2. MODULE 2 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE 8-12

3. LEARING OBJECTIVES  Justify the use of IT tools to solve real- life problems  Use the most appropriate format to display or present information;  Use appropriate information sources to retrieve and disseminate information for a particular task;

4. LEARNING OBJECTIVE  Justify the acceptance or rejection of a piece of information;  Use information technology tools to access and communicate with remote information sources;

5. WHAT IS AN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TOOL?

6.  An information technology tool is any system or device which utilises both hardware and software in order to complete any given task.

7. Justify the use of IT tools to solve real-life problems  What is it that one should consider when thinking about using an information technology tool?

8. Justify the use of IT tools to solve real-life problems  Criteria for selection include: The nature of the solution Type of analysis required (calculations, formatting graphics) Type of data Type of storage Type of access method Type of processing Type of reports (detailed, summary, preformatted, ad hoc)

9. Use the most appropriate format to display or present information  What is it that one should think about before he or she decides on the format of a presentation?

10. Use the most appropriate format to display or present information  Format including: Text Graphics Sound Video Graphs Charts tables

11. Use appropriate information sources to retrieve and disseminate information for a particular task  Why is the act of sourcing information important?  Define the term credible source  Where can one find credible information?

12. Use appropriate information sources to retrieve and disseminate information for a particular task  Criteria for selection: Appropriateness for task Types of information sources ○ Books ○ Journals ○ Catalogs ○ Magazines ○ Newspapers

13. Use appropriate information sources to retrieve and disseminate information for a particular task  Criteria for selection Types of information sources ○ Online libraries ○ CD-ROMs ○ DVD ○ Electronic databases ○ Websites ○ People

14. Justify the acceptance or rejection of a piece of information  Why would one reject a piece of information?

15. Justify the acceptance or rejection of a piece of information  Based on critical evaluation of information sources; criteria including: authority publishing body bias or objectivity currency reference to other sources relevance and coverage (breadth and depth).

16. Use information technology tools to access and communicate with remote information sources  What are some information technology tools that one can use to access and communicate with remote sources?

17. Use information technology tools to access and communicate with remote information sources  Tools including: communication software browsers e-mail systems fax telephone pager

18. Use information technology tools to access and communicate with remote information sources  Tools including: Computer Word processor Spreadsheet Presentation software Desktop publishing software Internet: interactive on-line services; telnet, ftp, newsgroups, message board, mailing list, Internet telephony.