In present days, most sectors like production, manufacturing, etc. have been influenced by the computing power. If we listen radio, view television or participate in discussions, we hear the words Information Technology (IT), Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and Information and Learning Technology (ILT) most frequently. These words have become like foundation-words for knowledge-based society. Unfortunately, many of us don't know the differences between IT, ICT and ILT; especially between IT and ICT. In this article, I try my best to make some distinction among these words. Second, third and fourth paragraph describe IT, ICT and ILT respectively.
We are using desktop computers for different purposes. For example, teachers use computer to make power point slides to teach, accountant use some accounting packages. We are familiar with the office packages for creating documents e.g. Word file, Excel etc. In another words, in IT we take stand-alone computer or laptop as a tool to perform our tasks. Therefore, hardware in IT refer to the basic box and peripherals such as scanners, printers, CD ROM, DVD drive, Pen Drive, and so on; software includes some packages like word processors , spreadsheets, databases, graphics and presentation package. So, one can say an expert in IT if s/he is an expert in those items.
Now we say that we are in global village. Anyone can contact with any person from any area of the world easily. This is possible because of the interconnection between individual computers, mobiles, routers, laptops etc. technically, the hosts. This networking provides the sharing of information by means of website, e-mail, and instant messenger, and many other services. This is because of ICT. So, ICT is defined as the interconnection of stand-alone computers across and between institutions, and is a general set of tools and skills that can be applied to a wide range of organizations. Therefore, hardware include in ICT are: server machines, interfaces, access networks, interconnecting medium (technically channels) including wireless/wired etc. and software includes network services, protocols, server programs, client programs etc. Examples of ICT software are: web-browser like Internet Explorer, Mozilla, Apache web server, Windows Net meeting etc.
ILT is nothing but the application of IT and ICT to education. For example, companies give trainings to their employees using IT/ICT to make more efficient and effective man power. So, ILT includes both learners and the teachers. Thus, in ILT we talk about psychological effects of students, their online learning behavior, communication methods etc. and the pedagogical methods, way of presenting the materials etc. Now, the internet is popular tool for ILT.
In conclusion, IT, ICT and ILT are distinct but are related. Most of the developed countries are now heavily depend on IT, ICT and ILT; however; there is a big challenge for developing countries since people cannot afford the hardware and software. Also, there are not sufficient pre-requisites for example electricity, education which are crucial elements for e-society.
