Information Evolution And Communication Technology

INTRODUCTION

Over the years, a lot of improvement has taken place in the way information is transmitted. These changes are usually technology based and driven by the need to pass more information faster at less cost. The stages have been divided into categories of information transmission inventions.

INVENTION OF LANGUAGE

Human beings in different society and parts of the world share messages by one means or the other. The most elaborate means by which messages are being sent is through the use of languages which have been invented so that people can express themselves and communicate with one another very clearly.

INVENTION OF PRINTING

The invention of mass printing practices changed our world and the print invention is regarded by many as the invention of the millennium.

Johannes Gutenberg  a German inventor in 1440, invented a printing press process.  The inventor method of printing from movable type, included the use of metal molds and alloys, a special press, and oil-based inks, allowed for the first time the mass production of printed books.

INVENTION OF RADIO

The invention of radio started with the discovery of “radio waves” – electromagnetic waves that have the capacity to transmit music, speech, picture and other data invisibly through the air. Many devices work by using electromagnetic waves including radio, microwaves, cordless phones, remote controlled toys etc.

EVALUATION

1. Explain the invention of printing.
2. Explain the invention of radio.

INVENTION OF TELEVISION

Philo Farnsworth is accredited with the invention of the first fully electronic television system. In 1921, he had an idea while working on his father’s Idaho farm,  he realized an electron beam could scan a picture in horizontal lines, reproducing the image almost instantaneously. This would prove to be a critical breakthrough in Philo Farnsworth’s invention of the television in 1927.

Television broadcast reach makes it powerful and  an attractive medium for advertisers. Many television networks and stations sell blocks of broadcast time to advertisers.

Television was commercially available since late 1930s, the television set has become a common communication receiver in homes, business and institutions, as a source of entertainment and news. Since the 1970s, the availability of video cassettes, laserdiscs, DVDs and now Blu-ray Discs, have resulted in the television set frequently being used for viewing recorded as well as broadcast material.  Although other forms such as Closed –Circuit-Television (CCTV) are in use, the most common usage of the medium is for broadcast television, which was modelled on the existing radio broadcasting systems developed in the 1920s, and uses high-powered radio- frequency transmitters to broadcast the television signal to individual TV receiver.

INVENTION OF COMPUTER

Charles Babbage, an English mathematicians, is considered to be the father of Computer over 150 years ago. He invented a sophisticated calculating machine and called it the “Analytical Engine” Babbage’s computer was not finished. He is called the Father of Computers because the first computers produced were based on his computation and design.

Linking up Computer with Information Technology     

Information technology deals with the use of electronic computers and computer software to convert, store, protect, process, transmit and retrieve information. It merges computing with high speed communication links carrying data, sound and video. This technology has made the world to be seen as a “Global Village”.

ICT makes it possible to communicate using computers and other electronic devices. Computer technology and telecommunication technology were developed independently, since then, they have fused together to produce a new hybrid information environment.  

GENERAL EVALUATION

1. Why is language invented?
2. How did the invention of computer affect information evolution?
3. Describe the latest stage of information evolution.

READIND ASSIGNMENT

Computer Studies for junior secondary education JS1 by HiiT Plc: page 19 – 22, Chapter 4

WEEKEND ASSIGMENT

1. …….. invented a printing press  process.(a)Charles Babbage (b) Johannels Gutenberg

(c) Bill Gate (phiilip)

• ……….is accredited with the invention of the first fully electronic television system.

(a) Philo Farnsworth (b) Napier bone (c)Leibniz (d)  Johannes Gutenberg

• The act of using electronic computer and computer software to convert, store, process, transmit and retrieve information is called ……… (a) mechanics (b) data processing

(c) information technology (d) maintenance.

•   ………..a sophisticated calculating machine and called it the “Analytical Engine”.

(a) Blaise Pascal (b) John Napier (c) Charles Babbage (d) Mark I.

• Which of the following brought revolution to the way information is processed?

(a) invention of language (b) invention of printing (c) invention of mass media (d) invention of computer

THEORY

1. What is information technology?
2. Describe the latest stage of information evolution.
3. How did the invention of computer affect information evolution?