Information Technology

Introduction

Although we are lucky enough to have our own PC with access to the internet, we don't have a massive budget for games and CD Roms and so on, which has led me to think carefully about the approach we should take to studying this subject.

In addition to the computer & the internet, I would like to include things like using the telephone (encouraging a pleasant telephone manner, for example), using the fax machine, cashpoint machines (ATM?) and so on. We hope to emphasize communication over information.

I have developed the following list of themes based around "Information", "Communication" and "Technology", which I thought we could look at one by one, looking at the historical development of information and communications technologies. It is not an exhaustive list, (let me know if I've missed out something important!) and I know that certain things appear in more than one list (e.g. telephone), so I would welcome any further suggestions!

Themes for ICT

Information: * Libraries * Reference books: Dictionaries * Encyclopedias * Manuals, etc. *
Communication: * Language * Linguistic groups * The Tower of Babel * Speech * Public Speaking * Telephone * Voice * Radio * Body language * Eye contact & facial expression * Sign Language * Communicating in Code * Visual media * Written language: Alphabets/ pictoral * Books * Newspapers * Propoganda * Letters/ Post * Travel * The Internet & e-mail *
* Culture and (n)-ettiquette *
Technology: * Printing Press * Carving on tablets * Paper & ink * Quills-> biros * Grammaphone * Audio Tape * CDs * Wireless radio * photography & film * Television * Video * Satellite * Telephone * Computers * Printers * Fax * Telex * Modem * etc.

Recommended Textbooks, Literature & Manuals

"Communication and Interpersonal Relationships" by Dave Marks
"How to Win Friends and Influence People"
Usborne Computer Guides: "Windows 95 for beginners", "Projects for Windows", "101 Things to do with your Computer", "The Internet for beginners", "Build your own Website"
"Home Sweet Homepage" by Robin Williams