Information Technology (IT)

Outline:-

(a): IT, a leading technology of the present age

(b): Means of IT:
(1): Computer, a speedy and accurate machine to process data, a useful
machine that performs wonders.
(2): Data processing
(3): Internet, a global information system
(4): Telecommunications, sharing information over long distances
Processing and distribution of data through computers, telecommunications and
digital electronics is called Information Technology. This is an age of IT. The world
has changed into a global village. Easy access to all kinds of data across the world
is the fruit of IT. This is the most leading technology of the present age. The
followings are the means that are used in IT.
Computer is the most important equipment used in IT. The computer is a
simple machine, rather a collection of simple machines, some electronic and
some mechanical, whose activities are coordinated by a central control unit.
These machines can read information, store this information for later use; and
issue results in a form understandable by human operators. Mother Board,
Processor, RAM, Monitor, Key Board, Mouse, CD ROM, and Floppy Drive are the
main components of a computer.

The most remarkable features of a computer are speed, versatility and

accuracy. As life has become speedy and quick, the importance of computer has
been multiplied. It is being used in every sphere of life. In industry, it keeps a
record of goods, cost and output. It provides a great deal of help in engineering. It
designs buildings of all kinds, gives information about the best material to be
used, suggests ideal measures for its safety and gives accurate expenditures on its
construction. In medicine, it assists to perform various tests, diagnoses diseases
and prescribes medicine. In space, sea and earth explorations, it has performed
wonders. It collects information of various heavenly bodies, their properties, and
atmospheric conditions. It tells us about the treasures hidden deep within the
Earth’s crust and in the depth of the sea. We control satellite, rockets, missiles,
and spaceships by computer. In the field of education it has performed wonders.
It collects information for us from the most remote parts of the world. Douglas
Schuler U.S. author says: Computer technology… could play a role in rebuilding
community by improving communication, economic opportunity, civic
participation, and education”.

Data Processing is the analysis and organization of data by using one or

more computer programmes. It is widely used in business, engineering, science
and many other fields. Data processing is of the kinds i.e. database processing and
transaction processing. A database is a collection of common records stored in a
computer. It can be searched, accessed and modified. Bank account records are
the examples of such a data. Transaction processing refers to the sharing of data
between computers. In this process one computer can access the data stored in
other computers. For this purpose, a network is needed that connects many
computers.

Internet is a global information system. It works through many

interconnected computer networks. Each network may link tens, hundreds, or
even thousands of computers. These computers share information with each
other. The Internet has enabled people all over the world to effectively
communicate with each other. They make information available to others, find
information provided by others. Clifford Stoll, U.S. astronomer and author says:
“Our networks aren’t simple connections of cables and computers; they’re
cooperative communities”.

The Internet has imparted new opportunities to government, business, and

education. Governments use Internet for internal communication and the
distribution of information. Businesses offer goods and services to customers.
Many people use internet for shopping, paying bills and online banking.
Educational institutions use the internet for research purposes. They also deliver
courses to students at remote areas.

Telecommunications means the sending and receiving of messages over

distances. It consists of devices and systems that transmit electronic signals across
long distances. The common devices of telecommunications are telephone, radio
and television. Nicholas Negroponte, a U.S writer says: “Machines need to talk
easily to one another in order to better serve people.” Telecommunications
enables people around the world to contact one another, to access information
instantly, and to communicate from remote areas.

CITY POSTGRADUATE COLLEGE FOR WOMEN JHELUM

CONTACT: 0544-623694, 628803
 OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM
Outline:

a): Importance of education.

b): Our education system, a deficient and faulty system
c): The lack of professional & technical training
d): Unemployment, the fruit of our education system
e): A few suggestions for the improvement of education system:
(1): Technical and professional training
(2): Examination, a real test of ability
(3): Teachers should be trained
Education is the real radical entity responsible for the entire evolution of
human race. The credit goes only to education if man, today, is cosmopolitan,
cultivated, cultured, considerate and courteous. Education crowns man with the
faculty of differentiating virtue from vice. Without education, man would have
been worse than the wild beasts. All the euphoria, the equipments of ease and
entertainment, the fountains of good fortune are due to education. It is of many
kinds i.e. professional, technical, scientific and artistic. No man can attain the
ultimate efficiency of all the branches of knowledge simultaneously. Therefore, it
is essential for every man to opt an exclusive sphere of studies according to his
taste and temperament.
Our current education system is deficient as it cannot cope with the
demands of new era of science and technology. Our system of education was
established some decades ago in the past. At that time, it may be consistent with
the needs and requirements of the age; but now it appears absolutely outworn
and ineffective. It should be revised and improved according to the new
challenges of the world. We are lagging behind the innovations in science and
knowledge. The rapid revolution of technology demands an instant alteration in
the course of studies.

In our country, the principal purpose of education is to procure a job so as

to earn a handsome amount of money to meet the necessities of life. This is not
possible without professional, technical and scientific awareness. On the other
hand, the course of studies does not provide practical knowledge of science and
technology. Moreover, the economy of our country is not so stable as to offer
employment to every educated young man. Besides, the graduate of our country
is not equipped with professional or technical training. He is good for nothing. He
hates menial work; thus remains unemployed. The unemployed youth, when
frustrated, fall victim to social evils and thus, instead of becoming useful citizens,
turn out to be a sore point. It is an admitted fact that an evil generates other evils.
Thus the whole society yields to corruption, theft, murder, kidnapping and
terrorism. To prevent that sort of gruesome situation, we must take prompt and
concrete steps. The very first step should be the new arrangement of education
system. The education should be altered in accordance with the need of
producing technical and professional trainees. The following steps may be
valuable in this consideration.

First, computer, technical and professional education should be initiated

straight-away. The level of education should be brought up to an international
one. It is true that the study of literature and fine arts gives profound joy but not
an honourable means of earning to an average student. Thus with the study of
arts, professional training should also be compulsory.

Second, system of examination should be improved and bettered. The

universities should not be generous in awarding degrees. The examination should
the real test of wisdom and knowledge. Government should take solid steps for
the elimination of copying in the examination. The lowest qualification limit
should be 50% marks instead of 33%.

Third, the teachers should properly be trained and expert in their

respective fields. The salaries of the teachers should be handsome so that they
may pay full attention to their duty without facing any financial problems. The
intellectuals and intelligentsia should be consulted for suggestions for the uplift of
education. The government must realize that without improving the standard of
education, no progress can be made in any field.

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CITY POSTGRADUATE COLLEGE FOR WOMEN JHELUM
CONTACT: 0544-628803, 623694

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