ICT AS A TRANSFORMATION TOOL 2

1. Fax Machine: The fax machine is used to transmit printed material over the telephone system. The sending fax machine scans the page and converts the information into sound. The receiving fax machine converts the sound back into an image of the page for printing.
2. Television: The television is an apparatus or device with a screen for receiving pictures and sound transmitted by cable, radio transmission or satellite. Information can be in form of news broadcast, advertisement and public announcement.
3. Internet:  The internet is the combination of all linked computer networks worldwide, literally the international Network. It is the world’s largest computer network that is scattered all over the world. It is commonly referred to as the network of networks.

BENEFITS OF ICT

1. Timely, better and cheaper access to knowledge and information.
2. Speeds up transactions and processes because the computer and communication channels are very fast
3. Causes human beings to interact with one another in new ways e.g. use of e-mail instead of posting letter.
4. Distance becomes irrelevant in business transactions  and dealings e.g. buying and selling via internet.
5. Innovative ways of interaction e.g. use of videoconferencing to have a meeting instead of members traveling to a particular location for the meeting.
6. Unique reliable information gathering and dissemination.
7. Eliminates unnecessary redundancy via resource sharing.
8. Minimizes cost by improving efficiency rate which now leads to higher profit.

DISADVANTAGES OF ICT.

1. Job losses because some workers become redundant due to the introduction of computers.
2. Threatens other areas/fields of human Endeavour.
3. Electronic fraud via computer abuse.
4. Leads to cultural dominance i.e. the advanced countries dominating over the less developed ones.