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Contents . APPENDIX I: CONTENT FRAMEWORK FOR 2009 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS TECHNOLOGY ...................................................... 3 Module 1.1 Upgrading your computer ....................................... 3
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Contents • APPENDIX I: CONTENT FRAMEWORK FOR 2009 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS TECHNOLOGY ...................................................... 3 • Module 1.1 Upgrading your computer ....................................... 3 • Module 1.2 Buying a computer ................................................... 8 • Module 1.3 Internet connection choices ................................. 10 • Module 1.4 Some problems and solutions .............................. 11 • Module 1.5 Some problems and solutions ............................... 11 • Module 4: Spreadsheets: Spreadsheet question.doc ............... 12 • Module 6: Using computers to work effectively with information .................................................................................................. 12 • Terminology list additions ......................................................... 14 • GUIDELINES FOR 2009............................................................... 20
Module 1.1 Upgrading your computer • CHECKLIST • Module 1.1 Upgrading your computer • describe the main function of a motherboard. • describe the function of a CPU. • list the names of few manufacturers of processors. • name the unit in which the speed of modern processors is measured. • describe how memory is added to the motherboard. • name a few components which can be found on the inside of a computer case. • name a few components which are built into the motherboard on most entry level computers. • give a few reasons why one would want to upgrade a computer. • list four types of common upgrades. • describe what the benefit is of adding RAM. • describe what the benefit is of adding an extra hard drive. • describe why one would want to replace or add an optical drive. • describe why one would want to replace or upgrade a video card. • explain what ROM is. • identify the following components that can be found on the inside of the computer casing: motherboard, RAM, CPU, hard drive, power supply. • sensitive to disposing of obsolete or non-functioning hardware in an eco-friendly fashion.
Buying a computer: specifications (entry-level, mid-range, top-range, warranty, after-sales service, make recommendations on various components to buy
Module 1.2 Buying a computer • Checklist • indicate approximately how much memory an entry-level PC has. • indicate the typical size of a hard drive on an entry-level PC. • given some specifications, indicate whether a PC is a typical entry-level, mid-range or top-range PC. • list a few tasks for which one would need a typical entry-level computer. • list a few tasks for which one would need something more than a typical entry-level computer. • give some hints to bear in mind in terms of the warranty and after-sales service of a company when purchasing a computer. • compare a laptop and desktop computer by listing the advantages and disadvantages of a laptop versus a desktop. • make recommendations in terms of the purchase of a mouse, keyboard, monitor, printer, scanner and extra storage media. • indicate which hardware specifications are more important to consider for a particular profile of a user in terms of the tasks that they typically perform on his or her computer. • ensure that I have legal copies of all software I receive or install on a new computer. • endeavour to make sure as far as possible, that my work space is ergonomically arranged out.
Buying a computer? Ask these 3 questions! • 1. Why do you need a computer? • Are you a new user or advanced • How will you use your computer? • Are you only interested in browsing the Internet and checking e- mail? • Do you plan to use your PC as a programming machine? • Do desktop publishing or video editing feature on your agenda? • Or is it a mainly for gaming? • There are several other types of devices you may or may not need. A trackball, joy stick, modem, tape drive, zip drive, printer, plotter, scanner, sound card and speakers, television card and video capture card, to name a few. Whether you buy these will depend on what you need the computer for and which software applications you intend to use. • Finally, the length of time that you plan to own the computer before replacing it will also help determine which computer to buy.
2. What is your budget? • Buy as much as you can afford. Don't cut corners on the main system unit (monitor, processor, memory, disk space). • Remember, you want the computer to last at least four years. You don't want to run out of disk space or memory in the very first year, all because you trimmed down on the memory or got a smaller hard drive. • Hard disk capacity matters a great deal as it takes no time for data to fill the available space. A 40 GB hard disk is sufficient disk space, but 80 GB is the standard recommendation. • The more the memory, the better it is. Make sure you can upgrade your computer's memory as and when required. • Hold off on the printer or a software application and other accessories that you really don't need right away. You shouldn't have any problem installing these after the original purchase has been made. Just ensure you buy components that are compatible with your system.
3. Should you go for a branded PC or an assembled one? • Assembled machines are popular because they are more economically priced. • Branded PCs cost around 35 to 40% more than their assembled counterparts. • Besides, you can choose your own specifications with assembled PCs. You are not forced to accept a rigid component configuration. You cannot customise a branded PC to suit your exact requirements. • With the same price that you would pay for a branded piece, you will be able to own a superior assembled PC. • Make sure the components purchased for the assembled PC are original. Take along an informed, reliable assembler to purchase the components so that you are not fooled by counterfeit parts. • The advantage of a branded PC is the reliability of the brand, the after sales service and the technical support. On the flip side, the after sales services and repairs offered by the brands are a tad expensive and not prompt most times. • Don't forget to look at the warranty. Generally, a warranty period of a year is normal for all major parts of the PC. But there are good brands that offer either more years or the option of an additional payment to top up the warranty period. • Talk to your friends and colleagues who have assembled PCs. Ask them about their experience and recommendations on whom to approach. Question them as to what happened when they had a problem. Was the individual easy to access? Did he offer prompt service? Does their computer give a lot of trouble?
Module 1.3 Internet connection choices • Checklist • describe the basic difference between an analogue and a digital signal. • explain why a modem is sometimes needed to connect to the Internet. • describe what the term bandwidth refers to. • name the unit typically used to specify and measure the rate of data transfer. • explain what is meant by the term broadband. • motivate why a broadband connection is more appropriate to use for some types of files than others. • describe the difference between a dial-up line and a dedicated line. • name different ways in which a computer can be connected to the Internet. • explain the basic characteristics of different types of connections to the Internet. • explain the difference between download speed and upload speed. • name examples of wireless options that work via radio technology and cellular technology respectively. • discuss aspects which need to be considered when choosing a connection option. • can list and briefly describe typical situations where and how people are able to connect to the Internet. • analyse a given situation and make an informed decision as to the optimum solution in terms of connecting to the Internet. • When I have the opportunity to choose an Internet connection, I will make a responsible choice by listin
Module 1.4 Some problems and solutions • suggest how to check if the power supply of a PC is faulty. • explain what a boot drive is. • describe what is meant by a ‘frozen’ computer or program. • outline the procedure to follow to terminate a program that is not responding. • list the benefits and function of a UPS. • suggest some of the reasons why a PC might be functioning slower than normal. • explain why it is necessary to periodically re-boot a PC. • explain why upgrading RAM improves the overall speed of a PC. • explain in my own words what disk fragmentation is and how defragmentation improves the speed with which data can be accessed from disk. • make an informed diagnosis by using appropriate trouble-shooting techniques if presented with a situation where a PC does not power up. • make an informed diagnosis by using appropriate trouble-shooting techniques if presented with a situation where a monitor does not display at all or does not give the ‘correct’ image. • use the Windows Task Manager to delete non-responding programs. • run the defragmentation tool on my computer to check if the hard drive needs to be defragmented and defragment the drive if needed. • I always make sure that my system is capable of running new software before installing the software.
Module 1.5 Some problems and solutions • describe a trouble-shooting procedure to determine why a mouse may not be functioning correctly and how to fix this problem. • describe a trouble-shooting procedure to determine why a keyboard may not be functioning correctly and how to fix this problem. • give possible reasons why a screen is blank. • explain what is meant by the term the blue screen of death. • describe a trouble-shooting procedure to determine why no sound can be heard from the computer and how to fix this problem. • describe a trouble-shooting procedure to determine why a printer many not be printing and how to fix this problem. • describe a trouble-shooting procedure to determine why a printer many not be printing correctly and how to fix this problem.. • explain what a spooling system is and describe the most important options that are provided by spooling systems. • describe some solutions when experiencing a problem writing CDs or DVDs. • explain how to cancel a print job. • list ways of making more space available on the hard drive. • give possible reasons why a file cannot be opened. • solve basic problems experienced with non-functioning keyboards, mice, monitors and printers • adjust and check sound and audio features in the Control Panel. • change the default printer. • print a test page or perform a self-test. • change the print resolution to a lower resolution. • adjust the page size for a printout e.g. from Letter to A4. • print in draft or 'econo' mode. • monitor a print queue and delete print jobs where necessary. • change the Read-only property of a file.
Printer troubleshooting • 1. Printer does not have power indicator • First, make sure that the printer is on. When a printer is on it should have some type of light (usually green) that indicates that the printer is receiving power and is on. • If you do not have any indicator light make sure the printer is connected to a working power outlet by verifying each end of the power cable. Next, press the printer power button. • 2. Cables not connected properly • Your printer should have two cables connected to it. The power cable and the data cable, the power cable should have already been verified as being connected if your printer has a power indicator light as mentioned above. Make sure the data cable (parallel cable or USB cable) is also connected from the printer to the computer. • 3. Printer error (orange or blinking light) • After your printer has completed its initial startup you should have a solid green light. If the light indicator is blinking or orange often this is an indication of a printer error. For example, this could indicate a paper jam, issue with the ink or toner cartridge, or other serious error. • No paper or paper jam • 4. Inkjet printer ink related issues • Often when you're encountering an ink related issue you're printer status indicator light (mentioned above) should be flashing • 5. Printer self tests • Most printers have a way of printing a test page. This page allows you to determine if the printer is physically working or not.
Module 6: Using computers to work effectively with information • Twitter is a free social networking and micro-blogging service that enables its users to send and read messages known as tweets. Tweets are text-based posts of up to 140 characters displayed on the author's profile page and • delivered to the author's subscribers who are known as followers. Senders can restrict delivery to those in their circle of friends or, by default, allow open access. Users can send and receive tweets via the Twitter website, Short Message Service (SMS) or external applications. While the service itself costs nothing to use, accessing it through SMS may incur phone service provider fees. • Since its creation in 2006 by Jack Dorsey, Twitter has gained notability and popularity worldwide. It is sometimes described as the "SMS of the Internet. • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twitter • Why do so many people seem to like Twitter? • Simplicity has played an important role in Twitter's success. People are eager to connect with other people and Twitter makes that simple. Twitter asks one question, "What are you doing?" Answers must be under 140 characters in length and can be sent via mobile texting, instant message, or the web.
Ways of using Twitter • 1. Personal Branding. • 2. Get Feedback. • 3. Hire People. • 4. Direct traffic. • 5. Read News. • 6. Make New Friends. • 7. Network for benefits. • 8. Use it as a ToDo list • 9. Business Management. • 10. Notify Your Customers. • 11. Take Notes. • 12. Event Updates. • 13. Find Prospects. • 14. Provide Live coverage. • 15. Time Management and Analysis. • 16. Set Up Meetings. • 17. Acquire Votes. Send a link to your stories you’ve submitted in other social news sites like Digg. Sometimes your followers will vote up the stories because they agree with it. This allows you to acquire more support for your efforts on other social media websites.
What is Cloud Computing? Using servers hosted on the Internet for computational purposes. Cloud computing vendors build Internet accessible data centres and sell computing time to customers. http://wekti.com/glossary/ As a metaphor for the Internet, "the cloud" is a familiar cliché, but when combined with "computing," the meaning gets bigger and fuzzier. Some analysts and vendors define cloud computing narrowly as an updated version of utility computing: basically virtual servers available over the Internet. Others go very broad, arguing anything you consume outside the firewall is "in the cloud," including conventional outsourcing
PODCASTS A podcast is a digital audio or video file that is episodic; downloadable; programme-driven, mainly with a host and/or theme; and convenient, usually via an automated feed with computer software.
A cloud can be private or public. A public cloud sells services to anyone on the Internet. (Currently, Amazon Web Services is the largest public cloud provider.) A private cloud is a proprietary network or a data centre that supplies hosted services to a limited number of people. When a service provider uses public cloud resources to create their private cloud, the result is called a virtual private cloud. Private or public, the goal of cloud computing is to provide easy, scalable access to computing resources and IT services.
