ICT As a TRANSFORMATION tool (JSS2 3RD TERM)

ICT As a TRANSFORMATION tool

Information & Communication Technology (ICT)

ICTs stand for Information and Communication Technologies. They are defined, for the purposes, as a “diverse set of technological tools and resources used to communicate, and to create, disseminate, store,

and manage information.” These technologies include computers, the Internet, broadcasting technologies (radio and television), and telephony.

As a TRANSFORMATION tool: Information communication technology is so important in the world today that it makes it necessary for every person to be competent in the use of ICT for the task they have to accomplish.

Organization of all sizes, even the smallest schools and businesses, rely on computers to help them operate more efficiently and effectively.

Benefits/advantages and Disadvantages of ICT

    Advantages of Information Communication Technology

    These are some advantages of information communication technology

    1.   Communication:

Communication has become cheaper, quicker and more efficient. We can now communicate with anyone around the globe by the simple text messaging them or sending them an e-mail for an almost instantaneous part of the world with the help of video conferencing.

    2.  Cost-Effectiveness:

Information communication technology helps to computerize the business process. Thus, making businesses extremely cost-effective and a money-making machine. This, in turn, will increase productivity, which will also increase profit and that means better pay and less strenuous working condition.

    3.  Bridging the Cultural Gap:

Information communication technology has helped to bridge the cultural gap helping people from different cultures to communicate with one another and allowing for the exchange of views and ideas, thus increasing awareness and reducing prejudice.

4.  More Time:

Information communication technology has made it possible for businesses to be open 24×7, all over the globe. This means that a business can be open anytime, anywhere, making a purchase from different countries easier and more convenient. It also means that you can have goods delivered right to your doorstep without having to move an inch.

5.  Creation of New Jobs:

The best advantage of ICT is the creation of new and interesting jobs. Computer programmers, system analyzers, hardware and software developers and web designers are just some of the new job opportunity created with the help of it.

Disadvantages of Information Communication Technology

1.      Unemployment:

While ICT may have streamlined the business process, it still has created job redundancies, downsizing and outsourcing. This means that a lot of lower and middle-level jobs have been done away with, causing more people to become unemployed.

  2.    Privacy:

Though information communication technology may have made         communication so easy, quicker and more convenient, it has also given rise     to privacy issues, from cell phone signal interceptions to e-mail hacking. People are now worried about their private information becoming public knowledge.

    3.    Lack of Job Security:

Industry experts believe that the internet has made job security a big issue since technology keeps advancing each day. This means that one has to be in a constant learning mode as technology advances in order for one’s job to be secure. 

4.    Addiction:

People tend to get addicted to the internet, especially the youth. When they are supposed to view, read or download something beneficial to them, they will be on the computer playing games, watching movies, etc.

    5.    Pornography:

The internet serves as a storehouse for several information resources including good and bad. Teenagers are exposed to malicious websites on the internet where they watch pornographic movies. This can affect them psychologically and emotionally.

    6.    Cybercrime:

Some people disguise themselves as businessmen and women on the internet. They defraud people by obtaining money and other valuables from them using tricks.