ICT

ICT (Information and Communication Technology) refers to technologies that provide access to
information through telecommunications. It focuses on communication technologies and includes
the internet, wireless networks, cell phones, computers, software, and other digital tools.

ICT Tools - Smartphones, Tablets, PC, TV, Radio

Applications or apps

Apps are software programs (a set of instructions, or a set of modules or procedures, that allow for a
certain type of computer operation) that perform different functions.
Parts of a computer

Input Devices: Devices that allow users to enter data into a computer, such as keyboards, mice,
scanners, and microphones.

Output Devices: Devices that display or produce results, like monitors, printers, speakers, and
projectors.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

CPU also processes information received from the user and gives the output as per the requirement.
Just as our brain can understand arithmetic and logical information, the CPU can also solve
mathematical and logical problems.

There are 3 main parts of the CPU.

• Control unit: It acts like a receiver and a manager of a company. It receives inputs from user and
controls different parts to do the operations required.

• Processing unit: It acts as an accountant of a company and performs all the mathematical and
logical calculations.

• Memory unit: It acts as the storage room of a company, where data is stored temporarily (RAM) as
well as for a long time (ROM).
RAM and Rom

RAM (Random Access Memory): A type of volatile memory that temporarily stores data that the
CPU needs while a computer is in use.

ROM (Read-Only Memory): A type of non-volatile memory that permanently stores data, even when
the computer is turned off.

Motherboard

Motherboard, also referred to as a system board, is the main circuit board inside a computer. It
connects input, processing and output devices.

Storage devices

In order to transfer files from one computer to another one, you need smaller storage devices which
you can carry easily from one place to another. These storage devices are used to store digital
information. The commonly used storage devices are USB flash drive, hard disk, CD, DVD, etc.

• 8 bits make a byte and 1024 bytes make a kilobyte (KB).

• 1024 KB make 1 megabyte (MB)

• 1024 megabyte make 1 gigabyte (GB)

• 1024 gigabyte make 1 terabyte (TB)

Ports and connections

The slots or channels into which we connect the mouse/keyboard/external hard disk wires are called
ports.

There are several types of ports that you can use to connect a computer to an external devices and
networks. These are:

• Universal serial bus or the USB port

• Display port

• Audio ports

• Ethernet port

• Power port

Keyboard

Function Keys : Keys labeled from F1 to F12 are function keys. You use them to perform specific
functions. Their functions differ from program to program. The function of the F1 key in most
programs is to get help on that program. Some keyboards may have fewer function keys.
(a) Control keys: Keys, such as Control (CTRL), SHIFT, SPACEBAR, ALT, CAPS LOCK and TAB, are special
control keys that perform special functions depending on when and where they are used.

(b) Enter key: The label on this key can be either ENTER or RETURN, depending on the brand of
computer that you are using. You use the ENTER or the RETURN key to move the cursor to the
beginning of a new line. In some programs, it is used to send commands and to confirm a task on a
computer.

(c) Punctuation keys: Punctuation keys include keys for punctuation marks, such as colon (:),
semicolon (;), question mark (?), single quotation marks (‘ ’), and double quotation marks (“ ”).

(d) Navigation keys: Keys, such as the arrow keys, HOME, END, PAGE UP, and PAGE DOWN are
navigation keys. These are used to move up and down, right and left in a document. The HOME and
END keys move the cursor to the left/right end of a line of text, respectively. The PAGE UP and PAGE
DOWN keys are used to move one page up and one page down, respectively.

(e) Command keys: Keys, such as INSERT (INS), DELETE (DEL), and BACKSPACE are command keys.
When the INSERT key is turned ON, it helps you overwrite characters to the right of the cursor. The
DELETE key and the BACKSPACE key are used to remove typed text, characters and other objects on
the right and left side of the cursor, respectively.

(f) Windows key: Pressing this key opens the Start menu

Using a Mouse

 Roll Over or Hover

Hardware and Software

Hardware: Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer system, such as devices and
equipment you can see and touch.

Software: Software refers to the programs, applications, and operating systems that instruct a
computer on what to do. Software is intangible and cannot be physically touched.

Internet

The Internet is a huge network of computers around the world. It is a network of networks.
Types of connections

An Internet Service Provider (ISP)─i.e., the telephone company which provides the Internet
connectivity using the phone lines or a wireless network.

(a) Wired connections: When our computer is connected to the Internet using a wire, it is called a
wired connection. We use Ethernet cables (cables used for connecting to the Internet) to connect to
the modem which connects to the ISP using a phone line.

(b) Wireless connection: You can also connect your computer to the Internet using wireless
technology.

Bandwidth

Bandwidth is the amount of data that can be transmitted over a network in a certain amount of
time.

In case of digital devices, the bandwidth is usually expressed in bits per second (bps) or bytes per
second.
Internet browser

An Internet Browser is an application or a software program on your computer or laptop which helps
you visit the various websites. Some examples of browsers are Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and
Internet Explorer.

World Wide Web

The World Wide Web (WWW) or simply the Web is a huge collection of information. It is a vast
network of linked hypertext files, stored on computers throughout the world, that can provide a
computer user with information on a huge variety of subjects

It is made up of

• A web page

• A web browser

• A system to transfer information between the web browser and the web page.

Web page

A web page is a document present on a computer that is connected to the Internet.

Web browser

A web browser (commonly referred to as a browser) is a software application for using and sharing
information on the World Wide Web.

E-mail

Electronic mail is a message sent over the Internet from one person to another.

E-mail address

An email address is a unique identifier that allows people to send and receive electronic messages,
known as emails, over the Internet.

An email address has three main parts, formatted as [email protected]:

Username:

The part before the "@" symbol, which identifies the individual or entity receiving the email. It can
include letters, numbers, dots, and underscores (e.g., john.doe or mary_smith123).

Domain:

The part after the "@" symbol, representing the email service provider or organization that manages
the mailbox. Examples include gmail, yahoo, or a custom domain like companyname.

Extension:

The final part of the address, which indicates the type of organization or location,
like .com, .edu, .org, or .gov.