Unit-VIII: ICT & Computer Fundamentals

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) refers to technologies used for collecting, processing, storing, retrieving and communicating information.

सूचना एवं संचार प्रौद्योगिकी उन technologies का समूह है जिनका उपयोग information को collect, process, store, retrieve और transmit करने के लिए किया जाता है।

ICT के Components: Computer hardware, Software, Internet and networks, Telecommunication, Audio-video technology, Digital platforms, Cloud services, Database systems, Mobile communication, Artificial Intelligence

Educational Example: जब teacher Google Meet पर live class लेता है, LMS पर notes upload करता है और online quiz से assessment करता है, तो वह ICT-enabled teaching कर रहा है।

Computer and Storage:

• ICT - Information and Communication Technology
• CPU - Central Processing Unit
• ALU - Arithmetic Logic Unit
• CU - Control Unit
• RAM - Random Access Memory
• ROM - Read Only Memory
• HDD - Hard Disk Drive
• SSD - Solid State Drive
• USB - Universal Serial Bus
• UPS - Uninterruptible Power Supply
• BIOS - Basic Input/Output System
• GUI - Graphical User Interface
• OS - Operating System
• PDF - Portable Document Format
• OCR - Optical Character Recognition
• OMR - Optical Mark Recognition
• MICR - Magnetic Ink Character Recognition

Internet and Networking:

• LAN - Local Area Network
• MAN - Metropolitan Area Network
• WAN - Wide Area Network
• PAN - Personal Area Network
• WLAN - Wireless Local Area Network
• WWW - World Wide Web
• URL - Uniform Resource Locator
• ISP - Internet Service Provider
• IP - Internet Protocol
• DNS - Domain Name System
• DHCP - Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
• HTTP - Hypertext Transfer Protocol
• HTTPS - Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure
• FTP - File Transfer Protocol
• TCP - Transmission Control Protocol
• UDP - User Datagram Protocol
• VPN - Virtual Private Network
• Wi-Fi - Wireless networking technology
• VoIP - Voice over Internet Protocol
• HTML - HyperText Markup Language

E-mail:

• SMTP - Simple Mail Transfer Protocol
• POP3 - Post Office Protocol Version 3
• IMAP - Internet Message Access Protocol
• CC - Carbon Copy
• BCC - Blind Carbon Copy

Education and Governance:

• MOOC - Massive Open Online Course
• LMS - Learning Management System
• SWAYAM - Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds
• NPTEL - National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning
• CEC - Consortium for Educational Communication
• NDLI - National Digital Library of India
• NAD - National Academic Depository
• DIKSHA - Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing
• NETF - National Educational Technology Forum
• NMEICT - National Mission on Education through ICT
• G2C - Government to Citizen
• G2B - Government to Business
• G2G - Government to Government
• G2E - Government to Employee

Hardware: Physical components of a computer that can be seen or touched. Examples: Keyboard, monitor, CPU, printer, hard disk.

Software: Instructions or programs that direct a computer to perform tasks.

Types of Software:

• System Software: Operating system, device drivers
• Application Software: Word processor, browser, spreadsheet
• Utility Software: Antivirus, backup, compression tools

Example: Windows/Linux → System software; MS Word → Application software; Antivirus → Utility software

Input Devices: Data को computer में enter करते हैं। Keyboard, Mouse, Scanner, Microphone, Webcam, Barcode reader, OCR, OMR, MICR, Touchscreen

Output Devices: Processed information प्रस्तुत करते हैं। Monitor, Printer, Speaker, Projector, Plotter

Important Devices:

• OCR: Printed characters को editable digital text में बदलता है
• OMR: Shaded marks/bubbles पढ़ता है
• MICR: Bank cheques पर magnetic-ink characters पढ़ता है
• Barcode reader: Product code scan करता है
• Biometric scanner: Fingerprint/iris जैसी biological identity पढ़ता है

Exam Trap: OMR handwritten essay नहीं पढ़ता। OCR shaded circles identify करने का primary device नहीं है। MICR का प्रमुख उपयोग banking में होता है।

Primary Memory: CPU द्वारा directly accessible memory.

• RAM: Volatile memory, Temporary storage, Power बंद होने पर data lost, Read and write possible
• ROM: Non-volatile memory, Permanent instructions, Power बंद होने पर data retained
• Cache Memory: Very fast memory, CPU और main memory के बीच, Frequently used data/instructions रखती है

Secondary Storage: HDD, SSD, Pen drive, Memory card, CD/DVD, Magnetic tape

Memory Hierarchy: Registers → Cache → RAM → SSD/HDD → Optical/Tape

ऊपर से नीचे जाने पर: Speed decreases, Capacity increases, Cost per unit generally decreases

Traditional binary convention में: 1 KB = 1024 Bytes, 1 MB = 1024 KB, 1 GB = 1024 MB, 1 TB = 1024 GB

Order: Bit → Nibble (4 bits) → Byte (8 bits) → KB → MB → GB → TB → PB

Exam Trap: Lowercase b means bit and uppercase B means byte. Mbps = megabits per second; MBps = megabytes per second.

• PAN - Personal Area Network: एक व्यक्ति के आसपास छोटी range का network। Example: Smartphone और wireless earbuds का Bluetooth connection।
• LAN - Local Area Network: छोटे geographical area में network। Example: Computer laboratory or university department.
• MAN - Metropolitan Area Network: City या metropolitan area तक फैला network।
• WAN - Wide Area Network: Large geographical area covering countries or continents। Example: Internet.

• Internet: A global public network of interconnected networks. Internet = Network of Networks
• Intranet: Internet technologies पर आधारित private organisational network। Example: University का internal faculty portal.
• Extranet: Controlled private network in which selected outsiders are also given authorised access। Example: University portal accessed by authorised vendors or collaborating institutions.

• Internet: Physical and logical network infrastructure connecting devices worldwide.
• World Wide Web: Internet पर उपलब्ध interlinked web pages और resources की service।

Other Internet Services: E-mail, FTP, VoIP, Video conferencing, Web browsing, Cloud services, Instant messaging

Exam Trap: Internet और WWW समान concepts नहीं हैं। WWW, Internet की services में से एक है।

• Website: Related web pages का collection।
• Webpage: Website का single document/page।
• Home Page: Website का main or introductory page।
• Web Browser: Web resources access और display करने वाला software। Examples: Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari.
• Search Engine: Internet पर information search करने वाली service। Examples: Google, Bing.

Exam Trap: Google primarily search engine है; Chrome browser है।

URL: Internet resource का complete address। Example: https://www.example.com/course/page1

Components: https → protocol, www.example.com → domain, /course/page1 → path

Domain Examples:

• .com - Commercial
• .org - Organisation
• .edu - Education
• .gov - Government
• .net - Network
• .in - India country-code domain

• HTTP: Web pages transfer
• HTTPS: Encrypted web communication
• SMTP: Sending e-mail
• POP3: Downloading/retrieving e-mail
• IMAP: Server-based e-mail access and synchronisation
• FTP: File transfer
• SFTP: Secure file transfer
• TCP: Reliable, connection-oriented delivery
• UDP: Faster, connectionless delivery
• DNS: Domain name को IP address में translate करना
• DHCP: Device को automatically IP address assign करना

Exam Trap: UDP का fast होना यह नहीं दर्शाता कि वह TCP से अधिक reliable है।

Electronic mail is a system for sending digital messages through a network.

Major Fields:

• To: Primary recipient.
• CC (Carbon Copy): Additional recipients visible to everyone.
• BCC (Blind Carbon Copy): Additional recipients whose addresses other recipients cannot see.
• Subject: Message का concise purpose.
• Attachment: Message के साथ भेजी गई file.

E-mail Protocols: Sending → SMTP; Receiving/downloading → POP3; Server-based synchronisation → IMAP

POP3 vs IMAP: POP3 mail device पर download करता है (limited synchronisation, offline access useful). IMAP mail server पर manage करता है (multiple devices पर synchronisation, multi-device access useful). Example: यदि user mobile और laptop दोनों पर same inbox status देखना चाहता है, IMAP अधिक suitable है।

Audio Conferencing: Participants केवल audio के माध्यम से communicate करते हैं।

Video Conferencing: Real-time audio and visual communication. Examples: Google Meet, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Webex.

Essential Requirements: Computer/mobile device, Microphone, Speaker/headphones, Camera for video, Internet connection, Conferencing software/platform

Synchronous Communication: Participants same time पर interact करते हैं। Examples: Live Google Meet class, webinar, chat.

Asynchronous Communication: Participants का same time पर present होना आवश्यक नहीं। Examples: Recorded lecture, discussion forum, e-mail.

Advantages in Education: Remote access, Guest lectures, Collaboration, Immediate interaction, Reduced travel cost, Screen sharing and demonstration, Recording and revision

Limitations: Bandwidth problems, Digital divide, Screen fatigue, Reduced non-verbal cues, Privacy concerns, Technology anxiety, Distraction and multitasking

• Bandwidth: A communication channel की theoretical data-carrying capacity.
• Data Transfer Rate: Actual data transferred per unit time.
• Latency: Data को source से destination तक पहुँचने में लगने वाला delay.
• Jitter: Packet delay में variation.

Video-conferencing Example: Low bandwidth → low video quality; High latency → response delay; High jitter → broken or irregular audio; Packet loss → missing audio/video segments

Exam Trap: High bandwidth alone does not guarantee perfect video conferencing; latency, jitter, congestion and device performance भी relevant हैं।

• E-learning: Electronic technologies के माध्यम से learning.
• Online Learning: Internet-based learning.
• Blended Learning: Face-to-face और online learning का planned combination.
• Flipped Classroom: Learners class से पहले instructional content देखते हैं और classroom time discussion, application तथा problem-solving के लिए उपयोग होता है।
• LMS (Learning Management System): Courses, content, assessment, attendance and learner progress को manage करता है। Examples: Moodle, Canvas and institutional LMS.

MOOC = Massive Open Online Course

• Massive: Large number of learners
• Open: Broad accessibility
• Online: Internet-based delivery
• Course: Organised learning experience

Major Characteristics: Learner-centric, Flexible access, Scalability, Multimedia content, Discussion and interaction, Assessment and certification possible, Self-paced or scheduled course possible, Credit and non-credit courses possible

Exam Trap: सभी MOOCs credit-based नहीं होते। MOOCs केवल SWAYAM पर उपलब्ध नहीं होते। Open access का अर्थ automatically high completion rate नहीं है। Course access free हो सकता है, लेकिन certification examination के लिए fee हो सकती है।

• Quadrant I: Video/e-tutorial
• Quadrant II: E-content/readable study material
• Quadrant III: Web resources/further references
• Quadrant IV: Self-assessment

Self-assessment Includes: Quizzes, Assignments, Practice exercises, Tests, Questions and answers

Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds

SWAYAM is India's online learning platform designed to facilitate access to courses across school and higher-education levels. The official platform describes access from Class 9 to postgraduate level, available to learners anywhere and anytime.

Core Principles: Access + Equity + Quality

National Coordinators:

• AICTE - Self-paced and international courses
• NPTEL - Engineering
• UGC - Non-technical postgraduate education
• CEC - Undergraduate education
• NCERT - School education
• NIOS - Out-of-school learners/school education
• IGNOU - Diploma and certificate programmes
• IIM Bangalore - Management studies
• NITTTR - Teacher-training programmes

SWAYAM PRABHA is a group of educational DTH channels that telecast educational programmes on a 24×7 basis and use satellite communication. Official PM e-VIDYA information associates it with GSAT-15.

SWAYAM vs SWAYAM PRABHA:

• SWAYAM: Online learning/MOOC platform, Internet-based, Interactive course components, Assessment possible
• SWAYAM PRABHA: Educational DTH channels, Satellite/television-based, Broadcast-oriented, Primarily content telecast

• SWAYAM: MOOCs and online courses
• SWAYAM PRABHA: Educational DTH channels
• NPTEL: Technology and engineering e-learning
• NDLI: Digital learning-resource repository/library
• e-PG Pathshala: Postgraduate e-content
• e-ShodhSindhu: Access to scholarly electronic resources
• Shodhganga: Repository of Indian theses and dissertations
• Shodhgangotri: Repository of approved research synopses
• VIDWAN: Database of experts and researchers
• DIKSHA: Digital infrastructure for school education
• DigiLocker: Storage and access of personal digital documents
• NAD: Digital academic awards
• Virtual Labs: Remote access to simulated/online laboratory experience
• Spoken Tutorial: Software and ICT skill tutorials
• FOSSEE: Promotion of open-source software in education
• PM e-VIDYA: Unified digital, online and on-air education initiative

High-Frequency Associations: Thesis → Shodhganga | Research Synopsis → Shodhgangotri | Expert Database → VIDWAN | Digital Library → NDLI | MOOCs → SWAYAM | DTH → SWAYAM PRABHA | School Digital Platform → DIKSHA | Academic Awards → NAD

Digital divide means inequality in access to and effective use of digital technology.

डिजिटल विभाजन technology की उपलब्धता, affordability, skills और meaningful use में असमानता है।

Dimensions: Access divide, Affordability divide, Rural-urban divide, Gender divide, Language divide, Disability-related divide, Digital-literacy divide, Quality-of-connectivity divide, Usage and outcome divide

Example: Student के पास smartphone है, लेकिन stable Internet और digital literacy नहीं है। Device access होने के बावजूद meaningful access incomplete है।

Inclusive Measures: Accessible digital content, Captions and transcripts, Screen-reader compatibility, Regional-language content, Low-bandwidth resources, Offline downloads, Community digital centres, Digital-literacy training

Teaching Applications: Multimedia presentations, Smart classrooms, Simulations, Virtual laboratories, Recorded lectures, Flipped classrooms, Adaptive learning

Learning Applications: Self-paced study, Digital libraries, Peer collaboration, Discussion forums, Remote learning, Personalised feedback

Assessment Applications: Computer-based testing, Online quizzes, Automated feedback, E-portfolios, Learning analytics, Question banks

Research Applications: Literature search, Reference management, Online surveys, Data analysis, Plagiarism checking, Collaborative writing, Institutional repositories, Video interviews

Administration: Online admission, Student-information systems, Attendance and examination management, Digital certificates, Financial management, Academic Bank and document services

E-Governance: Use of ICT by government to improve administration, service delivery, transparency, participation and accountability.

Types of E-Governance Interaction:

• G2C (Government to Citizen): Online certificates, tax services
• G2G (Government to Government): Interdepartmental data exchange
• G2B (Government to Business): E-tendering, online licences
• G2E (Government to Employee): Payroll, service portal

Objectives: Faster services, Transparency, Reduced paperwork, Better record management, Citizen participation, Reduced transaction costs, Monitoring and accountability, Wider accessibility

Governance Models: Information Model (online information), Interaction Model (citizen feedback), Transaction Model (online payment/application), Transformation Model (integrated digital restructuring), Participation Model (online consultation)

• Digital India: Digitally empowered society and knowledge economy
• UMANG: Multiple government services through a unified application
• DigiLocker: Digital documents and certificates
• Aadhaar: Digital identity/authentication framework
• GeM: Government e-Marketplace
• e-Office: Digital government-office processes
• MyGov: Citizen engagement and participation
• BharatNet: Broadband connectivity infrastructure
• Common Service Centres: Assisted digital public services
• DBT: Direct Benefit Transfer
• e-Hospital: Digital hospital-related services
• National Scholarship Portal: Scholarship services
• GSTN: Digital GST-related infrastructure

Malware: Malicious software designed to damage, disrupt or gain unauthorised access.

• Virus: Host file/program से जुड़ता है
• Worm: Network पर self-replicate कर सकता है
• Trojan Horse: Legitimate software जैसा दिखाई देता है
• Ransomware: Data encrypt करके ransom माँगता है
• Spyware: Secretly information collect करता है
• Adware: Unwanted advertisements
• Rootkit: Malicious access/process छिपाता है
• Logic bomb: Specific event पर activate होता है

Social Engineering Attacks:

• Phishing: Fraudulent e-mail/message
• Spear phishing: Targeted phishing
• Smishing: SMS-based phishing
• Vishing: Voice-call-based fraud
• Pharming: User को fraudulent website पर redirect करना
• Spoofing: False identity/address दिखाना

Protective Measures: Strong unique passwords, Multi-factor authentication, Updated software, Antivirus and firewall, Encryption, Regular backups, Secure Wi-Fi, Suspicious links से बचना, Role-based access control

Authentication Factors: Something you know (Password/PIN), Something you have (Phone/token/card), Something you are (Fingerprint/iris)

Exam Trap: Password + PIN necessarily two-factor authentication नहीं है, क्योंकि दोनों "something you know" category में हैं।

Cloud computing provides computing resources through the Internet.

Service Models:

• IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service): Virtual servers and storage
• PaaS (Platform as a Service): Application-development platform
• SaaS (Software as a Service): Online e-mail, Google Docs

Deployment Models: Public cloud, Private cloud, Hybrid cloud, Community cloud

Advantages: Scalability, Remote access, Reduced infrastructure burden, Collaboration, Backup and recovery

Risks: Privacy, Vendor dependence, Internet dependence, Data breach, Service availability

Applications: Adaptive learning, Automated assessment, Intelligent tutoring, Chatbots, Learning analytics, Content recommendation, Translation and accessibility

Concerns: Algorithmic bias, Privacy, Hallucinated or inaccurate information, Academic integrity, Lack of transparency, Overdependence, Digital inequality

AI teacher को automatically replace नहीं करता; it can support teaching, assessment and administration.

• Internet and WWW are not synonymous.
• Internet is public; intranet is privately controlled.
• Extranet allows selected external users.
• SMTP sends e-mail; POP3/IMAP retrieve or access it.
• BCC recipients are hidden from other recipients.
• HTTPS adds encryption; it does not guarantee that every website is trustworthy.
• RAM is volatile; ROM is non-volatile.
• Google is a search engine; Chrome is a browser.
• SWAYAM is an online course platform; SWAYAM PRABHA is DTH-based.
• NDLI is a digital library; it is not the thesis-only repository.
• Shodhganga contains theses; Shodhgangotri contains research synopses.
• MOOCs may be credit or non-credit.
• Blended learning is not merely using PowerPoint in a classroom.
• Video conferencing is synchronous; recorded lecture is asynchronous.
• Digital availability does not automatically ensure digital inclusion.
• ICT governance includes alignment, security, accountability and resource use—not only hardware purchase.
• Virus usually requires a host; worm can self-replicate over networks.
• Phishing, smishing and vishing differ by communication medium.

Answer: A and D only (Internet is larger than intranet; Internet is a network of networks)

Answer: C and D only (Intranets are more secure than the Internet; In an intranet, it is possible to control external links)

Answer: A--III, B--IV, C--II, D--I (SWAYAM→MOOCs, SWAYAM PRABHA→DTH, DigiLocker→Personal documents, NAD→Academic awards)

Answer: A, C and D only (MOOCs learner-centric, benefit large numbers, accessible anytime/anywhere; not only through SWAYAM; not all credit-based)

Answer: Both statements are true (DIKSHA, SWAYAM and SWAYAM PRABHA are e-learning platforms; NEP 2020 identified NETF)

Answer: Self-assessment (Fourth quadrant of SWAYAM MOOCs)

A university portal accessible only to employees and registered faculty members → Intranet

Protocol primarily for sending e-mail → SMTP

Match: DNS→III, DHCP→I, HTTP→II, FTP→IV → 1

Initiative associated with Indian theses and dissertations → Shodhganga

Learner watches recorded lectures before class and solves problems in class → Flipped classroom

Video conferencing = synchronous; E-mail = asynchronous → Both correct

Example of G2C interaction → Citizen applying online for a certificate

Voice-call-based cyberattack → Vishing

Two-factor authentication combination → Password + fingerprint

SWAYAM MOOCs - quizzes and assignments → Quadrant IV

Smartphone but poor connectivity and lack of digital skills → Digital divide

Assertion: ICT infrastructure doesn't guarantee effective learning. Reason: Technology must integrate with pedagogy. → Both true, Reason explains Assertion

Cloud model providing ready-to-use software → SaaS

Worm requires host file (false); Trojan may appear legitimate (true) → Statement I false, Statement II true

Most appropriate example of inclusive ICT → Captions, transcripts and screen-reader-compatible content

Final Exam Strategy: Term → Full Form → Function → Example → Similar-term distinction → Application