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LMT 1501 UNIT 2: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Unit of competency:
Skim for specific information in technical texts

Expected learning:
Read and understand short passages about IT

Information technology

Information Technology (IT) is a general term that describes any

technology that helps to produce, manipulate, store, communicate, and/or
disseminate information. When computer and communications
technologies are combined, the result is information technology, or
"InfoTech”. IT professionals perform a variety of duties which range from
installing applications to designing complex computer networks and
information databases. A few of the duties that IT professionals perform
may include data management, networking, web development, help desk,
engineering computer hardware, IT training, database and software
design, as well as the management and administration of entire systems.

Within these IT disciplines, these are some of the commonest positions:

ASP developer, application developer, business analyst, content manager,
customer support analyst, data modeller, database administrator, DBA,
developer, end user support, help desk analyst, software test engineer,
information systems director, computer operator, IT consultant, network
engineer, PC tech, program manager, programmer, programmer analyst,
support analyst, computer programmer, technical writer, java developer,
web developer, software developer

I. Reading & Writing activities:

1. Translate the first paragraph. Compare your results with a partner

2. Can you write your own definition for IT? Do your best and share
with the rest of the class.

3. Find 5 jobs related to IT in the text and describe them in terms of

duties and workplace.

4. Think of 3 IT related jobs that are not included in the text and
describe them in terms of duties and workplace.
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II. Answer the following true or false:

1- __F__ IT is the term to help to produce technology.

2- __F__data management and networking are parts of database.
3- __T__administration systems are subject to management.
4- __F__Commonest positions of IT are: disseminate info, information
systems director, and java developer.
5- __T__ Software development is an IT application.

III. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING ABOUT THE TEXT.

1- What are the commonest positions of IT?

2- What are the duties that IT can perform?
3- What activities do IT professionals do?
4- What happens when computer and communication technologies are
combined?
5- What does technology help to?

IV. Match the following with its corresponding idea.

5. Professional duties range from _2__ IT professional duties

installing applications to

4. IT helps to store, communicate, _1__computer and technology

and/or disseminate

1. Infotech _3__ IT positions

6. Examples of IT main activities _6__ the management and

are administration of entire systems

2. Help desk, engineering _5__ designing information

computer hardware, IT training, databases.

3. PC tech, program manager, _4__ information

programmer,
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V. Which duty does NOT correspond in each case?

1. Helpdesk Technician
a) She needs solid software experience
b) She identifies source of specific errors
c) She helps customers
d) She tests products before they are sold

2. Network Administrator
a) She sets up new devices
b) She keeps computers up and running after a crash.
c) She solves out network problems
d) She designs new keyboards

3. Computer Technician
a) He debugs programs
b) He maintains hardware
c) He understands technical procedures
d) He installs computer systems

4. Database specialist
a) They usually work with SQL and Access
b) They customize database for business
c) They create database
d) They design web pages

5. Hardware Engineer
a) He creates new hardware equipment
b) He invents new computer languages
c) He supervises systems that enable processes
d) He tests systems that run the computers