LECTURE 01

Introduction to
ICT for Social
Sciences

LEE KUOK TIUNG

lee@ums.edu.my
Introductions
 Information Communication Technology (ICT) has
recently become an important national agenda.
Whether in developing or third world countries, ICT
now is the socio-technology agenda. *
 It is defined with various meaning and concepts
and people usually relate ICT with computer and
Internet.
 Apparently, ICT contains hardware used to send
and receive information such as
telecommunications, microelectronic, audio, video,
printed and computer (Richard, 2001; Rahmah,
2002; Shaikh Mohd Saifuddeen, 2002; & Noor
Ismawati, 2002)
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 ICT refers to two components which are
communication technology and information
technology.
 Communication technology refers to tools,
organizational structure and social values being
experienced by individual while collecting,
processing and exchanging information with other
individual (Rogers, 1986)
 While information refer to the content of a source
which can be used by someone as the base for
decision making.
 Continues ….
 Therefore, ICT is being viewed as the combination
of various choice of media such as redio, personal
computer, compact disc, and Internet which can
assist new view among new users (Hans d’Orville,
dlm. Narimah, 2002a).
 According to Ramachandran (2001), ICT includes
information products and services and
communication with characteristics: based on
microelectronic technology; connected online such
as radios and conventional television and email;
electronic content such as web pages with audio-
visual animation; concentrated technology such as
web television and video conferencing.
 Continues ….
 Malaysia has undergone radical social, economic
and political development over the last four
decades.
 The ICT industry offers the ability to improve
access to a wide range of sectors including
education, government, commercial and health
services via the Internet and broadcast media.
 Commitment given by the Government to the MSC
Status Companies can be seen through the 10
point Bill of Guarantees.
 Current Malaysian initiatives for IT development,
like manufacturing industrial projects, are
encouraged through private investments; in
particular foreign multinationals.
 Why ICT?
 Better services - more convenient and reliable,
with lower compliance costs, higher quality and
value;
 Cost effectiveness and efficiency - cheaper,
better information and services for customers,
and better value for taxpayers;
 Improved reputation - building an image of
MALAYSIA as a modern nation, an attractive
location for people and business;
 Greater participation by people in
government - making it easier for those who
wish to contribute; and
 Leadership - supporting the knowledge society
through public sector innovation
 ICT Agenda in Malaysia
 ICT is significant as the main capitalist for
economy, social and political development.
 Even though Malaysia’s ICT agenda has
been generated by the initiation of the
Multimedia Super Corridor, the effort to
educate and instill ICT values have
emerged through various approaches.
 Among them are e-community, e-learning
project, e-government application and smart
school.
 Continues ….
 Apparent fast pace of changes and development
has caused the public at time being left behind in
current information and practice of ICT.
 Study by Luke (2002) and Noor Ismawati (2003)
stated that from the perspective of interest and
understanding, the male have higher interest in
ICT compared to their female counterparts
 Rahil (2000) indicated that academic background
play a significant contribution towards level of ICT
knowledge.
 On students, different attitude toward ICT is based
on the program which they enrolled in.
 Issues Related to ICT
1. ICT definition
2. ICT gap
3. The positive usage of ICT
4. ICT literacy through teaching and learning
Summary
 Inorder to ensure ICT as the force of nation
economic growth, it is vital to prepare the
ICT-based generation.
 One of the measures in forecasting the
success of this agenda is through the
degree of literacy of the public especially the
youngsters.
 The planned infrastructure will not bring any
meaning if ICT practices are less
emphasized.