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Learners will understand the use of different types of systems

fixed systems:

super computers e.g. single purpose that requires manipulation of a large amount of mathematical data (weather forecasting)

mainframes e.g. high performance that can perform multiple tasks (banking)

desktop e.g. wide range of purposes for an individual user or organisations

mobile systems:

allows a wide range of tasks to be performed whilst on the move

laptop/notebook - a portable computer

netbook - a small and portable computer designed for browsing the web

tablet - a large handheld device

smartphone

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Learners will  know  the  characteristics of  hardware  components  that make up  a  computer  system including:

processors:

Central Processing Unit (CPU) e.g. pin grid array (PGA), land grid array (LGA)

Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)

memory:

volatile - temporary (short-term)

non-volatile - permanent (long-term)

storage:

local

remote

Solid State Drives (SSD)

portable storage e.g. memory sticks, hard drives, memory cards

optical drives e.g. DVD

connection methods:

Universal Series Bus (USB) 2/3

Video Graphics Array (VGA)

Digital Versatile Interface (DVI)

High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)

FireWire (IEEE1394)

Thunderbolt

Serial Advanced Technologies Attachment (SATA)

input/output devices e.g. printers, display devices

Learners will understand the functions of hardware components that make up a computer system including:

processors

memory

storage

input/output devices

Learners will be able to produce hardware system specifications for different uses.

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Learners will install and configure hardware components including:

motherboard

Random Access Memory (RAM)

internal storage e.g. SATA, SSD

graphics cards

audio interface/sound card

optical drives

network interface device

input/ output devices eg graphics tablets, keyboard, monitor, mouse

Power Supply Unit (PSU)

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Learners will understand the key functions of Operating Systems including:

file management

storage management

memory management

resource management e.g. control of peripherals:

security

user interface

Learners will compare different types

of Operating Systems including

vendor e.g. MS Windows, MacOS, iOS:

cost of licences

EULA

system requirements

open source e.g. Linux, Android:

free for non-commercial usage

end users can access and alter the source code

system requirements

availability of applications

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Learners will understand the functions of device drivers to provide a software interface to hardware devices

to enable OS and other computer programs to access hardware functions

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Learners understand the purposes of different types of application software including:

database

spreadsheets

presentation software

word processing

utilities e.g. anti-virus, compression tools

web browsers

specialist software e.g. audio, visual, graphics

bespoke software - designed to meet a specific need

Learners will understand how software can be adapted to meet the needs of end users including:

disabilities e.g. sight impaired, physical limitations

customisation e.g. use of macros, toolbars

personalisation e.g. templates, house style and appearance of software

Learners will be able to produce software system specifications for different uses.

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Topic 3.1

Learners will understand the purpose of components used to implement networks including:

network topologies:

star

infrastructure mode (wireless)

ad-hoc mode (wireless)

types of networks

client server

peer to peer

network protocols:

Medium Access Control (MAC)

IP

SMTP

IMAP

POP3

FTP

HTTP

HTTPS

Sharing resources:

file sharing

devices e.g. printers

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Learners will understand numbering systems, including:

binary

hexadecimal

decimal

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Learners will be able to connect and configure computers in a network:

connect directly using wired or wireless technologies

configure the IP addresses for the attached devices

share access to files

share access to at least one external device