Lesson 10: Information Communication Technology (ICT)

In the figure : In the figure computers have developed through five generations.

Rule 1: ICT and the information explosion — Science and technology keep producing information at a tremendous rate. If we ignore this explosion of information, our knowledge becomes outdated. Different devices are used to produce, communicate, classify, save or store and manage information. The telephone is used to share information by conversing, and the computer is the most important device for information communication.

• Easy : A telephone shares information by talking.
• Medium : A school notice board stores information; a photocopier produces copies; a school website communicates it to all parents.
• Exam-type : A student who never reads about new discoveries keeps old knowledge. That is why ignoring the information explosion makes knowledge outdated.

Rule 2: Generations of computers — Since its creation the computer has gone through five generations. The computers used between 1946 and 1959 are first generation computers, for example ENIAC. They used large valves, which consumed a lot of electricity and generated heat, so these computers shut down many times. Today's computers are fifth generation computers. Because their speed kept increasing, computers could enter all fields.

• Easy : ENIAC is a first generation computer; it used valves.
• Medium : Valves got hot and used much power, so the machine stopped often. Later generations became faster, smaller and more reliable.
• Exam-type : The first generation lasted from 1946 to 1959, so 1959 − 1946 = 13 years.

Spot the difference

In the figure : In the figure data goes in, is processed and comes out as a result.

Rule 1: Input, processing and output — The input unit takes in all types of data; generally it is a keyboard. The processing unit (processor) consists of the memory unit, the control unit and the ALU unit. The output unit receives the result or answer; generally it is a screen (monitor) or a printer.

• Easy : A keyboard is an input device; a monitor is an output device.
• Medium : Typing 7 + 5 on the keyboard (input), the processor adds (processing), the screen shows 12 (output).
• Exam-type : Name the part used for each step of "typing a letter and printing it": keyboard (input), processor (processing), printer (output).

Rule 2: Memory: RAM and ROM — Memory stores the data received from input and the solutions generated. It is of two types, internal and external. Internal memory is of two types. RAM (Random Access Memory) is made of electronic components and works only as long as electricity is supplied. ROM (Read Only Memory) can only be read; the information originally stored in it cannot be changed.

In the figure : In the figure RAM is temporary and ROM is read-only.

• Easy : When the power is cut, whatever was only in RAM is lost; ROM keeps its stored information.
• Medium : You type a long essay and the power fails before you save it. The essay was in RAM, which needs electricity, so it is gone.
• Exam-type : Why can the first start-up instructions be kept in ROM? Because ROM can only be read, so these instructions cannot be changed by mistake.

Spot the difference

In the figure : In the figure hardware is what you can touch; software is the instructions.

Rule 1: Operating system, program and data — The operating system is a program that provides a means of communication between the computer and the person working on it; one such system is DOS (Disk Operating System). A computer cannot be used without its operating system. A program is a group of commands given to a computer. Data is information in its raw, unprocessed form.

• Easy : A list of marks 45, 38, 52 is raw data.
• Medium : A program that adds marks and prints the average turns raw data into useful information.
• Exam-type : Data 45, 38, 52 with a program for the average gives (45 + 38 + 52) ÷ 3 = 135 ÷ 3 = 45.

Rule 2: Hardware and software — A computer has two main components. Hardware is all the electronic and mechanical parts used in computers. Software is the commands given to the computer, the information supplied to it (input) and the results obtained after analysis (output).

• Easy : Keyboard, mouse and monitor are hardware.
• Medium : MS Word and the operating system are software; they cannot be touched.
• Exam-type : Test: can you hold it in your hand? Yes → hardware (printer). No → software (a program).

Spot the difference

Rule 1: Word and Excel — In Microsoft Word you create documents. Use the Home tab for language, font size and bold. Type equations through the 'Equation' option in the Insert tab. In Microsoft Excel type the information on the sheet, select it and click the required graph in the Insert tab to draw graphs. In a formula, type '=' first and leave no space in it.

• Easy : To add two numbers in cells A1 and A2, type =A1+A2 with no space.
• Medium : Marks 40, 55, 60 are typed in cells B1, B2 and B3. The formula =B1+B2+B3 gives 155.
• Exam-type : To draw a bar graph in Excel: type the table → select it → Insert tab → click the bar graph.

Rule 2: Data entry precautions — Keep data in tabular form. Keep different types of data in different cells, neatly and in one flow. Do not use unnecessary space or special characters. Use the 'smart tag' after 'drag and fill' data.

• Easy : Type the names in one column and the marks in the next column.
• Medium : Writing "45 marks" in a cell stops Excel from adding it; write only 45.
• Exam-type : A column with 10 numbers has one extra space typed with a number. The formula may fail, so remove the unnecessary space.

Rule 3: PowerPoint and Acrobat Reader — In Microsoft PowerPoint choose 'New' in the File tab and then the 'Blank slide' option. Type the information and insert pictures. Use the Design tab to design the slide and the Animation tab to animate it, and then make a slide show. Acrobat Reader is used to view, print and handle PDF (Portable Document Format) files.

• Easy : A book saved as a PDF is opened with Acrobat Reader.
• Medium : Steps for a talk: File → New → Blank slide → type → insert picture → Design → Animation.
• Exam-type : Which tab animates a slide? The Animation tab. Which tab designs it? The Design tab.

Spot the difference

Rule 1: Uses of ICT in science — Demonstration: experiments and concepts are shown by simulation and animation, for example the functioning of the nervous system. Prediction: information is compiled and processed to predict, for example in meteorology. Collecting scientific information: through the Internet, emails, newsgroups, blogs, chat rooms, Wikipedia and video conferencing.

• Easy : An animation showing how a nerve signal travels is a demonstration.
• Medium : A weather office feeds past data into a computer and predicts rain. That is prediction.
• Exam-type : A scientist in India discusses a result with a scientist abroad on a video call. This is collecting scientific information through video conferencing.

Rule 2: Career opportunities — Software field: application programs, software packages, operating systems and utilities, special purpose scientific applications. Hardware field: designing, production, assembly and testing, maintenance, servicing and repairs. Training: dedicated, competent teachers. Marketing: sales personnel skilled in computers and marketing.

• Easy : Repairing a laptop is a job in the hardware field.
• Medium : Writing a billing program for shops is a software field job; selling computers is a marketing job.
• Exam-type : Match the job: teaching coding to students → training; testing a motherboard → hardware; writing an operating system → software.

Rule 3: C-DAC and Param — C-DAC (Centre for Development of Advanced Computing), Pune is the leading institute in India for computer research. The first Indian supercomputer Param ('the supreme') was made with its help, with guidance from Vijay Bhatkar. It performs one billion calculations per second and is used in space research, oil deposit research, medicine, meteorology, engineering and the military. C-DAC also developed the ISCII code for writing the scripts of different languages.

• Easy : Param is India's first supercomputer, made with help from C-DAC, Pune.
• Medium : Param does one billion calculations in a second, so a task of 3 billion calculations takes 3 seconds.
• Exam-type : Name three fields where Param is used: space research, medicine and meteorology.

Spot the difference