Scheme of Work
This year you will be working through the OCR Entry Level Specification.
While most of your tasks are on Moodle below is some really useful video support material but first a look at the course summary:
Below is a test example from the first section of work that we will be covering (hardware, software and logic). This test can run as a single 45 min test or be broken into 3 sections of 15 min each. Below is an example of the full test to give you some idea.
Assignment: 1 (Hardware Key Terms)
Please click on the icon and name a document with your name and class to complete the details. When complete these can be printed.
Assignment 2 ( Software Key Terms) - same procedure please!
Computer Hardware
Computer Software
Application Software
Utilities Software
TASK: Application and Utility Software
Application Software
Choose from the link below one of the 101 best free software applications to talk about. There are questions below the link to guide you.
101 Free Software Applications
1) What is the application of this software - where and what is it used for?
2) List the features (and demonstrate if possible by screenshot) it has.
3) What are it's strong points and what are it's weak points?
4) What other software can do the same or a similar thing?
OR
Utility Software or System Tools
Choose from the link below one of the 10 best free PC System Tools to talk about. There are questions below the link to guide you.
2) List the features (and demonstrate if possible by screenshot) it has.
3) What are it's strong points and what are it's weak points?
4) What other software can do the same or a similar thing?
Software
Computer software, or simply software is any set of machine-readable instructions that directs a computer's processor to perform specific operations. You can’t touch software, it is not a physical component.
a) System software
It is computer software designed to operate and control the computer hardware and to provide a platform for running application software. System software can be separated into two different categories, operating system and system utility software.
Operating system: An operating system (sometimes abbreviated as "OS") is the program that, after being initially loaded, manages all the other programs and hardwares in a computer. It is the most important program that runs on a computer. It also interacts with the user with the help of the user interface. Examples: Windows 8, DOS, Mac OS X, Linux.
System utility software: It is system software designed to help analyze, configure, optimize or maintain a computer. Anti-virus, firewall, system information and diagnostics, system-cleanup, disk defragmenter, disk formatter, automatic updating, etc.
Firewall: Controls the incoming and outgoing network traffic based on applied rule set. Many personal computer operating systems include software-based firewalls to protect against threats from the public Internet. Eg.: ZoneAlarm Free Firewall.
Antivirus: It is a software designed to detect and destroy computer viruses. Eg.: Norton Antivirus. A computer virus is a program that, when executed, replicates by inserting copies of itself (possibly modified) into other computer programs, data files.
Anti-spyware programs: Many programmers and some commercial firms have released products dedicated to remove or block spyware. Spyware is software that aids in gathering information about a person or organization without their knowledge.
Automatic updating: It is a service that will automatically install updates for your computer as they become available. This is a very important feature to keep your computer secure.
Disk defragmenter: It is a utility in Microsoft Windows designed to increase access speed by rearranging files stored on a disk to occupy contiguous storage locations.
System restore: It is a Windows utility that helps you restore your computer's system files to an earlier point in time. It's a way to undo system changes to your computer without affecting your personal files, such as e‑mail, documents, or photos.
Disk formatting tool: Disk formatting is the process of preparing a data storage device such as a hard disk drive, solid-state drive, floppy disk or USB flash drive for initial use. As a general rule, formatting a disk deletes most if not all existing data from the disk.
b) Application software
It is a set of one or more programs designed to carry out operations for a specific task. Application software cannot run on itself but is dependent on system software (Operating System) to execute. You can find lots of applications for different tasks. Like:
· Adobe InDesign – DTP (Desktop Publishing)
· Microsoft Excel – Creating, editing spreadsheets
· Microsoft Access – Creating, editing databases
· Microsoft Word – Creating, editing documents
etc.
Questions to think about:
Ø You have a computer but it runs slowly. What could you do to make it faster? Why?
Ø Your computer acts strangely. Random messages and websites appear on the screen. What can you do to solve this problem?
Ø You want to be protected from attackers who could steal data from you through the Internet. What kind of software should you install?
Ø You want to create a newspaper in school. Which kind of application is the best for that? Why?
Ø You want to return your computer to a previous state. Which utility should you use?
Ø What is the name of the Operating System that you use at home?
Ø You want to try out a different Operating System on your computer. What options do you have? Give a reason for your choice.
Ø You want to have a Skype conversation with someone. What kind of peripherals would you need for a full audiovisual experience?
Binary
What are Binary Numbers?
Do you know Binary?
Use this image to remember the BINARY numbering system.
"BASE 2"
Games:
Binary Game
Tests:
Binary Test
Binary Logic Test
Logic Gates
http://www.neuroproductions.be/logic-lab/
Test your logic gate knowledge (Game)
Logic Gate Puzzler
