Theory

1.1 Hardware and Software

• • Hardware:

    • Physical components of a computer system.

    • Internal components: CPU, processor, motherboard.

    • Internal memory: RAM, ROM.

    • Hardware components: graphics card, sound card, NIC, camera, internal/external storage, input/output devices.

  • Software:

    • Programs for controlling operation or processing data.

    • Applications Software:

      • Provides user services for task solving.

      • Examples: word processing, spreadsheets, databases, control, measurement, applets/apps, video/graphics/audio editing, CAD.

    • System Software:

      • Provides services for computer operation.

      • Examples: compilers, linkers, device drivers, operating systems, utilities.

  • Analogue and Digital Data:

    • Characteristics of analogue and digital data.

    • Differences between analogue and digital data.

    • Need for conversion:

      • Analogue to digital for computer processing.

      • Digital to analogue for device control.

1.2 The Main Components of Computer Systems

• • Central Processing Unit (CPU):

    • Role in processing instructions for output.

  • Internal Memory:

    • Characteristics of ROM and RAM.

    • Differences between ROM and RAM.

  • Input and Output Devices:

    • Characteristics of input and output devices.

    • Differences between input and output devices.

  • Backing Storage:

    • Characteristics of backing storage.

    • Differences between backing storage and internal memory.

1.3 Operating Systems

• • Operating Systems:

    • Characteristics: CLI, GUI, dialogue-based, gesture-based interfaces.

    • Differences between operating system types.

    • Advantages and disadvantages of different operating systems.

1.4 Types of Computer

• • Desktop Computer:

    • Characteristics of a desktop computer.

    • Uses: office/business management, education, gaming, entertainment.

  • Mobile Computers:

    • Characteristics: laptops, smartphones, tablets, phablets.

    • Uses: office/business management, education, gaming, entertainment, remote control.

    • Advantages and disadvantages of mobile and desktop computers: portability and expandability.

1.5 Emerging Technologies

• • Impact of Emerging Technologies:

    • Impact on everyday life: AI, extended reality (virtual and augmented).

• 2.1 Input Devices and Their Uses

  • Characteristics, uses, advantages, and disadvantages of:

    • Keyboard, numeric keypad, pointing devices, remote control, joystick/driving wheel, touch screen (input), scanners, cameras, microphones, sensors, light pens.

• 2.2 Direct Data Entry and Associated Devices

  • Characteristics, uses, advantages, and disadvantages of:

    • Magnetic stripe readers, chip and PIN readers, RFID readers, OMR, OCR, bar code readers, QR scanners.

• 2.3 Output Devices and Their Uses

  • Characteristics, uses, advantages, and disadvantages of:

    • Monitors, touch screen (output), multimedia projectors, laser printers, inkjet printers, dot matrix printers, plotters, 3D printers, speakers, actuators.

• Storage Devices:

  • Characteristics, uses, media, advantages, and disadvantages of:

    • Magnetic, optical, and solid-state storage.

    • Magnetic drives: fixed/portable hard drives, magnetic tape drives.

    • Optical drives: CD, DVD, Blu-ray.

    • Solid-state drives: SSD, pen drives, flash drives.

• Storage Media:

  • Characteristics, uses, advantages, and disadvantages of:

    • Magnetic, optical, and solid-state media.

    • Magnetic media: hard disks, magnetic tape.

    • Optical discs: CD, DVD, Blu-ray.

    • Solid-state media: memory cards (SD, xD, CFast).

• 4.1 Networks

  • Router:

    • Operation and purpose: connecting networks/devices to the internet, storing addresses, routing packets.

  • Common Network Devices:

    • NICs, hubs, bridges, switches.

  • Wi-Fi and Bluetooth:

    • Uses of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

    • Connecting devices using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

    • Similarities and differences between Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

  • Cloud Computing:

    • Characteristics, uses, and issues.

    • Data storage, management, and sharing.

    • Advantages and disadvantages compared to other storage methods.

  • Common Network Environments:

    • Characteristics, uses, and purpose of extranets, intranets, and the internet.

    • Differences and similarities.

  • Network Types:

    • LAN, WLAN, WAN, and their differences.

• 4.2 Network Issues and Communication

  • Security Issues Regarding Data Transfer:

    • Privacy and confidentiality.

  • Passwords:

    • Avoiding interception, strong vs. weak passwords.

  • Other Authentication Methods:

    • Zero login, biometrics, magnetic stripes, smart cards, physical/electronic tokens.

  • Anti-Malware Software:

    • Use of anti-malware and anti-virus software.

    • Virus removal/quarantine.

    • Scanning storage media and downloads.

  • Electronic Conferencing:

    • Characteristics, uses, advantages, and disadvantages of video, audio, and web conferencing.

    • Hardware, software, and network requirements.

• 5.1 Microprocessor-Controlled Devices

  • Effects of microprocessors/smart devices:

    • Home monitoring/control: impact on lifestyle, leisure, fitness, data security, social interaction.

    • Transport monitoring/control: data security, autonomous vehicles, transport safety.

• 5.2 Potential Health Problems Related to the Prolonged Use of IT Equipment

  • Health issues: RSI, back problems, eye problems, headaches.

  • Causes and prevention strategies.

6.1 Communication

• • Communication Media:

    • Characteristics and uses:

      • Newsletters

      • Posters

      • Websites

      • Multimedia presentations

      • Audio

      • Video

      • Media streaming

      • ePublications

  • Mobile Communication:

    • Use of mobile devices for communication:

      • SMS messaging

      • Phone calls

      • Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)

      • Video calls

      • Accessing the internet

• 6.2 Modelling Applications

  • Computer Modelling:

    • Examples:

      • Personal finance

      • Bridge and building design

      • Flood water management

      • Traffic management

      • Weather forecasting

    • Advantages and disadvantages of using computer modelling rather than humans.

• 6.3 Computer Controlled Systems

  • Computer Controlled Systems:

    • Examples:

      • Robotics in manufacture

      • Production line control

      • Autonomous vehicles

    • Advantages and disadvantages of using computer controlled systems rather than humans.

• 6.4 School Management Systems

  • Systems used to manage:

    • Learner registration and attendance

    • Learner performance recording (including computer-aided learning).

• 6.5 Booking Systems

  • Online Booking Systems:

    • Characteristics, uses, advantages, and disadvantages:

      • Travel industry

      • Concerts

      • Cinemas

      • Sporting events

• 6.6 Banking Applications

  • Banking Applications:

    • Automatic Teller Machines (ATM):

      • Characteristics, uses, advantages, and disadvantages:

        • Withdrawing cash

        • Depositing cash or cheques

        • Checking account balance

        • Mini statements

        • Bill paying

        • Money transfers

    • Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), credit/debit card transactions, cheques, internet banking:

      • Characteristics, uses, advantages and disadvantages.

• 6.7 Computers in Medicine

  • Information Systems in Medicine:

    • Characteristics and uses:

      • Patient records

      • Pharmacy records

    • 3D printers:

      • printing of prosthetics, tissue engineering, artificial blood vessels, customised medicines.

• 6.8 Expert Systems

  • Expert Systems:

    • Characteristics, uses, and purpose:

      • Mineral prospecting

      • Car engine fault diagnosis

      • Medical diagnosis

      • Chess games

      • Financial planning

      • Route scheduling for delivery vehicles

      • Plant and animal identification

    • Components:

      • User interface

      • Inference engine

      • Knowledge base

      • Rules base

      • Explanation system

    • How expert systems produce solutions.

• 6.9 Computers in the Retail Industry

  • Computers in the Retail Industry:

    • Point of sale (POS) terminals and electronic funds transfer at point of sale (EFTPOS) terminals:

      • Characteristics and uses.

    • POS terminals:

      • Automatic updating of stock files and ordering new stock.

    • EFTPOS terminals:

      • Checking card validity

      • Use of chip and PIN

      • Use of contactless cards

      • Use of Near Field Communication (NFC) payment

      • Communication between supermarket and bank computers.

    • Internet shopping:

      • Characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages.

• 6.10 Recognition Systems

  • Recognition Systems:

    • Characteristics, uses, advantages, and disadvantages:

      • Optical Mark Recognition (OMR):

        • School registers

        • Multiple-choice examination papers

        • Barcode and QR code.

      • Optical Character Recognition (OCR):

        • Automated number plate recognition (ANPR) systems.

      • Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID):

        • Tracking stock, passports, automobiles, contactless payment.

      • Near Field Communication (NFC):

        • Payment using a smartphone.

      • Biometric recognition:

        • Face, iris, retina, finger, thumb, hand, voice.

• 6.11 Satellite Systems

  • Satellite Systems:

    • Characteristics, uses, advantages, and disadvantages:

      • Global Positioning Systems (GPS)

      • Satellite navigation

      • Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

      • Media communication systems (satellite television, satellite phone).

7.1 Analysis

• • Analysis of the Current System:

    • Characteristics, uses, advantages, and disadvantages of research methods:

      • Observation

      • Interviews

      • Questionnaires

      • Examination of existing documents

    • Record and analyze information about the current system.

    • Identify:

      • Inputs, outputs, and processing of the current system.

      • Problems with the current system.

      • User and information requirements for the new system.

  • System Specification:

    • Identify and justify suitable hardware and software for the new system.

• 7.2 Design

  • Design:

    • Design file/data structures, input formats, output formats, and validation routines.

    • File/data structures:

      • Field length.

      • Field name.

      • Data type.

      • Coding of data (e.g., M/F).

    • Validation routines:

      • Range check.

      • Character check.

      • Length check.

      • Type check.

      • Format check.

      • Presence check.

      • Check digit.

    • Input formats:

      • Data capture forms.

    • Output formats:

      • Screen layouts.

      • Report layouts.

• 7.3 Development and Testing

  • Testing:

    • The need to test the system before implementation.

    • Test designs, test strategies, test plan:

      • Test data.

      • Expected outcomes.

      • Actual outcomes.

      • Remedial action.

    • Test designs:

      • Testing data structures, file structures, input formats, output formats, and validation routines.

    • Test strategies:

      • Testing each module, each function, and the whole system.

    • Definition, characteristics, and use of test data:

      • Normal, abnormal, and extreme data.

    • The use of live data.

• 7.4 Implementation

  • System Implementation:

    • Characteristics, uses, advantages, and disadvantages of implementation methods:

      • Direct changeover.

      • Parallel running.

      • Pilot running.

      • Phased implementation.

• 7.5 Documentation

  • Documentation:

    • Characteristics, uses, and purpose of technical and user documentation.

    • Technical Documentation:

      • Purpose of the system/program.

      • Limitations of the system.

      • Program listing.

      • Program language.

      • Program flowcharts/algorithms.

      • System flowcharts.

      • Hardware and software requirements.

      • File structures.

      • List of variables.

      • Input format.

      • Output format.

      • Sample runs/test runs.

      • Validation routines.

    • User Documentation:

      • Purpose of the system.

      • Limitations of the system.

      • Hardware and software requirements.

      • How to load/run/install software.

      • How to save a file.

      • How to print data.

      • How to add records.

      • How to delete/edit records.

      • Input format.

      • Output format.

      • Sample runs.

      • Error messages.

      • Error handling.

      • Troubleshooting guide/helpline.

      • Frequently asked questions.

      • Glossary of terms.

• 7.6 Evaluation

  • Evaluate a Solution:

    • Evaluate:

      • Efficiency of the solution.

      • Ease of use of the solution.

      • Appropriateness of the solution.

    • Compare the solution with original task requirements.

    • Identify limitations and necessary improvements.

    • Evaluate user responses to test results.

8.1 Physical Safety

• • Safety Issues:

    • Electrocution (spills, live cables).

    • Fire (overloaded sockets, overheating).

    • Tripping (trailing cables).

    • Injuries (falling equipment).

  • Causes and prevention strategies.

• 8.2 eSafety

  • Data Protection:

    • Principles of data protection acts.

    • Need for data protection legislation.

  • Personal Data:

    • Characteristics of personal and sensitive data (name, address, date of birth, photos, medical history).

    • Need for confidentiality and protection.

  • eSafety:

    • Need for eSafety (internet, email, social media, gaming).

    • Minimizing dangers:

      • Internet:

        • Trusted websites.

        • Age-appropriate search engines.

      • Email:

        • Unknown senders.

        • Personal data/image risks.

      • Social media:

        • Blocking/reporting.

        • Meeting online contacts.

        • Inappropriate content.

        • Inappropriate language.

        • Confidentiality.

      • Online gaming:

        • Real names.

        • Personal/financial data.

• 8.3 Security of Data

  • Threats to Data:

    • Hacking (protective measures).

    • Phishing, pharming, smishing, vishing (prevention methods).

    • Viruses, malware (preventative actions).

    • Card fraud (shoulder surfing, cloning, key logging).

  • Protection of Data:

    • Biometrics (use of biometric data).

    • Digital certificates (purpose, contents).

    • Secure Socket Layer (SSL) (encrypted links).

    • Encryption (purpose for data protection).

    • Firewalls (purpose).

    • Two-factor authentication (purpose, function).

    • User ID and password (how they increase security).

9.1 Audience Appreciation:

• • Show a clear sense of audience and purpose.

  • Planning ICT solutions that are responsive to and respectful of the needs of an audience.

  • Analyze the needs of an audience when creating ICT solutions.

9.2 Copyright

• Copyright:

  • The need for copyright legislation and the principles of copyright relating to computer software (e.g., software piracy).

  • The methods that software producers employ to prevent software copyright legislation being broken.

Communication with Other ICT Users Using Email

• Email:

  • Characteristics, uses, and constraints:

    • Acceptable language.

    • Employer guidelines.

    • Security.

    • Netiquette.

    • Email groups.

    • Carbon copy (cc).

    • Blind carbon copy (bcc).

    • Forward.

    • Attachments.

  • Spam email:

    • Characteristics and effects.

    • Prevention methods.

10.2 Effective Use of the Internet

• The Internet:

  • Characteristics, uses, advantages, and disadvantages:

    • Differences between the internet, intranet, extranet, and the World Wide Web (WWW).

    • Blog.

    • Forum.

    • Wiki.

    • Social networking.

  • Functionality:

    • Internet Service Provider (ISP).

    • Structure of a web address.

    • Uniform Resource Locator (URL).

    • Hyperlink.

    • Web browser.

  • Use of search engines:

    • Speed of searching.

    • Amount of information.

    • Speed of finding relevant information.

    • Ease of finding reliable information.

  • Evaluating information:

    • Up-to-date.

    • Reliable.

    • Biased.

    • Valid.

  • Internet protocols:

    • HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP).

    • HyperText Transfer Protocol secure variant (HTTPS).

    • File Transfer Protocol (FTP).

    • Secure Socket Layer (SSL).

  • Risks:

    • Inappropriate and criminal material.

    • Restricting data through parental, educational, and ISP control.

11.1 Manage Files Effectively

• • Candidates should be able to:

    • Locate stored files.

    • Open and import files of different types.

    • Save files in a planned hierarchical directory/folder structure.

    • Save files using appropriate file names.

    • Save and print files in a variety of formats:

      • Documents.

      • Screenshots.

      • Database reports.

      • Data tables.

      • Graphs/charts.

      • Web page (browser view).

      • Web page (HTML view).

    • Save and export in application package file formats:

      • .docx, .doc

      • .xlsx, .xls

      • .sdb, .sdc

      • .accdb, .odb

      • .rtf

      • .pptx, .ppt

    • Save and export in generic file formats:

      • .csv

      • .txt

      • .rtf

      • .pdf

      • .css

      • .htm

      • .jpg

      • .png

  • Candidates should know and understand:

    • File formats:

      • Characteristics and uses of file formats:

        • .css

        • .csv

        • .gif

        • .htm

        • .jpg

        • .pdf

        • .png

        • .rtf

        • .txt

        • .zip

        • .rar

    • The need for generic file formats.

• 11.2 Reduce File Sizes for Storage or Transmission

  • Candidates should be able to:

    • Compress files.

      • Reduce file sizes using file compression:

        • .zip

        • .rar

  • Candidates should know and understand:

    • File compression:

      • The need to reduce file sizes for storage or transmission.