Topic outline
1. The basic concepts of ICT
1.1 The basic building blocks of information
1.2 Abstract model of information
1.3 Basic components of a computer system
1.4 The activities of data processing life cycle
1.5 The use of ICT in different fields
1.6 The impact of ICT on the society
2. The evolution of computers
2.1 Elicits the significant changes occurred in the computers from generation to generation with more emphasis on the evolution of processors
2.2 The functionality of a computer in relation to the hardware and their interfaces
2.3 Explores the Von Neumann Architecture
2.4 Different types of memory and their main characteristics
3. Data representation in computers
3.1 Analyses how numbers are represented in computers
3.2 Analyses how characters are represented in computers
3.3 Uses basic arithmetic and logical operations on binary numbers
4. Logic Gates
4.1 Basic digital logic gates
4.2 Laws of Boolean algebra and Karnaugh map
4.3 Designs simple digital circuits using logic gates
4.4 Combinational Logic circuits
5.Operating systems
5.1 Defines the term Computer Operating System (OS) and investigates its need in computer systems
5.2 Explores how an operating system manages directories/folders and files in computers
5.3 Explores how an operating system manages processes in computers
5.4 Explores how an operating system manages the resources
6. Data communication and computer networking technologies
6.1 Signals and their properties
6.2 Signal transmission media
6.3 Investigates how digital data is encoded using signal elements
6.4 The use of Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)
6.5 Connecting Multiple devices into a network
6.6 The role of Media Access Control (MAC) protocol
6.7 Explores how the multiple networks are interconnected to form the internet
6.8 The role of transport protocol in the internet
- 6.9 Explores some applications on the internet
6.10 The role of reference models
6.11 The security aspects of the communication
6.12 The role of ISPs and technologies used for connecting Home Networks to the Internet
7. Information Systems
7.1 Characteristics of Systems
7.2 Different types of manmade systems
7.3 Different information system development models and methods
7.4 Structured system Analysis and Design Methodology (SSADM)
7.5 Investigates the need for a new information system
7.6 Uses different methods to analyze the current system
7.7 Designs the proposed system
7.8 Develops and tests the proposed system
7.9 Deploys the developed system
7.10 Describes system implementation with off-the-shelf packaged systems