ICT Chapter 6: ICT Applications

Newsletters

USE: In schools, university & clubs to inform and connect to students

SOFTWARE USED: Word processing software and publishing software

FORMAT METHODS:

- Bold, italics and underline

- Columns

- Margins and spacing

- Character size

- Different fonts

- Bullet points and numbering

- Indents

- Justification

DTP

Desktop publishing software

e.g: Microsoft publisher, Adobe, iStudio

Flyers and posters

USE: To advertise events/ places

More eye catching than newsletters, but less information given

Website

A collection of web pages, graphics, video and sound

- hosted on a web server on internet

- Used to raise profiles - person, company

- Also used for communication

- Designed using web authoring application or by writing codes

Multimedia presentations

Presentations using animation, video and sound/music

- maintain viewer interest

- used for education, meetings, advertising

Cartoons

ICT can be used for computer animation

- Image created using graphic applications

- Computer generated imagery [CGI] gives instructions to images

Music scores

Using a computer to compose music scores

- MIDI interface to connect instruments

- can be immediately heard, edited and shared

- scores can be printed

Mobile phones

USES:

- make and receives calls

- short messaging service [SMS]

- digital camera

- games

- GPS navigation

- music

- web surfing

- email access

- applications

- social media

Data handling applications

Data tracking: Generates data graphs and reports in real time

Data mining: Discovers patterns in large data sets

Data analysis: Inspecting, cleansing, transforming, and modelling data

Surveys

Questionnaires and interviews that ask people directly about their experiences, attitudes, or opinions

- captures data

- online or on paper

Address lists

INCLUDE:

- name

- address

- phone numbers

- email addresses

- birthday

Used by companies to send brochures to customers etc

Club and society records

CONTAIN:

- members details

- membership status

School reports

INCLUDE:

- Student-specific info [name, age]

- Student progress [grades, classes]

- Absences & late arrivals

- Teacher comments

- Date of reports

School Library

INCULDE:

- Book ID

- Borrower's ID

- Date borrowed

Sensors

Input devices used to detect & measure physical quantities, such as sound, heat, or light.

- measures in real-time

- connected to a computer which will keep record of data

- Sensor (INPUT) sends to computer (PROCESSOR) which decides what to do and sends a signal (OUTPUT) back to sensor.

- examples: Temperature, Light, Humidity, Infrared (movement)

Advantages of sensors over humans

- more reliable (won't forget)

- more accurate

- quicker response time

- work longer [24/7]

- can read more frequently

- can work in dangerous environment

Analogue-to-digital converter [ADC]

A device used to convert analogue signals (usually from sensors, in the form of waves) into digital signals (binary numbers) which can then be understood and processed by a computer.

Microprocessor

The central processing unit that is generally made from a single integrated circuit

- alarms

- sensors

- household units (washing machines, ovens)

- toys

ADV and DISADV of microprocessors

ADV:

- elderly/disabled can still do daily tasks

- entertainment even when cannot leave house

- carry out tasks when sick

DISADV:

- social isolation can develop [no human interaction]

- lack of exercise

Computer models/simulation

Aim to copy/mimic real life systems in order to see the outcome of different scenarios

- flight simulation

- driving simulation [replaced actual cars + dummies]

- 3D models

- finance model [spreadsheets]

ADV and DISADV of computer models/simulation

ADV:

- Cheaper than physically building and testing

- Safer as no physically harm or causalities

- Saves time as can produce results faster than the real thing

- Can be used for range of situations

DISADV:

- Not going to be accurate like real life

- Expensive to buys software and hardware

- If programmer has made error in model, not reliable

Uses of computer models/simulation

- Train people how to use the system in a controlled environment

- Investigate capabilities of system by interrogating and manipulating data

- Make predictions based on system

Uses of Robots in manufacturing

- Lift heavy parts

- Assemble complicated items

- Paint items [some paint is toxic]

- Manufacturing microchips [small]

- Car manufacturing

ADV and DISADV of Robots

ADV:

- Robots can work 24/7

- More productive than humans

- Can work in extreme conditions

- Do not need to be paid

DISADV:

- Cannot adapt to different situations beyond their programming

- Expensive to buy + maintain

- Workers may lose jobs

School Management systems

Systems used by schools to log student data

- Student personal details

- Student's classes, teachers and timetables

- Student registration and attendance

- Record student performance

- Creating timetables [exam]

ADV and DISADV of School Management systems

ADV:

- Up to date info

- Easy to search for records

- Easy to update

- Help tackle truancy [skipping school]

- Easy to produce and print reports

- System may work online

DISADV:

- Very expensive

- Personal data must be secure

- Complex to use [staff training needed]

Booking systems

Online real-time systems that allow users to book seats in:

- cinemas

- flights

- concerts

- hotels

ADV and DISADV of online booking systems

ADV:

- Double booking can be avoided [real-time]

- Immediate feedback

- User can compare prices

- Users will receive confirmation booking very fast

DISADV:

- Expensive to install

- Needs well designed website for user friendly

- Needs good internet connection

Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)

A system that transfers cash by electronic communication rather than by paper documents.

ADV:

- Secure

- Transfer can be refulard by government

DISADV:

- Money transferred to wrong account

- Incorrect amount transferred by mistake

ATM

Automated teller machine, also known as a cash machine. Can be used for:

- withdrawing cash

- checking account balance

- order/print statement

- order a cheque

- cash in a cheque [specific machines for this]

ADV and DISADV of ATM

ADV:

- Operating costs down [fewer employees]

- 24/7 access to account

- No need to carry large amount of cash around

DISADV:

- Theft [camera used to see PIN number]

- Card retention [machine does not give card back]