Meaning of tic (information and communication technologies) (what they are, concept and definition)

What are ICT (Information and communication technologies):

ICT is the set of technologies currently developed for more efficient information and communication, which have changed both the way of accessing knowledge and human relationships.

ICT is the abbreviation for Information and Communication Technologies.

ICT have transformed the parameters for obtaining information through communication technologies (newspaper, radio and television), through the development of the Internet and new technological devices such as computers, tablets and smartphones , as well as the platforms and softwares available.

ICTs are recognized as innovative products where science and engineering work together to develop devices and systems that solve everyday problems. They synthesize elements of the so-called communication technologies or TC (radio, press and TV) with information technologies.

The information refers in this context to the transfer of data in an innovative way, which includes texts, images and audio.

The communication refers to the tools that allow the message sent by the sender is correctly decrypted by the receiver. For example, user information platforms.

There are doubts about the correct writing of the acronyms, since they refer to a plural noun. People debate between the TIC , TICs or TICS spelling. To indicate the plural, just add the feminine article "las". For example: " ICT has revolutionized the field of education." Therefore, it is correct to write ICT, since the lowercase "s" is usually perceived as Anglicism (TIC's) and the capital "S" is usually perceived as another acronym of the term, which creates confusion.

ICT Characteristics

• They penetrate all fields of human knowledge and social life: the home, education, entertainment and work.They transform the mental processes of acquiring knowledge; They are immaterial, since information is built from virtual networks; They are instantaneous or immediate, since access to information and communication occurs in real time regardless of physical distance; The information it contains must be digitized, whether it is text, image or audio; They are flexible, which means that they can restructure based on the changes that are necessary; They are governed by the principle of interconnection, that is, it allows to create new communication possibilities from the connection of two or more technologies; They are interactive, which implies the participation of the user in the information processing process and adaptation of available resources to your needs.

Types of ICT

When talking about ICT, you can refer to different criteria depending on the context of use of the term. Namely:

1. Networks. It refers to both radio and television networks, as well as fixed and mobile telephone networks, as well as bandwidth. Terminals and equipment. It covers all kinds of devices through which information and communication networks operate. For example: computers, tablets, cell phones, audio and video devices, televisions, game consoles, etc. Services. It refers to the wide spectrum of services offered through the above resources. For example: email services, cloud storage, distance education, electronic banking, online games, entertainment services, virtual communities and blogs.

ICT in the workplace

ICT is an essential part of today's working environment. They facilitate the storage of complex databases, either on local servers or cloud services.

Likewise, ICTs are fundamental for the development of online commerce, electronic banking, accounting work, the search for information, inventory control, the production of information material such as text, audio and video, and, fundamentally, the immediate and effective communication.

All this can positively impact labor productivity and business competitiveness, while transforming the way of doing business.

However, ICTs can also be sources of distraction, as their increasingly frequent, dispersed and addictive use makes workers disperse from their tasks, increasing the rate of forgetfulness and involuntary delays.

ICT in education

In recent years, ICTs have played a key role in the development of new educational policies and projects, since they have influenced the way of accessing knowledge. They have provided an opportunity to facilitate access to education, either face-to-face or at a distance, but at the same time it represents a set of challenges.

In this sense, Internet protocol services and platforms for education have been developed, which have allowed us to rethink teaching and learning models. Among them we can name the e-learnig platforms . Examples of open source platforms include mainly Moodle, Chamilo, Claroline, ATutor or Sakai. Among the commercials we can mention: Blackboard, Educativa, Saba, Almagesto and Neo LMS.

These platforms use resources such as interactive whiteboards, virtual classrooms in real time, discussion rooms, forums, questionnaires, diagrams, audiovisual resources, digitized bibliography, online collaborative documents, portfolios, educational games, etc.

Also social networks such as WhatsApp or Facebook, tools such as blogs and cloud services, are educational tools to develop knowledge about interactive and collaborative principles.

Advantages of ICT

• They facilitate access to information; It favors the network connection of different educational centers, broadening the notion of community; It promotes new ways of thinking; It favors the principle of collaborative construction of knowledge; It allows the digital literacy of users; In the field of education, help to bridge the generation gap between students and teachers; It is a tool for educational and administrative management, as it allows immediate access to databases and statistics to know the academic behavior of students.

Disadvantages of ICT

Generally speaking, ICTs have a set of disadvantages. Namely:

• Information is abundant, but it is not organized but dispersed, which can be overwhelming; ICT can be a source of distraction that disperses the subject from their objective; Devices and instruments as platforms constantly change, which implies a continuous effort to update; Increases the risk of vulnerability of personal data.

In the specific field of education, to these disadvantages are added the following:

• There is still great inequality in access to technology due to factors such as poverty or the lack of public educational policies.The effectiveness of its use depends on integration in the school curriculum; The use of ICT requires adequate spaces and provision of teams; Without adequate preparation or a well-structured teaching plan by the State, school and teacher, ICT can create dispersion instead of learning. The risk of exposure to cyberbullying increases considerably.