CSC Stage 1

Unit 1ACSC: Stage 1

Unit Description

The unit description provides the focus for teaching the specific unit content.

The focus for this unit is the personal use of computer systems. It gives students the knowledge and skills required to maintain a personal computer.  It introduces a formal method for developing simple information systems and databases.  Whilst considering personal needs, students examine the social, ethical and legal implications of personal computer use.

Unit Content

This unit includes knowledge, understanding and skills to the degree of complexity described below.

Typically 40 percent of the allocated time would be for systems analysis and development content and 60 percent for managing data content.

Systems Analysis and Development

  • + Stages of the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
  • + Flow of data in an information system – input, processing, output and storage
  • + Functions of computer hardware components – Input (keyboard, mouse, microphone, digital camera/web cam, scanner), Output (monitor, printer, speaker/headphone), Processing (Processor, Control Unit, Arithmetic Logic Unit, Registers), Storage – Primary and Secondary (Random Access Memory, Read-Only Memory)
  • + Operating Systems
  • + Types of hardware booting process (cold, warm, hot)
  • + How user wants influence the choice, use and creation of personal computer systems
  • + Apply different hardware booting processes – cold, warm, hot
  • + Connect peripheral devices to a computer system – Ports, USB, Fireware, PS2, Ethernet, Serial
  • + Install simple software
  • + Apply basic care and handling of hardware equipment measure to ensure personal safety and proper use of components
  • + Use basic maintenance and protection software for – defragmenting, error checking, disk cleaning, backing-up, anti-malware
  • + Use basic maintenance procedures to rectify simple computer difficulties

 

Managing Data

  • + appropriate use of common application software
  • + word processing – use of common formatting features
  • + spreadsheets – use of simple functions (sum, average, min, max), use of simple formulae (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division), sort data
  • + Databases – components of a simple table database (field, record, file), use of a form to enter data, apply simple search techniques, create a simple query, simple data types (number, text, Boolean, date, currency), develop a simple personal database using a single table, simple queries, forms and reports
  • + Use directory structures – folders, files
  • + Ethical and legal issues in the personal use of storage of data
  • + Legal requirements and implications of information kept by various bodies about individuals

 

 

Unit 1BCSC: Stage 1

Unit Description

The unit description provides the focus for teaching the specific unit content.

The focus for this unit is the personal use of communication and information systems. It introduces a formal method for developing networks and internet technologies and writing a sequence of simple instructions.  They examine the social, ethical and legal implications associated with software development.

Unit Content

This unit includes knowledge, understanding and skills to the degree of complexity described below.

Typically 20 percent of the allocated time would be for developing software content, 60 percent for programming content and 20 percent for networks and communication content.


Developing Software

  • + Hardware and software systems used in personal computing (applications, operating systems)
  • + Interrelationship between users, hardware and software
  • + Input, processing and output for personal computers
  • + Comparison of web-based construction tools licensing requirements for software (Single-user, Site Licence)
  • + Ethical and legal issues associated with software (copyright, piracy)
  • + Develop simple software solutions using the Software Development Cycle (SDC) – identify the problem, identify the inputs and outputs, plan a solution, develop a solution, develop a solution, evaluate the solution
  • + Modify an existing information system

 

Programming

  • + Components of a computer program – inputs, processing, outputs
  • + Programming terms – variable
  • + Control Structures – Sequence, Selection (If-Then, If-Then-Else), Concept fo Data Types (Integer, Real, Character, String)
  • + Use Variables
  • + Apply Control Structures – Sequence and Selection
  • + Use a simple programming language to develop a software solution
  • + Use simple web tools to create simple linked web pages (html)

 

Networks and Communications

  • + Computer hardware components required for a home network – modem, network interface card (NIC), switch, router, wireless access point (WAP), firewall
  • + Key concepts, terminology and functions of common network components – data transmission rates (Mbps, Gbps)
  • + Wired data transmission media – Twisted pair, Optical Fibre
  • +Wireless transmission
  • + Internet protocols – HTTP, TCP/IP, SMTP, POP3, FTP
  • + Methods to ensure reliability of internet data for personal use
  • + Measures an individual can take to help maintain data privacy and security
  • + Role of users in maintaining the security of information transmitted through communication systems
  • + Configure a home computer for internet connection – connect common peripheral devices
  • + Create and administer a simple peer-to-peer network to – share files, share peripheral devices (printer, scanner), share internet connection
  • + Use of Bluetooth to create a simple personal network – internet software, browser, plug-in, electronic communications, File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
  • + Use application software – browser, electronic communications, web authoring, scripting
  • + Upload files to a web server