(Podcast) Basic Concepts of Information Technology

Episode 3 introduces various methods of input and output. The keyboard is the most popular and frequently used input device. Besides the keyboard, there are also many latest input and output devices in the market, which will also be discussed in this episode.

Episode 9 explains the important component in the development of information technology, that is, communication. There are four important elements to be known before any form of communication can happen. These elements are message, sender, receiver and media. In this topic, you will realise that communication is a very important component of information technology. You will then focus more on data communication signals, that is, the analogue and digital signals, synchronous and asynchronous transmissions, simplex, half duplex, and full duplex lines, etc. At the end of this topic, you will be introduced on the various media for data transmission.

Episode 10 discusses how the human element creates various issues in this field and the opportunities offered by technology for a competitive advantage. You will be asked to evaluate and understand an issue on the importance of ethics in IT. You will also be exposed to the concept of the end-user who will need to realise the potential effects of technology on them. They must act quickly and know the importance of privacy, organisational security, ergonomics and the effects of technology on the environment.

Episode 4 introduces another computer component, that is, the secondary storage. Here, you will learn the various types of secondary storage available in the market and the comparison of storage types. This episode also explains the types of magnetic storage, types of optic storage and advantages of the secondary storage.

Episode 5 introduces the software used in the computer system. There are two types of main software, that is, the system software and application software. The system software is used to switch on (start) the computer and to coordinate the hardware components and the application software. There are three categories of software inside the system software, namely the operating system, utility programs and language translators. This episode discusses the concept and the types of operating systems being used. Language translators are explained through programming languages. Programming languages will be discussed from the perspectives of generation, approach and compilation. At the end of this episode, you will discuss various types of application software that are commonly used such as word processing, spreadsheet and graphic software.

Episode 7 focuses on the development and history of the Internet. In this episode, we will learn about the elements of the Internet and the activities that can be performed on the Internet. Besides that, you will also identify the process of searching and manipulating information effectively over the Internet.

Episode 8 describes about the present software on the internet. Some of the software can be obtained for free, while some have to be paid for. Open source software will also be discussed here. This topic will also discuss the popular method of communication over the Internet, that is, e-mail. Initially, e-mail was merely based on text, but now you can send (attach) various types of data together with e-mails such as text document, graphics, audio, power point and presentation. At the end of this episode, we will touch briefly on the Internet scripting language like HTML and XML.

Episode 1 gives an overview of Information Technology (IT). The focus of this episode are principles of IT, functions and benefits of IT, careers in IT, development of IT in Malaysia and cyber laws.

Episode 2 discusses the main computer hardware components, which are the Central Processing Unit (CPU), microprocessors, main memory, etc. Specifically, we will focus more on the CPU or the microprocessor, which is the core of all activities responsible for changing raw data into the required information inside a computer. Besides that, data representation and coding system will also be discussed. Towards the end of the episode, you will be introduced to some tools and hardware inside a computer system unit.