Download Information Technology

Information Technology
Basics
Georgia CTAE Resource Network Curriculum
Office,
June 2009
To accompany curriculum for the Georgia Peach
State Career Pathways
June 2009, Kayla Calhoun & Dr. Frank Flanders
Objectives
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Define modern information technology.
Explain the six functions of data
management.
Compare types of networks.
List information technology
applications.
Relate information technology skills to
careers.
Modern Definition of Information
Technology (IT)
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Use of computer hardware and software
to manage information
Six Functions of Data
Management
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Convert
Store
Protect
Process
Transmit
Retrieve
Data Conversion
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In order to perform any other operations,
a computer must convert information into
bit (binary digit) format
• 0’s and 1’s
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In everyday use, this
is simply putting data
into an electronic format
that is stored and
retrievable.
Data Storage
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After data is converted into
bits, it can be stored in
bytes (a string of 8 bits)
Primary storage, or
memory, is located in the
hard drive and can be
directly accessed by the
central processing unit
(CPU)
Secondary storage: located
outside the computer; ex:
disks, CDs, USB sticks,
external hard drives
• Good for security purposes
Data Protection
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Prevention of data corruption
Limits access to data
• Disk encryption
• Backup – internal or external copies of
data files in case of accidental data loss
• Data masking – hiding specific private
data within a database
• Data erasure – destroys all electronic
data on a hard drive to maintain privacy
if it is discarded or reused
Data Processing
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Conversion of data into usable
information
CPU
• Fetches instructions for a program from
memory
• Decodes and reads instructions
• Portions of the CPU connect and execute
instructions
• Writes back the results to memory
Data Transmission
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Physical transfer of data over a
medium, such as copper wire, optical
fiber, or wireless
Networks: enable two or more
computers to share files, printers,
and communicate with each other
Networks
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Local Area Network (LAN): contained
within one building or site
Wide Area Network (WAN): connects
more than one site
• Ex: Internet
Networks, continued
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Client-server: client computers are
all connected by a central server;
can be LAN or WAN
Peer-to-Peer: computers are
connected to each other, but files are
not stored in a central location; can
only be LAN
Networks, continued
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Server: large &
powerful digital
storage point that
performs a service for
other computers in a
network; file, print,
web, mail
Easier to maintain
security and perform
backups when files are
centrally stored
Internet
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Connects millions of computers
across the globe
Used for obtaining and providing
information
• IP Address: each computer has one;
enables data to be sent to and received
from a specific computer
• HTML
• E-mail
Data Retrieval
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“science of searching”
User enters a query
(ex: search string on
web search engine or
computer hard drive)
Computer information
retrieval system
scores objects in
database by relevancy
and displays those
most relevant to the
query
Common IT Applications
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Word processors: used to create and
edit documents
Spreadsheets: used to analyze
figures and present information with
graphs/charts
Databases: stores information about
a set of similar items
Common IT Applications
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Publishing: more control over
formatting and arranging than word
processing
PowerPoint: used in business
presentations and the classroom to
present factual information or for
persuasive purposes
Careers in Information Technology
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While most workers use information
stored electronically daily, IT specialists
are needed to manage those information
systems.
Some jobs in IT:
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Network Engineer
Network Administrator
System Administrator
Database Administrator
IT Project Manager
Chief Information Officer (CIO)
The Top Skills of IT Professionals are:
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Computer Networking
Information Security
Database Management
Information Storage
and Retrieval
Computer Programming
Summary
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Information technology is the use of
computer hardware and software to
manage information.
IT professionals use computer
systems to convert, store, protect,
process, transmit, and retrieve data.
Computers are connected to each
other by networks.
Summary, continued
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Networks sometimes have one or more
servers, which store files in a central
location.
Some common IT software applications
are word processors, spreadsheets,
databases, publishing, and PowerPoint
The information age has created the new
career field of information technology.
IT specialists must be prepared to learn
and adapt to constantly changing
technologies.