Last updated on September 23rd, 2021 at 04:47 pm
You may have heard someone saying that he/she doesn’t understand why different countries invest in ICT. In this century, many companies, organizations; either public or private have focused on Information and Communication Technology. Why? That’s because ICT plays a great role in everyday life. You may be wondering what ICT is; but it simply means all infrastructure, devices, networking equipment, applications, and systems that all together; allow people to interact in the world of technology.
Since ICT is of paramount importance, it is used in communication, education, health services, business, banking as well as in manufacturing and production.
1. The use of ICT in Communication
ICT is very useful in communication. It is used to transmit audio, textual, or audio-visual information from one point to another through the use of telecommunication equipment at a very high speed. Telephones, computers and other tools do much here. This is achieved by using different ways such as using live chatting systems, electronic mails, short messages services, and video-conferencing among others.
Broadcasting institutions like radios and televisions use ICT equipment to deliver their programs to the general public. Journalists also use the Internet in order to spread their news by using their online news sites. So, without ICT in this world, communication would not be effective.
2. The use of ICT in Education
Information and Communication Technology is very important in the educational sector. Teachers, students, schools, universities, and educational institutions, all use ICT.
ICT is very important in the educational field as the teachers use it while preparing the lessons. They use their computers to do their research on Internet where they get access to different websites. This is where they find different notes, educational games, and tutorial videos which all together help the learner to understand the content.
The students use ICT in their learning activities. The use of computers enables them to understand the content prepared by their teachers as there are videos, games, and simulations to help them understand well. By using computers, the students develop communication and language skills since there are more programs that help them.
ICT has made learning more simple than before. Anyone who needs to study can search any university of his/her choice around the world by using the Internet. He/she can register and study without leaving his/her home. This is what we refer to as E-learning: It is the delivery of educational programs, training, or learning materials by electronic means. It involves the use of electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets, computers, and the Internet.
Computer simulation which is the modeling of a real situation using a computer is also important in the educational field. It can be applied in the learning of Sciences such as Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. In the latter, it is used to simulate body systems such as the digestive, respiratory, and circulatory systems.
Therefore, Information and Communication Technology is very useful in Education as it helps the teachers to do research, prepare content for their learners, and deliver the lessons with ease. The learners also benefit from this use of ICT because they can increase their knowledge by doing research, and understand well the content delivered by their teachers.
3. The use of ICT in Health Sector
ICT plays a great role in the health sector.
The healthcare sector involves the use of Information and Communication Technology. ICT is used to keep records of patients and keep track of their health status. Many hospitals have ICT materials that are used to check and take care of human health. They include different machines. Some of them are ventilators which are used to help the breathing, microscopes which serve to observe microbes; and scanners which help in scanning the internal parts and organs of the body so as to check their condition.
Nurses and doctors can get some training or expertise from foreign doctors by using the Internet, while patients, on the other hand, can receive medical diagnosis and advice from foreign medical experts through the use of computerized expert systems.
Since ICT involves the use of the Internet; knowledge enrichment, research, and education are possible. Therefore, many doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and medical practitioners use the Internet to keep themselves updated. By doing research about health and medicine or by taking refresher courses to enrich their medical knowledge, nurses and doctors are enabled to offer better services to their patients.
4. The use of ICT in Business
Information and Communication Technology is very useful in businesses.
ICT plays a great role in business. Business refers to commercial activities that are carried out in order to get profit. Electronic business which includes online shopping has helped much. This kind of shopping uses credit cards or mobile devices for payment. It makes it possible to order goods and services anywhere around the world.
Through the use of radios, televisions, websites, print media; companies and organizations are able to advertise and reach their clients easily. Most businesses now use websites and social media platforms for creating awareness about their products and services.
5. The use of ICT in Banking
Banking institutions use Information and Communication Technology in their everyday activities. This means that ICT is very useful in this sector.
ICT is very important in banking, as without it, cashiers and managers would have a lot of work. Imagine recording the information of thousands of clients by using a paper and a pen! The bank would need big rooms for keeping the clients’ files. Thanks to computers with their hard disks that store much information. Think about what would happen when a customer comes to save or withdraw money. The cashiers would spend much time searching for the files among piles of other files. Many workers would also be needed to help which would cost the bank owners to pay more salaries. Thanks to ICT as a user on a networked computer with banking software serves a lot.
Therefore, computers are used in banking to help in transactions such as electronic fund transfer, internet banking, and mobile banking. The use of Automated Teller Machine (ATM), database management, and cheque clearing are also made possible. With the help of computers and mobile telephones; customers are able to access and perform different activities on their bank accounts.
6. The use of ICT in Manufacturing and Production
Information and Communication Technology is generally used in factories and industries. It is used in the manufacturing and production of goods and materials.
ICT-based systems such as Computer Integrated Manufacturing, Computer-Aided Design, and Computer-Aided Engineering are used to monitor and control production processes in factories. This means that computers with their software can control industrial activities. For instance, computers with manufacturing technology like robots improve the operations of manufacturing. They improve productivity, consistency and reduce some costs. The robots also make the working environment more safer for workers.
By concluding, we can say that ICT is very useful and very important in our everyday lives as it is used in several sectors like communication, education, health services, banking as well as manufacturing and production among others.
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