Communication Media:
Newsletters:
Characteristics: Regular publications distributed to a specific audience. Often include news, updates, and announcements.
Uses: Used by businesses, schools, or organizations to communicate with employees, customers, or members.
Advantages: Cost-effective, can be distributed to a large audience.
Disadvantages: Requires manual distribution, can be ignored if not engaging.
Posters:
Characteristics: Large printed materials with text and images.
Uses: Advertisements, event promotions, public awareness campaigns.
Advantages: Visually striking, easy to understand.
Disadvantages: Limited interaction, can be ignored or overlooked.
Websites:
Characteristics: A collection of interconnected web pages available via the internet.
Uses: Sharing information, online shopping, entertainment, customer support.
Advantages: Accessible globally, interactive, up-to-date.
Disadvantages: Requires internet access, can be complex to manage and maintain.
Multimedia Presentations:
Characteristics: Presentations that combine text, images, video, and audio.
Uses: Education, business meetings, marketing.
Advantages: Engaging, interactive, can effectively convey complex information.
Disadvantages: Can require high bandwidth, difficult to create for beginners.
Audio:
Characteristics: Sound recordings, including podcasts, voice messages, and music.
Uses: Communication, entertainment, learning.
Advantages: Can be consumed passively, suitable for people on the go.
Disadvantages: No visual element, hard to convey complex information.
Video:
Characteristics: Moving images with sound.
Uses: Communication, entertainment, education.
Advantages: Highly engaging, conveys both visual and auditory information.
Disadvantages: Requires more bandwidth, can be resource-intensive.
Media Streaming:
Characteristics: Real-time delivery of audio and video content over the internet.
Uses: Online entertainment (e.g., Netflix, Spotify), live broadcasts, remote education.
Advantages: Access to a vast array of content, no need to download.
Disadvantages: Requires a strong and stable internet connection.
ePublications:
Characteristics: Digital versions of traditional print media (e.g., eBooks, online magazines).
Uses: Reading on digital devices, distribution of content.
Advantages: Portable, easily accessible, and eco-friendly.
Disadvantages: Requires electronic devices, potential eye strain from prolonged use.
Mobile Communication:
SMS Messaging:
Uses: Sending short text messages between mobile phones.
Advantages: Quick, simple, and widely accessible.
Disadvantages: Limited message length, lacks multimedia.
Phone Calls:
Uses: Direct voice communication between two parties.
Advantages: Instantaneous, personal communication.
Disadvantages: Relies on a good signal, can be intrusive.
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP):
Uses: Making phone calls over the internet (e.g., Skype, WhatsApp).
Advantages: Cost-effective, especially for international calls.
Disadvantages: Requires internet access, quality can vary.
Video Calls:
Uses: Video and audio communication in real-time (e.g., Zoom, FaceTime).
Advantages: Personal interaction, visual engagement.
Disadvantages: Requires a good internet connection, may not be as personal as face-to-face communication.
Accessing the Internet:
Uses: Browsing websites, social media, streaming content, and accessing information.
Advantages: Wide access to information and services.
Disadvantages: Relies on a stable internet connection, can lead to distractions.
Computer Modelling:
Examples:
Personal Finance: Modelling financial scenarios (e.g., budgeting, investment growth).
Bridge and Building Design: Engineers use models to simulate the structure’s durability.
Flood Water Management: Predicting water flow and designing infrastructure to manage floods.
Traffic Management: Modeling traffic flow and optimizing signal timings to prevent congestion.
Weather Forecasting: Simulating weather patterns to predict conditions.
Advantages of Computer Modelling:
More accurate and efficient than manual calculations.
Helps simulate scenarios that are difficult to test in the real world.
Disadvantages:
Models are only as good as the data and assumptions they are based on.
Can be complex and require significant computational power.
Computer-Controlled Systems:
Examples:
Robotics in Manufacture: Robots used in factories for tasks like assembly and packaging.
Production Line Control: Automated systems managing the flow of products in manufacturing.
Autonomous Vehicles: Self-driving cars that rely on computer systems for navigation.
Advantages of Using Computer-Controlled Systems:
Increased efficiency, speed, and precision in tasks.
Reduced human error and labor costs.
Can operate 24/7 without fatigue.
Disadvantages:
High initial setup cost.
Dependence on technology, which could fail or be hacked.
Can lead to job displacement in industries relying on human labor.
Uses:
Managing learner registrations and attendance.
Recording learner performance, including computer-aided learning (CAL).
Advantages:
Streamlines administrative tasks.
Allows easy tracking of students’ progress and attendance.
Disadvantages:
Can be costly to implement.
Requires regular updates and training for staff.
Online Booking Systems:
Characteristics: Allows users to book tickets or services online.
Uses: Travel industry, concerts, cinemas, sporting events.
Advantages:
Convenient and time-saving for customers.
Reduces human error and the need for manual booking.
Disadvantages:
Requires internet access.
May not be accessible to all users (e.g., older generations).
Automatic Teller Machines (ATM):
Uses: Withdrawing cash, depositing cheques, checking balances.
Advantages:
24/7 access to banking services.
Convenient and fast.
Disadvantages:
Security risks, including fraud or theft.
Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), Credit/Debit Card Transactions:
Uses: Making payments, transferring money, checking balances, etc.
Advantages:
Fast and secure transactions.
Allows online purchases and money transfers.
Disadvantages:
Risk of online fraud or hacking.
Information Systems in Medicine:
Uses:
Managing patient records and pharmacy data.
Printing prosthetics or customizing medicines using 3D printers.
Advantages:
Improves the accuracy and accessibility of medical data.
Saves time in medical procedures and diagnoses.
Disadvantages:
High cost of equipment.
Requires regular maintenance and updates.
Expert Systems:
Uses:
Car Engine Fault Diagnosis: Helps mechanics identify issues with car engines.
Medical Diagnosis: Used by doctors for diagnosis assistance.
Chess Games: Programs that simulate expert-level chess play.
Components:
Inference Engine: Processes the rules and knowledge base to draw conclusions.
Knowledge Base: A collection of information or rules the system uses.
User Interface: Allows users to interact with the system.
Point of Sale (POS) Terminals and EFTPOS:
Uses: Used for processing transactions at retail stores.
Advantages:
Quick and accurate transaction processing.
Integration with stock management systems.
Disadvantages:
Expensive to install.
Security concerns around card payments.
Internet Shopping:
Characteristics: Purchasing goods/services through websites.
Advantages:
Convenient, can shop from anywhere.
Variety of choices and price comparison.
Disadvantages:
Security risks (fraud, identity theft).
Cannot physically examine the product before purchase.
Recognition Systems:
Types: Optical Mark Recognition (OMR), Optical Character Recognition (OCR), RFID, NFC, Biometrics.
Uses:
RFID: Tracking stock, passports, and contactless payments.
Biometric Recognition: Security and access control using fingerprints or face scans.
Advantages:
Fast and accurate identification.
Increases security and convenience.
Disadvantages:
Privacy concerns.
Can be expensive to implement.
Satellite Systems:
Uses:
GPS: Provides location data for navigation.
Satellite Navigation: Used in cars for route planning.
GIS: Geographic Information Systems for mapping and land use planning.
Advantages:
Global coverage.
Real-time communication and data access.
Disadvantages:
Requires a clear line of sight to the sky.
Can be affected by weather conditions.