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UNIT-3
ICT SKILLS-I
In the past few years, Information Technology (IT) has completely changed the ways we live. The Internet has
become a convenient way to access the information. It has affected our both teaching and learning processes.
Strong connectivity features has increased the usage of smartphones. The whole world has shrunk into this little
device only through the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Let us now study in detail the
role of ICT in our life and how we can enhance our ICT skills.
ICT
Information Technology is the use of hardware, software and networking technology for accessing, storing,
retrieving and transmitting the information. Communication Technology is defined as exchange of information
through networks using either wired or wireless media. So, if we combine these two important technologies in this
digital world, then, it forms a new term called Information and Communication Technology which can be defined
as use of hardware, software, networking to transmit, store, access and retrieve the information in the form of text,
graphics, audio, video, multimedia in a digital platform.
Role and Importance of ICT
ICT is used in our personal, professional and daily life. Let us study about it in detail.
ICT at Home
If we see around us, technology is involved in our daily chores. Change in address required, applying for passport,
going for vacation—checking for weather conditions for packing, looking for best Indian platter for dinner— all
these can be achieved through technology.
Impacts of ICT in our personal life are:
• Education: Conventionally education was limited to one to one teaching methodology of students and teachers
in a classroom. Now with ICT, the classrooms have no geographical boundaries. You can enroll for a course from
New York University, while sitting in your study room in New Delhi. Most universities have started online degree
programs to reach a vast audience.
• Healthcare: ICT has played an important role in the field of healthcare. The Government creates awareness
and prevention methods of upcoming and ongoing diseases. Hospitals use electronic mediums to maintain the
medical records of their patients. Computer based machines are used for diagnosis purposes in the radiology
department. So much so AI is commonly used where we see robots performing operations on patients.
• Socialising: There were times when we used to maintain birthday calendars for our friends and family. ICT
brings this new way in the form of reminders which help you to send your greetings. You can get connected to
your school/college friends through different websites which are primarily made for socialising.
• Source of Information: In older days, the only source of information was books or our elders. Nowadays,
even after the consultation with the medical expert, we always tend to verify and gain more information on the
medication as well as on the diagnosis. It’s a source of information in every field.
ICT Skills-I 41

