Living in the Information Technology Era - Key Concepts (Flashcards)

Flashcards covering ICT/IT basics, IDI, computing history, hardware/software, devices, and emerging technologies.

What does ICT stand for and how is it described?

ICT stands for Information and Communication Technology; technologies that facilitate transfer of information and electronically mediated communication; described as using computers and other digital technologies to handle information.

What does IT stand for and how is it related to ICT?

IT stands for Information Technology; the industry involving computers, software, networking, and IT infrastructure; a subset of ICT that aids in using ICT.

What is the ICT Development Index (IDI)?

IDI includes quantitative indicators regarding ICT access, usage, and skills in different regions and countries.

Which organization publishes the ICT Development Index (IDI)?

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a UN specialized agency.

What does the IDI measure in practical terms?

Universal and meaningful connectivity across economies, assessing progress of ICT access, usage, and skills.

What was the Philippines’ IDI score in 2024 and its regional standing?

74.4 out of 100; the score improved the most among peers in ICT index but remained among the laggards in East and Southeast Asia (fifth-lowest in the region).

What is the world average IDI score mentioned in the notes?

74.8.

Name the two pillars in the IDI framework.

Universal Connectivity Pillar and Meaningful Connectivity Pillar.

Give an example metric from the Universal Connectivity Pillar.

Examples include individuals using the internet (%), households with internet access at home (%), and mobile-broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants.

Give an example metric from the Meaningful Connectivity Pillar.

Examples include 3G/4G/LTE network coverage, mobile-broadband/ fixed-broadband traffic per subscription, and basket prices as a share of GNI per capita.

What is ENIAC and when was it developed?

Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator; developed in 1946; designed by J. Presper Eckert and John W. Mauchly (University of Pennsylvania) and financed by the US Army.

Why were transistors important in early computers?

Transistors were smaller, faster, and more dependable than vacuum tubes, enabling more compact and reliable computers.

Who invented the Integrated Circuit (IC) and what impact did it have?

Jack Kilby; IC combined many transistors, resistors, and capacitors on a single chip, enabling more compact and powerful circuits.

What does VLSI stand for and what did it enable?

Very Large Scale Integration; circuits with thousands to millions of transistors on a single chip, enabling microprocessors used in everyday devices.

What are the two main categories of computer software and their purposes?

System software coordinates hardware and software; Application software performs user tasks.

Name at least four common input/output devices.

Keyboard, Mouse, Microphone, Scanner, Camera, Monitor.

What is RAM and what is its key characteristic?

RAM stands for Random Access Memory; it is volatile storage, meaning data is lost when power is removed.

What is the difference between Hard Disk Drive (HDD) and Solid State Drive (SSD)?

HDD uses magnetic disks and is non-volatile; SSD uses flash memory, is non-volatile, and generally faster.

What are Desktop, Laptop, and Tablet computers?

Desktop computers are designed to stay on a desk; Laptop computers are portable; Tablet computers are handheld with touchscreens.

What devices fall under Smartphones, Wearables, and Smart TVs?

Smartphones are handheld phones with computing capabilities; Wearables include fitness trackers and smartwatches; Smart TVs run apps and can serve as computer monitors/gaming displays.

What is the concept of media theory related to ‘message, medium, and messenger’?

Media can be viewed as the message itself; the communication model includes the message, the medium (channel), and the messenger (sender/originator).

What are User-Generated Content (UGC) and Professionally-Generated Content (PGC)?

UGC is content created and owned by users (e.g., blogs, microblogs, Vlogs); PGC is content generated by brands to promote themselves.

What is the Internet of Things (IoT) and its significance?

IoT is the interconnection via the Internet of computing devices embedded in everyday objects, enabling data exchange; trending since 2016.

What are Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)?

AR overlays computer-generated imagery onto the real-world view; VR creates a computer-generated 3D environment that users can interact with.

What is Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in brief, with examples?

ML is automated detection of meaningful patterns in data; AI encompasses systems that perceive environments and take actions to achieve goals (e.g., virtual assistants, chatbots).