Below is a list of the topics examined by the ICT2 theory paper. By the end of the course, there will be entries in the Materials column for all sections of the course. Note that where there are Word documents and PowerPoint presentations for the same topic, they are not necessarily the same.
Topic |
Contents |
Materials |
Data Capture |
Describe methods of data capture and identify appropriate contexts for their use Understand the concept of data encoding |
Data Capture Methods PowerPoint presentation (Data, Information and Knowledge for encoding) |
Validation and Verification |
Understand the difference between accuracy and validity Explain sources of errors and how they could be overcome Understand the difference between validation and verification Describe appropriate data validation techniques |
|
Organisation of data for effective retrieval |
Describe methods of data capture and identify appropriate contexts for their use Understand the concept of data encoding |
Boolean operators (PowerPoint presentation) You might also like to look at the Databases section of this web-site |
Software: nature, capabilities and limitations |
distinguish between systems and application software describe the nature of generic, package and bespoke software describe the functionality of internet software describe the features of software that make it appropriate for particular users explain the technical and human implications of upgrading software explain the difficulties of thoroughly testing complex software |
Software nature & capabilities Object Linking and Embedding (Word) |
Manipulation and/or |
Describe the different modes of operation: batch, interactive, transaction and real-time, identifying appropriate contexts for use. Describe the characteristics of processing data in the form of text, pictures, numbers and sound. |
Manipulation and Processing - PowerPoint presentation Modes of Processing - Word document |
Dissemination/Distribution |
Describe the need for suitable output formats and orderings to communicate the results of data interrogation and undertake report generation. |
This section has been covered implicitly through other sections, including: |
Hardware; nature, capabilities and limitations |
Decribe the broad characteristics, capabilities and limitations of current input devices, storage devices, communication devices, processing devices and output devices, and identify appropriate contexts for their use |
2-7 Nature of Hardware - PowerPoint presentation |
Security of Data |
Understand the importance of mechanisms for maintaining security Understand the difference between privacy and security Understand procedures to protect against accidental or malicious alteration Understand the need for regular and systematic backups and procedures for recovery |
|
Network Environments |
Describe the characteristics and relative advantages of network and standalone environments Decribe the difference between a Local area and a Wide area network Describe the elements of network environments |
|
Human/Computer Interface |
Understand the need to form an effective dialogue between humans and machines Explain the need to design systems appropriate to both users and environments Describe the advantages of common user interfaces Describe the advantages and limitations of a natural language interface |
User Interfaces (PowerPoint presentation) |
NB. To move through a PowerPoint presentation that runs in a window (rather than full-screen), you need to use the PgUp and PgDn keys - don't ask me why!