Table of Contents
Introduction
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) offers tools and resources to communicate, create, disseminate, store, and manage information.
Understanding ICT vocabulary is essential for navigating the digital world efficiently. This blog post provides a comprehensive list of ICT vocabulary items, explaining each term to enhance your digital literacy.
ICT Vocabulary (Information and Communication Technology)
What is ICT?
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) refers to the various technologies used to handle communications, create, store, and share information. This includes hardware like computers and mobile phones, software applications, networks such as the internet, and other technologies like artificial intelligence and cloud computing.
Why Is it Important?
ICT is crucial because it underpins the modern digital world. It enables efficient communication and access to information. It also drives innovation, enhances productivity, and supports economic growth by streamlining processes across various sectors.
- In education, ICT provides access to vast resources and interactive learning tools.
- In healthcare, it improves patient care through telemedicine and electronic health records.
- For businesses, ICT facilitates global operations, enhances customer engagement, and optimizes supply chains.
ICT is thus essential for fostering connectivity, improving quality of life, and driving societal progress.
Information and Communication Technology Essential Terminology
Here is a list of important ICT vocabulary:
Application
Application software, also known as end-user programs, includes database programs, word processors, spreadsheets, and multimedia programs.
Bandwidth
The amount of data that can be transmitted over a network in a given amount of time, usually measured in bits per second (bps).
Blog
Also called a weblog. A website that displays postings by one or more individuals in chronological order and usually has links to comments on specific postings.
Boot
To start a computer by loading an operating system from a disk.
Cloud Computing
A technology that allows users to access and store data and applications on remote servers rather than on local computers or storage devices.
CPU
Abbreviation of Central Processing Unit. This is the brain of the computer, directing its activities. Every instruction given by the operator must first pass through the CPU before it can be carried out.
Database
A collection of data arranged for ease and speed of search and retrieval. Also called a data bank.
Desktop
A metaphor for the file systems on a computer’s home screen. The background image of a display screen on which windows, icons, and other graphical items appear.
Download
The process of transferring software/information from a server to a computer (the opposite of upload).
Encryption
The process of converting data into a coded format to prevent unauthorized access.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions. A list of questions and answers that are often asked by beginners to help them use a computer, application, or website.
File
An aggregation of data on a storage device, identified by a name.
Firewall
An application used to keep unauthorized users from accessing parts of a network or computer.
Folder
A virtual container in a computer’s file system, in which files and other folders may be stored. The files and subfolders in a folder are usually related.
Format
To prepare a mass storage medium for initial use, erasing any existing data in the process.
Hard drive
A hardware device that reads data stored on hard disks. It is also called a hard disk drive.
HTML
Abbreviation of Hypertext Markup Language. A computer language containing a set of tags and rules used in developing hypertext documents to be presented on web browsers, allowing incorporation of text, graphics, sound, video, and hyperlinks.
Internet
Millions of computer networks that communicate together.
ISP
Internet Service Provider. A company that provides individuals and organizations access to the Internet.
Keyboard
A set of keys that allows you to type and enter information on the computer.
LAN
Local Area Network, as contrasted with a WAN (Wide Area Network). An interconnection of computers that are in relatively close proximity to each other, such as within a building.
Malware
Malicious software designed to damage, disrupt, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems. Examples include viruses, worms, and Trojan horses.
Modem
A device that encodes digital computer signals into analog telephone signals and vice versa, allowing computers to communicate over a phone line.
Monitor
A device similar to a television set used to give a graphical display of the output from a computer.
Mouse
An input device that is moved over a pad or other flat surface to produce a corresponding movement of a pointer on a graphical display.
Phishing
A fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive information by disguising as a trustworthy entity in electronic communications.
RAM
Random Access Memory. Computer memory that dynamically stores and retrieves program and data values during operation.
ROM
Read-Only Memory. A computer memory chip that stores values but does not allow updates, retaining values even when the computer is unpowered.
SaaS
Software as a Service. A software distribution model in which applications are hosted by a service provider and made available to customers over the Internet.
Server
A computer or a program that provides services to other programs or users.
Spam
Unsolicited and often irrelevant or inappropriate messages sent over the Internet, typically to a large number of users, for the purposes of advertising, phishing, spreading malware, etc.
Spyware
Software that secretly collects information about a user’s activities and sends it to an external party.
URL
Uniform Resource Locator: the address of a web page, FTP site, audio stream, or other Internet resource.
Virus
A program that can covertly transmit itself between computers via networks (especially the Internet) or removable storage such as CDs, USB drives, floppy disks, etc., often causing damage to systems and data.
VPN
Virtual Private Network. A service that allows you to connect to the Internet via a server run by a VPN provider, encrypting your data and masking your IP address.
WAN
Wide Area Network, as contrasted with a LAN (Local Area Network). A computer network that covers a large geographic area, which can refer to several buildings in a city or several cities, and may include a group of LANs connected by dedicated long-distance links.
Website
A set of interconnected web pages, usually including a homepage, generally located on the same server, and prepared and maintained as a collection of information by a person, group, or organization.
Wi-Fi
A technology that allows electronic devices to connect to a wireless local area network (WLAN) using radio waves.
WWW
World Wide Web. Collectively, all of the web pages on the Internet that hyperlink to each other and to other kinds of documents and media.
Conclusion
As An English language learner, familiarizing yourself with ICT vocabulary is crucial. Understanding these terms will enhance your ability to communicate, work, and manage information in the modern technological world.
Keep this glossary handy as a quick reference to ensure you stay up-to-date with the essential ICT concepts.
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