INFORMATION

TECHNOLOGY
LESSON 9
 INTRODUCTION
Our society today is characterized by high levels of automation
and advanced technology, facilitating quick information sharing
across various domains. This progress has had a significant
impact on areas like communication, economics, industry, health,
and the environment. Despite the advantages of information
technology, there are also drawbacks associated with the rapid
influx of information. This lesson aims to explore the history and
consequences of technological advancements. Information plays
a crucial role in life, both within and outside the human body, and
is defined as knowledge related to specific facts or
circumstances, essential for survival.
According to James R. Messenger who
proposed the Theory of Information
Age in 1982, “The Information Age is a
true new age based upon the
interconnection of computers via
telecommunications, with these
information systems operating on both a
real-time and as-needed basis.
Furthermore, the primary factors driving
this new age forward are convenience
and user-friendliness which, in turn, will
create user dependence."
EVOLUTION OF MAN AND TECHNOLOGY
 Examples:
1. Telegraph and Telecommunications - facilitated the sharing of
news and information across regions and nations, reducing the
The evolution of time it took for information to travel.
information and its 2. Libraries and Public Education - Libraries served as repositories
of knowledge, offering books and resources for people to
distribution
access.
methods has been 3. Mass Media - these platforms allowed for the widespread
significant. People sharing of news, entertainment, and educational content.
began sharing and 4. Social Media and Online Communities - In the digital age, social
managing media platforms and online communities have given individuals
information rather the means to share their thoughts, experiences, and expertise
than keeping it to with a global audience.
5. Crowdsourcing and Citizen Journalism - The rise of
themselves.
crowdsourcing and citizen journalism empowers individuals to
contribute to news reporting, research, and problem-solving.
 1. Social Media Posts - Billions of users post updates, photos,
videos, and comments, creating a constant stream of
information that can be overwhelming to monitor and manage.
Information 2. Emails: In both personal and professional settings, the volume of
started growing at emails sent and received has exploded.
3. Big Data in Business - Businesses now collect massive amounts
an unprecedented
of data on customer behavior, market trends, and operations.
rate, surpassing 4. Healthcare Records- Managing and securing sensitive patient
our ability to information while ensuring quick access for healthcare
handle it. providers is a complex task.
5. Educational Resources: The growth of digital learning materials
and online courses has created a wealth of educational content.
Educators and students may find it challenging to navigate this
abundance of resources effectively.
6. Government Records and Surveillance: Storing and managing
these datasets while ensuring privacy and security is a
significant challenge.
The Information Anxiety
In the 1980s, "Information Anxiety"
became a significant concern in the field
of information management and
communication. The term "Information
Anxiety" was coined by Richard Saul
Wurman, an American architect and
graphic designer who was deeply
interested in the organization and
presentation of information.
The Information Anxiety
"Information Anxiety" refers to the feeling
of being overwhelmed and stressed by
the sheer volume of information available
and the difficulty of navigating,
comprehending, and making meaningful
use of that information. It is characterized
by the anxiety, confusion, and frustration
that individuals may experience when
faced with an excess of data, documents,
and sources of information.
The Information Anxiety
Richard Wurman's work emphasized the
importance of designing information
systems and interfaces that are more
user-friendly and intuitive to help people
cope with information anxiety. His insights
and ideas contributed to the development of
information architecture and data
visualization practices, aiming to make
information more accessible and
comprehensible in an increasingly
information-rich world.
Desktop Computer
It is described as a PC that is not designed for
portability. The assumption with a desktop is
that it will be set up in a permanent spot. A
workstation is simply a desktop computer that
has a more powerful processor, additional
memory, and enhanced capabilities for
performing special group of tasks, such as 3D
graphics or game development. Most desktops
offer more storage, power, and versatility than
their portable versions (UShistory.org, 2017).
Laptops

These are portable computers

that integrate the essentials of a
desktop computer in a
battery-powered package, which
are somewhat larger than a typical
hardcover book. They are
commonly called notebooks.
Personal Digital Assistants

These are tightly integrated

computers that usually have no
keyboards but rely on a touch
screen for user input. PDAs are
typically smaller than a paperback,
lightweight, and battery- powered
(UShistory.org, 2017).
Server

It refers to a computer that has

been improved to provide
network services to other
computers. Servers usually boast
powerful processors, tons of
memory, and large hard drives
(UShistory.org, 2017).
Mainframes
These are huge computer systems that can fill
an entire room. They are used especially by
large firms to describe the large, expensive
machines that process millions of transactions
every day. The term "mainframe" has been
replaced by enterprise server. Although some
supercomputers are single computer systems,
most comprise multiple, high-performance,
parallel computers working as a single system
(UShistory.org, 2017).
Wearable Computers
They involve materials that are usually
integrated into cell phones, watches,
and other small objects or places. They
perform common computer
applications such as databases, email,
multimedia, and schedulers
(UShistory.org, 2017).
The World Wide Web (Internet)
The origin of the Internet can be traced back to Claude E. Shannon, an
American mathematician known as the "Father of Information Theory." He
proposed the quantitative encoding of information as a sequence of ones and
zeros in a paper published at the age of 32.

The Internet is a global network of interconnected computer systems,

developed in the 1970s by the Department of Defense. Originally used by
scientists for communication, it remained under government control until
1984.

One of the early challenges faced by Internet users was slow transmission
speed due to limited phone lines. The development of fiber-optic cables
enabled rapid data transmission, and companies like Intel improved
microprocessors to process data faster.
Sergey Brin and Larry Page, Stanford researchers, created a search engine
that ranked results based on page popularity, leading to the founding of
Google in 1998, which has become the world's most popular search engine.

The introduction of email provided a convenient way to communicate with

colleagues, business partners, and friends, allowing for the swift exchange of
messages.
Companies built on digitized information have gained immense value and
power in a short time. Prominent figures in this Information Age include Bill
Gates of Microsoft, Steve Jobs of Apple, and Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook.

Critics argued that the Internet created a technological divide, widening

the gap between the higher and lower classes. Those unable to afford
computers or internet access were at a disadvantage. Additionally, many
lamented the impersonal nature of electronic communication, contrasting it
with traditional means like phone calls and handwritten letters.

The unregulated nature of the Internet allowed the widespread

dissemination of pornography, posing challenges in protecting children from
exposure and potential harm. The rise of social media has led to various
forms of cyber crimes, including cyberbullying, which is a global concern.
Awareness of the negative consequences of these technological advances is
essential.
Applications of Computers in Science and Research
One of the significant applications of computers for
science and research is evident in the field of
bioinformatics. Bioinformatics is the application of
information technology to store, organize, and analyze
vast amount of biological data which is available in the
form of sequences and structures of proteins-the
building blocks of organisms and nucleic acids-the
information carrier (Madan, n.d.).

Early interest in bioinformatics was established

because of a need to create databases of biological
sequences. The human brain cannot store all the
genetic sequences of organisms and this huge amount
of data can only be stored, analyzed, and be used
efficiently with the use of computers.
SUMMARY
Nowadays, information could be shared or transferred quickly. People are
becoming more interested in sharing information about themselves.
Various aspects of our society are also being influenced by the Information
Age especially communication, economics, industry, health, and the
environment. The rapid upgrade of information poses both positive and
negative impacts to our society. Therefore, we need to carefully check our
motives before disseminating information and we also need to verify
information before believing them and using and sharing them. We should
share information that could help improve our lives and others.