WELCOME TO INTERNET FOR INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT)
Would you like to learn how to use the Internet for research and study in ICT?
Use this free, interactive tutorial to improve your Internet skills: the best of the Web for ICT how to search the Internet effectively. which websites are worth using. stories to inspire you.
This is one of a national series of tutorials written by qualified tutors, lecturers and librarians from across the UK.
It is part of the Intute: Virtual Training Suite, funded by JISC
USING THE TUTORIAL
Before we start you need to know about your Links Basket
You can use this tutorial to build your own list of useful websites to explore later. Whenever we mention a website that interests you, simply drop it into your Links Basket!
To do this, click on the Links Basket icon next to the website title that interests you.
This icon means that the link is already in your basket - click on the icon again to remove it.
You can "unpack" your basket at anytime - simply select the Links Basket icon in the top right of the page.
On the Links Basket page you can choose to:
View, print or email yourself your selected Web links
See a list of all the links in the tutorial
Add a "comments box" to make notes about the links you've saved
Turn the Links Basket off to see live links in the tutorial
OK, let's get started!
USING THE TUTORIAL
Before we start you need to know about your Links Basket
You can use this tutorial to build your own list of useful websites to explore later. Whenever we mention a website that interests you, simply drop it into your Links Basket!
To do this, click on the Links Basket icon next to the website title that interests you.
This icon means that the link is already in your basket - click on the icon again to remove it.
You can "unpack" your basket at anytime - simply select the Links Basket icon in the top right of the page.
On the Links Basket page you can choose to:
View, print or email yourself your selected Web links
See a list of all the links in the tutorial
Add a "comments box" to make notes about the links you've saved
Turn the Links Basket off to see live links in the tutorial
What can the Internet offer for ICT?
In this TOUR section of the tutorial we will:
Look at the range of resources available for learners in ICT
Guide you to some key websites for ICT
Help you start collecting your own list of useful websites to explore later
SOURCES
The Internet is a vast source of information
It connects millions of computers around the world - computers belonging to all sorts of people and organisations. All these computers hold information, some of which is free for everyone to access and use.
Perhaps some of it could help you?
Information comes from a wide variety of sources such as: Organisations Informal Organisations Publications The Media Individuals
Libraries Special interest groups Books TV Teachers
Colleges Chat rooms Newspapers Radio Librarians
Schools Blogs Magazines Videos Experts
Universities Email lists Reports DVDs Colleagues
Governments Pictures MP3s Friends
Companies Family
Online retailers
Museums
Let's see some examples ...
ICT PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATIONS
The professional organisations in ICT have their own websites.
Professional organisations aim to promote all aspects of ICT and Computing. Their websites are often an invaluable source of news, information and jobs- membership brings extra benefits such as access to online libraries and computer based training courses.
The main societies are:
The British Computer Society This is the UK professional body representing people working in ICT. Their website offers lots of useful information about membership (there is a student membership available), laws and regulations governing ICT, books, publications and qualifications.
The Institution of Engineering and Technology provides lots of useful information for those who are interested in the technical side of computing or electronics.
The Association for Computing Machinery is the American equivalent of the BCS. Their website contains similar information to that of the BCS, but from a US perspective.
COMPANIES
As you know, there are an enormous number of companies in ICT and most have their own website.
Some of the most relevant for learners in ICT include:
Microsoft is the leading supplier of personal operating systems and software in the world. If you look through their website you will find lots of useful resources, from Office templates and clip art to the Microsoft Knowledge Base, which can help you sort out your software problems.
Apple is an alternative supplier of personal computer hardware and software, and manufacturers of the famous iPod and the new iPhone. Their website contains information about Apple products, the Apple operating system and a comprehensive technical support section.
Intel probably manufactures the central processing unit (CPU) inside your PC. Their website provides everything from technical support on Intel products to news on research that the company is doing at the moment.
Dell is a large and well known on-line retailer of computer equipment. This is a useful site if you need to specify a computer system for an end user as the site's online ordering system allows you to individually tailor each aspect of a PC.
ELECTRONIC BOOKS AND SUBJECT SITES
If you're lucky, you will find a whole website or electronic book devoted to your particular subject.
Computer Concepts is the companion website to a really good ICT textbook. The full content of the book isn't here (the publishers want you to buy it!), but there is a lot of background information and pages of links to other sites that might help you with your studies.
Computer Confluence is another good ICT textbook with a companion website. Again, you won't find the full text of the book here, but the site has lots of exercises and resources, as well as links to relevant news stories.
Mainfunction is a Microsoft sponsored website with a wealth of real world information, case studies and interviews to help with your studies in IT.
Computing Wikibook This resource demonstrates a growing trend for collaborative online 'books' created using Wikis (in a similar way to Wikipedia). This particular one is for A-level Computing and although incomplete in parts, is a good resource for learners.
What's in the box? is an easy to follow website with a wealth of information on building and upgrading PCs.
NEWSPAPERS AND THE MEDIA
Over the past few years, many newspapers and media organisations have developed comprehensive websites which can be a useful source of information for ICT students.
Computing is the main UK trade computing newspaper. It contains up to date news and information on what is happening in real-world ICT.
Guardian Technology contains many articles on ICT and Technology issues from the Guardian newspaper. It covers everything from gaming to new product and software releases.
BBC Click is the website of the popular BBC TV programme 'Click' (screened on BBC News 24). The website contains a number of relevant articles on current developments in ICT, a Forum and a link to watch the current week's show online. This is one of the best online resources to help you keep up with "what's hot and what's not".
