ICT1531/101/0/2025

Tutorial Letter 101/0/2025

Workstation Technical Skills

ICT1531

Year Module

Computer Science Department

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please register on myUnisa, activate your myLife e-mail account and
make sure that you have regular access to the myUnisa module
website, ICT1531-25-Y, as well as your group website.

Note: This is a fully online module. It is, therefore, available only on myUnisa.

BARCODE
 CONTENTS

Page

1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................ 4
2 MODULE OVERVIEW .................................................................................................................... 5
2.1 Purpose .......................................................................................................................................... 5
2.2 Outcomes ....................................................................................................................................... 6
3 CURRICULUM TRANSFORMATION ............................................................................................ 6
4 LECTURER(S) AND CONTACT DETAILS .................................................................................... 7
5 RESOURCES ................................................................................................................................. 7
5.1 Prescribed book(s) .......................................................................................................................... 7
5.2 Recommended book(s) .................................................................................................................. 8
5.3 Electronic reserves (e-reserves) ..................................................................................................... 8
5.4 Library services and resources ....................................................................................................... 8
6 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES ................................................................................................. 9
6.1 The Unisa First-Year Experience Programme .............................................................................. 10
6.2 Using Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to apply for module credit within a qualification. ....... 11
7. STUDY PLAN ............................................................................................................................... 12
8 HOW TO STUDY ONLINE ........................................................................................................... 15
8.1 What does it mean to study fully online? ...................................................................................... 15
9. ASSESSMENT ............................................................................................................................. 16
9.1 Assessment criteria ...................................................................................................................... 16
9.2 Assessment plan .......................................................................................................................... 18
9.3 Assessment/assignment due dates .............................................................................................. 19
9.4 Submission of assessments/assignments .................................................................................... 19
9.4.1 Types of assignments and descriptions .......................................................................................... 21
9.5 The assessments/assignments..................................................................................................... 21
9.6 Other assessment methods .......................................................................................................... 22
9.7 The examination ........................................................................................................................... 22
9.7.1 Invigilation/proctoring .................................................................................................................... 22
10. ACADEMIC DISHONESTY .......................................................................................................... 23
10.1 Plagiarism ..................................................................................................................................... 23
10.2 Cheating ....................................................................................................................................... 23
10.3 For more information about plagiarism, follow the link below: ...................................................... 24
11. STUDENTS LIVING WITH DISABILITIES ................................................................................... 24

2
 ICT1531/101/0/2025

12. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS .......................................................................................... 24

13. SOURCES CONSULTED ............................................................................................................. 24
14. IN CLOSING ................................................................................................................................. 24

3
1 INTRODUCTION
Dear Student

Unisa is a comprehensive open distance e-learning (CODeL) higher education institution.

Our comprehensive curricula encapsulate a range of offerings, from strictly vocational to
strictly academic certificates, diplomas and degrees. Unisa's "openness" and its distance
eLearning character result in many students who may not previously have had an opportunity
to enrol in higher education registering at the university. Our CODeL character implies that
our programmes are carefully planned and structured to ensure success for students, ranging
from the under-prepared but with potential to those who are sufficiently prepared.

Teaching and learning in a CODeL context involves multiple modes of delivery, ranging from
blended to fully online learning. As a default position, all post-graduate programmes are
offered fully online with no printed study materials, while undergraduate programmes are
offered using a blended mode of delivery where printed study materials are augmented with
online teaching and learning via the learner management system, myUnisa. In some
instances, undergraduate programmes are offered fully online as well.

Furthermore, our programmes are aligned with the vision, mission and values of the
University. Unisa's commitment to serving humanity and shaping futures – combined with a
clear appreciation of our location on the African continent – means that Unisa's graduates
have distinctive graduate qualities, which include:

• being independent, resilient, responsible and caring citizens able to fulfil and serve in
multiple roles in their immediate and future local, national and global communities

• having a critical understanding of their location on the African continent and taking
account of its histories, challenges and potential in relation to globally diverse
contexts

• the ability to critically analyse and evaluate the credibility and usefulness of
information and data from multiple sources in a globalised world with ever-increasing
information and data flows and competing worldviews

• how to apply their discipline-specific knowledges competently, ethically and creatively

to solve real-life problems

• an awareness of their own learning and developmental needs and future potential

NB: This is a fully online module. It is, therefore, only available on myUnisa and
students will not receive any study material via post.

Whether a module is offered either as blended (meaning that we use a combination of

printed and online material to engage with you) or online (all information is available via
the internet), we use myUnisa as our virtual campus. This is an online system that is used
to administer, document and deliver educational material to you and support engagement
with you. Look out for information from your lecturer as well as other Unisa platforms to
determine how to access the virtual myUnisa module site. Information on the tools that

4
 ICT1531/101/0/2025

will be available to engage with the lecturer and fellow students to support your learning
will also be communicated via various platforms.

You are encouraged to log into the module site on myUnisa ICT1531-25-Y regularly (that is,
at least twice per week).

Because this is a fully online module, you will need to use myUnisa to study and complete
the learning activities for this module. Visit the website for [module code] on myUnisa
frequently. The website for your module is ICT1531-25-Y. Owing to the nature of this
module, you can read about the module and find your study material online. Go to the
website at https://my.unisa.ac.za and log in using your student number and password. Click
on "myModules" at the top of the web page and then on "Sites" in the top right corner. In the
new window, click on the grey Star icon next to the modules you want displayed on your
navigation bar. Close the window in the top right corner. Then select the option "Reload to
see your updated favourite sites". Now go to your navigation bar and click on the module
you want to open.

We wish you every success with your studies!

2 MODULE OVERVIEW
2.1 Purpose

Welcome to Workstation Technical Skills (Comprehensive Computer Technician). This course

provides the basic knowledge needed to be a general computer technician in a vendor-neutral
format. The hardware material covers PC hardware and peripherals, networks, mobile devices,
virtualisation and cloud computing, and troubleshooting computers, peripherals, and network
issues. The operating system material covers installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting
operating systems, software, security, and operational procedures.

This course maps to the CompTIA A+ 220-1101 and 220-1102 syllabus. This module is useful
to provide Information Technology professionals with the skills, knowledge and values needed
to install, support, maintain and analyse problems in software products and systems. The
learner will be able to help ensure the continuation of an organisation’s operations.

Qualified learners will be able to analyse, diagnose, maintain and support workstations to
specific standards for example, clearly communicate with end-users and delivering timeous and
cost-effective solutions to the satisfaction of the client.

Learners will be equipped to diagnose problems, identify solutions, suggest improvements, or

escalate the query to a specialist.

5
2.2 Outcomes

Students who have completed this module successfully will be able to:
Specific outcome 1
Identify the names, purpose, and characteristics, of system modules. Recognize these modules
by sight or definition.
Specific outcome 2
Identify basic procedures for adding and removing field-replaceable modules for desktop
systems. Given a replacement scenario, choose the appropriate sequences.
Specific outcome 3
Identify basic procedures for adding and removing field- replaceable modules for portable
systems. Given a replacement scenario, choose the appropriate sequences.
Specific outcome 4
Identify typical IRQs, DMAs, and I/O addresses, and procedures for altering these settings
when installing and configuring devices. Choose the appropriate installation or configuration
steps in a given scenario.
Specific outcome 5
Identify the names, purposes, and performance characteristics, of standardized/common
peripheral ports, associated cabling, and their connectors. Recognize ports, cabling, and
connectors, by sight.
Specific outcome 6
Identify proper procedures for installing and configuring common IDE devices. Choose the
appropriate installation or configuration sequences in given scenarios. Recognize the
associated cables.
Specific outcome 7
Identify proper procedures for installing and configuring common SCSI devices. Choose the
appropriate installation or configuration sequences in given scenarios. Recognize the
associated cables.

You must keep these outcome statements in mind throughout the course as your final
assessment will be based on these statements

3 CURRICULUM TRANSFORMATION
Unisa has implemented a transformation charter that places curriculum transformation high on
the teaching and learning agenda. Curriculum transformation includes student-centred
scholarship, the pedagogical renewal of teaching and assessment practices, the scholarship of
teaching and learning, and the infusion of African epistemologies and philosophies. All of these
are being phased in at both programme and module levels. As a result of this, you will notice a
marked change in the teaching and learning strategy implemented by Unisa, together with the
way in which the content is conceptualised in your modules. We encourage you to embrace
these changes during your studies at Unisa, responsively and within the framework of
transformation.
You are also encouraged to visit the curriculum transformation MOOC site at
https://adovh.unisa.ac.za/course/view.php?id=66. Instructions on how to log in to the LMS and
how to join a course at https://adovh.unisa.ac.za/mod/page/view.php?id=1153

6
 ICT1531/101/0/2025

4 LECTURER(S) AND CONTACT DETAILS

4.1 Lecturer(s)

The primary lecturer for this module is Mr. Molefe Maloma.

Department: Information Systems
Telephone: 011 670 9092 / 9753
Email: [email protected]

4.2 Department

You can contact the School of Computing as follows:

Telephone: 011 670 9200
Email: [email protected]

4.3 University

To contact the University, follow the instructions on the Contact us page on the Unisa website.
Remember to have your student number available whenever you contact the University.
Contact addresses of the various administrative departments appear on the Unisa website:
http://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Contact-us/Student-enquiries.

Please include your student number in all correspondence.

5 RESOURCES
5.1 Prescribed book(s)

Title. The Official CompTIA A+ Core 1 & Core 2 Student Guide (220-1101 & 220-1102)
Pub. Date: 2022-04-20
Author(s): James Pengelly
Pages: 894
ISBN: 978-1-64274-415-6
Website. https://za-store.comptia.org/the-official-comptia-a-core-1-and-core-2-student-guide-
exams-220-1101-and-220-1102-/p/APL-11C-SPBK-22-C
You can also purchase the textbook from Masterskills publishers:
CompTIA A+ Certification Core 1 & Core 2 (Exam 220-1101 & 220-1102), Comprehensive,
product code: CCT0102-R10-SCC.
Website: www.masterskill.co.za OR http://196.28.20.20/crm/. You may order the book through
Marlene Louw and/or Landy Meth. Tel: +21 21 200 6667, email: [email protected]
and/or [email protected].

7
It is the responsibility of the student to consult both publishers (CompTIA and Masterskills) in
order to compare the prices and decide on which publisher to purchase the textbook from.
Note: If you struggle with the procedure of getting your book, check announcement or use
course contact on myUNISA.

You can probably find enough about Linux on the Internet. A good site for Linux is the Ubuntu
website and it may be a good idea to run Ubuntu Linux from a CD or download from the website
to get an idea of what it can do. The fun thing about the module is that you have to learn how to
find information. This is because IT information and practises changes so quickly. So, the stuff
you learn now will be out of date soon. But the skill of finding information will stay with you.

5.2 Recommended book(s)

There are no recommended books for this module but any textbook that covers CompTIA A+
220-1101 & 220-1102 syllabus can be used.

Recommended material can be used as additional reading and can be requested online, via the
library catalogue.

5.3 Electronic reserves (e-reserves)

There are no electronic reserves for this module E-reserves can be downloaded from the library
catalogue. More information is available at: http://libguides.unisa.ac.za/request/request
Search for E-reserves at http://oasis.unisa.ac.za/search/r

E-reserves can be downloaded from the library webpage, option Find E-reserves

5.4 Library services and resources

The Unisa Library offers a range of information services and resources and has made
numerous library guides available at http://libguides.unisa.ac.za

Recommended guides:

• For brief information on the library, go to https://www.unisa.ac.za/library/libatglance

• For more detailed library information, go to
http://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library
• For Frequently Asked Questions, go to
https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library/Frequently-Asked-Questions
• For research support and services such as the Personal Librarian service and the
Information Search Librarian's Literature Search Request (on your research topic)
service, go to http://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library/Library-
services/Research-support
• For library training for undergraduate students, go to
https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library/Library-services/Training
• For Lending Services, go
to https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library/Library-services/Lending-
services
• For Services for Postgraduate students, go to
https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library/Services-for-Postgraduates

8
 ICT1531/101/0/2025

• For Support and Services for students with disabilities, go to

https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library/Services-for-students-with-
special-needs
• For Library Technology Support, go to https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/techsupport
• For information on finding and using library resources and tools, go to
http://libguides.unisa.ac.za/Research_skills
• For an A–Z list of library databases, go to https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/az.php

Important contact information:

• Technical problems encountered in accessing library online services: Lib-
[email protected]
• General library-related queries: [email protected]
• Queries related to library fines and payments: [email protected]
• Interlibrary loan service for postgraduate students: [email protected]
• Literature Search Service: [email protected]
• Social media channels: Facebook: UnisaLibrary and Twitter: @UnisaLibrary

To view the Library orientation video – please click here : Unisa Library and Information
Services Video_1_1 (2).mp4

6 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

The Study@Unisa brochure is available on myUnisa at www.unisa.ac.za/brochures/studies

This brochure contains important information and guidelines for successful studies through
Unisa.

If you need assistance concerning the myModules system, you are welcome to use the
following contact details:

• Toll-free landline: 0800 00 1870 (Select option 07 for myModules)

• E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]

You can access and view short videos on topics such as how to view your calendar, how to
access module content, how to view announcements for modules, how to submit assessments
and how to participate in forum activities by visiting https://dtls-
qa.unisa.ac.za/course/view.php?id=32130

Registered Unisa students receive a free myLife e-mail account. Important information,
notices and updates are sent exclusively to this account. Please note that it can take up to 24
hours for your account to be activated after you have claimed it.

Please claim your e-mail account immediately after registering at Unisa by following this link:
https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/myunisa/default/Claim-UNISA-Login

or follow this link to get more information:

https://www.unisa.ac.za/static/myunisa/Content/Announcements/Documents/Claim-myUnisa-
myLife-Nov-2017.pdf

9
Your myLife account is the only e-mail account recognised by Unisa for official correspondence with
the University and will remain the official primary e-mail address on record at Unisa. You remain
responsible for managing this e-mail account.
You remain responsible for the management of this e-mail account.

6.1 The Unisa First-Year Experience Programme

Many students find the transition from school education to tertiary education stressful and this is often
true for students enrolling at Unisa for the first time. Unisa is a dedicated open distance and e-learning
institution and is very different from face-to-face/contact institutions. It is a mega university and all its
programmes are offered through either blended learning or fully online learning. For these reasons, we
offer first-time students additional/extended support to help them navigate the Unisa teaching and
learning journey seamlessly and with little difficulty and few barriers.

Unisa’s First-Year Experience (FYE) Programme has been specially designed to provide you with
prompt and helpful information about the services that the institution offers.

The following FYE services are currently available

FYE Website Email Support

www.unisa.ac.za/FYE [email protected]

FYE1500
Post-
myUnisa; Study
Registration Referrals to Skills; Academic &
Orientation other support Digital Literacies;
services etc
e.g. Counselling;
Reading & Writing
workshops

To ensure that you do not miss out on important academic and support communication from
the SRU, please check your myLife inbox regularly.

10
 ICT1531/101/0/2025

6.2 Using Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to apply for module credit within a
qualification.
Now that you are a registered student, you are advised to familiarise yourself with the learning outcomes
of the module or modules you have chosen. If you have been exposed to those learning outcomes for
three years or more – either through work experience or other involvement – you can apply to be
exempted from completing assignments and writing examinations. As part of your application for this
exemption, you will be required to compile a portfolio of evidence substantiating how your experience is
equivalent to the learning outcomes. The diagram below shows the steps involved in obtaining
recognition of prior learning (RPL) for module credit. For more information on the process, RPL fees, and
the contact details of your college RPL coordinator, visit the Unisa website: www.unisa.ac.za/rpl

11
7. STUDY PLAN
Studying fully online modules differs completely from studying some of your other modules at
Unisa.

• All your study material and learning activities for online modules are designed to be
delivered online on myUnisa.
• All your assignments must be submitted online. This means that you will do all your
activities and submit all your assignments on myUnisa. In other words, you may NOT
post your assignments to Unisa using the South African Post Office.
• All communication between you and the University happens online. Lecturers will
communicate with you via e-mail and SMS, and use the Announcements, the Discussion
Forums and the Questions and Answers tools. You can also use all of these platforms to
ask questions and contact your lecturers.

# Activity

1. Register for MyUnisa and MyLife email account

2. Login to MyUnisa, download and review the TL101

3. Purchase the prescribed textbook and note assignment due dates

Week 3-6: Lessons -Hardware

Topics:

• Basic PC components (Motherboards, CPUs, RAM, Power supplies)

• Storage devices (HDD, SSD, RAID configurations)
• Peripheral devices (Printers, scanners, display devices)
4. • Mobile devices (Laptops, smartphones, tablets)
• Network hardware (Routers, switches, cabling)

Activities:

• Read chapters in the study guide

• Take practice questions on each topic
• Hands-on practice: Disassemble and reassemble a computer

Week 5-6: Networking

Topics:

• Networking concepts (TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP)

• Cabling and connectors (Ethernet, fiber, coaxial)
• Wireless networking (Wi-Fi standards, encryption types)
• Network troubleshooting (Common issues, diagnostic tools)
5.
Activities:

• Watch networking-focused videos

• Read chapters in the study guide
• Participate on the eTutor site
• Set up a small home network for practice
• Attempt networking practice questions

12
 ICT1531/101/0/2025

# Activity

Week 9-10: Mobile Devices and Virtualization

Topics:

• Mobile device hardware (Components, disassembly, repair)

• Mobile device networking (Configurations, connections)
• Virtualization and cloud computing (Concepts, usage)
6.
Activities:

• Watch mobile and virtualization videos

• Read related chapters
• Practice configuring mobile devices and virtual machines
• Participate on the eTutor site
• Take practice quizzes

Week 11 – Complete Assignment 01

Activities:
7.
• Prepare and complete Assignment 01
• Submit Assignment 01 on MyUnisa

Week 12-13: Operating Systems

Topics:

• Windows OS (Installation, configuration, command-line tools)

• macOS and Linux basics (Usage, file management)
• Virtualization basics (Creating and managing virtual machines)
• Troubleshooting OS issues (Common problems, solutions)
8.
Activities:

• Watch OS-focused videos

• Read chapters on operating systems
• Install and configure different OS on a practise machine
• Participate on the eTutor site
• Take practice test for OS topics

Week 14-15: Security

Topics:

• Basic security concepts (Threats, vulnerabilities, best practices)

• Security tools and technologies (Firewalls, antivirus, encryption)
9. • Social engineering and physical security (Prevention techniques)
• Troubleshooting security issues (Diagnostic tools, solutions)

Activities:

• Watch security-focused videos

• Read chapters on security
• Participate on the eTutor site

13
# Activity

• Practice setting up security measures on devices

• Take security practice quizzes

Week 16 – Complete Assignment 02

Activities:
10.
• Participate on the eTutor site
• Prepare and complete Assignment 02
• Submit Assignment 02 on MyUnisa

Week 17-18: Software Troubleshooting

Topics:

• Common software issues (Application crashes, compatibility problems)

• Troubleshooting tools (Event Viewer, Task Manager, System Restore)
• Malware removal (Tools, techniques)
11.
Activities:

• Watch software troubleshooting videos

• Read related chapters
• Practice diagnosing and fixing software issues on various devices
• Participate on the eTutor site
• Take software troubleshooting practice tests

Week 19 – Complete Assignment 03

Activities:
12.
• Participate on the eTutor site
• Prepare and complete Assignment 03
• Submit Assignment 03 on MyUnisa

Week 20-21: Operational Procedures

Topics:

• Best practices (Documentation, change management)

• Safety procedures (ESD, electrical safety)
• Professionalism and communication (Customer service, communication skills)
13.
Activities:

• Watch operational procedures videos

• Read chapters on operational procedures
• Participate on the eTutor site
• Take related practice quizzes

Week 24 – Complete Assignment 04

14.
Activities:

• Participate on the eTutor site

14
 ICT1531/101/0/2025

# Activity

• Prepare and complete Assignment 04

• Submit Assignment 04 on MyUnisa

Week 25: Review and Prepare for Exam

Activities:

• Review all notes and highlights

15.
• Take full-length practice exams to simulate test conditions
• Identify weak areas and revisit those topics
• Join study groups or forums on the eTutor site to discuss difficult concepts
• Ensure all exam logistics are in place (exam preparation, IRIS App installed and working
properly, Sort out Network and Computer issues)

Exam Week (Online Exam)

Activities:
16.
• Review high-level notes and summaries
• Get plenty of rest before the exam day
• Arrive at the test station/room early and with all required materials (Student card, ID
Document)

8 HOW TO STUDY ONLINE

8.1 What does it mean to study fully online?

Studying fully online modules differs completely from studying some of your other modules at Unisa.

• All your study material and learning activities for online modules are designed to be delivered
online on myUnisa.
• All your assignments must be submitted online. This means that you will do all your activities and
submit all your assignments on myUnisa. In other words, you may NOT post your assignments to
Unisa using the South African Post Office.
• All communication between you and the University happens online. Lecturers will communicate
with you via e-mail and SMS, and will use the Announcements, Discussion Forum, and
Questions and Answers options. You can also use all these platforms to ask questions and
contact your lecturers.

15
9. ASSESSMENT
9.1 Assessment criteria

As part of the formative assessment of this module you will be required to complete
assignments for this module; the due dates are available on myUnisa. The assignments must
be completed and submitted online. You will only be allowed to submit the assignments once.

Doing a qualification such as the National Diploma in IT through Unisa is the same as doing it
through any of the residential institutions. This means that you need to spend as much time on
each of your modules as you would if you were attending classes.
This module is on level 5 of the NQF (National Qualifications Framework) and it contributes 12
credits towards your final qualification. According to the Department of Education, you should
therefore spend 120 notional hours completing this module; these hours include time spent
studying, doing the online activities, completing assignments and writing the exam.
The module is run over a year, and 2 hours is deducted from the notional hours for the exam.

Please also refer to your Study @ Unisa brochure for general time management and planning skills
– this module requires about four to six hours per week. NB: For written and/or multiple-choice
question assignments - Please ONLY submit on myUnisa. Assignments may not be submitted by
fax, e-mail or postal service. For detailed information on assignments, please refer to the Study @
Unisa brochure.

NB: Because this is an online module, the assignments are not provided in this tutorial letter.
Instead, the assignments are provided online as they become due. You will see them when you
go online.
The national hours attached to the module are divided as follows:

Hours Activity

8 Purchase prescribed books

Register on my.unisa.ac.za
Get hardware and software in place

15 Study theoretical concepts from prescribed book

30 Complete practical examples and exercises in prescribed book

5 Participate in online discussion

5 Participate in etutor site activities

20 Complete formative assessment

10 Complete self-assessments

25 Prepare for summative assessment

2 Complete summative assessment

16
 ICT1531/101/0/2025

Specific outcomes Assessment criteria

• The names, purpose, and characteristics, of field-replaceable

system modules are identified by the student. These
modules are recognised by specification, by sight, or by
definition. Ports, cabling, and connectors, are recognised by
specification, by description or by sight
• Basic procedures for adding and removing field-replaceable
modules for desktop systems are accuretly identified by the
student.
• Typical system resources, and procedures for altering these
Install, configure, and upgrade settings are identified for the purpose of installing and/or
1 workstation hardware. configuring devices.
• Proper procedures for installing and configuring common IDE
and SATA devices are identified. Associated cables are
recognised.
• Proper procedures for installing and configuring common
peripheral devices are identified.
• Relevant issues that must be considered when upgrading a
PC are correctly determined.

In a given scenario, appropriate sequences of testing repairing and

upgrading are identified where appropriate.

• Common problems associated with each module and their

symptoms are recognised, and steps to isolate and
Diagnose and troubleshoot troubleshoot the problems are correctly identified
workstation hardware problems.
Basic troubleshooting procedures and tools, and how to elicit
problem symptoms from customers are identified.

• Various types of preventive maintenance measures, products

and procedures are identified, and when and how to use
them are correctly described.
• Various safety measures and procedures, and when/how to
Maintain workstations and use them are identified
printing devices, and ensure • Printer technologies, interfaces, and options/upgrades are
adherence to safety, and identified and selection for appropriate applications is
environmental standards determined.
• Common printer problems and techniques used to resolve
them are identified and correctly applied.

Basic network connectivity is maintained

• The popular CPU chips are distinguished in terms of their

basic characteristics.
• Types of RAM (Random Access Memory), form factors, and
Demonstrate an understanding operational characteristics are correctly identified and
of the common current specified.
motherboards / processors / • The most popular types of motherboards, their components,
memory issues and and their architecture (bus structures) are identified.
technologies.
The purpose of CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor)
memory, what it contains, and how and when to change its
parameters are correctly described.

Demonstrate an understanding • The major desktop components and interfaces, and their
of operating system functions are described and identified. The characteristics of
fundamentals and be able to popular operating systems including commercial products
install, configure, upgrade, and open source, are identified.

17
 Specific outcomes Assessment criteria

operating system software. • The names, locations, purposes, and contents of major
system files are identified and, given an upgrade scenario,
the appropriate steps either to upgrade or to apply service
packs are selected.
• The ability to use command-line functions and utilities to
manage the operating system is demonstrated. This includes
the proper syntax and switches.
• Basic concepts and procedures for creating, viewing, and
managing disks, directories and files are identified and
described. This includes procedures for changing file
attributes and the ramifications of those changes (for
example, security issues).
• The major operating system utilities, their purpose, location,
and available switches are correctly identified including those
used for basic network connectivity.
• Procedures for installing operating systems and bringing the
operating system to a basic operational level are identified.
For example Windows 10 Professional, Linux.

The basic system boot sequences and boot methods are identified,
including the steps to create an emergency boot disk with utilities
installed for popular operating systems.

• The meaning of common error codes and startup messages

from the boot sequence is recognised and interpreted
correctly. Steps to correct the problems are appropriately
selected.
• Recognize when to use common diagnostic utilities and
Diagnose and troubleshoot tools. Given a diagnostic scenario involving one of these
operating system problems by utilities or tools, select the appropriate steps needed to
interacting with the end user and resolve the problem.
if necessary with the client. • Common operational and usability problems are recognised
and how to resolve them is determined.

Good communicating skills including listening and tact or discretion

when communicating with colleagues, users, and clients are used by
the student

9.2 Assessment plan

• To complete this module, you will be required to submit FOUR assignments.

• All information about when and where to submit your assignments will be made available
to you via the myModules site for your module.
• Due dates for assignments, as well as the actual assignments, will be available on the
myModules site for this module.
• To gain admission to the examination, you will be required to submit ONE assignment/s.
• To gain admission to the examination, you will need to obtain a year mark average of 5%
for the assignments.
• The assignment weighting for the module is 20%.
• You will receive examination information via the myModules sites. Please watch out for
announcements on how examinations for the modules for which you are registered will
be conducted.

18
 ICT1531/101/0/2025

• The examination will count 80% towards the final module mark.

Assessment Method of assessment Outcomes covered in Weigh

number assessment contribution of
assessment

1 MCQ - Quiz Install, configure, and upgrade 20%

workstation hardware.
Diagnose and troubleshoot
workstation hardware problems.

2 MCQ – Quiz Maintain workstations and 20%

printing devices, and ensure
adherence to safety, and
environmental standards

Demonstrate an understanding of
the common current
motherboards / processors /
memory issues and technologies.

3 Written – Discussion Questions Demonstrate an understanding of 30%

operating system fundamentals
Forums and be able to install, configure,
upgrade, operating system
Online participation
software.

4 Written – Discussion Questions Diagnose and troubleshoot 30%

operating system problems by
Forums interacting with the end user and
if necessary with the client.
Online participation

9.3 Assessment/assignment due dates

• There are no assessment/assignment due dates included in this tutorial letter.

• Assessment/assignment due dates will be made available to you on the myUnisa landing
page for this module. We envisage that the due dates will be available to you upon
registration.

• Please start working on your assessments as soon as you register for the module.

• Log on to the myUnisa site for this module to obtain more information on the due dates
for the submission of the assessments/assignments

9.4 Submission of assessments/assignments

• Unisa, as a comprehensive open distance e-learning institution (CODeL), is moving

towards becoming an online institution. You will see, therefore, that all your study
material, assessments and engagements with your lecturer and fellow students will take
place online. To facilitate this, we use myUnisa as our virtual campus.

19
 • The myUnisa virtual campus offers students access to the myModules site, where
learning material is available online and where assessments should be completed.
Together, myUnisa and myModules form an online system that is used to administer,
document, and deliver educational material to students and support engagement
between those students and Unisa’s academics.

• The myUnisa platform can be accessed via https://my.unisa.ac.za. Click on the

myModules 2025 button to access the online sites for the modules that you are
registered for.

• The University undertakes to communicate clearly and as frequently as is necessary to

ensure that you obtain the greatest benefit from your use of the myModules learning
management system. Please access the Announcements on your myModules site
regularly, as this is where your lecturer will post important information to be shared with
you.

• When you access your myModules site for the module/s you are registered for, you will
see a welcome message posted by your lecturer. Below the welcome message you will
see the assessment shells for the assessments that you need to complete. Some
assessments may be multiple choice, some may be tests and others may be written
assessments/assignments, while some may be forum discussions and so on. All
assessments must be completed on the assessment shells available on the respective
module platforms.

• To complete quiz assessments, please log on to the module site where you need to
complete the assessment. Click on the relevant assessment shell (Assessment 1,
Assessment 2, etc.). There will be a date recorded there telling you when the
assessment will open for you. When the assessment is open, access the quiz online and
complete it within the time available to you. Quiz assessment questions are not included
in this tutorial letter (Tutorial Letter 101) and are made available online only. You must
therefore access and complete the quiz online where it has been created.

• It is not advisable to use a cellphone to complete quizzes and you should please use a
desktop computer, tablet or laptop for this task. Students who use cellphones find it
difficult to navigate the Online Assessment tool on the small screen and often struggle
to navigate between questions and successfully complete the quizzes. In addition,
cellphones are more vulnerable to dropped internet connections than other devices. If at
all possible, please do not use a cellphone for this assessment type.

• For written assessments/assignments, please note the due date by which your work must
be submitted. Ensure that you follow the guidelines given by your lecturer to complete
the assessment/assignment. Click on the submission button on the relevant assessment
shell on myModules. You will then be able to upload your written assessment to the
myModules site for the modules that you are registered for. Before you finalise the
upload, double-check that you have selected the correct file for uploading. Remember,
no marks can be allocated for incorrectly submitted assessments/assignments.

20
 ICT1531/101/0/2025

9.4.1 Types of assignments and descriptions

All assignments are defined as either optional, mandatory, compulsory, or elective.

• Elective assignments
- If not submitted, the student gets no mark for this item.
- The best of the required submissions will count.
• Mandatory assignments
- If not submitted, the student gets no mark for this item.
• Optional assignments – You are encouraged, as a student, to do optional
assignments in order to benefit your learning.

I. Elective assignments
a. The student is given a choice of which assignments within an identified group to
submit and only the best result/s, the number of which is specified in advance, will
contribute towards the year mark.
b. Elective assignments must be grouped into an elective group.
c. For the student to select which assignment to submit, the elective assignments must
be grouped together. For such an elective group, relevant information (such as how
many of the assignments must be submitted and how many of the assignment marks
should be combined into the year mark) will be supplied to you.
d. The selection criteria define how marks received for assignments in an elective group
are to be combined into the year mark. Three different criteria may be used for
calculating the year mark:
• The best mark should be used, or
• If the student submits fewer than the required number of assignments per
group, or no assignment in a group, a mark of 0% will be used.
• 0% is awarded to all non-submitted or unmarked assessments. A best mark is
then calculated from all the qualifying items submitted.

II. Mandatory assessments/assignments

a. Mandatory assessments/assignments contribute to the year mark.
b. If a student fails to submit a mandatory assignment, no mark is awarded and the year
mark is calculated accordingly. The student will therefore forfeit the marks attached to
such an assignment when the final mark for the module is calculated.

III. Optional assessments assignments – You are encouraged, as a student, to do

optional assessments/assignments in order to benefit your learning.

9.5 The assessments/assignments

As indicated in section 9.2, you need to complete FOUR assessments/assignments for this
module. Details of the tasks set will appear on the assessments/assignments themselves.

There are no assignments included in this tutorial letter. Assignments and due dates will be
made available to you on myModules for this module. We envisage that the due dates will be
available to you upon registration.

21
9.6 Other assessment methods

Self-assessment questions are made available on MyModules for this module.

9.7 The examination

Examination information and details on the format of the examination will be made available to
you online via the myUnisa site. Look out for information that will be shared with you by your
lecturer and e-tutors (where relevant), as well as for communication from the University.

9.7.1 Invigilation/proctoring

Since 2020, Unisa has conducted all its assessments online. Given the stringent requirements
imposed by professional bodies, as well as increased solicitation of Unisa’s students by third
parties to unlawfully assist them with the completion of assignments and examinations, the
University is obliged to assure the integrity of its assessment integrity by using various
proctoring tools: Turnitin, Moodle Proctoring, the Invigilator App and IRIS. These tools
authenticate the student’s identity and flag suspicious behaviour to assure the credibility of their
responses during assessments. The description below is for your benefit as you may encounter
any or all of these in your registered modules:

Turnitin is plagiarism software that facilitates checks for originality in students’ submissions
against internal and external sources. Turnitin assists in identifying academic fraud and ghost
writing. Students are expected to submit typed responses when using the Turnitin software.

The Moodle Proctoring tool is facial recognition software that authenticates students’ identities
during their Quiz assessments. This tool requires access to a student’s mobile or laptop
camera. Students must ensure that their cameras are activated in their browser settings prior to
starting their assessments.

The Invigilator App is a mobile application-based service that verifies the identity of an
assessment participant. The Invigilator app detects student dishonesty-by-proxy and ensures
that the assessment participant is the student registered for the module concerned. This
invigilation tool requires students to download the app from the Google Play Store (Android
devices), the Huawei AppGallery (Huawei devices) or the Apple App Store (Apple devices) on
their camera-enabled mobile devices prior to their assessment.

The IRIS Invigilation software verifies the identity of a student during assessment and provides
for both manual and automated facial verification. It can record and review a student’s
assessment session and it flags suspicious behaviour by the student for review by an academic
administrator. The IRIS software requires installation on students’ webcam-enabled laptop

22
 ICT1531/101/0/2025

devices. IRIS invigilation software is used for all CSET online examinations/tests. It is the
responsibility of students to ensure the software is working properly before the examination
session, and attendance of training.

Students who are identified and flagged for suspicious or dishonest behaviour arising from the
invigilation and proctoring reports will be referred to the disciplinary office for formal
proceedings.

Please note:

Students must refer to their module assessment information on their myModule sites to
determine which proctoring or invigilation tool will be used for their formative and summative
assessments.

In CSET the Quiz assessment and written assessments (tests/exams) utilises the utilises
Turnitin tools, and IRIS software. Please note that you can only use Turnitin for typed
responses. The formative assessments utilise the proctoring tools to alleviate pressures
associated with lack of examination unreadiness by students. The quiz assessment utilises the
Moodle Proctoring tool, written assessment utilises the IRIS software.

10. ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

10.1 Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the act of taking the words, ideas and thoughts of others and presenting them as
your own. It is a form of theft. Plagiarism includes the following forms of academic dishonesty:

• Copying and pasting from any source without acknowledging that source.
• Not including references or deliberately inserting incorrect bibliographic information.
• Paraphrasing without acknowledging the source of the information.
10.2 Cheating
Cheating includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Completing assessments on behalf of another student, copying the work of another

student during an assessment, or allowing another student to copy your work.
• Using social media (e.g. WhatsApp, Telegram) or other platforms to disseminate
assessment information.
• Submitting corrupt or irrelevant files. (This matter is addressed in the examination
guidelines.)
• Buying completed answers from so-called “tutors” or internet sites (contract cheating).

23
 10.3 For more information about plagiarism, follow the link below:
https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/myunisa/default/Study-@-Unisa/Student-values-and-rules

11. STUDENTS LIVING WITH DISABILITIES

The Advocacy and Resource Centre for Students with Disabilities (ARCSWiD) provides an
opportunity for staff to interact with first-time and returning students with disabilities.

If you are a student with a disability and would like additional support, or if you need additional
time for assignments/assessments, you are invited to contact Mr. Molefe Maloma on
[email protected] to discuss the assistance that you need.

12. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Please visit the module site for frequently asked questions.

13. SOURCES CONSULTED

The prescribed textbook is the main source. Other sources are Microsoft’s Windows site and the
Ubuntu Linux website.

14. IN CLOSING
Do not hesitate to contact us by e-mail if you are experiencing problems with the content of this
tutorial letter or with any academic aspect of the module.
We wish you a fascinating and satisfying journey through the learning material, and trust that you
will complete the module successfully. We wish you success in your studies.
Enjoy the journey!
Molefe Maloma – lecturer for ICT1531.

©
Unisa 2025

24