Unit 1: Introduction to Information and
Communications Technology
Lesson 1: Understanding ICT and Its
Relevance to Society
Contents
Engage
1
Introduction
1
Objectives
2
Explore
2
Explain and Elaborate
5
Information and Communications Technology
Components of Information and Communications Technology
Impact of ICT on the Society
ICT at Home
5
6
9
9
ICT as a Communication Tool
10
ICT and Education
10
ICT and Employment
11
ICT and Government
11
ICT and Commerce
12
ICT and the Entertainment Industry
12
Extend
13
Activity 1
13
Activity 2
14
Evaluate
15
Wrap Up
17
Photo Credits
18
Bibliography
19
Unit 1: Introduction to Information and Communications Technology
Engage
Introduction
Fig. 1. Students doing their assignments using computers
Computer and internet technology has brought about many changes in the way we live
today. The word online, when added to activities like shopping, banking, payment,
enrollment, and learning, immediately brings smiles to our faces because it means we
can accomplish the said tasks in a more convenient and time-saving manner. Buying
gifts during special events or holidays for example is a very tiring task for people during
the pre-internet era because we have to physically be at gift shops to find that perfect
present for our families and friends. Now, by using online shopping applications,
customers are presented with numerous options for gift items that are delivered right
to their doorstep.
Twenty-first-century learners like you are now capable of accumulating numerous
answers to a question in the form of text, image, and videos just by using search
1
Unit 1: Introduction to Information and Communications Technology
engines. Teachers and students can now easily communicate with one another while
working on assignments or group projects with the use of online communication
services like chat applications, email, and social media sites.
How would you describe life without computers and other digital technologies? How do
you think computers affect the different aspects of your life and yourself? When you
think about it, are they all positive or are there negative effects of digital technologies
too? In general, how do you think digital technologies contribute and affect society?
Objectives
In this lesson, you should be able to
●
define information and communications technology (ICT),
●
categorize the components of ICT, and
●
evaluate the benefits of having ICT as a tool in societal development.
DepEd Competency
Explain the relevance of ICT to society. (This is an additional lesson for enrichment.)
Explore
10 minutes
Are you familiar with the expressions “OMG” and “LOL”? These two are called acronyms.
Acronyms are shorthand ways of saying an expression, a phrase, a name of an institution, a
place, or an event, which are formed by combining the first letters of each word from a
series of words. For example, the acronym “LOL” stands for “Laughing Out Loud” while
“OMG” is short for “Oh, My Gosh!” Can you share with the class some other acronyms that
you know?
2
Unit 1: Introduction to Information and Communications Technology
In this activity, we will reverse the process by letting you create meanings from the letters of
the word that will be given by your teacher. This is a group dynamics activity wherein you
will be required to use the letters C-O-M-P-U-T-E-R, to represent the impacts of the
existence of computers in society. Each letter must represent a noun, an adjective, a verb, or
a phrase. For example, let us have the letter C, which can represent communication
because as we all know, computers are used as communication tools (email, chat, and social
media) that enable people to interact with one another online.
Form a group with a maximum of five members. Discuss with your group what you think are
the impacts of computers based on your observations and experience. Then, choose which
of those can be represented using the letters of the word computer. Provide a short
explanation for each of your choices. Use the table below to write your answers.
Letter
Word
Explanation
C
O
M
P
U
T
E
R
3
Unit 1: Introduction to Information and Communications Technology
Guide Questions
1. With all the words that you have included in the activity, which word or phrase was the
hardest to provide? Which was the easiest?
2. Which word or phrase do you think represents the most significant effect of having
computers in society? Which word or phrase do you think represents its least significant
contribution?
3. How do you think your life would be if computers did not exist up to now?
4
Unit 1: Introduction to Information and Communications Technology
Explain and Elaborate
Information and Communications Technology
Information and communications technology (ICT) refers to all electronic and
communication technologies that enable the management and distribution of information.
There is currently no universally accepted definition of ICT, considering that the various
components, concepts, and tools related to ICT are evolving rapidly. However, the generally
accepted definition provided by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), defined
ICT as "basic information-handling tools, a varied set of goods, applications, and services
that are used to produce, store, process, distribute, and exchange information. They include
the "old" ICTs of radio, television, and telephone, and the "new" ICTs of computers, satellite
and wireless technology, and the internet. These different tools are now able to work
together, and combine to form our "networked world"—a massive infrastructure of
interconnected telephone services, standardized computing hardware, and television, which
reaches into every corner of the globe." ICT also includes social media, music and video
streaming platforms, software, and the applications installed in your smartphones. The
coverage of ICT is far-reaching, and the list continues to grow as new technologies emerge
such as smart TVs, 3D printing and self-driving cars.
ICT is a combination of its components—people, data, procedures, hardware, software, and
information—that has to work hand in hand to create systems that aim to improve our way
of performing day-to-day activities and enable us to communicate easily.
How
can you differentiate information and
communications
technology
(ICT)
from
information technology (IT)?
5
Unit 1: Introduction to Information and Communications Technology
Components of Information and Communications Technology
Information and communications technology (ICT) is composed of six components: people,
data, procedures, hardware, software, and information. These components are equally
important to the processes within an ICT system.
Fig. 2. Components of information and communications technology
People
People refer to individuals who are responsible for the development, improvement, and
maintenance of an ICT system. People are also responsible for the input and supply of data
to the system and make decisions from the output information from the system. They
include computer programmers, computer engineers, technicians, graphic designers, web
developers, encoders, and systems analysts.
Procedures
Procedures are actions performed in a certain order and condition to make sure an ICT
system runs smoothly. This also includes the exchange of data or information between
different people or systems. Procedures are important in guiding the people or system what
to do when situations such as accidental deletion of data and system failures happen.
Hardware
Hardware is the technical term used to describe physical or tangible parts of an ICT system.
If you can touch it, then it is considered hardware. Examples include input devices (mouse,
keyboards, touch screens, microphones, digital cameras, etc.), storage (hard drives, flash
drives, SD cards, etc.), processors (central processing unit, graphics processing unit, etc.),
6
Unit 1: Introduction to Information and Communications Technology
and output devices (monitors, printers, speakers, 3D printers, etc.). Communication devices
that enable the distribution of data across networks are also categorized as hardware.
Fig. 3. A laptop, tablet, and smartphone are hardware devices.
Software
Software is the generic term for programs and applications installed on your personal
computer, laptop, or smartphone. It is an ICT component that is responsible for providing
sets of instructions that the computer has to follow to accomplish a specific task. Word
processing software, spreadsheets, graphic and photo manipulation software, antivirus
software, computer games, and operating systems are just a few of the items that are
included in this category.
Fig. 4. Apache OpenOffice is a free and open-source productivity software composed of a
word processor (left image), a spreadsheet, a presentation application (right image), a
drawing application, a formula editor, and a database management application.
7
Unit 1: Introduction to Information and Communications Technology
Both hardware and software are ICT components that people can continuously develop to
increase efficiency and productivity. For example, a printer, which is a hardware, has
changed a lot from being a slow noisy dot matrix printer that prints in black and white to the
wireless laser printers that can print multicolored documents rapidly.
What is one hardware or software that greatly
improved in the past ten years and its effect on
you as a student?
Data
Data are the raw facts or figures that can be processed, stored, and transmitted by an ICT
system. Examples of data include sets of numbers, the characters in a document or website,
audio and video recordings, and transaction records. Data, when viewed by us, can seem
simple, random, and without meaning, until it is processed and organized, which transforms
the data into information. Data are the building blocks of information much like the
individual pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.
Information
Information is the result of processed, organized, and structured data. It is the output of an
ICT system with context and meaning that makes it useful for the people using the system.
Recall that data is like the individual pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. After you have organized and
put each piece in its right place (processing) that you see the whole image—you have
transformed data into information. Another example of data is a list of student scores in an
exam. Information is the calculated average score since a user, in this case a teacher, can
use that information to identify which students are struggling if their scores are below
average.
8
Unit 1: Introduction to Information and Communications Technology
Impact of ICT on the Society
The developments in ICT have become one of the greatest influences in shaping our society.
From the moment we wake up until we close our eyes to sleep, our lives are affected by the
marvelous inventions brought about by ICT. Computers, the most popular icon of ICT, are
present almost everywhere—from our homes, schools, churches, hospitals, government
offices, restaurants, and grocery stores, to name a few. This serves as proof that ICT plays
an important role in almost all aspects of our society. Computers pave the way for a more
convenient, efficient, and effective way of performing day-to-day transactions. Even our
regular buddy, the smartphone, is a product of ICT.
What do you think your life would be like if there
were no products of ICT such as computers or
smartphones?
ICT at Home
ICT is undeniably present in our home when we do our daily household activities. With the
use of laptops, desktop computers, and internet connectivity, children can now accomplish
their homework, research, and school reports in the comfort of their bedrooms while
listening to their favorite music. Mothers can always surprise their families by preparing
dishes that they learned from watching videos or by accessing recipe books from cooking
channels and websites. Fixing the faucet and repainting the fence now becomes an easy
task for fathers because they are guided by do-it-yourself (DIY) tutorials from
video-streaming websites, which are usually offered for free and available all the time. The
whole family can also be entertained by watching movies using multimedia devices like
television sets or play their favorite video games using home video game consoles. Aside
from entertainment, products of ICT such as CCTV or IP cameras can also provide security to
our homes.
9
Unit 1: Introduction to Information and Communications Technology
ICT as a Communication Tool
Our way of communicating has changed dramatically through the development of mobile
phones that are capable of connecting to the internet and the introduction of applications
that support different formats of communication. These developments in communications
technology have connected millions of people across great distances using modern
communication methods such as chat, email, video chat, and social media platforms. Its
effect is very evident in the delivery of crisp-sounding voice calls, high definition (HD) quality
video streams, and real-time chat responses that have brought families and friends closer
together.
ICT and Education
ICT has greatly affected the education sector,
bringing about the enhanced facilitation of
learning through computer-aided learning,
e-learning, educational games, and learning
management systems (LMS). Classrooms are
often equipped with multimedia devices like
projectors, smart televisions (smart TV), and
computers so that teachers can make use of
multimedia materials like pictures, audio,
and videos for their lesson presentations.
Classes have become more creative and
interactive for students because
Fig. 5. Students use laptops inside the
classroom to enhance learning.
of the learning tools that their teachers have downloaded from the internet. With the use of
search engines and learning communities, students are now capable of gaining new
knowledge and skills that will help them study in advance or learn about various topics that
are not included in their curriculum.
10
Unit 1: Introduction to Information and Communications Technology
ICT and Employment
The internet has empowered people by
providing them with a way to work without
the need to leave the comforts of their
home. Many occupations such as teaching,
secretarial work, graphic design, medical
transcription, and telemarketing are now
being offered as online jobs that allow
Fig. 6. Employees can now work anywhere
as long as they have internet connection.
people to perform tasks assigned to them
using online platforms. This is very valuable,
especially for mothers who want to take
care of their children while earning money for their needs.
ICT and Government
The Philippine government recognizes ICT as an effective tool in delivering quality and
efficient services to its people. E-governance (or e-government) is a standard practice in
most of our government agencies, that encourages the use of ICT to improve the access and
delivery of government services like tax filing, document registration, and file requests to
the public. With the passing of Executive Order No. 02, s. 2016 or the “Operationalizing in the
Executive Branch the People’s Constitutional Right to Information and the State Policies to Full
Public Disclosure and Transparency in the Public Service,” government agencies under the
executive department are now required to upload their documents for the public to view
and scrutinize to promoting transparency and good governance. In addition, different
branches of the government—including city and municipal government—are starting to
utilize social media sites to cascade information and respond to the issues of their
constituents swiftly.
ICT and Commerce
In the Philippines, online shops have become very popular through the rise of smartphones
and the continuous development of internet infrastructure. Goods as simple as toothpicks
up to gigantic-sized LED TVs can now be purchased just by clicking a few buttons on an
application. This technology has empowered business owners by allowing them to sell
11
Unit 1: Introduction to Information and Communications Technology
products without the need for physical stores. Customers benefit from this technology
because of the capability of buying items from a wide variety of choices that can be ordered
in several clicks.
What are the advantages that you experienced
while purchasing products online?
ICT and the Entertainment Industry
Local media outfits have adopted a new form of delivering their content to their audience
through online video streaming. Viewers will have no problem missing their favorite
television shows since all the episodes are uploaded on the internet, making them
accessible 24/7 through the use of a smart TV, a laptop or computer, or even a smartphone
with an internet connection. It empowers the audience by allowing them to watch only the
shows they like, sometimes without advertisements, at their own convenience. The advent
of machine learning has also impacted the way we consume content by giving us
recommendations based on what we watched or listened to before. Parents can also
benefit using this technology because they can use the settings to select shows that are
suitable for their children. Movies, documentaries, and even songs can be made available
on-demand using applications for streaming and downloading media.
12
Unit 1: Introduction to Information and Communications Technology
Extend
Activity 1
Listed below are ICT-related items. Classify the following items as either hardware, software,
or people by writing them in their appropriate boxes:
●
web camera
●
word
processor
●
speakers
●
music
●
●
●
streaming
●
computer
●
animator
●
printer
engineer
●
web
●
spreadsheet
developer
●
web designer
multimedia
projector
●
mouse
●
motherboard
computer
●
web browser
●
Flash drive
monitor
●
video game
app
●
data analyst
software
●
keyboard
engineer
Hardware
Software
People
13
Unit 1: Introduction to Information and Communications Technology
Guide
You must remember that hardware refers to computer components that are
physical and tangible in nature. Tangible means it can be seen or touched, so if you
are able to see or hold the item listed as choices, that is absolutely a hardware.
Software are computer programs or applications that are used to accomplish tasks.
If the item helped you in creating a document or editing a picture or video, it is
probably software.
People are individuals working with computers. They are professionals, so if the
item sounds like a job category, it is definitely a peopleware item.
Activity 2
Complete the table below by listing down activities that you do from the time you wake up
until you sleep that involves the use of ICT.
●
The first column must be filled with activities done with ICT. (Example: watching
videos, chatting with friends, or doing homework)
●
The second column must be listed with the hardware used in the activity written on
the first column. For example, a smartphone, a tablet, or a laptop computer can be
used to watch videos.
●
The third column must be listed with the software used in the activity written on the
first column. For example, to watch videos on a smartphone, you need a
video-streaming application.
Activity
Hardware Used
Software Used
14
Unit 1: Introduction to Information and Communications Technology
Guide
You may refer to the table below for a sample answer.
Activity
Hardware Used
Software Used
watching video
smartphone
video streaming
application
Evaluate
A. Answer the following completely in your own words.
1. What is information and communications technology (ICT)?
2. Briefly describe the remaining five components of ICT.
Example: procedure – determines the actions that need to be done and when
software –
hardware –
information –
people –
data –
15
Unit 1: Introduction to Information and Communications Technology
3. Give at least one example on how each of the three areas of ICT listed below has
positively impacted you:
a. home
b. education
c. entertainment
Industry
Example
Home
Education
Entertainment
B. Answer the following comprehensively.
1. How can some components of ICT help you as a student? Choose four from the six
components.
2. What are the differences between data and information? Support your answer by
giving an example.
16
Unit 1: Introduction to Information and Communications Technology
3. Do you agree or disagree with the ICT-related statement below? Justify your answer.
All information from the government must be made available or can be requested on its
social media accounts.
4. A private school would like to come up with an e-learning program for senior high
school students. Use the space below to create a plan by listing specific elements in
at least three components of ICT that the school needs to include in their plan.
Wrap Up
___________________________________________________________________________________________
●
Information and communications technology (ICT) refers to technologies that are
used to support the processing, storing, securing and transmitting of information.
●
Software, hardware, information, procedures, people, and data are the six
components of ICT.
●
The impacts of ICT are seen at home, communication, education, employment,
government, commerce, and the entertainment industry.
17
Unit 1: Introduction to Information and Communications Technology
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Photo Credits
Image by Michael Salinger is licensed under Pixabay via Pixabay.
Computer Laptop Blank by user:www_slon_pics is licensed under Pixabay license via
Pixabay.
Tablet by Unknown User is licensed under CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) via Pxhere.
Iphone by OpenClipart-Vectors is licensed under Pixabay license via Pixabay.
AOO Writer 4.0.0 Windows in Wine.png by Apache Software Foundation is licensed under
CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) via Wikimedia Commons.
18
Unit 1: Introduction to Information and Communications Technology
Open Office Impress.png by Jakub Stankovič is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia
Commons.
Young laptop user by Unknown User is licensed under CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) via
Pxhere.
Asian student and teacher in classroom by Tanathip Rattanatum is licensed under a
royalty-free stock photo via Shutterstock.
Copyspaced image young lady networking home by Dragon Images is licensed under a
royalty-free stock photo via Shutterstock.
Bibliography
Anderson, Jonathan. “ICT Transforming Education, A Regional Guide” UNESCO. Retrieved 02
March 2020 from
http://www.itu.int/net/wsis/stocktaking/docs/activities/1103056110/ICTMDGFinal.pdf
Doyle, Stephan. “Essential ICT” Folens Limited. Retrieved 02 March 2020 from
https://books.google.com.ph/books?id=d3FhwOkculkC&lpg=RA4-PA41&dq
Rouse, Margaret. “ICT (information and communications technology, or technologies).”
SearchCIO. Retrieved 02 December 2019 from
https://searchcio.techtarget.com/definition/ICT-information-and-communications-te
chnology-or-technologies
United Nations ICT Task Force. “Using Information and Communications Technology to
Achieve the Millennium Development Goals” UNDP. Retrieved 02 March 2020 from
http://www.itu.int/net/wsis/stocktaking/docs/activities/1103056110/ICTMDGFinal.pdf
19