COMPUTER APPLICATIONS TECHNOLOGY: GR.

12

EXAM OUTLINE 2016

THEORY ( GR. 10 – 12)

Systems Technologies: General Concepts

• Types of computer systems for different uses:

- Personal, SOHO, mobile and power users
• Role and use of data, information, knowledge, conclusion/decision as part of
information management
• Reasons for using computers:
- saving paper, time, labour
- communication costs
- efficiency
- accuracy
- reliability
- effect on time and distance
- global communication including social networks and web tools such as blogs,
wikis, etc.
• Convergence - What is it?

Systems Technologies: Hardware

• Input, output, processing, storage and communication as part of the information

processing cycle
• Consolidate and reinforce hardware and software regarding uses, advantages and
limitations of common/generic input,
output, storage and communication devices
• Integration of input modes to enhance productivity/efficiency
• Making buying decisions:
- What to buy? / Why? / Fit for purpose
• Keyboard and mouse:
- Ergonomic considerations
- Wireless vs cables
• Digital cameras, web cams, scanners, monitors: uses, advantages and limitations
- Resolution and image quality
- Software to use with these such as OCR
• Voice recognition - uses, advantages and limitations
• Printers
- Which printer is best for task? Why?
- Budget, speed, colour, cost per page, graphics capability, photo printing, paper
type and size, system compatibility, future needs, wireless capability, mobility, fit
for purpose
- Resolution, economical and environmental considerations
• Storage:
- Capacity, volatility, durability, backup, fit for purpose
• Processing:
 - Making informed decisions regarding the basic components of the system unit
e.g. buying a system that will be suitable for
running particular software (system requirements) regarding processor and RAM
- Interpret specifications regarding CPU and RAM (basic)
• Productivity, efficiency, accuracy, accessibility issues
• Risks associated with input devices such as key logging software
• Suggest input, output, storage, communication devices as well as CPU and RAM
including specifying basic specifications in
terms of processor, memory and storage for:
- home user
- SOHO user
- mobile user
- power user
- disabled user
• Fix ordinary problems such as:
- sticky mouse
- scanning
- disk errors, e.g. defragging
- resolution
- non-responding programs
- printing problems
- checking amount of used or free space on storage medium
• New technology
- their uses and merit
CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT POLICY STATEMENT (CAPS)
CONTENT: (Grade 12 / Term 1) NOTES

(Theory) (±½ week / 2 hours)

• Software that enhances accessibility, efficiency, productivity such as:
- Voice recognition software
- Typing tutor/keyboarding skills
- Note-taking software
• Uses of common applications such as:
- Applications dealt with practically (word processing, spreadsheet, database,
presentation)
- Reference software
- E-mail software
- Document management software such as PDF file formats
- Web browsers
• Web-based applications vs installed applications
- Advantages, disadvantages, examples and what they offer
• Interpret system requirements and compare to system properties such as hard disk
space, memory, and processor
• Common software problems and upgrades such as:
- Obtaining and installing software improvements (patches), updates
- Read-only files, etc.
• Risks of using flawed software
• Which software to use where and when and by whom
Social Implications

• Social issues applicable to the above content:

- environmental issues
- user-centered design in software applications such as:
o website
o database form
o presentations
Network Technologies: Networks

• Wide area networks (WAN)

- Definition, purpose and role
• Internet as an example of a WAN
• Internet services (uses/purpose, advantages, disadvantages, limitations, examples):
- Real-time messaging - instant messaging and chat
- Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
- File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
- File sharing
- Concept of grid computing and cloud computing
• Government Internet services and information such as tax return, TV licence
payment and election information
• Make buying and informed decisions regarding Internet connection and access
- Modem/router, types of connections, e.g. ADSL, wireless technologies, including
their advantages, disadvantages and
limitations
- ISP, Internet services
- Consideration of access points, coverage (wireless)
- Data transmission speed - measured in kilobits per second(kbps) and megabits
per second (mbps)
- CAP, bundle
• Concept of broadband and bandwidth
• Downloading/uploading

Social Implications

• Social issues applicable to the above content:

- Computer crimes in relation to hardware, software, information, identity, bandwidth
theft, theft of time and services
- Internet-related fraud scams
- Internet attacks
- Taking over PCs, e.g. bots, zombies
- Right to access vs right to privacy
- Misuse of personal information
• Security issues such as malware, spyware, adware, pop-ups, key logging and safe
guards such as firewalls
• Avoiding security threats
• Safeguards against criminals, viruses and threats
• The impact of technology on the global community: Distributed computing power
 PRACTICAL (GR. 10 – 12)

Solution Development: Database

• Reinforce content, concepts and skills from Grade 11

• Design reports - grouped
• Group headers and footers
• Calculations in groups such as sum, average, counting, maximum, minimum
• Add fields with calculations in queries, reports
• Data validation techniques
• Queries using and, or, not, wildcards(*), IS Null operator
Learners should solve problems, i.e. apply a combination of techniques,
knowledge and skills learned to new situations.
Teach learners to use and combine information, data and ideas to solve
the problems to discover and explain relationships or trends and predict
behaviour/events,
Tasks given to learners should also involve procedural skills and encourage

Solution Development: Spreadsheet computational thinking.

• Reinforce content, concepts and skills

• More complex functions such as:
- Nested IF
- Vertical lookup, including error indicator #N/A
- Variations of known functions, e.g. rounding up and rounding down
• Basic date and time calculations

Solution Development: Word Processing

• Bookmarks
• Reviewing and tracking changes
• Line breaks (pagination issues such as widow/orphan control)
• Import data collected via electronic forms
Solution Development: HTML/Web Design

• Reinforce content, concepts and skills as well as good website/page design

• HTML tables
- Syntax: Table tags
• Attributes: border, cell padding
• Develop a web page for a specific scenario

Solution Development: Spreadsheets (practical and theory)

• Reinforce and consolidate content, concepts and skills
• Text functions such as:
- left, right, mid, concatenate, len, value and find
Solution Development: Word Processing (practical and theory)
• Reinforce and consolidate content, concepts and skills
• Mail Merge - different data sources, e.g. e-mail list
• File management: Prepare, publish

CONTENT: (Grade 12 / Term 2) NOTES

Solution Development: Database
• Reinforce and consolidate content, concepts and skills
• Design a database for a specific scenario

IMPORTANT:

Gr. 10 – 12 theory and practical can be tested theoretical and practical