ICDL Module 1

Table of Contents

1. General Concepts

Hardware, Software, Information Technology

Types of Computer

Main Parts of a Personal Computer

Computer Performance

2. Hardware

Central Processing Unit

Parts of the CPU

Memory

Memory Measurements

Units of memory

Input Devices

Keyboard

Mouse

Touchpad

Trackball

Lightpen

Bar code reader

Joystick

Digital camera

Microphone

Scanner

Output Devices

Visual Display Unit (VDU)

Printers

Plotters

Speakers

Input/Output Devices

Storage Devices

Diskette

Zip disk

Data cartridge

CD ROM

DVD

Hard disk drive

Flash memory and memory sticks

Relative cost of storage

Formatting disks

3. Software

Types of Software

Operating System Software

Applications Software

Graphical User Interface

Systems Development

Program Development Life Cycle

4. Information Networks

Networks

Client-server and peer-to-peer networks

LAN

WAN

Advantages of Networking

Sharing Printers and Files

File Servers

Printer Servers

Application Servers

Internet Connection Sharing (Proxy Servers)

Intranet, Extranet, Internet

Internet

Intranet

Extranet

Uses of the Internet

The World Wide Web

The Telephone Network in Computing

PSTN

ISDN

ADSL

Communications Terminology

Analogue signals

Digital signals

Modems

Data transfer rates

5. The Use of IT in Everyday Life

Computers at Work

Corporate Application

Public Sector Applications

Inland Revenue

National census and other demographic data

Vehicle Registration

Voting registers

Electronic voting

National Identity System

Health Sector Applications

Patient records

Scheduling

Ambulance control systems

Diagnostic tools

Specialised surgical equipment

Education Sector Applications

Student records

Timetabling

CBT

Automated examinations

Distance learning

Homework using the Internet

Teleworking Applications

Advantages of Teleworking

Disadvantages of Teleworking

Electronic World

Electronic Mail

e-Commerce

Doing Business over the Net

6. Health, Safety and Environment

Ergonomics

Monitors

Keyboards and mouse

Desks and chairs

Health Issues

Lighting and ventilation

Precautions

Adequate earthing

Cabling

Load on power points

The Environment

Paper

Consumables

Power

Environmental Conciousness

7. Security

Information Security

Information Security

Personal privacy

Company confidentiality

Protecting company information

Privacy Issues

Information stored on computers

Physical procedures

Software procedures

Vulnerability of data (Data Backup)

Implications of Theft

Computer Viruses

Types of Viruses

Spread of computer viruses

Virus Protection

8. Copyright and the Law

Copyright

Copyright

Copyright Issues

Licensing Issues

Data Protection Legislation