Lecture 1-Introdn to I.T
Content
INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION TECHNLOGY
The Information Age.. Lecture 1
3/2/2013
Asiimwe Charles
1
Information Age Objectives; To understand the evolution of Information Age as a principle tool of Information Technology. To discuss the basic characteristics of Information age and the significant development in I.T. Explain the four primary components of information technology. Identify the five information-handling functions and the four benefits of information technology. Discuss the types of opportunities that information technology offers to people. Describe the responsibilities of people who use information technology. 3/2/2013 Asiimwe Charles 2
Information Age
The Information Age, also commonly known as the Computer Age or Information Era, is the period characterized by the ability of individuals to transfer information freely, and to have instant access to information that would have been difficult or impossible to find ...
When we say that we live in the information age, we mean that we live in a time when information is very important and easy to get. 3/2/2013
Asiimwe Charles
3
The Evolution of Information Age Agricultural Age: The period up to the 1800s, when the majority of workers were farmers whose lives revolved around agriculture. Industrial Age: The period from the 1800s to 1957, when work processes were simplified through mechanization and automation. Information Age: The period that began in 1957, in which the majority of workers are involved in the creation, distribution, and application of information. Knowledge Workers: Workers involved in the creation, distribution, and application of 3/2/2013 Asiimwe Charles 4 information
The Evolution of Information Age cont’d
3/2/2013
Asiimwe Charles
5
The characteristics of the Information Age An information-based society has risen. – Information Society: A society in which more people work at handling information than at agriculture and manufacturing combined. Businesses depend on information technology to get their work done. Work processes are being transformed to increase productivity & effectiveness.
3/2/2013
Asiimwe Charles
6
X-tics cont’d Work Processes: The combination of activities that workers perform, the way they perform those activities, and the tools they use. Productivity: The relationship between the results of an activity (output) and the resources used to create those results (inputs). Effectiveness: The extent to which desirable results are achieved.
3/2/2013
Asiimwe Charles
7
Significant developments in I.T Include; The telegraph by Samuel Morse in 1837 The telephone by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876 Black and white TV in the 1940’s The Atanasoff-Berry Computer (ABC) between 1937-1942 The personal digital computer in the 1970’s The world wide web (internet) in 1990’s 3/2/2013
Asiimwe Charles
8
What is Information Technology?
Everyone is using Information Technology whether knowingly or unknowingly. It is growing rapidly and it covers not only computers but also phones, T.Vs, digital cameras and so on..
A broad definition of Information Technology; “a variety of means, which enable the capture or creation, processing, storage or distribution of data, information and knowledge. 3/2/2013
Asiimwe Charles
9
Information Technology I.T. can also be seen as the collection of tools that make it easier to use, create, manage, and exchange information. Technology = applying a systematic technique or method to solve a problem. Much of today’s technology involves the use of computers. Technology can also be seen as How we combine resources to solve a problem, fulfil a need or satisfy a want.
3/2/2013
Asiimwe Charles
10
Information technology
Data: Raw facts, figures, and details.
Information: An organized, meaningful, and useful interpretation of data.
Knowledge: An awareness and understanding of a set of information and how that information can be put to the best use.
3/2/2013
Asiimwe Charles
11
Information technology
Knowledge, in IT can also be defined the possession of information or the ability to quickly locate it
“Knowledge” according to Samuel Johnson, “is of two kinds: We can know a subject, or We know where we can find information.
3/2/2013
Asiimwe Charles
12
Components of information technology The means we spoke of in the broad definition of information technology consists of;
Computer Technology
Communications Network
People
Applications
3/2/2013
Asiimwe Charles
13
Components of information technology
Computers An electronic device that can be instructed to accept, process, store, and present data and information.
Communications Networks Communication: The sending and receiving of data and information over a communications network. 3/2/2013
Asiimwe Charles
14
Components cont’d Communications Network: A set of locations, or nodes, consisting of hardware, programs, and information linked together as a system that transmits and receives data and information. Data Communication: The transmission of data and information through a communications medium.
3/2/2013
Asiimwe Charles
15
Components cont’d
People People are the computer's operators, or users who actually use a computer or application to perform processes that yield end results.
Application Program An application program is a program designed to perform a specific function directly for the user. Examples of applications include word processors, database programs, Web browsers, development tools, drawing, paint, image editing programs. 3/2/2013
Asiimwe Charles
16
The Functions of Information Technology
3/2/2013
Asiimwe Charles
17
What exactly can IT do?
Capture: The process of compiling detailed records of activities. It is performed when you expect the data will be useful later
Processing: The process of converting, analyzing, computing, and producing all forms of data or information. – Data Processing – Information Processing – Image Processing 3/2/2013
Asiimwe Charles
18
Functions cont’d
Generation: The process of organizing information into a useful form, whether as numbers, text, sound, or visual image.
Storage and Retrieval: Storage is the computer process of retaining information for future use. Retrieval is the process by which a computer locates and copies stored data or information for further processing or for transmission to another user. 3/2/2013
Asiimwe Charles
19
Functions cont’d
Transmission: The computer process of distributing information over a communications network. – Electronic Mail, or E-Mail – Voice Messaging, or Voice Mail
3/2/2013
Asiimwe Charles
20
Benefits of I.T
3/2/2013
Asiimwe Charles
21
The Opportunities of Information Technology
Helping People How can I be more effective? More productive? More creative? And how can I help other people? Solving Problems Problem: A perceived difference between an existing condition and a desired condition. Problem Solving: The process of recognizing a problem, identifying alternatives for solving it, and successfully implementing the chosen solution 3/2/2013 Asiimwe Charles 22
Information Technology Is All Around Us, Improving Our Lives Information Technology is everywhere Television Education Entertainment Money and Investments Agriculture Health and Medicine Manufacturing Sports etc 3/2/2013
Asiimwe Charles
23
The Responsibilities of Using Information Technology
To be informed: Users have to know how computers and network can be applied In different situations, and capability and limitation of IT in those situations.
To Make Proper Use of IT: Users need to take responsibility for employing IT in desirable and ethical ways that help people and do not violate on their privacy, rights or well being. 3/2/2013
Asiimwe Charles
24
Responsibilities cont’d
To Safeguard: Users must take responsibility for protecting data and information that are in the computer or transmitted over a network against intentional or accidental damage or lose.
3/2/2013
Asiimwe Charles
25
The Information Age.. Lecture 1
3/2/2013
Asiimwe Charles
1
Information Age Objectives; To understand the evolution of Information Age as a principle tool of Information Technology. To discuss the basic characteristics of Information age and the significant development in I.T. Explain the four primary components of information technology. Identify the five information-handling functions and the four benefits of information technology. Discuss the types of opportunities that information technology offers to people. Describe the responsibilities of people who use information technology. 3/2/2013 Asiimwe Charles 2
Information Age
The Information Age, also commonly known as the Computer Age or Information Era, is the period characterized by the ability of individuals to transfer information freely, and to have instant access to information that would have been difficult or impossible to find ...
When we say that we live in the information age, we mean that we live in a time when information is very important and easy to get. 3/2/2013
Asiimwe Charles
3
The Evolution of Information Age Agricultural Age: The period up to the 1800s, when the majority of workers were farmers whose lives revolved around agriculture. Industrial Age: The period from the 1800s to 1957, when work processes were simplified through mechanization and automation. Information Age: The period that began in 1957, in which the majority of workers are involved in the creation, distribution, and application of information. Knowledge Workers: Workers involved in the creation, distribution, and application of 3/2/2013 Asiimwe Charles 4 information
The Evolution of Information Age cont’d
3/2/2013
Asiimwe Charles
5
The characteristics of the Information Age An information-based society has risen. – Information Society: A society in which more people work at handling information than at agriculture and manufacturing combined. Businesses depend on information technology to get their work done. Work processes are being transformed to increase productivity & effectiveness.
3/2/2013
Asiimwe Charles
6
X-tics cont’d Work Processes: The combination of activities that workers perform, the way they perform those activities, and the tools they use. Productivity: The relationship between the results of an activity (output) and the resources used to create those results (inputs). Effectiveness: The extent to which desirable results are achieved.
3/2/2013
Asiimwe Charles
7
Significant developments in I.T Include; The telegraph by Samuel Morse in 1837 The telephone by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876 Black and white TV in the 1940’s The Atanasoff-Berry Computer (ABC) between 1937-1942 The personal digital computer in the 1970’s The world wide web (internet) in 1990’s 3/2/2013
Asiimwe Charles
8
What is Information Technology?
Everyone is using Information Technology whether knowingly or unknowingly. It is growing rapidly and it covers not only computers but also phones, T.Vs, digital cameras and so on..
A broad definition of Information Technology; “a variety of means, which enable the capture or creation, processing, storage or distribution of data, information and knowledge. 3/2/2013
Asiimwe Charles
9
Information Technology I.T. can also be seen as the collection of tools that make it easier to use, create, manage, and exchange information. Technology = applying a systematic technique or method to solve a problem. Much of today’s technology involves the use of computers. Technology can also be seen as How we combine resources to solve a problem, fulfil a need or satisfy a want.
3/2/2013
Asiimwe Charles
10
Information technology
Data: Raw facts, figures, and details.
Information: An organized, meaningful, and useful interpretation of data.
Knowledge: An awareness and understanding of a set of information and how that information can be put to the best use.
3/2/2013
Asiimwe Charles
11
Information technology
Knowledge, in IT can also be defined the possession of information or the ability to quickly locate it
“Knowledge” according to Samuel Johnson, “is of two kinds: We can know a subject, or We know where we can find information.
3/2/2013
Asiimwe Charles
12
Components of information technology The means we spoke of in the broad definition of information technology consists of;
Computer Technology
Communications Network
People
Applications
3/2/2013
Asiimwe Charles
13
Components of information technology
Computers An electronic device that can be instructed to accept, process, store, and present data and information.
Communications Networks Communication: The sending and receiving of data and information over a communications network. 3/2/2013
Asiimwe Charles
14
Components cont’d Communications Network: A set of locations, or nodes, consisting of hardware, programs, and information linked together as a system that transmits and receives data and information. Data Communication: The transmission of data and information through a communications medium.
3/2/2013
Asiimwe Charles
15
Components cont’d
People People are the computer's operators, or users who actually use a computer or application to perform processes that yield end results.
Application Program An application program is a program designed to perform a specific function directly for the user. Examples of applications include word processors, database programs, Web browsers, development tools, drawing, paint, image editing programs. 3/2/2013
Asiimwe Charles
16
The Functions of Information Technology
3/2/2013
Asiimwe Charles
17
What exactly can IT do?
Capture: The process of compiling detailed records of activities. It is performed when you expect the data will be useful later
Processing: The process of converting, analyzing, computing, and producing all forms of data or information. – Data Processing – Information Processing – Image Processing 3/2/2013
Asiimwe Charles
18
Functions cont’d
Generation: The process of organizing information into a useful form, whether as numbers, text, sound, or visual image.
Storage and Retrieval: Storage is the computer process of retaining information for future use. Retrieval is the process by which a computer locates and copies stored data or information for further processing or for transmission to another user. 3/2/2013
Asiimwe Charles
19
Functions cont’d
Transmission: The computer process of distributing information over a communications network. – Electronic Mail, or E-Mail – Voice Messaging, or Voice Mail
3/2/2013
Asiimwe Charles
20
Benefits of I.T
3/2/2013
Asiimwe Charles
21
The Opportunities of Information Technology
Helping People How can I be more effective? More productive? More creative? And how can I help other people? Solving Problems Problem: A perceived difference between an existing condition and a desired condition. Problem Solving: The process of recognizing a problem, identifying alternatives for solving it, and successfully implementing the chosen solution 3/2/2013 Asiimwe Charles 22
Information Technology Is All Around Us, Improving Our Lives Information Technology is everywhere Television Education Entertainment Money and Investments Agriculture Health and Medicine Manufacturing Sports etc 3/2/2013
Asiimwe Charles
23
The Responsibilities of Using Information Technology
To be informed: Users have to know how computers and network can be applied In different situations, and capability and limitation of IT in those situations.
To Make Proper Use of IT: Users need to take responsibility for employing IT in desirable and ethical ways that help people and do not violate on their privacy, rights or well being. 3/2/2013
Asiimwe Charles
24
Responsibilities cont’d
To Safeguard: Users must take responsibility for protecting data and information that are in the computer or transmitted over a network against intentional or accidental damage or lose.
3/2/2013
Asiimwe Charles
25
