Computer Studies KCSE Syllabus Form 3

1.0.0 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS (18 LESSONS)

1.1.0 Content

1.2.1 Definition of a computer.

1.2.2 Parts of a computer.

1.2.3 Development of Computers

1.2.4 Classification of computers

• Physical Size
• Functionality
• Purpose

1.2.5 Areas where computers are used

1.2.6 Definition of a Computer laboratory

1.2.7 Safety precautions and practices in a computer laboratory

• Behaviour
• Handing of materials and equipment
• Fire
• Cabling
• Stable power supply
• Burglar proofing
• Ventilation
• Lab layout
• Dust/damp control
• Lighting’
• Standard furniture

1.2.8 Hands-on skills

• Start-up, restarting and shut-down (Booting)
• Keyboard layout
• Practical Keyboard and mouse skills

1.1.0 Specific Objectives

By the end of the topic, the learner should be able to:

a) define a computer

b) state the different parts of a computer

c) explain how Computers have developed

d) classify the various types of computers

e) identify areas where computers are used

f) define a computer laboratory

g) state the safety precautions and practices in a computer laboratory

h) demonstrate basic hands-on skills on the use of a computer.

2.0.0 COMPUTER SYSTEMS (49 LESSONS)

2.1.0 Specific Objectives

2.2.1 Description of a Computer system.

2.2.2 Functional organization of the elements of a computer System.

• Hardware
• Software
• Live-ware

2.2.3 Input devices e.g.

• Keying devices
• Pointing devices
• Scanning devices
• Speech recognition devices
• Other digital devices

2.2.4 Central Processing Unit (CPU)

• Control Unit
• Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)
• Memory
• Processors
  • Types
  • clock speeds

o Visual display unit –Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), flat panel, cathode ray;

o Cathode Ray Tube (CRT)

o Sound output

o light emitting

o Hard copy output devices e.g

o printers (impact, non-impact)

o plotters

2.2.6 Secondary/Auxiliary Storage Devices and Media

• Fixed-e.g. Hard disk
• Removable- e.g.

o floppy disks

o tape

o optical disks (CD-R, WORM, CD-RW, DVDs)

o zip disks

2.2.7 Power and Interface Cables.

• Power Cable
• Parallel Cable
• Serial Cable

2.2.8 Basic Computer Set-up and Cabling.

• Connecting basic computer components
• Connecting other computer peripherals

2.2.9 Classification of software.

• Purpose

a) System software

i) firmware

ii) networking software

iii) operating 3ystem

iv) utilities

b) Application software

• Acquisition

a) standard software

b) user developed (in-house)

2.2.10 Criteria for selecting a Computer System (Specifications)

• Hardware Considerations

o Processor speed

o memory capacity

o warranty

o upgradability

o user needs

o cost

o portability

o other considerations

• Software Considerations

o authenticity

o user needs

o user friendliness Software Considerations

o system requirements

o cost

o compatibility

o portability

o documentation

o other software considerations

2.1.0 Specific Objectives By the end of the topic, the learner should be able to:

a) describe a computer system

b) explain the functional organization of the elements of a Computer system

c) describe input devices of a computer system

d) describe the Central Processing Unit (CPU)

e) describe the output devices of a computer system

f) describe the types of secondary storage devices and media

g) distinguish between power and interface cables

h) explain basic computer set-up and cabling

i) distinguish between system software and application software

j) evaluate the criteria for selecting a computer system.

3.0.0 OPERATING SYSTEMS (32 LESSONS)

3.1.0 Specific Objectives

3.2.1 Definition of an operating system

3.2.2 Functions of an operating system

• Job scheduling
• Resource Control
• Input/Output handling
• Memory Management
• Error handling
• Interrupt handling

3.2.3 Types of Operating Systems

• Number of users

i) single user

ii) multi user

Number of tasks i) single tasking ii) multi tasking

• Interface

i) Command line

ii) menu driven interface

iii) Graphical User Interface (GUI)

3.2.4 Organization of Information using an Operating System

• Files
• Directories/folders
• Storage media

3.2.5 File management using an Operating system

• Description of files
• Types of files

i) system files

ii) application files

• Functions of files

i) storage of data

ii) organization of information

• Creating files
• Manipulating files

i) viewing files and directories

ii) organization of information

iii) creating files/directories

iv) opening

v) editing

vi) renaming

vii) finding/searching

viii) sorting

ix) copying

x) moving

xi) deleting

3.2.6 Disk Management using an Operating system

• Formatting
• Partitioning
• De-fragmentation
• Disk Diagnostics/Disk Compression
• Back up

3.2.7 Devices under Operating System Control

• Processor
• Memory (Ram)
• Storage devices
• Input/Output devices and ports
• Communication devices and ports

3.2.7 Installation and Configuration of an Operating system

• Trouble shooting

3.1.0 Specific Objectives

By the end of the topic, the learner should be able to:

a) define an operating system

b) state the functions of an operating system

c) describe types of operating systems

d) describe how operating systems organize information

e) manage files using an operating system

f) manage disks using an operating system

g) identify internal and peripheral devices under Operating System control

h) install and configure an operating system.

Form 2

4.1.0 WORD PROCESSORS (18 LESSONS)

4.1.1 Content

4.1.3 Definition of a Word- processor

4.1.4 Purpose of word processing eg

• Letter preparation
• Reports
• Newsletters

4.1.5 Using a Word processing package

• Getting started
• Screen layout
• Running the programme

i) creating a document

ii) saving

iii) retrieving

iv) closing

v) exiting

4.1.6 Editing and formatting a document

• Editing a document
• Block Options

i) selecting

ii) moving

iii) copying

iv) deleting

v) inserting and type over

• Find and Replace

i) search/find

ii) replace

• Proof-Reading

i) spelling and grammar checking

ii) thesaurus

iii) auto-correct

iv) undo and redo

• Formatting a document

a) Text formatting

i) bolding

ii) italicizing

iii) underlining

iv) fonts

v) drop caps

vi) change case

vii) superscript / subscript

b) Paragraph Formatting

i) alignment

ii) indenting

iii) spacing

iv) section breaks

v) bullets and numbering

c) Page Formatting

• Layout

i) columns

ii) headers/footers

• Setup

i) margins

ii) orientations

iii) paper size

iv) tabs

4.1.7 Creating and Editing a Table

• Create a table

i) rows

ii) columns

• enter data
• Editing Tables

i) resizing rows/columns

ii) inserting rows/columns

iii) deleting rows/columns

iv) merging rows/columns

v) splitting rows/columns

• Formatting tables

i) borders

ii) shading

• Table conversions

i) converting text to table

ii) converting tables to text

iii) importing

• Arithmetic calculations i) perform calculation ii) insert formulae
• Sorting

4.1.8 Sorting Creating and updating a mail merge document

• Creating main document

i) form letters

ii) labels

iii) envelopes

• Create/import data source

i) editing

ii) saving

• Merging fields
• Main and data source to

i) printer or

ii) new window or

iii) fax or

iv) e-mail

• Updating merged document

4.1.9 Printing a document

• printer setup
• print preview
• print option

o Printer selection

o Orientation

• Page and copies
• Printing

4.1.10 Inserting Graphics

• Types of graphics

i) drawing

ii) pictures

ii) charts

• Inserting

i) importing

ii) drawing

• Editing graphical objects

i) updating

ii) resizing

iii) enhance

4.1.1 Specific Objectives By the end of the topic, the learner should be able to:

a) define a word processor

b) state the purpose of word processing

c) use a word processing package

d) format and edit a document

e) create and edit a table

f) create and update a mail- merge document

g) print a document

h) Insert and edit objects.

4.2.0 SPREADSHEETS (18 LESSONS)

4.2.1 Specific Objectives

4.2.3 Definition of a Spreadsheet

4.2.4 Components of a spreadsheet

i) worksheet

ii) database

iii) graphs

4.2.5 Application areas of a spreadsheet

• Statistical analysis
• Accounting
• Data management
• Forecasting (what if analysis)
• Scientific application

4.2.6 Creating a worksheet/workbook

• Getting started
• Worksheet layout
• Running the program

Creating a worksheet

• editing a cell entity
• saving
• retrieving
• closing a worksheet exiting from spreadsheet

4.2.7 Cell Data Types

• Labels
• Values
• Formulae
• Functions

4.2.8 Cell referencing

• Cell addressing
• Absolute referencing
• Relative referencing

4.2.9 Basic functions and Formulae

• Functions

i) statistical (average, count, max, mm)

ii) logical (If, count-if, sum-it)

iii) mathematical (Sum, Product, Div)

• Arithmetic formulae (using operators +, -, /,*, brackets)

4.2.10 Worksheet formatting

• Text
• Numbers
• Rows and columns
• Global

4.2.11 Data Management

• Sorting
• Filtering
• Total/subtotals function
• Forms

4.2.12 Charts/graphs

• Types
• Data ranges
• Labels
• Headings and titles
• Legends

4.2.12 Printing

4.2.1 Specific Objectives By the end of the topic, the learner should be able to:

a) define a spreadsheet

b) describe the components of a spreadsheet

c) state the application areas of a spreadsheet

d) create and edit a worksheet

e) explain different cell data types

f) apply cell referencing

g) apply functions and formulae

h) apply data management skills

i) apply charting and graphing skills

j) print worksheet and graph.

4.3.0 DATABASES (18 LESSONS)

4.3.2 Specific Objectives

4.3.4 Definition of Database

4.3.5 Database concepts

• Traditional filing methods (manual and flat files
• Functions of databases
• Types of database models
• Database software
• Features of a database (e.g. data Structures, report generating, query language, modules)

4.3.6 Data Organization

• Character types
• Fields
• Records
• Files
• Database

4.3.7 Creating a database

• Design a database structure
• Field properties and data types
• Key- fields and index
• Data entry

4.3.8 Editing a database

• Modify structure
• Updating database

4.3.9 Form Design

• Form Layout
• Data manipulation
• Formatting fields

4.3.10 Queries

• Creating
• Updating
• Viewing
• Printing

4.3.11 Reports layout Creating (using rational and logical operator, logical operators — AND OR, NOT)

• Modifying
• Sorting and grouping
• Labeling
• Printing

4.3.2 Specific Objectives By the end of the topic, the learner should be able to:

a) define a database

b) explain the concepts of database

c) explain data organization in a database

d) create a database

e) edit a database

f) design a form

g) apply basic concepts of queries

h) create report and labels

i) print queries, forms and reports.

4.4.0 DESKTOP PUBLISHING (15 LESSONS)

4.4.1 Specific Objectives

4.4.3 Definition of Desktop publishing

4.4.4 Purpose of DTP

• Graphic design
• Page layout design
• Printing

4.4.5 Types of DTP software

• Graphical based
• Layout based

4.4.6 Designing a Publication Types of publication e.g. newsletters cards, brochures, posters etc

• Running the program
• Screen layout
• Setting up a publication
• Manipulating text and graphics

4.4.7 Editing a publication

• Editing tools

4.4.8Formatting a Publication

• Text
• Graphics

4.4.9 Printing

• Page set up
• Print options

4.4.1 Specific Objectives By the end of the topic, the learner should be able to:

a) define desktop publishing b) state the purpose of DTP c) identify types of DTP software

d) design a publication

e) edit a publication

f) format a publication

g) print a publication.

4.4.0 INTERNET AND E-MAIL (15 LESSONS)

4.5.1 Specific Objectives

4.5.3Definition of Internet

4.5.4 Development of Internet

4.5.5 Importance of Internet

4.5.6 Internet Connectivity

• Telecommunication facilities
• Modems
• Internet services providers (ISP)
• Internet software

4.5.7 Internet services e.g. • World Wide Web (www)

• Electronic Mail (e-mail)

• Electronic Commerce (c-commerce)

• Electronic Learning (c-learning)

4.5.8 Accessing Internet

• Log-in/sign -in

• Surf/browse

• Search engines and hyperlinks

• Downloading/saving/printing

4.5.9 Electronic Mail (e-mail)

• Definition
• e-mail software
• e-mail facilities

i) mails (checking, composing, forwarding, sending, saving and printing

ii) fax

iii) file attachment

iv) on-line meetings

v) telephone messages

vi) contact management

N.B Emphasis is on the procedure and not necessarily on on-line connectivity

4.5.10 Use the internet to access information on emerging issues e.g.

• HIV/AIDS
• Drug abuse
• Environmental issues
• Moral integrity

4.5.1 Specific Objectives By the end of the topic, the learner should be able to:

a) define internet

b) explain the development of internet

c) explain the importance of internet

d) describe internet connectivity

e) identify internet services

f) access internet

g) use e-mail facilities

h) state the moral, social, and spiritual issues that may emerge through access to the internet.

5.0.0 DATA SECURITY AND CONTROLS (6 LESSONS)

5.1.0 Specific Objectives

5.2.1 Definition of data security and privacy

5.2.2 Security threats and control measures

• Threats e.g.

i) virus

ii) unauthorized access

iii) computer errors and accidents

iv) theft

• Control measures e.g.

i) anti-virus software

ii) password

iii) User access levels

iv) backups

5.2.3 Computer crimes e.g

i) trespass

ii) hacking

in) tapping

iv) cracking

v) piracy

vi) fraud

vii) sabotage

viii) alteration

• Detection and Protection e.g.

i) audit trail

ii) data encryption

in) log files

iv) firewalls

5.2.4 Laws governing protection of information systems

---By the end of the topic, the learner should be able to:

a) define the terms data security and privacy.

b) identify security threats on ICT and possible control measure.

c) identify types of computer crimes

d) discuss laws governing protection of information and communication Technology systems.

5.1.0 Specific Objectives

By the end of the topic, the learner should be able to:

a) define the terms data security and privacy.

b) identify security threats on ICT and possible control measures.

c) identify types of computer crimes

d) discuss laws governing protection of information and communication Technology systems.