ECDL - Module One
Concepts of Information Technology
Overview
This module requires the candidate to have an understanding of some of the main concepts of IT at a general level. The candidate is required to understand the make-up of a personal computer in terms of hardware and software and to understand some of the concepts of Information Technology (IT) such as data storage and memory.
The candidate shall also understand how information networks are used within computing and be aware of the uses of computer- based software applications in everyday life.
The candidate shall appreciate health and safety issues as well as some environmental factors involved in using computers.
The candidate shall be aware of some of the important security and legal issues associated with using computers.
Duration
1 day.
Course Content
General Concepts
Hardware, Software, Information Technology
- Hardware
- Software
- Information Technology (IT)
Types of Computer
- What is a mainframe computer?
- What is a PC?
- What is a Mac?
- What is a networked computer?
- What are laptop & palmtop computers?
- What is a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)?
- Types of computer: Mainframe, PC, Networked PC, Laptop, Palmtop, PDA
- Main Parts of a Personal Computer
Computer Performance
- Factors affecting performance
Hardware
Central Processing Unit
- The CPU (Central Processing Unit)
Memory
- What is computer memory?
- What is RAM and ROM?
- What is the ROM-BIOS?
- What is flash BIOS?
- What is video (graphics) memory?
Input Devices
- The Mouse
- The Keyboard
- Tracker Balls
- Scanners
- Touch Pads
- Light Pens
- Joysticks
- Voice input for PCs (microphones)
- Web Cams
- Digital Cameras
Output Devices
- The VDU (computer monitor or screen)
- Flat screen monitors
- Screen size
- Graphics for games
- Computer presentation projection devices
- Different types of printer
- Laser printers
- Colour laser printers
- Inkjet printers
- Dot Matrix printers
- Printer Memory
- Cost of running a printer
- Plotters
- Speakers
- Speech synthesizers
Input/Output Devices
- Input/Output devices
Storage Devices
- Internal hard disks
- External hard disks
- Zip drives
- Jaz drives
- Diskettes (floppy disks)
- CD Disks
- DVD Drives
- What is the difference between internal and external hard disks?
- Why format a disk?
Software
Types of Software
- What is an Operating System?
- What is an Application Program?
- Why are new versions of software released year after year?
Operating System Software
- What is an Operating System?
Applications Software
- What is an application program?
- Word processing
- Spreadsheets
- Databases
- Presentation
- Accounts/Payroll
- Web browsing
- Web authoring
Graphical User Interface (GUI)
- What is a Graphical User Interface?
- The advantages of using a GUI (Graphical User Interface)
Systems Development
- What is systems development?
- What is a systems development cycle?
Information Networks
LAN and WAN
- What is a LAN (Local Area Network)?
- What is a WAN?
- What does client/server mean?
- What is workgroup computing?
- Advantages of workgroup computing
- Disadvantages of workgroup computing
Intranet and Extranet
- What is the difference between the Internet and an Intranet?
- What is the difference between an Intranet and an Extranet?
The Internet
- What is the Internet?
- What is the Internet and how is it useful?
- What is the difference between the World Wide Web (www) and the Internet?
The Telephone Network in Computing
- How is the telephone line used in computing?
- Where to get help about technical terms
- What is PSTN?
- What is PSDN?
- What is ISDN?
- What is ADSL?
- What is DSL?
- Digital vs. analogue
- Modem
- Baud rate
The Use of IT in Everyday Life
Computers at Work
- Where computers might be more appropriate than people
- Where people might be more appropriate than computers
- Examples of large scale computer applications in business
- Uses of large scale computers applications within government
- Uses of computer applications within hospitals and the health care system
- Uses of computer applications in education
- What is tele-working?
- Some of the advantages of tele-working
- Some of the disadvantages of tele-working
Electronic World
- What is email?
- What is E-commerce?
- What is E-banking?
- The process of shopping online
- The advantages of e-commerce
- The disadvantages of e-commerce
Health, Safety and Environment
Ergonomics
- Good working practices
Health Issues
- Using a computer incorrectly can damage your health
- Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)
- Glare from screens
- Bad posture
Precautions
- Make sure that cables are safely secured
- Make sure that power points are not overloaded
The Environment
- Computers and the environment
- Don’t Waste Paper
Security
Information Security
- What is information security?
- Advantages of proactive information security
- Passwords
- The Importance of shutting down your computer
- What is a UPS?
- Electrical surge protection
- Things computers like
- Things to avoid
- What to do if the computer breaks down
- Dealing with security problems
- Responsibilities for dealing with security problems
- Security rights and obligations
- User IDs and passwords?
- Choosing a secure password
- How secure is your software?
- How do your manage data securely?
- How do you dispose of data securely?
- What is visitor control?
- Why do you need to back up your computer?
- Organising your computer for more efficient backups
- Complete vs. incremental backups
- Why you should use 'off-site' storage?
- Beware of 'open files'
- What if your laptop is stolen?
- What if your mobile phone is stolen?
Computer Viruses
- What are computer viruses?
- How do viruses infect PCs?
- How to prevent virus damage
- To make a diskette read-only
- To password protect your computer
- How do your protect computers from attack?
- What to do if you discover a virus on your computer
- The limitations of anti virus software
- What is virus disinfecting?
- Anti-virus Precautions
Copyright and the Law
Copyright
- Software Copyright Issues
- What are site licences?
- Copyright Issues
- How to check a software Product ID
- What is freeware?
- What is shareware?
- What about software which you find on the Internet
- What is an end-user licence agreement?
Data Protection Legislation
- Data Protection Legislation