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ICT111 - INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS

COURSE OUTLINE

RATIONALE
Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is a broader term for Information
Technology, which refers to all communication technologies, including the internet, wireless
networks, cell phones, computers, software, middleware, video-conferencing, social
networking and other media applications and services enabling users to access, retrieve, store,
transmit, and manipulate information in a digital form. In order to become a confident user of
ICT in the classroom, teachers need to take part in ongoing training. Teachers should
understand the benefits of digital literacy. Training in ICT needs to be recognized as essential
for teaching such skills, and as an enabler of other teaching and learning practices. However,
the development of appropriate pedagogical practices is seen as more important than technical
mastery of ICTs.”

The major focus of this course is the development of programming skills, which ae important
for success in future studies. ICT is relevant for all students because it incorporates a broad
range of transferrable problem-solving skills and techniques including logic thinking, creative
design, synthesis and evaluation. It also teaches generically useful skill in such areas as
communication, time management, organization and teamwork. ICT will provide students with
the knowledge and skills to understand the underpinnings of current computer technology and
prepare them for emerging technologies. A foundation in this discipline will introduce students
to the excitement and opportunities afforded by this dynamic field and will begin to prepare
them for a range of rewarding careers.
AIM
To build a strong foundation for further study and training in specialized areas such as computer
programming, database analysis, education, computer engineering, software engineering, IT and
ICT.
OBJECTIVES

➢ To present ICT as an integral factor of society at home, work and leisure

➢ To provide access to the skills required for individuals to understand, analyze and utilize
ICT as a wealth of tools that facilitate teaching and learning
➢ To encourage an inquisitive approach in each individual
➢ To enable the individual to have control over a broad and ever-changing media by using
IT

UNIT 1: INTRODUCTION TO ICT AND ICT SKILLS

1.1 Definition of Related terminologies and key differences
1.1.1 IT (Information Technology)
1.1.2 ICT (Information and Communication Technology)
1.1.3 CS (Computer Science)

UNIT 2: THE ROLE OF ICT

2.1 The role of ICT to an individual
2.2 The role of ICT in education
2.3 The role of ICT to students
2.4 The role of ICT to a teacher
2.6 The role of ICT to a school manager
2.7 The role of ICT in business
UNIT 3: INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS

3.1 What is a Computer?

3.2 History of Computer
3.3 Generations of Computer
3.3.1 First Generation Computers
3.3.2 Second Generation Computers
3.3.3 Fourth Generation Computers
 3.3.4 Fifth Generation Computers
3.4 Classification of Computers
Analog Computers
Digital Computers
Hybrid Computers
3.5 Types of Computers
3.6 Characteristics of a Computer
3.7 Limitations of a Computer
3.8 Different Types of Computers
3.8 Different Types of Personal Computers (PCs)
3.10 Main parts of a computer system
3.10.1 Hardware
3.10.2 Software
3.10.3 Data
3.10.4 User/ Live ware

UNIT 4: COMPUTER HARDWARE

4.1 Components of Computer Hardware
4.2 Processing Devices
4.2.1 The Central Processing Unit (CPU)
4.2.2 Memory Devices 16
4.2.3 Computer Memory
4.2.4 Random Access Memory (RAM)
4.2.5 Read Only Memory (ROM)
4.2.6 Cache
4.3 Input Devices
4.3.1 What are Input Devices?
4.4 Output Devices
4.4.1 What is output?
4.5 Storage Devices
4.5.1 Memory versus Storage
4.5.2 Storage
4.5.3 Storage Devices
4.6 The System Unit
 4.6.1 Motherboard
4.6.2 Power Supply Unit
4.6.3 CD-ROM Drive
4.6.4 Floppy Disk Drive
4.6.5 Card readers
4.6.6 Peripheral Devices
4.6.7 Ports in Your Computer
4.6.8 Factors affecting the Performance of computers

UNIT 5: COMPUTER SOFTWARE

5.1 What is Software?
5.2 Categories of Software
5.2.1 System Software
5.2.1.1 Operating system
5.2.1.2 Utility Software
5.2.1.3 Library Programs
5.2.1.4 Programming Language Translators
5.2.2 Application Software
5.2.2.1 General Purpose Application Software
5.2.2.2 Special Purpose Application Software
5.2.2.3 Bespoke Application Software

UNIT 6: USAGE OF ICT& ENVIRONMENT FOR COMPUTERS

6.1 Computers at work
6.2 Usage of ICT in different sectors
6.2.1 Potential Sectors with ICT usage
6.2.2 ICT in Education
5.2.2.1 E-learning and M-learning
5.2.2.2 Some of the disadvantages of ICTs in education
6.2.3 ICT in Business/Trade and Commerce
6.2.4 ICT in Banking
6.2.5 ICT in Medicine
6.3 Health, Safety, and Environment for computers
6.3.1 Work environment
 6.3.2 Computer related health problems
6.3.3 Proper use of mouse, monitor, and key board
6.3.4 Reference postures
6.4 Protecting environment
6.4.1 Go paperless
6.4.2 No Screen Saver
6.4.3 Turn It Off
6.4.4 Use a Flash Drive
6.4.5 Fix Your Old Computer

UNIT 7: INFORMATION SECURITY AND LEGAL REGULATIONS

7.1 Introduction to Information Security
7.1.1 Importance of Information Security
7.1.2 Possible attacks
7.1.3 Security measures
7.1.4 Forms of software threats
7.2 Hardware Threats and Viruses
7.2.5 Malicious or Careless Damage
7.3 Computer Related Privacy Issues
7.3.1 Exposure in browsing Web
7.3.2 Information that reveals you
7.3.3 Limiting the information collection
7.3.4 Protecting your privacy

UNIT 8 THE OPERATING SYSTEM

8.1 Operating System Basics
Major Features of Operating System
Management Functions of Operating System
Services Provided By Operating System
Most Desirable Characteristics Of Operating System
Most Desired Advanced Features In Modern Operating Systems
8.2 User Interface
Command Line Interface
Graphical User Interface
8.3 Types of Operating Systems
Single User Operating System
Multi-User Operating System
Network Operating System
PC Operating System - DOS
8.4 Examples Operating Systems
What Is Booting?
What Is Shutdown?
8.5 Starting Up and Using Your Computer
First Steps with a computer
Covering the Basics
Help Function

UNIT 9 DESKTOP MANAGEMENT

9.1 Graphic User Interface
Icons and pull down menu
Windows
Identifying Your Computers Properties
Personalizing Your Desktop
9.2 File Management
Introduction to Files and Folder
Copying, Moving and Deleting Files and Folders, Backing Up Files and Folders
Using the search tool
File Compression
9.3 Virus Management

UNIT 11: INTRODUCTION TO WORD PROCESSING AND MS OFFICE

11.1 What is Word Processing?
11.2 Existing word processing packages
11.2.1 What is Microsoft Office Package?
11.3.2 History of Office Versions

UNIT 12: MICROSOFT WORD 10

12.1 Getting started with Microsoft Office 10
 12.2 Getting familiarized with the MS. Word user interface
12.3 Some useful basic operations in MS Word
12.4 Editing, proofing, and formatting text with Ms. Word 10
12.5 Format a Paragraph
12.6 Page Formatting
12.7 Working with tables, illustrations, and mail merge
12.3 Working with Images
12.4 Working with ClipArt
12.5 Working with Shapes
12.6 Working with SmartArt
12.7 Working with Charts
12.8 Insert a WordArt
12.9 Working with Text boxes
12.10 Working with equations
12.11 Inserting Symbols
12.13 Working with Mail Merge

UNIT 13: INTRODUCTION TO MS EXCEL 2010

13.2 Microsoft Excel 2010 User Interface
13.3 Working with workbooks
13.4 Working with a work sheet
13.5 Data entry techniques
13.6 Moving Data within a Workbook
13.7 Defining data set as a Table
13.9 Setting, Previewing, and Printing a document
13.1 Performing Calculations on Data
13.2 Working with Excel Formulas
13.3 Working with Excel functions
13.4 Sort and filter your data
13.5 Errors in cells
13.1 Changing Document Appearance
13.2 Conditional formatting of cells
13.3 Applying Workbook Themes
UNIT 14: INTRODUCTION TO MICROSOFT POWERPOINT 2010
14.1 Starting MS PowerPoint 2010
14.1.1 Getting Familiarized with MS Power point 2010 user Interface
14.1.2 Starting your presentation
14.2 Adding more components to the slides
14.2.1 Adding text and images in a single slide
14.2.2 Adding hyperlinks
14.3 Formatting Presentations
14.3.1 Inserting a text box
14.3.2 Insert WordArt
14.3.3 Insert a Footer and Slide numbers
14.4 Formatting backgrounds and layout
14.4.1 Change the background style using Ribbon
14.4.2 Change the background using Format Background menu
14.4.3 Change the Slide Layout
14.5 Applying Themes
14.5.1 Insert Themes in to all slides
14.5.2 Insert Themes in to Selected Slides
14.6 Using Slide Master
14.6.1 Creating a Slide Master
14.6.2 Slide Master Tools
14.7 Working with Multimedia
14.7.1 Different Types of Videos
14.8 Inserting Sound and Narration
14.9 Delivering Presentations
 CONTINOUS ASSESSMENTS
TERM 1
TWO ASSIGNMENTS
ONE PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENT
ONE END OF TERM TEST

TERM 2
TWO ASSIGNMENTS
ONE PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENT
ONE END OF TERM TEST

TERM 3
TWO ASSIGNMENTS
ONE PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENT
FINAL EXAM
FURTHER READINGS

1. French, C. S (2002) COMPUTER SCIENCE, 5th Edition, Book Power,

London

2. Williams, B. K. , Sawyer, S. (2007) USING INFORMATION

TECHNOLOGY, 11th Edition, McGraw-Hill, Boston

3. Lauden, T., INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, Concepts and Issues

Beekman

4. Laudon, K. C., Laudon, J. P. (2010) MANAGEMENT INFORMATION

SYSTEMS, 11th Edition, Pearson, London