Unit 3: Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Skills – Class 9 Notes

Unit 3: Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Skills

Session 1: Introduction to ICT

ICT stands for Information and Communication Technology. It includes all the tools and technologies used to create, store, process and share information in digital form.

Recording Information

Information can be recorded in different forms:

• Paper: Information can be written by hand on paper.
• Electronic Devices: Information can be created and stored digitally using devices such as tablets, smartphones and laptops.

Importance of ICT

• Helps in running businesses efficiently.
• Helps people communicate with family and friends.
• Allows information to be created, stored and shared digitally.
• Helps people stay connected and updated.

Session 2: ICT Tools – Smartphones and Tablets I

Smartphones and tablets are digital devices that use applications, commonly called Apps, to perform different tasks.

Types of Apps

Type of App	Meaning	Examples
Default Apps	Apps that are already available on the device.	Phone, Camera, Calendar, Mail
Downloaded Apps	Apps that users install from online application stores.	Apps downloaded from Google Play Store or Apple App Store

Smartphone vs Tablet

Feature	Smartphone	Tablet
Screen Size	Generally smaller	Generally larger
Viewing	Suitable for everyday mobile use	Easier for watching videos and editing photos
Battery	Generally smaller battery capacity	Usually provides longer battery life
Storage	Generally lower than tablets	Usually offers higher storage capacity

Session 3: ICT Tools – Smartphones and Tablets II

Mobile Device Layout

A smartphone or tablet contains several basic controls and components.

Component	Function
Power Button	Used to start or shut down the device.
Home Button	Returns the user to the home/start screen.
Back Button	Returns to the previous screen.
Microphone	Captures sound and voice.
Earpiece	Allows the user to hear sound during calls.
Volume Buttons	Increase or decrease sound volume.

Basic Features

Feature	Meaning / Use
Bluetooth	Short-range wireless technology used to connect devices within about 30 feet.
Wi-Fi	Wireless technology used to connect a device to a local network and the Internet.
GPS	Global Positioning System used for navigation, directions and maps.

Parts of the Home Screen

Part	Function
Status Bar	Displays information such as network signal and battery status.
Main Area	Contains shortcuts to different applications.
Dock	Keeps selected apps visible even when moving between home-screen pages.

Touchscreen Gestures

Touchscreen devices use gestures instead of a traditional mouse for many operations.

• Tap: Touch the screen to select or open an item.
• Swipe: Move a finger across the screen to navigate or change screens.

Session 4: Parts of Computer and Peripherals

A computer system consists of three major units:

1. Input Unit
2. Central Processing Unit (CPU)
3. Output Unit

Parts of CPU

Part	Full Form	Function
CU	Control Unit	Receives instructions and coordinates the activities of different parts of the computer.
ALU	Arithmetic and Logic Unit	Performs mathematical and logical calculations.
MU	Memory Unit	Temporarily stores data and instructions during operations.

Input Devices

Input devices are used to enter data and instructions into a computer.

• Keyboard
• Microphone
• Web camera
• Scanner

Output Devices

Output devices present processed information to the user.

• Monitor
• Printer
• Speakers

RAM and ROM

Feature	RAM	ROM
Full Form	Random Access Memory	Read-Only Memory
Nature	Temporary	Permanent
Data on Power Off	Data is lost when the computer is switched off.	Information is retained.
Use	Stores data temporarily during computer operations.	Stores information required for starting the computer.

Common Computer Ports

Port	Purpose
USB	Connects devices such as keyboards and mice.
HDMI / VGA	Connects display devices such as monitors.
Ethernet	Connects the computer to a network using a high-speed cable.
Power Port	Connects the computer to the electricity supply.

Session 5: Basic Computer Operations

Hardware and Software

Hardware	Software
Physical parts of a computer.	Programs that make the hardware work.
Can be seen and touched.	Generally cannot be physically touched.
Examples: Keyboard, CPU.	Examples: Operating System, Apps.

Operating System

An Operating System (OS) is important system software that starts automatically when a computer or device is switched on. It manages the device and allows users to perform different tasks.

Examples: Windows, Ubuntu, Android and iOS.

Login and Logout

• A Login-ID and password help keep personal work and information private.
• Users should always log out after completing their work, particularly when using a shared computer.

Mouse Functions

Action	Function
Roll Over / Hover	Move the pointer over an item to view information or details.
Point and Click	Selects an item.
Drag and Drop	Moves an item from one location to another.

Session 6: Performing Basic File Operations

Files

All information stored on a computer is organised in files. Each file has a name and generally has an extension that indicates its type.

Extension	Type / Example
.txt	Text file / Notepad file
.jpg	Image file
.mp3	Sound / Audio file

Folders

A folder is a location used to store and organise a group of related files.

Important Keyboard Shortcuts

Shortcut	Function
Ctrl + C	Copy
Ctrl + V	Paste
Ctrl + X	Cut
Ctrl + S	Save
Ctrl + Z	Undo the last action

Session 7: Communication and Networking – Basics of Internet

Internet

The Internet is a global collection of interconnected computer networks used to share information and communicate with other users and systems.

Uses of the Internet

• Searching for news and examination results.
• Online shopping and e-commerce.
• Online banking.
• Social media and communication.

Bandwidth

Bandwidth refers to the amount of data that can be transmitted through a communication channel in a given amount of time.

It is commonly measured in bits per second (bps).

Internet Browser

An Internet Browser is software used to access and view websites on the Internet.

Examples: Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.

Session 8: Communication and Networking – Internet Browsing

World Wide Web (WWW)

The World Wide Web (WWW) is a vast network of linked files and resources stored on computers around the world and accessed through the Internet.

Web Pages and URL

Each web page has a unique address called a URL (Uniform Resource Locator).

Browser Controls

Browser Feature	Purpose
Address Bar	Used to type a URL or search for information.
Tabbed Browsing	Allows multiple web pages to be opened in different tabs.
Back Button	Returns to the previously visited page.
Forward Button	Moves forward to a previously visited page.

Hyperlinks

A hyperlink is a highlighted or clickable word, phrase or object that takes the user to another web page or location when clicked.

Session 9: Communication and Networking – Introduction to E-mail

E-mail or electronic mail is a fast method of sending messages, text, images and other information over the Internet.

Advantages of E-mail

• It is faster than traditional postal mail.
• Messages can be sent to many people at the same time.
• Files can be sent as attachments.
• Text and images can be shared digitally.

E-mail Address

An e-mail address generally follows the format:

Session 10: Communication and Networking – Creating an E-mail Account

Popular E-mail Providers

Some popular free e-mail services include:

• Gmail
• Yahoo
• Outlook

E-mail Security

• Never share your e-mail password with others.
• Always sign out when using a shared or public computer.
• Keep account credentials private.

Session 11: Communication and Networking – Writing an E-mail

Steps to Write and Send an E-mail

1. Sign in to your e-mail account.
2. Click on Compose.
3. Enter the receiver's e-mail address in the To field.
4. Enter the main topic of the e-mail in the Subject field.
5. Type the message in the main body.
6. Attach a file if required using the paperclip symbol.
7. Click Send.

E-mail Field / Option	Purpose
To	Contains the e-mail address of the main receiver.
Subject	Contains the main topic or purpose of the e-mail.
Message Body	Contains the actual message.
Attachment	Allows files to be sent along with the e-mail.
Send	Sends the completed e-mail to the recipient.

Session 12: Communication and Networking – Receiving and Replying to E-mails

Inbox

The Inbox is the section of an e-mail account where received e-mails appear. Unread messages are generally displayed in bold.

E-mail Options

Option	Function
Reply	Sends a response to the original sender.
Reply to All	Sends a response to everyone who received a copy of the original e-mail.
Forward	Sends a received e-mail to another person.
Delete	Removes an e-mail from the inbox.

Quick Revision: Unit 3

Topic	Key Points to Remember
ICT	Information and Communication Technology used to create, store and share digital information.
Smartphone & Tablet	Mobile devices that use apps and features such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS.
CPU	Contains CU, ALU and MU.
Input Devices	Keyboard, microphone, web camera and scanner.
Output Devices	Monitor, printer and speakers.
RAM	Temporary memory; data is lost when power is switched off.
ROM	Permanent memory used for information required to start the computer.
File	Stores information and has a file extension identifying its type.
Internet	Global collection of interconnected computer networks.
WWW	Network of linked web resources accessed through the Internet.
URL	Unique address of a web page.
E-mail	Electronic method of sending messages and attachments over the Internet.