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In today's world, technology plays an essential role in almost every aspect of our lives. From access to information to communication, from business to education, from healthcare to security, every vital area of our lives is intertwined with technology. Information technologies are involved in designing, implementing, and measuring all these new technologies. ICTs have permeated every aspect of our lives and are increasingly affecting our living habits, the way we do business, our communication, and entertainment activities. So, what is information technology? What are its courses, which career fields are open, and what are the best resources for learning IT? All in the 2023 Information Technologies Guide we have compiled for you.

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What is Information Technologies?

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Information technology uses any computer, network, physical device, infrastructure, or process to create, process, store, secure, and transmit electronic data. We can briefly define information technology as "the use of computer systems and devices to access information." The field of ICT is responsible for such a large part of our workforce, operations, and personal access to information that it encompasses most of our daily activities. Some of the areas of our lives covered by ICT are:

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• Communication technologies such as email, messaging, social media, video conferencing,
• Information access tools such as search engines, online encyclopedias, news sources,
• Business technologies such as cloud computing, big data analytics, database management,
• Educational technologies such as digital learning platforms, online courses, and educational software,
• Healthcare technologies such as patient records, diagnostic tools, remote medicine applications,
• Entertainment technologies such as video games, digital media tools, virtual reality,
• Home and daily life tools such as smartphones, tablets, smart home devices,
• Transportation systems such as navigation, autonomous vehicles, intelligent traffic management,
• Cybersecurity solutions such as data protection, defense against cyber attacks, and privacy of personal information,
• Automation, artificial intelligence, infrastructure, object learning, robotics, software application, and development can be examples of different information technology trends. 

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You can read our blog post titled "Responsibilities of the Information Technologies Counselor Teacher" to learn about the role of information technologies in schools and the responsibilities of information technology teachers. 

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What are the Courses in the Department of Information Technologies?

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The information technology department includes fields of study such as computer science, development, and digital communication. Regardless of the specialization area of the information technology career, students who study in this field acquire strong technical and communication skills. Information technology majors focus on how computing and information processing systems support business, research, and communication needs. The area of study ranges from the basics of computer hardware to the relationship between humans and computers. Examples of courses offered in information technology departments include:

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• Introduction to computing, informatics, and programming
• Data processing, data structures, database management, and database applications
• Informatics management
• Introduction to web design and advanced web design
• Internet of Things
• Artificial intelligence
• Programming languages, Script languages
• Structured programming, object-oriented programming, visual programming, network programming, and mobile device programming
• Operating systems and mobile operating systems
• Networking and wireless networks

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There is a close connection between STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education and information technology. The basic knowledge and skills, problem-solving ability, technological skills, innovation, development, and multidisciplinary approach taught by the two curricula form a solid foundation for stepping into IT careers. STEM education and information technologies subjects are increasing yearly in the MoNE curriculum. The 10th and 11th-grade curriculum of vocational high schools that provide education in information technologies also includes a Robotics and Coding course. If you are looking for simulation-based solutions to support your curriculum on robotic coding and STEM education, you can check our Riders School Package page.

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What Does An IT Qualification Enable Graduates To Do??

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The IT sector is home to numerous career paths and job titles. Education, experience, and skills in this field can influence which IT areas to specialize in and increase opportunities for advancement. IT is a broad subject that encompasses many specializations. We can divide them into several subgroups:

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• Cyber security: This area focuses on preventive measures to keep organizations and users' data safe and mitigate damage in the event of a breach.
• Software development: This programming-oriented branch of IT focuses on creating or modifying software applications to meet users' needs.
• Infrastructure: Refers to the design, planning, and implementation of IT-related hardware throughout the organization.
• Support: Involves assisting end users or other IT professionals with day-to-day technological issues.
• Data management: Includes designing structured data systems, creating data loss contingency plans, and analyzing collected data. 
• Training and mentoring may involve working as an IT mentor, mentor, or advisor in the education sector. 

The dividing lines of ICT focus areas are only sometimes clear, and many specializations may overlap with more than one career role. Examples of ICT career opportunities include the following professions:

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• Software Engineer
• Network Manager
• Web Developer
• Computer Programmer
• Information Security Analyst
• Data Architect
• Business Systems Analyst
• UX and UI Designers
• Computer Scientist
• Information Technologies Teacher and Counselor

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Best IT Resources

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ICT is a comprehensive concept encompassing many professional specializations and STEM skills, affecting almost every aspect of our lives. There are many resources we can use to understand it better. Here are the best IT resources you can use to understand this field:

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Best IT Blogs and Websites

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Suppose you are interested in information technologies and want to learn about the developments in this field, new technologies, and the basics of existing technologies. In that case, you can check the following websites. 

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Riders Blog 

Wired

Electric

IT Brew

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Best IT Books

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Whatever your level of knowledge in IT, you can improve yourself in this field with different levels of IT books. Here are some books you can read to learn about information technologies, advance in this field, or gain more profound knowledge about different specializations:

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Code: The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software

Zero To Engineer: A Story of the American Dream — How to Land Your Dream I.T. Job without a College Degree, Obtain Financial Freedom, and Work on the Latest Technologies

The Phoenix Project: A Novel about IT, DevOps, and Helping Your Business Win

Algorithms to Live By: The Computer Science of Human Decisions

Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software Craftsmanship

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Best IT YouTube and Podcast Channels 

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If you want to learn about IT topics by watching or listening, here are some IT resources you can use:

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Riders Arena

Linus Tech Tips

Tiff In Tech

IT Career Energizer

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