come in handy when you need to do simple tasks that
don’t require more robust software. To start any of these programs,
click Start, choose All Programs, Accessories, and choose the desired
accessory.
• Programs in the Accessories folder include:
• Calculator — Used to perform mathematical calculations.
• Notepad — Used to create, edit, and print simple, unformatted text
documents.
• Paint — Used to create drawings, designs, and images.
• WordPad — Used to create more advanced word-processing
documents.
UNIT IV: Internet and network
communication
WHAT IS THE INTERNET?
A network made up of hundred of thousand of
computers all over the world, with millions of
users connected electronically
What can you do with the Internet?
• Information Browsing
• File Transfer
• International debates or discussion groups
• Electronic mail
Internet purpose

• Systematic storage of information about patients and other health

related records
• Internet is used for communication with other professionals in the
field of health
• Internet is used for interactive learning
• Internet is used in computerized Self-Evaluation
• Internet is used for Research
Computer Uses in MEDICAL AND
MEDICAL Education
• Systematic Storage of Information: Be it any education sector, proper
and systematic storage of information is a mandate requirement.
• Physicians/clinicians etc can use computers to take down and store
notes of the patients, as they observe their condition while on
rounds.
• Computerized Presentations: computerized powerpoint
presentations are much more efficient and has more impact on the
receiver when it comes to presenting data.
• Even in the field of medical education, computers help the medical
tutors/educators to present the large and complicated detailed form
of data, which of course is a part of the medical study, in a very
simplified and effective form..
• Simulations: The field of medicine/nursing involves the concept of
"hands-on work".
• Countless procedures are done on patients regularly.
• Gives Wider Horizon for Research: medical education assignments
include a lot of materials and research.
• Computers can help you properly present and format your research,
using the internet will also give you a wider horizon to find relevant
study materials.
• Computerized Self-Evaluation: Computers also contribute and help
the students know their strengths and weaknesses.
• There are many computerized quiz and medical tests with immediate
feedback that can help you brush and develop your medical facts and
requirements without any delay.
• Interactive Learning: The most appealing and outstanding feature of
computer based education is that it gives boost to interactive
learning.
• Computers for Surgical Procedures. The use of computers in
operating theaters is helping save lives.
• Surgeons/nurses rely on computer systems for performing intricate
procedures and monitoring the wellbeing of their patients.
• Computers for Communication. Computers enable better
communication across different hospital departments, allowing them
to quickly share updates or any other information
Electronic mail
COMPUTER NETWORK

• A network consists of two or more computers that are

linked in order to share resources (such as printers and
CDs), exchange files, or allow electronic communications.
• The computers on a network may be linked through
cables, telephone lines, radio waves, satellites, or
infrared light beams
• Take note of Computers connected to a network which
are broadly categorized as servers or workstations.
Servers are generally not used by humans directly, but
rather run continuously to provide "services" to the other
computers (and their human users) on the network.
Two very common types of networks include:
• Local Area Network (LAN)
• Wide Area Network (WAN)
You may also see references to a Metropolitan Area Networks (MAN), a
Wireless LAN (WLAN), or a Wireless WAN (WWAN)
Local Area Network (LAN)
A Local Area Network (LAN) is a network that
is confined to a relatively small area. It is
generally limited to a geographic area such as
a writing lab, school, or building.
It can also be interconnection of
computers, terminals, and other devices at
a single geographical site, for example,
within the same adjacent buildings.
Wide Area Network

• Wide Area Networks (WANs) connect networks in larger

geographic areas, such as Florida, the United States, or the
world.
• A connection of computers in different locations either
national or international.
• It is designed to cover a wider area than a local area
network.
Modem

• For a computer to communicate with another

computer over the telephone network, a
MODEM (short for Modulator Demodulator) is
needed.
• A modem is a box that connects your home
network to your internet service provider, or ISP.
• A modem transforms digital information from your
computer into analog signals that can transmit over
wires (and vice versa)
by modulating and demodulating electrical
impulses sent through phone lines, coaxial cables,
or other types of wiring.
• At the receiving end another modem changes that data
from analogue back to digital form for the computer to
read and understand
• Most standalone modems have just two ports: one that
connects to the outside world, and an Ethernet jack that
connects to a computer or a router.
• A router is a box that lets all of your wired and wireless devices use
that internet connection at once and allows them to talk to one
another directly.
• Oftentimes, internet service provider gives out a device typically
referred to as a gateway, a single box that serves as both modem and
router, but these are still different technologies.
• One needs the features of both a modem and a router, integrated or
not, in order to have an internet connection for all of the devices in
the home.