Understand the hardware and software components that make up computer systems, and how they communicate with one another and with other systems.
Understand how instructions are stored and executed within a computer system; understand how data of various types (including text, sounds, and pictures) can be represented and manipulated digitally, in the form of binary digits; be able to convert between binary and decimal, and perform simple binary arithmetic.
Distinguish between hardware and software
Identify input, output and storage devices
Name at least five pieces of software
Understand what happens at the “Process” stage
Suggest appropriate input and output devices for a given scenario
Draw a block diagram of the main components of a computer
Explain what RAM and ROM are used for
Distinguish between main memory and permanent storage devices
Name the three stages in the Fetch Execute Cycle
Define Hz, MHz and GHz and state how these relate to the speed of the processor
State why all data is represented in binary in a computer
Define a Bit, Byte, Kb, Mb and Gb
Convert decimal (denary) integers to binary numbers
Convert binary numbers to decimal (denary) integers
Look up from a table the bit pattern for a given character
Show how characters can be represented in ASCII
Identify a binary number as odd or even
Understand the effect of adding an extra zero to a binary number
Add two binary numbers (each no more than eight binary digits)
State the typical capacities, strengths and weaknesses of different storage devices
Describe how data is stored on a CD
Describe how 0s and 1s are represented by pits and lands on a CD
Name three types of optical storage device
Review the history and development of communication
Understand how modern communication and computing devices combine multiple technologies
Discuss the different ways and applications in which modern technology is used
Discuss future uses of technology and the pace of change (Moore’s Law)
Be able to apply their knowledge in answers to a range of questions
Be able to highlight areas of strength and any gaps in their understanding of computers
