ICT: Current State, Web Technologies, and Trends (Comprehensive Notes)

Current State of ICT Technologies

  • ICT encompasses rapidly emerging, evolving, and converging technologies across multiple domains: computer hardware and software, networking, telecommunications, the Internet, programming, and information systems.
  • Key components include Web 2.0, Web 3.0, convergent technologies, social media (G+), mobile technologies, and assistive media.
  • The topic set covers the current landscape and future trends in ICT, online systems, functions, platforms, and how these trends can be leveraged.

Learning Competencies (summary reference)

  • Compare and contrast varied online G+ platforms, sites, and content to achieve class objectives or address situational challenges.
  • Understand how ICT affects everyday life and national development; evaluate future directions of the World Wide Web and related technologies.
  • Understand features of Web 2.0 and the future through Web 3.0; learn ICT trends and leverage them advantageously.

ICT Concepts

  • ICT is an umbrella term for rapidly evolving and converging technologies across computing, software, networking, telecommunications, Internet, programming, and information systems. \text{ICT} = \text{information} + \text{communication} + \text{technology}
  • It deals with the use of diverse communication technologies (mobile phones, Internet, etc.) to locate, save, send, and edit information.

Data vs Information

  • DATA: raw facts; meaningless on their own; just numbers, alphabets, and symbols; unprocessed.
  • INFORMATION: processed data that is organized to produce meaning; timely, accurate, and complete.
  • Distinction:
    • Data → Information via processing and context
    • Information is meaningful and actionable; data alone is not.

The Two Basic Types of Communication

  • NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION: body language conveys attitude (lost interest, etc.). Components include signs, symbols, colors, gestures, facial expressions.
  • VERBAL COMMUNICATION: oral and written forms.

Traditional vs New Technology

  • TRADITIONAL TECHNOLOGY: often one-directional experiences, limited audience participation.
  • NEW TECHNOLOGY: interactive, audience participation, integrates all aspects of traditional tech to create richer experiences.
  • Examples of traditional media (historical): Radio, Billboard, Newspaper, Direct Mail, TV.
  • New technology emphasizes interactivity and cross-media integration.

What is Information and Communication Technology? (Definition)

  • ICT is the umbrella term for rapidly emerging, evolving, converging technologies in computing, software, networking, telecommunications, Internet, programming, and information systems.
  • It deals with using multiple communication technologies (mobile, telephone, Internet, etc.) to locate, save, send, and edit information.

ICT in the Philippines

  • The Philippines is described as an ICT Hub of Asia due to a large growth of ICT jobs, notably in BPO/outsourcing.
  • The ICT Department in the Philippines is responsible for planning, development, and promotion of the country’s ICT agenda in support of national development.

Industry Landscape (Philippines)

  • Notable BPO/ICT players and hubs include: Convergys (and related services), Teleperformance, Sutherland Global Services, HubPort Interactive, iQor, Concentrix, and other global outsourcing and contact-center firms.
  • These organizations illustrate the country’s role in global ICT-enabled services.

Internet Speed and ASEAN Context

  • Average ASEAN Internet speed index (2014 data): 12.4\ \text{Mbps}; Global average: 17.5\ \text{Mbps}.
  • Country examples from the data:
    • Singapore: 61.0\ \text{Mbps}
    • USA: 41.7\ \text{Mbps}
    • China: 22.3\ \text{Mbps}
    • Thailand: 17.7\ \text{Mbps}
    • Vietnam: 13.1\ \text{Mbps}
    • Philippines: 3.6\ \text{Mbps}
    • Malaysia: 5.7\ \text{Mbps}
    • Cambodia/Brunei: around 4.9\ \text{Mbps}
  • These figures illustrate the disparities in Internet access and speed within the region.

Internet Pioneers and History

  • Vinton G. Cerf: The Father of the Internet; co-designer of the TCP/IP protocols and the Internet architecture; along with Robert E. Kahn, helped found and develop the Internet (DARPA era).
  • ARPANET: Early packet-switching network and the first network to implement TCP/IP; foundational to the Internet; influenced by Kleinrock, Baran, Roberts, and Davies.
  • Locations involved in early Internet development included California, Nevada, Stanford University, Santa Barbara, University of Utah, University of California (Los Angeles), University of Arizona, etc.
  • Tim Berners-Lee: Father of the World Wide Web; created foundational web technologies in the 1990s (HTML, URI/URL, HTTP).

World Wide Web (WWW)

  • Definition: An information system on the Internet that uses hypertext links to connect documents; enables navigation by moving from one document to another.
  • Key technologies:
    • HTML: HyperText Markup Language (markup for web content)
    • URI/URL: Uniform Resource Identifier/Locator; addresses resources on the Web
    • HTTP(S): Hypertext Transfer Protocol; rules for data exchange between servers and browsers
  • Web addresses (URL structure):
    • Protocol: e.g., https:
    • Domain Name: e.g., www.example.com
    • Top-Level Domain: identifies the entity (e.g., com, net, org)
    • Path/Folder/File: location of a resource on the web server (e.g., /about/contacts.html)
    • Example breakdown: https://www.google.com.ph/about/contacts.aspx

Web 1.0, Web 2.0, Web 3.0 (Evolution of the Web)

  • Web 1.0 (Static Web): Static pages; content largely created by administrators; limited user interaction; "Web of Documents".
  • Web 2.0 (Dynamic Web): The current generation; interactive, collaborative, user-generated content; social software and social apps; greater connectivity and participation.
  • Web 3.0 (Semantic Web): Also called the Semantic Web; AI-enabled web where data is generated, exchanged, and linked to produce new information; includes synchronization with the Internet of Things (IoT).

Features and Technologies of Web 2.0

  • Folksonomy: Use of user-generated tags to index and retrieve content; user-generated categorization.
  • Relevance of Content: Content tailored to user needs and interests; what users want to say vs what they are interested in.
  • Shared Data: Users contribute data and content that others can access.
  • User Participation: Users contribute, edit, and enhance content; collaboration.
  • Collaboration: Multiple users work together on content and projects.
  • Rich User Experience: Enhanced interfaces and interactivity (examples include social networks, wikis, SaaS).

Folksonomy and Examples

  • Folksonomy uses user-generated tags to categorize content, e.g., dog, spot, funny; tags help in retrieval beyond controlled taxonomies.

Web 3.0 Semantic Web: Core Concepts

  • AI synchronization with IoT: The Semantic Web aims to enable machines to understand and interpret data for smarter interactions.
  • Data generation by users, exchanges between data publishers, and cross-linking to produce new information.
  • Main features: data generation, data exchange, and contextual information via linked data.

Artificial Intelligence and IoT (in Web 3.0 context)

  • AI: systems that simulate intelligent behavior and make inferences from data.
  • IoT: Internet of Things; interconnected devices that share data and enable new services.

Problems and Challenges of Web 3.0

  • Compatibility: Existing HTML files and browsers may not fully support Web 3.0 features.
  • Security: User privacy and data control concerns as systems learn user preferences.
  • Vastness: The Web already contains billions of pages; scale creates management challenges.
  • Vagueness: Interpretation of terms like "old" or "small" may vary by user context.
  • Logic: Machines operate on logic; predictive capabilities may be limited in some contexts.

Trends in ICT

  • Current and Future Trends include convergent technologies, social media, and collaborative tools that facilitate information sharing and production.
  • Convergent Technologies illustrate how previously separate technologies (e.g., voice, data, video, mobile, Internet) converge into integrated services.
  • Social media and collaboration tools enable new forms of teamwork, information sharing, and real-time communication.
  • Long tail: Broadening access to niche content and services through online platforms and networks.

Convergent Technologies: Examples

  • A mix of devices and services that blend multiple technologies: Internet, shopping, cameras, video games, maps, music, phones, email, etc., all integrated in a single user experience.
  • Examples of platforms: LinkedIn, Pinterest, YouTube, Foursquare, Instagram, WordPress, Twitter, Reddit, Skype, Tumblr (illustrative of the convergent landscape).

Social Media and Online Platforms

  • Social Media: An online channel that enables users to create, co-create, discuss, modify, and exchange user-generated content.
  • Types:
    • Social Networking Sites (e.g., Facebook, Buffer as a platform example in slides)
    • Media Sharing (e.g., YouTube, Instagram)
    • Microblogging (e.g., Twitter)
    • Blogs and Forums (e.g., Tumblr)
  • Social Networking Examples: Buffer page as an example of social media presence and engagement metrics.

Microblogging and Blogs/Forums

  • Microblogging: Short-form updates and quick exchanges (e.g., Twitter).
  • Blogs & Forums: Longer-form posts and discussions (e.g., Tumblr).

Mobile Technology

  • Mobile OS landscape highlighted: iOS, Android, BlackBerry OS, Windows Phone OS, Symbian, WebOS.
  • Notable mobile OS version history (Android): Cupcake, Donut, Éclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich, Jelly Bean, KitKat, Lollipop, Marshmallow, Nougat, Oreo, etc. (illustrative versions included to show rapid evolution).

Assistive Technology

  • Assistive media is a nonprofit service designed to help people with visual and reading impairments by providing a database of audio recordings to read to the user (founded by David Erdody in 1996).

Online System and Connectivity

  • An online system refers to a state of connectivity to cyberspace via the Internet or computer networks.
  • Chrome OS is an example of a lightweight, cloud-focused operating system.
  • Learning Management System (LMS) is a common online system for education and training.

Lesson Recaps and Formative Assessments (Activity Highlights)

  • Concept maps and collaboration activities emphasize ICT relationships and content synthesis.
  • Hashtag activities illustrate current events and social media literacy: students generate hashtags related to pictured items; sample outputs include #DU30, #ChickenjoyForDine, #iPhoneX, etc. These activities develop media literacy and critical thinking about online discourse.

Key Quotes and Historical Notes

  • Tim Berners-Lee (Father of the World Wide Web): Created foundational technologies of the Web in the 1990s (HTML, URI/URL, HTTP).
  • Vinton Cerf: Quote — "The internet lives where anyone can access it.";
    • Cerf co-designed TCP/IP and the Internet architecture; pivotal in the Internet’s development alongside Kahn and DARPA.

URLs, Web Addresses, and the World Wide Web (Further Details)

  • Web addresses (URLs) break down into: protocol, domain name, top-level domain, path/file.
  • Example: https://www.google.com.ph/about/contacts.aspx
  • Top-Level Domain (TLD) indicates the domain's category or country; Domain Name points to a specific web server; Path points to a resource on that server.

Web Pages: A Quick Recap

  • Web 1.0: Static pages, content largely created by site owners, limited user interaction.
  • Web 2.0: Dynamic, user-generated content; social networking; coopertive features.
  • Web 3.0: Semantic Web; AI-enabled data integration; IoT synchronization; data generated by users and communities; rich data interconnectivity.

Quick Recap and Takeaways

  • ICT is an evolving umbrella term; the web’s evolution from static to semantic shapes how we locate, interpret, and use information.
  • The Philippines’ ICT sector emphasizes BPO/outsourcing and digital services as a hub in Asia.
  • Web 2.0 and Web 3.0 introduce progressively more interactivity, data sharing, and intelligent data use via AI and IoT.
  • Understanding data vs information, and verbal vs non-verbal communication helps in ICT literacy and effective information use.

Formative Assessments (Sample Questions)

  • Why are hashtags important in relaying information on social media?
  • What is the difference between data and information? Give examples.
  • Compare Web 1.0, Web 2.0, and Web 3.0 with key features and limitations.
  • Describe the roles of Tim Berners-Lee and Vinton Cerf in the history of the Internet.
  • List major types of social media and give one example for each.

Alternative and Practice Prompts

  • Explain how convergent technologies impact everyday life and national development.
  • Discuss potential benefits and drawbacks of Web 3.0 for privacy and security.
  • How do folksonomy and user-generated content affect information retrieval and credibility?
  • Outline the components of a typical web address and explain how a browser resolves a URL to a resource.

End of Notes

  • These notes mirror the slide content across ICT fundamentals, World Wide Web history, Web 1.0/2.0/3.0 evolution, social media, mobile technologies, assistive tech, and related trends. Use them to reinforce understanding and exam preparation.