Information Technology

Information Technology Syllabus

Past Papers

Ebooks / Notes

SECTION ONE: Fundamentals of Hardware and Software

• General-purpose Computer System;
• The Hardware Components of a Computer System;
• Primary Storage Devices;
• Measurement of Data;
• Compare the types of secondary storage media with respect to portability, speed and capacity;
• Use terms associated with storage devices;
• Explain the uses of various input devices and media;
• State the types and functions of input devices;
• State the types and functions of output devices;
• Describe how data are stored and manipulated within the computer;
• Interpret the hardware specifications of a computer system;
• Distinguish between system programs and application programs;
• Explain the functions of an operating system;
• Distinguish among multitasking, multiprocessing and multiprogramming;
• Explain the different types of processing modes;
• Distinguish between types of user interfaces.

SECTION 2: Problem-solving and program design

• Outline the steps in problem-solving;
• Decompose a single problem into its significant parts;
• Distinguish between variables and constants;
• Use appropriate data types;
• Explain the concept of algorithms;
• Identifying ways of representing algorithms;
• Develop algorithms to solve simple problems;
• Test algorithms for correctness;
• Use the top-down design to approach problem-solving;

SECTION 3: Program Implementation

• Distinguish between low level and high level programming languages;
• Distinguish among the different generations of programming languages;
• List the sequence of steps associated with implementing a program;
• Explain commonly used terms and concepts in programming;
• Declare elementary data types;
• Declare variables and constants;
• Manipulate data;
• Use control structures;
• Manipulate data in a list;
• Perform checks and tests on programs to verify correctness;
• Write documented programs;

SECTION 4: Applications and Implications of Information and Communications Technology

A: Internet and Communications Technology

• Use terms associated with data communications and networks;
• Distinguish among Internet, intranet and extranet;
• Describe measures to secure data and maintain data integrity;

B: Applications and Implication

• Outline ways by which information can be misused;
• Describe appropriate hardware and software to meet the particular needs of a given application;
• Describe current and emerging technological trends;
• Assess the impact of Information Technology on job skills and careers;
• Describe the roles of various personnel in computer-related professions.

SECTION 5: Information Processing

• Distinguish between data and information;
• Explain the characteristics and functions of Information Processing;
• Identify the sources of data in specified application areas;
• Describe methods of validation and verification of data;
• Identify appropriate verification and validation checks in a particular scenario;
• Describe various methods of life organisaiton and access;
• Select appropriate file organisation for particular application.

SECTION 6: Wordprocessing, Presentation and Web Page Design

A: Wordprocessing

• Select appropriate editing features in the preparation of a document;
• Describe commonly available features;
• Select appropriate formatting features for the preparation of a document;
• Use headers, footers, footnotes and endnotes appropriately;
• Combine Document;
• Perform block operations;
• Use columns and tables appropriately;
• Apply appropriate character formatting features;
• Use search and replace functions appropriately;
• Use mail-merge facilities;
• Use spell-check;
•  Import documents;

B: Presentation

• Explain the uses of presentation software;
• Explain the concepts of wizards, templates and slides;
• Choose appropriate slide layout;
• Apply design template to slides;
• Use formatting features effectively to enhance presentation;
• Create slide headers and footers;
• Create and use speaker notes;
• Apply various types of animation effects to slides;
• Insert graphics and moving pictures into a slide;
• Manipulate multiple slides;
• Present a slide show.

C: Web Page Design

• Plan the website;
• Create a simple web page;
• Create hyperlinks;
• Test the website;
• Publish and maintain a website.

SECTION 7: Spreadsheets

• Explain the purpose of a spreadsheet;
• Use appropriate terminology and notions commonly associated with spreadsheets;
• Select basic pre-defined system functions;
• Create advanced arithmetic formulae;
• Explain the use of common features of spreadsheet software;
• Invoke row and column title locking;
• Replicate (copy) formulae into other cells;
• Manipulate data on a spreadsheet;
• Manipulate columns and rows;
• Format a spreadsheet;
• Sort a spreadsheet;
• Find a record matching given criterion;
• Perform charting operations;
• Select appropriate graphical representation of data;
• Manipulate multiple worksheets;
• Import files.

SECTION 8: Database Management

• Explain the concept of a database;
• Use terminology associated with a database;
• Distinguish among terminology associated with files and databases;
• Outline the advantages and limitations of databases;
• Create a database;
• Modify a table structure;
• Sort a database;
• Establish relationships;
• Query a database using multiple search conditions;
• Determine the results of a search on a database given multiple conditions;
• Generate reports to the screen printer and files;