INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) APPLICATION IN EVERYDAY LIFE

Introduction: It is the general belief that since the invention of computer, the entire world has never been the same again, computer as made it impact felt on every aspect of human life. These Include: Communication, space travel, in manufacturing, in management, in medicine, law, printing, creative art, music etc.

TYPES OF ICT
Types of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) are as follows:
Broadcasting: There are different types of broadcasting, these are:

1. Radio broadcasting
2. Television broadcasting
3. Satellite T.V systems.

Telecommunications: These include:

1. Public switched Telephone Network
2. (PSTN) - Land line
3. Mobile phone system (GSM)
4. Circuit Switched Packet Telephone system(CSPT)
5. Satellite Telephone System
6. Fixed Wireless Telephone System

Uses and Application Areas of ICT

Information and communication technology is used in used in so many areas of communication, such as teleconferencing, video conferencing, tele-presence, telecommunication and networking, messaging, information search, retrieval and archival. voice messages, picture messages etc.

e-mail: This is a way of sending electronic messages from one person to another over the internet through the computer. This is done by the process of circulating data and text through inter-linked computers.

Voice mail: This makes it possible for the caller to leave a message for some one who is not around to receive the telephone. This type of message is sent in analogue form, in form of waves, it would then be converted to digital pieces of information. The beauty of this form of information is that the information can be stored in the computer and in any form the user requires.

Internet: The internet may be defined as a global connection or assemblage of millions type of computers in a single network with in a view to sharing information and carry out researches.

ICT also makes it possible for information to be timely. it gets to the intended destination within the expected time. It also facilitates information processing and management.

Computer Networking: Computer networking is an act of connecting many computers together in order to exchange information's and data. It also makes it possible for peripheral equipment to be shared. Each computer on the network is known as terminal and they have access to resources such as data, software and hardware which are provided by the central computer system. Computer network also provides a communication interface by sending messages to all terminals attached to the central computer.

ICT AND SOCIETY

we have on daily basis gone through our daily routine without noticing how many times we have come in contact with computers. Information and communication technology (ICT) as become part of our daily lives that if it were taken away we will live radically different lives.

Education: Computer used to help students learning through Computer Aided Instruction(CAI) and Computer Assisted Learning (CAI) Computer aided instruction takes the form of:

Drills: This allows students to practice concepts through repeated questions

Tutorials: This has to do self-instructional programs that guide the students through new material, but allow the student to move at his or her pace.

Simulation: These use sound, test and graphic(Multimedia) to bring about an outcome base or a specific scenario.

Reference Information: Computer are now used widely as an educational tool to reference information, many traditional encyclopedias are now available on CD-ROMS and the internet.

Distance Learning: So many institutions are now conducting classes through distance learning. For example, the Open University in Nigeria also makes use of this method to send information to the students scattered all over the country.

BANKING AND BUSINESS
Computer has proved very useful due for transaction in the banking industry in the present world. It span from paying bills using a cheque book, this involves interacting with computers.

Automated Teller Machine(ATM)
This is usually referred to as "hole in the wall" machines, the machine allows us to access our bank account, to deposit and  withdraw money, to obtain balances to transfer funds and to pay bills, the functions for 24 hours a day, ATM card usually called a Debit Card and a PIN (Personal Identification Number) gives you access to your account.

Smart Cards: These cards have a micro processor embedded in them, they are similar t a debit or credit card, but hold more information and are more secure. The card information can be updated, and store on the card.

Home and Internet Banking: This type of banking gives you the convenience of doing transactions from home, such as checking account balance, ordering cheque books, paying bills and applying for loans online.

Electronic funds transfer (EFT): This is a system where you use your debit card to pay for an item in a store deducts money from your account and transfer it into the grocer's account by electronic funds transfer(EFT) the balances in both the grocery account and your balance are updated.

ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING

Computer Aided Design(CAD)/ Computer Aided Design and Drafting(CADD): This involves the use of hardware and software to draw such things as engineering and architectural designs and of course clothing designs. It takes a shorter time to draw a design. This makes it possible for the designs to be duplicated or adjusted.

Traffic Control: The computer traffic light systems used in the road to detect the flow of traffic, they are adjusted throughout the day depending on the flow of traffic.

MEDICINE
Patient's Records: Records of patients health history and their personal information could be easily accessed if this information were computerized. Computerized records helps to reduce the time spent looking for patient records if there is emergency.