Information and Communication Technology (ICT): Nature and Scope of ICT; ICT in day to day life; ICT and Industry

Communication-technology/”>Information and communication technology

We are in a digital era. It is difficult to think of any event in our daily life that is not using Information and Communication Technology. Our schools and classrooms are no exceptions. This course is meant for introducing you with these technologies with the intension that you meaningfully integrate technology in your practices related to teaching and Learning.

As an ordinary citizen as well as a teacher, you handle enormous data all the time. Data refers to facts, events, activities and transactions which have been recorded. Data is the raw material from which information is produced. Number of boys and girls in your class is a factual description of your classroom. This is an example of data related to the students in the class. In this sense, data is a description of the world. Information is making meaning from the data. Based on the data, you can conclude if girls are more in number in your class. This conclusion is information. In other words, information is processed data. Most of the decisions taken in and around the world by and large are based on the data and information. Information is the key guiding force of the world today.

For a wider use of the information, the information must be communicated to people. It is only when the information reaches the intended audience, the purpose of creation of information as well as its communication would be served . Let us take an example. As a teacher, you are organizing a teacher parent meeting. Details of the same need to be communicated to the concerned parents. This should happen within a time frame. As you know, it is neither easy to physically reach every parent within a given time, nor desired. With the availability of technology, it is possible that a teacher now not only can reach the parents but also interact with them in real time. A simple WhatsApp group would serve this purpose. This is only an illustration to say how technology has simplified many complexities of our life.

The tasks you as a teacher engage in during the school time and outside require you to generate information very frequently. For example, you need to create a worksheet for a class. You designed a worksheet template. Since the worksheet is for the class use, you need multiple copies of the worksheet. You have to take printout of the worksheets. You transfer the worksheet template to your mail or carry it in a pen drive. In other words, you have stored the information either in a cloud storage service (mail cloud) or in a storage device.

Traditionally also radio, television, and print media were the widespread technologies used for communication. The digital revolution has changed the way these traditional technologies function. The analog television has become digital television. In addition to the printed newspaper we also have electronic versions. Along with traditional radio, we also have online radio. All these have started appearing in the classroom to make the learning experiences rich.

Components of an ICT system

ICT encompasses both the Internet-enabled sphere as well as the mobile one powered by wireless networks. It also includes antiquated technologies, such as landline telephones, radio and television broadcast — all of which are still widely used today alongside cutting-edge ICT pieces such as Artificial Intelligence and Robotics.

ICT is sometimes used synonymously with IT (for information technology); however, ICT is generally used to represent a broader, more comprehensive list of all components related to computer and digital technologies than IT.

The list of ICT components is exhaustive, and it continues to grow. Some components, such as computers and telephones, have existed for decades. Others, such as smartphones, digital TVs and robots, are more recent entries.

ICT commonly means more than its list of components, though. It also encompasses the application of all those various components. It’s here that the real potential, power and danger of ICT can be found.

ICT’s societal and economic impact

ICT is leveraged for economic, societal and interpersonal transactions and interactions. ICT has drastically changed how people work, communicate, learn and live. Moreover, ICT continues to revolutionize all parts of the human experience as first computers and now robots do many of the tasks once handled by humans. For example, computers once answered phones and directed calls to the appropriate individuals to respond; now robots not only can answer the calls, but they can often more quickly and efficiently handle callers’ requests for Services.

ICT’s importance to Economic Development and business Growth has been so monumental, in fact, that it’s credited with ushering in what many have labeled the Fourth Industrial revolution.

ICT also underpins broad shifts in Society, as individuals en masse are moving from personal, face-to-face interactions to ones in the digital space. This new era is frequently termed the Digital Age.

For all its revolutionary aspects, though, ICT capabilities aren’t evenly distributed. Simply put, richer countries and richer individuals enjoy more access and thus have a greater ability to seize on the advantages and opportunities powered by ICT.

Consider, for example, some findings from the World Bank. In 2016, it stated that more than 75% of people worldwide have access to a cellphone. However, internet access through either mobile or fixed broadband remains prohibitively expensive in many countries due to a lack of ICT Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE. Furthermore, the World Bank estimated that out of the global Population of 7.4 billion people, more than 4 billion don’t have access to the internet. Additionally, it estimated that only 1.1 billion people have access to high-speed internet.

The significance of ICT in enterprises

For businesses, advances within ICT have brought a slew of cost Savings, opportunities and conveniences. They range from highly automated businesses processes that have cut costs, to the big data revolution where organizations are turning the vast trove of data generated by ICT into insights that drive new products and services, to ICT-enabled transactions such as internet shopping and telemedicine and Social Media that give customers more choices in how they shop, communicate and interact.

But ICT has also created problems and challenges to organizations and individuals alike — as well as to society as a whole. The digitization of data, the expanding use of high-speed internet and the growing global Network together have led to new levels of crime, where so-called bad actors can hatch electronically enabled schemes or illegally gain access to systems to steal Money, intellectual property or private information or to disrupt systems that control critical infrastructure. ICT has also brought automation and robots that displace workers who are unable to transfer their skills to new positions. And ICT has allowed more and more people to limit their interactions with others, creating what some people fear is a population that could lose some of what makes it human.

Preservation & promotion of culture and indigenous knowledge- Use of Regional Language in ICT

“A nation’s culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people.” –Mahatma Gandhi

Indigenous Knowledge (IK) refers to the knowledge, innovations, and practices of indigenous groups in matters related to agriculture and environmental management, medicine and Health, and art and language.
Traditional Cultural Expressions (TCEs) are also part of IK. Like IK, TCEs have also been passed from one generation to the next (orally or by tradition) and are an integral part of a culture’s identity and heritage.
These expressions include, but are not limited to, music and song, stories, symbols, dances, rituals, architecture, arts and crafts.
Indigenous knowledge has been noted to make a significant contribution to Sustainable Development of local communities, as it is seen as a set of perceptions, information, and behaviour that guide local community members to use the land and natural Resources.
The goal of managing indigenous knowledge is to provide the right information to the right people at the right time.
Traditions represent a critical piece of our culture. They remind us that we are part of a history that defines our past, shapes who we are today and who we are likely to become. It brings families together and enables people to reconnect with friends and functions to strengthen a sense of community.
Tradition reinforces values such as freedom, faith, Integrity, a good Education, personal responsibility, a strong work ethic, and the value of being selfless.
Traditional Knowledge includes Cultural Knowledge, Artistic Knowledge, Medicinal Knowledge, Biodiversity-2/”>Biodiversity/ Natural Resources Knowledge, Agricultural Knowledge, Sacred Knowledge
The word, ‘indigenous’ ordinarily means ‘belonging to’, or ‘specific to’, or ‘a particular place’. Dictionaries define the term indigenous as “originating or occurring naturally in a country or region. In this sense, the terms “traditional knowledge” and “indigenous knowledge” may be interchangeable.
WIPO also states that TK and IK would be interchangeable if we consider the term indigenous to mean, ‘belonging to’, or ‘specific to’, or ‘a particular place’

Some important characteristics of TK can be identified as follows:

it is transmitted from generations to generations
in many cases, it is transmitted orally for generations from person to person
it is being considered by the communities as gift of God and not as a private property
such knowledge typically distinguishes one community from another
it is usually impossible to identify the original creator of the information
it is learned through continuous observation, experience and practice
it is inseparable part of communal and cultural life of its holders, and
it is usually associated with the biological resources

Indigenous Knowledge (IK):

The indigenous groups all over the world have peculiar cultural belief systems which demonstrate their immense knowledge and respect for the earth.
These systems contain rules that define how the Environment should be treated.
Their various rituals, ceremonies and prohibitions regulate the use of natural resources and resource management aiming at a balanced ecosystem. Indigenous people are the custodians of the invaluable biological and genetic wealth on the earth.
To entitle certain knowledge as indigenous, it must posses certain characteristics, namely,
communal ownership and attribution of knowledge
sharing of knowledge through specific Consent of the relevant group
right to use and deal with knowledge
collective rights and interests held by indigenous people in their knowledge
close interdependence between knowledge, land, and other aspects of culture in indigenous societies
oral transmission of knowledge in accordance with well understood cultural principles, and management of knowledge through specific rules including rules regarding maintaining secrecy and sacredness of knowledge.

Methods to preserve and promote cultural traditions are

Heritage Preservation:

Heritage preservation is the visual and tangible conservation of cultural identity. Heritage is the reflection of the identity of the people and is a mirror of our national unity. It represents our history and our identity; our bond to the past, to our present, and the future.
Heritage sites need to actively be preserved so that they do not fall into disrepair, and funds need to be allocated.
History is important because it brings us all together and this is a cornerstone of nationhood that should be protected by every state and culture.
The preservation of cultural heritage in times of conflict is very essential. Theft, war, civil disorder, terrorism, neglect and vandalism are human factors in the accidental or willful destruction of our heritage.
Disasters need to be managed in order to control them, or at least to mitigate the effects.
Improving our environment for preserving our heritage is a must. Cultural heritage is under attack – from Environmental Degradation and Climate change, from socioeconomic pressures and the accelerating pace of Urbanization and from the strains of global tourism.

Some methods adopted for better heritage preservation are:

Chemical Preservation-Chemical preservation of excavated objects and structures are done to increase their longetivity.
Structural Conservation-Structures are improved, stabilized, additionally strengthened and reinforced to undo the harms done by pollution, acid rains, and other chemicals and made natural-disasters resistant, by maintaining their pristine look.

In an era of Globalization/”>Globalization-3/”>Globalization, cultural heritage helps us to remember our cultural diversity, and its understanding develops mutual respect and renewed dialogue amongst different cultures.

Tourism Development:

37% of the global tourism has a cultural motivation. When tourism is identified as part of an overall development strategy, the identification, protection, and enhancement of historic resources is vital for any sustainable effort.
Worldwide, heritage has a significantly greater economic impact per trip. In some places cultural heritage tourism is one of the main economic contributors.
The tourism sector is the ‘Industry’ that uses cultural heritage to the greatest extent as support for its backbone activities like hotel accommodation, transport and catering. Due to the exploitation of heritage, many new jobs were generated in the tourism sector.
When heritage tourism is developed or done right, the biggest beneficiaries are not the visitors but the local residents who experience a renewed appreciation and pride in their local city and its history.

Influence of Media:

Films, television and radio broadcasts are other powerful means that can influence culture. Media can travel into the most remote villages and unearth the traditional practices, celebrations, martial arts and present them forcefully and creatively to the entire people.
Promotion of people as cultural brand ambassadors, building influence through the local vernacular media, an improved media strategy that promotes cultural content and supports cultural projects with less or no commercial value can also help preserve and promote culture. In addition, for any community to be able to preserve its culture, its people must have pride in their culture.
However, if western culture is appreciated more than the indigenous ones, the cultural heritage of the country would undoubtedly go into oblivion. Hence, it is important that, the press and opinion leaders in the country intensify the drive to project the country’s rich cultural heritage, in order for the public to accept them.

Preservation of Intangible Cultural Heritage:

Arts strengthen cultural values. Formal theatrical performances, sculptures, paintings, music and food festivals, paintings, folk tales, songs, novels, poems, martial arts and crafts groups, all these should be encouraged.
To be kept alive, intangible cultural heritage must remain relevant to a culture and be regularly practiced and learned within communities and between generations. The issue of festivals attracts people from far and near and during such occasion, each tribe celebrates a festival to portray the culture of their people.
Traditional music and dance project the cultural identity and heritage. Indigenous Musical instruments, such as dhol, pepa etc. are used on such festivals. The importance of cultural celebrations is that they help to imprint the Assamese culture in the minds of both the present and future generation.
Campaigns amongst the masses should be done to honor revolution and national resistance wars, commemorate national heroes and martyrs, appreciate our cultural well-known men, pay gratitude to revolutionarily credited people etc.

Development in Education:

The national and State Government needs to encourage historians to document the history and indigenous culture of the state. The education on the cultural heritage of Assam must go hand in hand with excursions.
Youths should be encouraged to learn the community’s indigenous culture and visit historical places of interest in order to acquaint themselves with the rich culture of the state.
The youth in the various educational institutions can also organize cultural festivals and displays during anniversaries, entertainment and on important occasions.
Libraries and museums disseminate information and cultural heritage resources. The upkeep and maintenance of museums and archaeological sites will considerably improve with the introduction of modern technology.
At least one museum should be set up in each district with different chambers for visual and other forms of art, architecture, science, history and geography with regional flavor

Digital Preservation:

Digitalization converts materials from formats that can be read by people (analog) to a format that can be read only by machines (digital). Benefits of digital preservation are as follows:

Easy to be viewed from anywhere, at any time of the day
Can be readily printed from the web
Viewers can find what they are looking for quickly and independently
Save staff reference time by answering frequently asked questions on the web
Electronically enhanced images can be viewed with greater legibility
Increased use of collections and facilitated learning and scholarship

The preservation benefits for collections include:

Objects do not have to be reshelved or located by staff
Objects are not handled frequently thereby reducing wear and tear.

Government Action:

Both the national and state government should implement the following steps and measures-

Tapping of the Public-Private PARTNERSHIP models should be done for sustenance of Arts and Crafts. Publication through private sector should be encouraged as they have all the modern technology and know-how to produce the best from the worst.
Greater involvement of universities in schemes promoting arts and culture as well as inclusion of Fine Arts as a subject in universities
Preserving and properly promoting India’s rich intangible cultural heritage by inventorizing and documenting oral traditions, indigenous knowledge systems, folklores and tribal and oral traditions and dance forms like Bihu and other folk dances besides classical forms.
Enhancing assimilative capabilities in order to adapt to emergent challenges of globalization and technological innovations.
Promoting regional languages
Making cultural and creative industries work in tandem for growth and EMPLOYMENT.
Generating demand for cultural goods and services as a matter of sustenance rather than patronage, thus bringing out the art and culture sector in the public domain.
The promotion of export of cultural goods and services.
Recognizing ‘cultural heritage tourism’ as an upcoming industry by building cultural resources with an adaptation of scientific and technological knowledge to local circumstances as well as forming partnerships between local and global bodies.
Making possible the infusion of knowledge capital in cultural institutions by flexible engagements.
Accelerating propaganda and promoting the awareness of people to participate in cultural activities. Timely discovering and commending typical exemplary individuals and entities that have made a significant contribution to the cultural life.
Great efforts should be spent on the collection and exploitation of material and immaterial cultural values. Organizing cultural festivals of some minority ethnic groups who have typical cultural characters. Protecting, preserving, and improving the quality of art and literature, cultural works. Training artistic talents. Organizing contests of art and literature to select the best pieces of works which have a high educational and aesthetic nature.
Expanding international cultural exchange. Actively introducing the Assamese cultural quintessence and character in order to improve the prestige and position of our state and country in international arena and making the best use of technological assistance from advanced countries for the development of culture.
Strengthening the examination and control and the State management of cultural activities, publication, newspapers and preservation of cultural values, art performances, copyrights, advertisement and cultural services. Preventing anti-cultural and non-cultural phenomena
Enhancing the training of managerial and professional staff of cultural branch, especially ethnic minority staff. Cultural staff at grassroots level should be continually and further trained to satisfy the demands of preserving and promoting the cultural traditions of our state.

Concluding Remark

Culture, as a force, has both its own economic and political consequences in the life of any state.
Without culture, a nation is as good as extinct, erased from the surface of the earth, blotted out and, an existence without dignity or recognition.
The only way to wipe out a people from the face of the earth is to take away their culture.
The blending of one culture with another also has the potential of killing off cultures. We must make an effort to sustain our cultures.
The challenge is to preserve our cultures by practicing and making them part of our lives.

THE NEED FOR PROTECTING TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE

Protection of indigenous knowledge is essential in many aspects. Lack of proper legal and policy frameworks for the protection of TK in the developing countries provides a vacuum for the developed and industrialized nations to exploit the traditional knowledge and resources of indigenous communities.
Protection of indigenous knowledge will stop the multi-national pharmaceutical companies from the North, who purport to discover herbal medicines owned and used by the indigenous communities for thousands of years, from patenting the medicinal Plants and its Derivatives at the expense of the indigenous communities.
Since, TK incorporates information and know-how on a variety of matters, including resources management, traditional medicines, crafts, artistic designs and cultural assets, its adequate protection is essential to preserve the cultural values of aboriginal communities.
It is a cultural heritage property right which must be protected and shared equitably in the interest of all humankind. The need to protect indigenous knowledge is more relevant now than ever before in the IP global market.
It has been revealed that commercial interests very often violate indigenous Intellectual Property Rights. Although such violations do not formally constitute a breach of written legal standards, as neither national legislations nor international standards acknowledge the rights of indigenous people, these violations are still accountable to indigenous customary law.
The underlying principles for granting protection to TK, inter alia, are Equity considerations, conservation concerns, preservation of traditional practices and culture, promotion of its use in modern developments, prevention of appropriation of components of TK by unauthorized parties, facilitating access to TK, etc.

Equity Considerations

The argument for protection of TK is principally based on equity considerations. TK generates value for new industries especially in the field of pharmaceuticals, plant breeding, food preservation etc.
The current system of appropriation of TK for the new lines of modern industries neither recognizes TK adequately nor does it compensate satisfactorily the TK holders. For example, the farmers are not being compensated for the germplasm they create and the value they contribute for the new industry.
Similarly, the traditional medicinal practitioners and healers are not being compensated for the information they impart to the bioprospectors regarding the use of medicinal plants found in their surroundings. The holders of TK usually do not charge for the herbs, seeds etc

For Stimulating Conservation

Another factor underlying the claim for protection of traditional knowledge is based on the importance of such knowledge for conservation purposes.
It is an undisputed fact that TK involves vital information highly useful to modern science and health care. However, protection of TK against loss and misappropriation and adequate compensation to traditional knowledge holders are core Elements to stimulate the broader use of TK.
Since the indigenous population inhabit the world’s most useful biological diversity, the preservation of the same would be important for the future use.
Principle 3 of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, 1992 also states that the right to development must be fulfilled so as to equitably meet developmental and environmental needs of present and future generations. An encouragement to preserve and conserve the biological diversity through adequate means is necessary to stimulate the activities of indigenous and local communities.
The recognition of rights would encourage them to conserve the natural resources. If fairly compensated, they would have more incentives to conserve and preserve the same not only for the existing generation, but for the generations to come.

Preservation of Traditional Practices and Cultures

The preservation of TK is not only a key component of the right to selfidentification and a condition for the continuous existence of indigenous and traditional peoples; it is also a central element of the cultural heritage of humanity.
The crisis affecting the world’s diverse cultures and languages is, according to some estimates, far greater than the biodiversity crisis. The recognition of their culture would raise the profile of that knowledge and encourage respect for it, both inside as well as outside the knowledge holding communities.
This will make the learning and development of such knowledge a more attractive prospect for the younger members of such communities, thus perpetuating its existence and continuing its traditional lifestyles and cultures.
The possibilities of economic returns for the use of that knowledge by third parties acts as a further incentive for community members to respect their knowledge and continue to engage in practices in which that knowledge is used and generated.
Lack of motivation in the younger generation to learn the tradition is another reason cited for the protection of TK. There is a fear that TK will suffer extinction with the death of the elders of the community.
TK is generally viewed with disdain and as being inferior since it does not confirm to the accepted scientific methods of learning in the context of the modern reductionist approach of science.
Only by concerned efforts to protect it and accord it due respect can this trend be stopped

Regional language internet usage is where the real growth will be in India

In the mid 1990s, 80% of the world wide web had English language content. By 2011, that share had fallen to roughly 27% as other languages – French, German, Spanish, Russian, and Chinese – spread online. India’s many languages, though, have lagged behind others.
Second only to the US, India has over 125 million English speakers. Online, English is still India’s lingua franca, but more of its 1.3 billion people can turn into netizens only if the online use of its 22 other official languages is encouraged.
A recent study of 4,612 urban citizens and 2,448 rural Indians by management consultancy KPMG India and search giant Google found that nearly 70% of Indians consider local language digital content more reliable than English content.
Of all the internet-using native speakers of an Indian language, most prefer Hindi, the co-Official Language of the Indian union along with English. By 2021, an expected 201 million Hindi users – 38% of the Indian internet user base – will be online, according to the KPMG-Google study.
Marathi, Bengali, and Tamil follow, capturing 9%, 8%, and 6% of the user base respectively.
So, native language apps and sites proliferate to make it easier for people to grasp online information.
Moreover, increasing the use of native languages could help chat applications and digital platforms deepen their user base
The KPMG/Google report identifies a number of apps and web categories that currently have relatively low penetration rates in India but could see rapid growth if local-language integration picks up.
Payments, government services, news, and classifieds all could grow at a compound annual growth rate between 26% and 34% from 2016 to 2021 if there is local-language expansion. For example, among those who traditionally shop offline, 50% were willing to shift online if provided with an end-to-end Indian language experience
Similarly, over 60% of rural users consider language a barrier to accessing online government services, the report says. Increased use of Indian languages on the internet will come as a relief to them. It could also help better dissemination of regional news as almost 60% of Indian-language internet users prefer such news.
Also, nearly 90% of them are more likely to respond to a digital advertisement in their local language as compared to English ads.
“Almost every new user that is coming online – roughly nine out of 10 – is not proficient in English, So, it is fair to say that almost all the growth of usage is coming from non-English users
Indian language users already far exceed the number of English language users in the country and will continue to do so–their user base grew from 42 million in 2011 to 234 million in 2016.
In the five-year period after that, Indian-language users are expected to grow at an additional rate of 18% to 536 million. In the same period, English-language users are likely to grow by a mere 3% to reach 199 million.
Meanwhile, technological advancement could aid and encourage the increased use of local languages.
“Advance voice translation and recognition technology could help Indian language internet users, who find and search navigation using text inputs in their regional language a challenge.
Other factors that will likely contribute to bringing India’s next billion online are reduced data charges, rising disposable income, growth in overall internet penetration and smartphone production, and improvements in digital Literacy in rural India, as well as more Indian language-friendly devices and websites.
While Reliance Jio’s low prices and freebies are already moving in that direction, companies like Google are increasingly providing Indian language interface and content.

Information and communication technologies (ICT) are a broad range of technologies that enable the processing and communication of information. ICT includes both cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing, as well as more ubiquitous technologies such as smartphones and the internet.

ICT has a profound impact on our daily lives. We use ICT to communicate with friends and family, to shop, to learn, and to work. ICT has also changed the way we consume entertainment, with streaming services such as Netflix and Spotify replacing traditional cable and radio.

ICT is also having a major impact on the world of work. Many jobs that were once done by humans are now being automated, and ICT is creating new jobs in areas such as Software development and data science.

ICT is also having a significant impact on the environment. The use of ICT can help to reduce energy consumption and pollution, and ICT can be used to monitor and manage natural resources.

However, ICT also poses some challenges. The widespread use of ICT has led to concerns about privacy and security. ICT can also be used to spread misinformation and propaganda.

Despite these challenges, ICT is a powerful tool that has the potential to improve our lives in many ways. As ICT continues to evolve, it is important to ensure that it is used in a responsible and ethical way.

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ICT in day-to-day life

ICT is used in almost every aspect of our daily lives. We use it to communicate with friends and family, to shop, to learn, and to work. ICT has also changed the way we consume entertainment, with streaming services such as Netflix and Spotify replacing traditional cable and radio.

ICT and industry

ICT is having a major impact on the world of work. Many jobs that were once done by humans are now being automated, and ICT is creating new jobs in areas such as software development and data science.

ICT and education

ICT is transforming education. Students can now access a wealth of educational resources online, and they can collaborate with other students from around the world. ICT is also being used to personalize learning and to provide students with real-time feedback.

ICT and healthcare

ICT is revolutionizing healthcare. Patients can now access their medical records online, and they can communicate with their doctors through email and video conferencing. ICT is also being used to develop new treatments and to monitor patients remotely.

ICT and government

ICT is making government more efficient and transparent. Citizens can now access government services online, and they can track the progress of legislation. ICT is also being used to fight Corruption and to improve public safety.

ICT and environment

ICT is helping us to protect the environment. We can use ICT to monitor air quality, to track endangered species, and to manage Water Resources. ICT is also being used to develop RENEWABLE ENERGY sources and to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.

ICT and security

ICT is creating new security challenges. Cyberattacks are becoming more sophisticated, and they can have a devastating impact on businesses and individuals. ICT is also being used to spread misinformation and propaganda.

ICT and ethics

The use of ICT raises a number of ethical concerns. For example, we need to ensure that ICT is not used to discriminate against people or to invade their privacy. We also need to be aware of the potential for ICT to be used for harmful purposes, such as cyberbullying and terrorism.

ICT and law

The law is struggling to keep up with the rapid pace of technological change. New laws are needed to regulate the use of ICT, and existing laws need to be updated to reflect the realities of the digital age.

ICT and future

ICT is changing the world at an unprecedented pace. It is difficult to predict what the future holds, but it is clear that ICT will continue to play a major role in our lives. We need to ensure that we use ICT wisely and responsibly so that it can benefit all of humanity.

Nature and Scope of ICT

What is ICT?
ICT stands for Information and Communication Technology. It is a broad term that encompasses all aspects of technology that are used to create, store, exchange, and use information. This includes technologies such as computers, telecommunications, and the internet.
What are the different types of ICT?
There are many different types of ICT, but some of the most common include:
- Computers: Computers are electronic devices that are used to process information. They can be used for a variety of tasks, such as word processing, spreadsheets, and internet browsing.
- Telecommunications: Telecommunications is the technology that allows for the transmission of information over long distances. This includes technologies such as telephones, television, and radio.
- The internet: The internet is a global network of computers that allows for the sharing of information. It is used for a variety of purposes, such as email, social networking, and online shopping.
What are the benefits of ICT?
ICT has many benefits, including:
- It can help to improve communication and collaboration.
- It can help to improve efficiency and productivity.
- It can help to provide access to information and resources.
- It can help to promote education and learning.
What are the challenges of ICT?
ICT also has some challenges, including:
- It can be expensive to implement and maintain.
- It can be difficult to keep up with the latest technologies.
- It can be used for malicious purposes, such as cybercrime.
- It can be addictive and can lead to social isolation.

ICT in day to day life

How is ICT used in day to day life?
ICT is used in many different ways in day to day life. Some of the most common uses include:
- Communication: ICT is used for communication in a variety of ways, such as email, social networking, and instant messaging.
- Education: ICT is used in education for a variety of purposes, such as online learning, distance learning, and e-books.
- Work: ICT is used in work for a variety of purposes, such as word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations.
- Entertainment: ICT is used for entertainment in a variety of ways, such as watching movies, playing games, and listening to music.
- Shopping: ICT is used for shopping in a variety of ways, such as online shopping, price comparison, and product reviews.

ICT and Industry

How is ICT used in industry?
ICT is used in industry in a variety of ways, such as:
- Automation: ICT is used to automate tasks, such as manufacturing and production.
- Control: ICT is used to control machines and processes, such as robots and assembly lines.
- Communication: ICT is used to communicate with customers, suppliers, and partners.
- Collaboration: ICT is used to collaborate with colleagues and partners.
- Information management: ICT is used to manage information, such as data, documents, and knowledge.
- DECISION MAKING: ICT is used to make decisions, such as pricing, Marketing, and operations.

Question 1

Which of the following is not a component of ICT?

(A) Hardware
(B) Software
(C) Data
(D) Communication

Answer
(C) Data is not a component of ICT. ICT is a broad term that encompasses all aspects of technology that are used to communicate and store information. This includes hardware, software, and communication networks.

Question 2

Which of the following is an example of ICT in day-to-day life?

(A) Using a smartphone to make a call
(B) Using a computer to access the internet
(C) Watching TV
(D) All of the above

Answer
(D) All of the above are examples of ICT in day-to-day life. Smartphones, computers, and TVs are all devices that use ICT to communicate and store information.

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of how ICT is used in industry?

(A) Using computers to design products
(B) Using robots to manufacture products
(C) Using the internet to sell products
(D) All of the above

Answer
(D) All of the above are examples of how ICT is used in industry. Computers are used to design products, robots are used to manufacture products, and the internet is used to sell products.

Question 4

Which of the following is not a benefit of ICT?

(A) Increased productivity
(B) Improved communication
(C) Reduced costs
(D) Increased pollution

Answer
(D) Increased pollution is not a benefit of ICT. ICT can actually help to reduce pollution by making it possible to work from home, which reduces the need for commuting.

Question 5

Which of the following is a challenge of ICT?

(A) The digital divide
(B) Cybercrime
(C) Information overload
(D) All of the above

Answer
(D) All of the above are challenges of ICT. The digital divide is the gap between those who have access to ICT and those who do not. Cybercrime is crime that is committed using ICT. Information overload is the feeling of being overwhelmed by the amount of information that is available.