Grade 10 ICT Study Notes

ICT and Society

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is made up of various technologies that people use to communicate. ICT has changed how people connect and share information every day.

What this strand covers

• 1.1 Introduction to ICT — key terms, ICT infrastructure, and technologies used in communication
• 1.2 Application Areas of ICT — where ICT is used in society and its benefits
• 1.3 Operating Systems and Utilities — managing files and maintaining a device
• 1.4 Digital Citizenship — using ICT safely and responsibly

This lesson

You will learn five key terms: information, process, communication, IT and ICT. Knowing these precisely is the starting point for everything in this strand.

Technology

Technology is the use of scientific knowledge and tools to solve problems or carry out tasks.

Technology includes any device or system made to make work easier — from a simple pen to a computer.

Worked example

Information

Information is organised data that has been processed into something meaningful.

Raw data on its own means nothing. Once it is sorted and given context, it becomes information you can use.

Worked example

Process

Process is a systematic set of steps used to convert data into meaningful information.

It is the in-between step — what happens to raw data to make it useful.

Worked example — step by step

1. A teacher collects test scores from 40 students. (This is raw data.)
2. She enters the scores into a computer program.
3. The program adds all scores and divides by 40 to find the average.
4. The result — a class average of 54% — appears on screen. (This is information.)

Steps 2 and 3 are the process.

Communication

Communication is the exchange of information, ideas, thoughts and feelings between people, organisations or societies.

It is two-way: something is sent, and something is received.

Examples

• A teacher emails a class timetable to parents → communication
• A student posts a question in a class group chat → communication
• A hospital sends test results to a doctor over a network → communication

All ICT tools — phones, email, social media, video calls — exist to make communication easier and faster.

Information Technology (IT)

Information Technology (IT) is the use of computers, software and other electronic devices to store, process and share information.

The three things IT does

Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

ICT is the integration of digital technologies and telecommunication tools to capture, process, store, transmit and exchange information.

Simple rule: ICT = IT + Communication

IT vs ICT — side by side

Worked example — classify each activity

Key Points — ICT Terms

Knowing these terms precisely matters in everyday life — when writing a report, describing a system, applying for a job, or following technical instructions.

Components of ICT Infrastructure

ICT infrastructure is the complete set of components an organisation needs for its ICT to function. It is grouped into six categories.

Hardware

Hardware is the physical parts of an ICT system — the devices you can see and touch.

Examples

• Computer — a machine with a screen (monitor), a processing box (tower), a keyboard for typing, and a mouse for selecting. A laptop is a portable version that folds shut.
• Printer — produces paper copies of documents.
• Projector — displays a computer's screen as a large image on a wall, used in classrooms and meeting rooms.
• Networking devices — physical devices such as routers and switches that connect computers together.

Network Infrastructure

Network infrastructure connects devices within an organisation and to the internet.

Devices and their roles

Storage

Storage refers to the devices and services used to save and retrieve data.

Types of storage

Software

Software is the set of programs and instructions that tell hardware what to do. You cannot see or touch software — it exists as code running on a device.

Without software, hardware is useless. A brand-new computer with no programs cannot open a file, display a page, or send a message.

What software makes possible

• Writing and editing documents (e.g. Microsoft Word)
• Sending and receiving email (e.g. Gmail)
• Browsing the internet (e.g. Google Chrome)
• Protecting against viruses (e.g. antivirus programs)

Security Systems

Security systems protect computer systems and networks from unauthorised access and data loss.

Four security measures

People

People are the human resources who manage, operate and maintain all other ICT components. Without skilled people, even the best equipment cannot function properly.

ICT roles

Key Points — Components of ICT Infrastructure

Classifying ICT components — how to decide

Ask: what does it do?

• Physical device you can touch → Hardware
• Connects devices or provides internet → Network
• Saves or retrieves data → Storage
• Program or set of instructions → Software
• Protects against unauthorised access → Security
• Person managing the system → People

Worked classification example

All six in a school — every day

Computers and projectors (hardware) are used to teach. The WiFi router (network) connects the lab to the internet. Student records are saved to Google Drive (storage). A marks program (software) calculates grades. An antivirus (security) protects the machines. The ICT teacher (people) keeps everything working.

Technologies Used in Communication

Many technologies help people share information, ideas and messages. They make communication faster, cheaper and more convenient than older methods like writing letters.

There are six categories:

1. Digital devices
2. Instant messaging applications
3. Social media platforms
4. Video conferencing tools
5. Email applications
6. Collaboration tools

Digital Devices

Digital devices are electronic tools that receive, process, store and send information. They are the hardware you need to use any communication technology — without a device, no app or platform will work.

Types of digital devices

You are already using digital devices: the school computer lab, a phone to call home, or a family member's tablet.

Instant Messaging Applications

Instant messaging applications let people send and receive text, voice, images and files in real time. Messages arrive almost immediately — no waiting hours or days as with letters.

Examples

• WhatsApp — text, voice notes, images, video and document messages. Supports voice and video calls. Group chats allow many people to talk at once.
• Telegram — similar to WhatsApp. Supports text, images, files and large group channels.
• Messenger — linked to Facebook. Supports text, voice and video messages.

Worked example

Blessing needs to remind her study group about tomorrow's meeting. She opens WhatsApp, types a message in the group chat and sends it. All five members receive it within seconds and reply. This is instant messaging.

Social Media Platforms

Social media platforms are online platforms where people create accounts, post content, and interact with large audiences publicly or privately.

Examples

• Instagram — share photos and short videos. Followers can like and comment on posts.
• TikTok — record, edit and share short video clips. View videos from others worldwide.
• Snapchat — send photos and short videos ("snaps") that disappear after being viewed.
• Facebook — share text, photos, videos and links. Join groups around shared interests.

Worked example

The school photography club wants to share graduation photos with students and parents. They post the photos on a Facebook page. 300 people see and comment on them by the end of the day. This is social media.

Video Conferencing Tools

Video conferencing tools let people see and hear each other live over the internet, even from different locations. Each participant appears in a small window on screen — their camera shows their face and their microphone carries their voice.

Examples

• Zoom — participants join using a link and can see and speak to everyone simultaneously.
• Microsoft Teams — video meetings with added chat and file sharing.
• Google Meet — accessible through a browser, no app download needed.

Worked example

A teacher in Nairobi needs to teach a class in Mombasa. She starts a Google Meet session, shares the link, and all students join. She teaches live — students raise their hands, ask questions, and she responds in real time. This is video conferencing.

You may have used this yourself — joining an online class, or a family video call during school holidays.

Email Applications

Email applications are used to send and receive electronic messages and attachments. Unlike instant messaging, emails are not expected to be read immediately — they wait in the inbox until the recipient opens them.

Examples

• Gmail — free service from Google, used via browser or phone app.
• Yahoo Mail — free service from Yahoo.
• Outlook — from Microsoft, common in schools and businesses. Includes a calendar.

Worked example

A teacher wants to send 200 parents each their child's school report as a PDF. She attaches each report to an individual email and sends to each parent's address. Each parent receives only their own child's report. This is email.

Collaboration Tools

Collaboration tools let multiple people create, store, edit and share files together — even from different locations, at the same time.

Examples

• Google Drive — store files online. Create documents, spreadsheets and presentations that others can view and edit simultaneously.
• OneDrive — Microsoft's version, linked to Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Dropbox — store and share any file type by sending a link.

Worked example — how shared editing works

Email comparison: with email, Aisha writes her part, sends the file, Brian edits and sends it back — one person at a time, multiple versions created. Collaboration tools eliminate this problem.

Roles of Technology in Communication

Technology has changed how information is created, shared, stored and accessed. Here are the eight roles it plays:

Key Points — Sub-strand 1.1 Summary

Lesson 1 — ICT Terms

Lesson 2 — ICT Infrastructure

Lesson 3 — Communication Technologies and Roles

Eight roles of technology in communication

Real-time communication · Global connectivity · Storage and retrieval · Security · Automation · Multimedia · Lower costs · Environmental impact

Application Areas of ICT

ICT is used in almost every part of society. Understanding where and how ICT is applied helps you see its value in daily life — from paying for goods with your phone to consulting a doctor online.

What this sub-strand covers

• Lesson 1 — the eight areas of society where ICT is used
• Lesson 2 — the specific roles ICT plays in each area
• Lesson 3 — the benefits ICT brings to each area

Key inquiry question

What personal experiences have you had using ICT at school, at home, or in your community?

Areas Where ICT is Used in Society

ICT is used across eight main areas of society.

Key Points — Areas Where ICT is Used in Society

ICT is used across eight areas: Education · Business · Banking and Finance · Government · Health · Communication · Entertainment · GPS.

Classify each activity

Roles of ICT in Education

ICT plays several roles in education — making learning more accessible, interactive and collaborative.

Worked example

Kamau misses a chemistry lesson due to illness. His teacher had recorded the lesson and posted it on Google Classroom. Kamau watches it at home, reads the shared notes, and submits his assignment online. ICT has made learning accessible even when he could not attend class.

Roles of ICT in Communication

ICT has transformed how people exchange information — making it faster, richer and more inclusive.

Worked example

A team of five students in different towns prepares a group project. They share documents on Google Drive, hold a planning meeting via Zoom, and send updates through a WhatsApp group. Each member can participate fully, including one member who uses a screen reader. ICT has made remote collaboration possible and inclusive.

Roles of ICT in Healthcare

ICT helps health workers provide better care, manage records and reach patients who are far away.

Worked example

A patient in Garissa needs a specialist's opinion. Instead of travelling to Nairobi, she calls the specialist over a secure video platform. The specialist views her test results — stored in the hospital's digital records system — and gives a diagnosis. ICT has connected patient and specialist without either travelling.

Roles of ICT in Banking and Finance

ICT has moved banking from physical branches to your phone — making transactions faster and available 24 hours a day.

Worked example

1. Aisha needs to pay school fees. She opens her M-PESA app on her phone.
2. She selects "Pay Bill", enters the school's business number and the amount.
3. She confirms with her PIN. The payment is processed and she receives a confirmation SMS instantly.

No bank visit. No queue. No cash. This is mobile banking (EFT) in action.

Roles of ICT in Business

ICT helps businesses communicate, monitor operations, reach customers and manage finances more efficiently.

Worked example

A supermarket chain uses an ERP system to track stock levels in all branches. When a product runs low in Kisumu, the system alerts the warehouse in Nairobi automatically. The warehouse ships the stock and updates the records. No paperwork. No phone calls. ICT has automated the entire process.

Roles of ICT in Entertainment

ICT has changed how people access and enjoy entertainment — from physical media like DVDs and cinemas to digital content available on any device, anywhere.

Worked example

On a Friday evening, Ciku opens Netflix on the family TV. She browses a catalogue of thousands of films and series, selects one, and it starts playing in seconds. No disc. No TV schedule. No travel to a video shop. ICT delivers entertainment instantly to the home.

Roles of ICT in GPS

GPS (Global Positioning System) uses satellites to determine the exact location of a device anywhere on Earth. ICT combines GPS data with digital maps and applications to provide useful services.

Worked example

A parent wants to know if the school bus has left. They open a tracking app on their phone that shows the bus's exact location on a live map. They see it is 10 minutes away. ICT has made monitoring a moving vehicle possible in real time.

Key Points — Roles of ICT in Application Areas

Quick classification — match the activity to the ICT role and area