Unit – 3 (Basic ICT skills)

ICT Definition – Information and Communication Technology (ICT), is general form that combines
communication technology (telephone lines and wireless signals) and information technology (hardware,
software, middleware, storage, audio-visual systems, internet etc).
How ICT has impacted our lives?
Answer – ICT has a large impact on our lives at home as it has affected the way we live our day to day lives.
Our shopping habits have changed as now we can shop for items easily sitting at home with the help of
online shopping. The ICT has also changed the way we communicate with others. Example – mobile phones,
through E-mails, social networking sites etc.
ICT has improved the way we work and allows to complete work faster. We can create various types of
documents, spreadsheets, etc using various document editing software with ease. We can send and receive
E-mails within fraction of seconds.

List out some commonly used ICT tools –

Some commonly used ICT tools are –
(a) Computers and Laptops – These are the electronic devices that have a specific processor and that work
as per programs and software loaded on them.
(b) Smartphones and Tablets – The smartphone is a handheld device that has combined the facility of
cellular telephony with an integrated computer and has ability to access internet and run software
application.
A Tablet is capable of doing nearly all that a smartphone can do with larger screen size, and more
flexibility than a smartphone.
(c) Radio and TV – Radio is the oldest tool and provides entertainment via audio only.
Television is the audio-visual medium that can play audio as well as video.
(d) Internet and Email – The internet refers to the worldwide network of interconnected servers that are
connected to many networks. Using internet one can get connected to worldwide network of
computers.
The email is the facility of internet which allows one to send mails electronically in a matter of second.
Difference between Smartphone vs. Tablet vs. Laptop
Let us compare these three in terms of various parameters –
1) Portability –
Smartphones are very light; very easy to carry.
Tablets are thin and light but heavier than a smartphone.
Laptops are much heavier and we need a carry bag to hold the laptop in it.
2) Functionality –
Smartphone have small screen size.
Tablets have larger displays than smartphones.
Laptops have bigger displays than a tablet.
3) Battery Life –
Smartphone have small battery life.
Tablets have battery life that is far better than smartphone.
Laptops are better on power availability as both electric and power options are available.
4) Flexibility –
A smartphone is more flexible as it is easy to carry and provides more feature.
A tablet sits between the smartphone and laptop in most areas
Laptops offers less flexibility as compared to a smartphone and a tablet.
5) Productivity –
Smartphones productivity is limited because of many issues like limited battery power, smaller screen
size, less resources etc.
Tablet offers better productivity than smartphones because of larger displays and software support is
also less compared to laptops.
Laptop offer the best productivity among smartphone and tablet as they have better power options,
larger screen size.
Which ICT skills do we need at Home?
The ICT skills which is needed at home are:
(a) Using internet
(b) Using connectivity software like video conferencing
(c) Using various types of social media app like Instagram, facebook, and twitter.
Which ICT skills do we need at workplace?
The ICT skills which is needed at workplace are:
(a) creating various types of documents such as text documents, spreadsheets, presentation etc.
(b) Using internet for searching
(c) Sending and receiving E-mails
(d) Using various specialized software like Tally,
What are mobile apps? Give some examples.
A mobile app is a special type of software created especially for mobile phones keeping in mind limited
resources of mobiles phones, such as battery, memory and small screen size.
Mobile apps are of various types, some of them are explained below –
(1) Lifestyle mobile apps – A lifestyle app is one that supports the personal aspects that define our
lifestyle. These are apps that help them find themselves, what they like and dislike. Example – Gana,
Spootify, Uber etc.
(2) Social Media Mobile apps – it helps us to connect with our online social circle spread across world.
Example – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter etc.
(3) Utility mobile apps – it helps us to provide utility functions such as calendar, weather information
etc.
(4) Games/Entertainment apps – these are the apps that provide interactive entertainment.
(5) Productivity mobile apps – these apps help us to accomplish task such as making notes, payment
over internet, keeping reminders of important event etc. Example – Word, Excel, Bhim

Session – 2 (Basics of a computer system and a Mobile Device)

(1) What is a computer?
A Computer is an electronic device that can perform a variety of operations according to a set of
instructions called Program.
A computer can be recognised as a combination of Hardware and software which transform
some data into information.
(2) Define the following term – (a) Hardware (b) Software (c) Data (d) Information
(a) Hardware – If refers to any physical component of the computer system containing a circuit
board, monitor, mouse, keyboard, sound card, graphics card etc.
(b) Software – It refers to the program or the instructions that tell the processor what to do and
how to do it.
(c) Data – Unprocessed raw facts and figures are data, example – name (Rajeev), Marks (98%).
(d) Information – It refers to the processed data that is meaningful. Example – above data can be
converted into information as “Rajeev secured 98% marks in 10th board exam
(3) Functional Components of a computer

Secondary/External Memory

Input Unit Output Unit

(Input Devices) (Output Devices)

Processor Central
Processing
Unit (CPU)

Main Memory
(RAM)
(4)
A computer has 4 functions –
Input Function – It is responsible for providing the information to the computer and is performed
by Input devices. Input devices such as keyboard, mouse, scanner, etc.
Output Function – It is responsible for displaying the data input to the computer or the processed
data in human readable form and is performed by Output devices. Output devices such as monitor
or screen, speaker, printer etc.
Processing Function – it is responsible to run the given instructions on given data. It is performed
by CPU (Central Processing Unit).
Storage Function – It is responsible to store any kind of information permanently and is performed
by storage devices. Various storage devices are hard disk, CDs, DVDs, USB drives etc.
(5) Component of CPU –
A CPU has the following components –
(a) ALU (Arithmetic Logical Unit) – It is responsible to carry out arithmetic instructions (+,-,*,/) or
logical instruction (>,<,=)
(b) CU (control unit) – It is responsible for controlling the execution of instructions – one instruction
at a time and control various components of the computer.
(c) Primary Memory – This memory is made available to CPU to store data and instruction which is
to be processed.
(6) Characteristics of a Computer Or Strength of a computer –
Some of the characteristics of the computer are –
(1) Speed – Computers operate at much faster speed and can execute millions of instructions in
one second.
(2) High Storage capacity – A computer can store large amount of information in a very small space.
Example – a pen drive which is just 3-5 centimetres long can store up to 128 GB of data.
(3) Accuracy – Computer can perform all the calculations accurately provided the hardware does
not malfunction.
(4) Reliability – computers are immune to tiredness and boredom or fatigue. Thus they are more
reliable than human beings.
(5) Versatility – Computers can perform repetitive jobs efficiently. Computers can perform in those
area where human brain cannot like capturing images of fast moving cars.
(7) Weakness of Computers –
(1) Lack of Decision making power – Computers cannot decide on their own. They follow the
instructions given by human being.
 (2) IQ Zero – Computers are dumb machines with zero IQ. They follow a set of instructions given by
us.
(3) No Heuristics – If a computer commits an error once and similar event occurs again, computer
will commit the same error again. This is because a computer does not learn from past
experience. Heuristics mean learning from past experience.
(8) Basic Feature of a Mobile Device –
A mobile is a handheld device which combines in utility of communication device, multimedia
device, gaming device, and much more.

Figure 1.1 – Basic Feature of a mobile device

Mobile offers following functionality –

(i) Mobile Battery – Every mobile device offers rechargeable battery which allows us to use it
anywhere.
(ii) Cellular telephony – This feature enables mobile device to make calls using cellular
telephony. SIM card is inserted which is necessary for cellular service.
(iii) Interactivity with ease – smartphone provides interactivity to users with features like –
Touchscreen – The mobile screen comes equipped with touch sensors, thus users can touch
various parts of the mobile screen to give command.
Gestures – Smartphones of today can sense gestures like waving hands which in turn is used
to give command to the mobile device.
(iv) Connectivity Options – Mobile device offers many connectivity options.
Bluetooth – This is a short range wireless technology that is used to connect other device
within range of 10 meters.
Wi-Fi – This is also a wireless network technology that connects a mobile device to a local
area network.
Mobile data connectivity – This technology uses cellular network to connect to the internet
with the help of active SIM card service.
(v) Global Positioning system (GPS) – GPS is a radio navigation system which uses radio waves
between satellite and a receiver inside our phone to get location and time information.
(vi) Camera – Smartphone of today come with dual camera, front and back camera that let us
capture picture, selfies etc.
 Session – 3 (Input, Output, Memory and Storage Devices of a Computer System)
CPU needs to have some place where it can hold instructions or data during processing, and after processing
the data it needs to put that data or instructions permanently.
There are two types of memories in a computer system:
(i) Main Memory or Primary memory or Internal Memory - The memory that holds data and instructions
during processing. It is temporary memory.
(ii) Auxiliary memory or Secondary Memory or External Memory – The memory that can store data for
later or future use permanently.
Units of Memory –
Computers can store data or information in the form of binary numbers. A Binary number is either 0 or 1
and is known as bit. A bit is a smallest unit of memory. A bigger unit is byte which hold 8 bit.
Units of Computer memory measurements –
Unit Short Name Full Name
1 Bit Bit Binary digit
8 Bits 1 Byte Byte
1024 Bytes 1 KB Kilo Byte
1024 Kilo Bytes 1 MB Mega Byte
1024 Mega Bytes 1 GB Giga Byte
1024 Giga Bytes 1 TB Terra Byte
1024 Terra Bytes 1 PB Peta Byte
1024 Peta Bytes 1 EB Exa Byte

Main Memory – All Computers have main memory to store programs and data while computer is running.
The main memory also has two sub types –
(a) ROM (Read Only Memory) (b) RAM (Random Access Memory)

(a) ROM (Read Only Memory) – In this memory, information once stored remains fixed it cannot be
changed. So ROM can only be read and used.
(b) RAM (Random Access Memory) – In this memory, information can be read as well as written on it. The
information can be accessed randomly from any location and can be stored at any location, which is why
it is called RAM. It is a volatile memory, its contents are lost when power is turned off.

Major difference between RAM and ROM memories are –

Full Name Random Access Memory Read Only Memory

Definition RAM is a form of data storage that can be ROM is a form of data storage that generally
accessed randomly at any time, in any stores hardwired instructions for the
order by CPU computer that can be read only.
Alterations RAM contents can be changed or altered as ROM cannot be easily altered or
and when required reprogrammed.
Use RAM allows the computer to read data ROM stores the program required to initially
quickly to run application boot the computer.
Operations It allows reading and writing. It allows only reading
supported
Volatility RAM is volatile. Its content are lost when ROM is non-volatile. Its content are not lost
device is turned off. when device is powered off.
Size Larger than ROM Much smaller than RAM; only hold few
instructions during execution of program.
Storage Devices (Secondary Storage Devices) –
Secondary storage devices is used to store large amount of data permanently.
There are various types of storage devices available these days, these are –
(i) Hard Disk – The information is stored on circular platters of magnetic material which are
continuously spinning. Information is recorded on the surface of rotating disk by magnetic heads
as tiny magnetic spots.
(ii) Compact Disk (CDs) – The compact disc are optical media having storage capacity of up to 700MB.
(iii) DVDs – DVD is an optical storage device that looks the same as Compact disc but is able to hold
about 15 times as much information compared to CDs. It can hold up to 17GB of data.
(iv) Pen/Thumb Drives – Flash Memories
Flash is a solid state memory. It works in similar way to RAM except that the data is retained in
the flash memory even after power is turned off. It has a storage capacity of 256 GB.
(v) Blu Ray disc – It is the successor to DVD. A blue ray disc can store much more data as compared
to DVDs. It has a capacity of 25, 50GB.
(vi) Memory Stick – A memory stick is a type of removable memory card that are used as storage
media for a portable device, in digital cameras, smartphones, music players etc. Their capacity
vary from 4GB to 128GB.

Input Devices –
The input unit is used to give input to the Computer system with the help of input devices.

(1) The Keyboard – Keyboard is a typewriter like device which is used to type in the letters, digits and
commands.
(2) The Mouse – Mouse is a pointing device that points to a position on computer screen.
(3) Microphone – A Microphone or mic converts the sound received into digital format or digitized sound.
(4) Scanner – A scanner creates an electronic form of the printed image, which can later be manipulated,
changed modified according to the requirements.
(5) Barcode scanner – A barcode is used to read barcodes which can be found on products we shop, it uses
lasers to identify the position and thickness of the bars.
(6) Light pen – It is a light sensitive input device shaped like a pen used to draw on the computer screen or
to make menu selections.
Output Device –
The output unit is responsible for producing the output in user readable form.

(1) Monitors – It is the most common form of output device. It is same like TV Screen. The picture on a
monitor screen is made up of thousands of tiny coloured dots called pixels.
(2) Printers – A printer is a device which gives output on a piece of paper in printed format.
(3) Speaker – It receive the sound in form of electric current and then converts it to sound format.
(4) Projector – It is an output device that display the computer screen on a large flat screen. This is often
used in meetings, conference rooms etc.

Peripheral Devices – A peripheral device is any external device that provides input and output for the
computer. We connect peripheral device to the computer to expand the functionality of the system.
Example – Printer, projectors, scanner are peripheral devices.

Peripheral Device ports – Ports are used to connect external devices to the computer. These are the
connecting points of various devices to the computer.
Types of different ports available in computer system to connect the peripheral devices are –
Serial Port – The serial port transfers data serially a bit at a time. It is in the form of 9-pin or 25-pins male
connector.
Parallel Port – Parallel port can send or receive a byte (8-bit) at a time. These bits are transmitted parallel
to each other. Parallel port come in the form of 25-pin female connector.
USB (Universal serial Bus) Ports – To overcome the different number of pin connector problem, the USB
has been designed. It is a standardized easy-to-use way to connect a variety of devices to the computer.
Ethernet port (RJ 45 port) – An Ethernet port or jack or socket is an opening on computer where Ethernet
cable or network cable plug into. It is used to connect to the local area network.
HDMI port – HDMI stands for High Definition Multimedia interface. It is an all-digital connector that can
carry high definition video and digital audio signal through one cable.

Figure 1 – From Left to right – VGA Port (to connect other display or projector), Ethernet port, HDMI port,
USB port (version 3.0)

Internal and External Computer Hardware –

Electronic parts that make up computer system are called Hardware. It can be Internal or External
Hardware.
(1) Internal Hardware – These are the physical parts that are INSIDE the computer case, example –
Motherboard, CPU etc.
(2) External Hardware – These are the physical parts that are OUTSIDE the computer case, example –
keyboard, mouse, monitor, printer, speakers, scanner etc.

MOTHERBOARD – It is the main electronic board where all the components are soldered together on a single
board like RAM, CPU, ROM chip, etc. The motherboard connects the various parts of the computer system
together.
 SMPS (Switched mode power supply) – A power connector to distribute power to the CPU and other
components.
 Slots for the system’s main memory (RAM) called DRAM chips.
 Motherboard also has multiple connecting points from where we can connect external hardware
with our computer. Peripherals are the devices that we attach to a computer from outside.
 Session – 4 (Basic Computer operations – Windows OS)
Operating system has two parts – Kernel and Shell. The kernel is responsible for interacting with hardware
and shell is responsible for interacting with the user.
GUI (Graphical user interface) based operating systems have shells that offer graphical elements for
interaction. The shell acts as the command interpreter which takes the commands from the user, interprets
them and takes action accordingly.
Introducing OS Windows 7
Microsoft Windows 7 is a GUI based operating system that combines the features of Windows, Icons, Menus
and Pointers. Multiple applications can be simultaneously run in different windows.
Working with Mouse and Keyboard
(1) While working with Mouse –
Point and click the left button to select an item. A selected item is highlighted.
Point and double click left mouse button to choose an item.
Right click (press and release the right mouse button once) to display the shortcut menu. A shortcut
menu is a menu that shows the most frequently used commands.
Point and drag (press mouse button and while pressing move to another location and then release
mouse button) to move or resize a window on the display.
(2) Working with the keyboard –
The keyboard can be divided into several groups based on function
Typing keys – The keyboard can be used for typing the letter, number, punctuation, and symbols keys.
Control keys – These keys are used alone or in combination with other keys to perform certain actions.
The most common control keys are Ctrl, Alt, windows logo key and Esc.
Function keys – The function keys are used to perform specific tasks. They are labelled as F1, F2, and so
on up to F12.
Navigation keys – These keys are used for moving around in documents or webpage and editing text.
They include Home, End, Page Up, Page Down, Delete and Insert.
Numeric keypad – The numeric keypad is handy for entering numbers quickly.

The Start Button and Taskbar –

Using the start button, we can start programs, open documents, customize our system, get help and search
for items on our computer.
Start button may look differently depending on the operating system.

Windows 7 – Start button and start menu

How to use Start Menu –

(1) Click the Start button present on the
task bar. The start menu appears.
(2) Click on the program you want to open.
Or point to the options with right-
facing arrows to open secondary
menus.
Windows 10 – start button and Start menu

Start menu in windows 10 is similar to the

start button in windows 7 except that it
shows currently installed programs,
documents, pictures in smaller tiled
windows to the right side of the start menu
option.

The Taskbar –