Applications of Information and Communication Technology

e-Government

e-Government is the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to improve the activities of public sector organizations.

• Government to Citizen (G2C)
• Government to Government (G2G)
• Government to Business (G2B)
• Government to Employees (G2E)

An example for e-Government service in Sri Lanka : http://www.gov.lk

e-Education

The way of using ICT in the field of education:

In the classroom:

Examples for e-Education service in Sri Lanka :

• http:// www.schoolnet.lk
• http:// www.nenasala.lk
• http:// www.e-thaksalawa.moe.gov.lk

Learning Management System (LMS)

A software application for the administration, documentation, tracking, reporting and delivery of educational courses or training programs.

Online Distance Learning

This system helps a person from any country can connect with a university or any other learning center of his /her choice and pursue higher education at a considerably low cost.

e-Health

We can categorize this topic as

• Use of ICT in diagnosis
• Telemedicine

Use of ICT in diagnosis

Diagnosis machine	Function
CAT Computer Aided Tomography Machine	3D images of different parts of the body (helpful in the diagnosis of diseases)
MRI Magnetic Resonance Imaging Machine	Create digitalized images of internal organs of the body (Uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves)
ECG Electro Cardiogram Machine	Records electrical impulses (Uses to monitor heart beat)
EEG Electro –encephalography Machine	Records the activities of the brain
BST Blood Sugar Testing Machine	Analyzes the sample of blood and determine the blood glucose level
BPM Blood Pressure Measuring Machine	Measures blood pressure (Can be used when a person is involved in some physical activity)

CAT machine

MRI machine

ECG machine

EEG machine

BST  machine

BPM machine

Telemedicine

The use of ICT to examine and provide healthcare to a patient who is far away from the hospital is known as ‘Telemedicine’. This has several advantages. Some of them are,

• Emergency telemedicine
• Home health medicine
• Telemedicine consultation
• Telesurgery
• Medical teletraining

e-Agriculture

ICT for farming

• Meteorological devices
• Automated Insect Control
• Field condition measuring devices
• Drip Irrigation
• Automated weed remover
• Seedlings planter using robotics
• Crop harvesting using robots
• Green house

ICT for farm house management

• Radio frequency Identification device
• Automated milking and examination of cows
• CCTV for security purpose

ICT for fishing industry

• Sensors placed in different parts of the sea

e- Industry and Business

Video conferencing
Human Resource Management
e-Banking system
Online shopping

• One can select any global commercial organization
• Open 24 hours
• Ability to see things and order at one’s convenient place
• Ability to pay using the electronic payment method
• Home delivery of goods and services

e- Entertainment

• Listen to music to overcome a monotonous life
• Watch missed TV programmes or movies of own choice through the internet
• Exchange information between friends and relatives who live abroad or whom we have lost touch through social media
• Watch high definition video using technology
• Surf the internet
• Read e-books on internet
• Take photographs of interesting places and store them in the computer

Robotic Technology in production

e.g:

• Computer manufacturing
• Manufacture of packaging material
• Packaging
• Car production
• Labeling
• Filling bottles

Uses of Robots:

• 24 hour service
• Never get tired
• Efficiency
• Accuracy
• Hygiene

Demerits of ICT

• Addiction
• Building unsuitable friendships through social media
• Improper usage of computer may cause harm to software or hardware or both and malfunction may occur
• Mental disorders may affect a person causing harm to himself/herself and to the society by visiting inappropriate websites
• Publishing distorted photographs and videos of individuals affecting their personal lives
• Obesity due to less exercise
• Isolation
• Violating copyrights