Common ICT Gadgets and their Uses

ICT gadgets are small technological devices or appliances performing certain functions. Examples include Telephones, telexes, radios, televisions, fax machines, satellites, the internet, computer systems, cellular networks, etc.

Most of these gadgets are used for storing and broadcasting information and for personal use.

Common ICT Gadgets and their uses

(i) Mobile Phone:

Mobile phone or Cell phone generally referred to as GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) is used in making phone calls and sending instant messages. The use of a mobile phone is no longer limited to speaking alone. Features of a mobile phone include a digital camera, audio recorder, video recorder, gaming platform, email client, web client, computer complement replacing PDAs, music player, etc

Creating and Sending Messages with a Mobile phone (GSM)

Below are the steps required to create and send a message using a mobile phone

i. Select the message menu

ii. Select the create message submenu

iii. Type the message

iv. Enter the recipient’s number

v. Press ok/Send/Yes key

Retrieving Messages with a Mobile phone (GSM) 

These are the steps required to retrieve a message with a cell phone

i. Select the message menu

ii. Select the inbox submenu.

iii. Scroll to the message you want from the list of displayed messages.

iv. Press OK/YES to read the message.

(ii) Computer:

A computer is a programmable machine that inputs, processes, and outputs data. A computer system refers to the computer and all its equipment. Computer applications include word processing, internet, digital video, and desktop publishing.

(iii) Fax Machines: (facsimile – which means make similar)

This is a device that sends or receives texts and graphics messages over a phone line; it might be within the country or outside a country with the use of a series of numbers called Fax numbers. It is a combination of a telephone and a photocopier.

Sending a Fax using the Fax machine:

Follow these steps to send a fax with your fax machine:

i. Place the document you want to fax into the document feeder. If you have multiple documents, put them in the order that you want them to be sent

ii. Dial the fax number of the receiving fax machine

iii. Press Send or Go (depending on your fax machine model) 

iv. Wait for the fax to finish scanning and sending your document. After sending the fax, you should receive a confirmation

v. Remove your documents

(iv) Automated Teller Machine (ATM):

Automated Teller Machine is a computerized telecommunication device that provides the clients of a financial institution with access to financial transactions in a public space without the need for a cashier or bank teller. It is used for cash deposits, withdrawals, and bill payments.

(vi) Dispensing Machines:

This dispenses merchandise after a customer deposits money. It has a currency detector which determines if the money inserted is sufficient to purchase the desired item. It is used for newspaper dispensing machines, candy dispensing machines, special dispensing machines for tissue paper, sanitary pads for ladies, etc.

(vii) Radio Sets:

The radio is an electronic gadget used to process, transmit and receive sound signals. Sound signals transmitted are usually the news, music, and weather forecasting, from single broadcast stations to multitudes of individual listeners equipped with radio receivers. 

(viii) Telephone:

The telephony system is the communication system that provides private two-way voice and data communication between locations separated by a few yards to 1000 miles. A telephone converts sound, typically and most efficiently the human voice, into electronic signals suitable for transmission via cables or other transmission media over long distances, and replays such signals simultaneously in audible form to its user.

(ix) Internet

The internet is a global computer network providing a variety of information and communication facilities, consisting of interconnected networks using standardized communication protocols.

(x) Satellite Communications:

Satellite communication is the use of satellite technology in the field of communications. The services provided by satellite communications are voice and video calling, internet, fax, television, and radio channels.

(xi) MP3:

It is commonly used to play multimedia files. It is a device that stores and plays songs in a computer format (called MP3) for creating sound files that are much smaller than standard sound files.