ITGS Booklet
Document Sample
ITGS Programme
Basic Concepts of
Information Technology in Global Society
Prepared by:
Zakaria Al-Rababa'h
2010 - 2011
CONTENTS
1 GETTING STARTED ...........................................................................................................................1
1.1 NATURE OF THE SUBJECT .......................................................................................................................1
1.2 AIMS .......................................................................................................................................................1
1.3 OBJECTIVES ............................................................................................................................................1
2 SYLLABUS OUTLINE: ...........................................................................................................................2
2.1 SECTION 1: SOCIAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES ................................................................................................2
2.1.1 Reliability .......................................................................................................................................2
2.1.2 Integrity ..........................................................................................................................................2
2.1.3 Security ...........................................................................................................................................2
2.1.4 Privacy and anonymity ...................................................................................................................3
2.1.5 Authenticity .....................................................................................................................................3
2.1.6 Intellectual property .......................................................................................................................3
2.1.7 Equality of access ...........................................................................................................................3
2.1.8 Control............................................................................................................................................3
2.1.9 Globalization and cultural diversity ...............................................................................................3
2.1.10 Policies and standards..................................................................................................................3
2.1.11 People and machines ....................................................................................................................4
2.2 SECTION 2: IT SYSTEMS IN A SOCIAL CONTEXT .......................................................................................4
2.2.1 HARDWARE/SOFTWARE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ........................................................................4
2.2.1.1 Types of Computer .......................................................................................................................5
2.2.1.2 Main Parts of a Personal Computer ............................................................................................9
2.2.2 HARDWARE .......................................................................................................................................15
2.2.2.1 Central Processing Unit ............................................................................................................15
2.2.2.2 Input Devices .............................................................................................................................17
2.2.2.3 Output Devices ..........................................................................................................................20
2.2.3 STORAGE ...........................................................................................................................................25
2.2.3.1 Memory Storage Devices ...........................................................................................................25
2.2.3.2 Types of Memory .......................................................................................................................27
2.2.3.3 Measuring Memory....................................................................................................................28
2.2.3.4 Computer Performance .............................................................................................................29
2.2.4 SOFTWARE.........................................................................................................................................31
2.2.4.1 Types of Software.......................................................................................................................31
2.2.4.2 Operating System Software ........................................................................................................32
2.2.4.3 Applications Software ................................................................................................................32
2.2.4.4 Systems Development.................................................................................................................34
2.2.5 INFORMATION NETWORKS .................................................................................................................35
2.2.5.1 LAN and WAN ...........................................................................................................................35
2.2.5.2 The Telephone Network in Computing ......................................................................................36
2.2.5.3 Electronic Mail ..........................................................................................................................37
2.2.5.4 The Internet ...............................................................................................................................38
2.2.6 COMPUTERS IN EVERYDAY LIFE ........................................................................................................41
2.2.6.1 Computers in the Home .............................................................................................................41
2.2.6.2 Computers at Work or in Education ..........................................................................................42
2.2.6.3 Computers in Daily Life.............................................................................................................45
2.2.7 IT AND SOCIETY ................................................................................................................................49
2.2.7.1 A Changing World .....................................................................................................................49
2.2.7.2 A Good Workspace ....................................................................................................................50
2.2.7.3 Health and Safety.......................................................................................................................51
2.2.8 SECURITY, COPYRIGHT AND THE LAW...............................................................................................53
2.2.8.1 Security ......................................................................................................................................53
2.2.8.2 Computer Viruses ......................................................................................................................56
2.2.8.3 Copyright ...................................................................................................................................57
2.2.8.4 Data Protection Act ...................................................................................................................58
2.3 SECTION 3: AREAS OF IMPACT...............................................................................................................59
2.3.1 Business and employment .............................................................................................................59
2.3.2 Education ......................................................................................................................................59
2.3.3 Health ...........................................................................................................................................59
2.3.4 Arts, entertainment and leisure .....................................................................................................59
2.3.5 Science and the environment ........................................................................................................60
2.3.6 Politics and government ...............................................................................................................60
3 EXERCISES: ............................................................................................................................................61
3.1 GETTING STARTED ...........................................................................................................................61
3.2 HARDWARE .........................................................................................................................................62
3.3 STORAGE .............................................................................................................................................62
3.4 SOFTWARE ..........................................................................................................................................63
3.5 INFORMATION NETWORKS ...........................................................................................................64
3.6 COMPUTERS IN EVERYDAY LIFE ................................................................................................65
3.7 IT AND SOCIETY ................................................................................................................................65
3.8 SECURITY, COPYRIGHT AND THE LAW ....................................................................................66
4 PROJECT EXAMPLE.............................................................................................................................67
1 Getting Started
1.1 Nature of the Subject
1.2 Aims
1.3 Objectives
1
2 Syllabus Outline:
2.1 Section 1: social and ethical issues
2.1.1 Reliability
2.1.2 Integrity
2.1.3 Security
2.1.4 Privacy and anonymity
2.1.5 Authenticity
2.1.6 Intellectual property
2.1.7 Equality of access
2.1.8 Control
2.1.9 Globalization and cultural diversity
2.1.10 Policies and standards
3
2.1.11 People and machines
2.2 Section 2: IT systems in a social context
2.2.1 Hardware/Software Information Technology
Hardware
Software
Information
Technology
(IT)
2.2.1.1 Types of Computer
What is a
mainframe
computer?
What is a
mini-
computer?
5
What is a
super-
computer?
What is the
difference
between a PC
and a Mac?
What is a
networked
computer?
What are
laptop &
palmtops
computers?
What is the
difference
between
intelligent
and dumb
terminals?
7
Computer
speed and
capacity
issues
2.2.1.2 Main Parts of a Personal Computer
The System
Unit
The System
(Mother)
Board
9
The CPU
Memory
(RAM)
ROM-BIOS
Serial Port
Parallel Port
Universal
Serial Bus
(USB)
The Monitor
The Keyboard
The Mouse
CD-ROM
11
DVD Drives
Floppy disk
Zip Disc
Hard (Fixed)
Disk
What is a
peripheral
device?
Additional
items or
cards
Sound cards
and speakers
Modems
Printers
Scanners
Recordable
CDs
13
Tape backup
What are
input
devices?
What are
output
devices?
What is
PCMCIA?
2.2.2 Hardware
2.2.2.1 Central Processing Unit
The CPU
(Central
Processing
Unit)
15
2.2.2.2 Input Devices
Know some of the main devices for inputting data into a computer such as mice,
keyboards, trackballs, scanners, touch pads, light pens, joysticks etc.
The Mouse
The Keyboard
Tracker Balls
Scanners
Touch Pads
17
Light Pens
Joysticks
Voice input
for PCs
Web Cams
Digital
Cameras
19
2.2.2.3 Output Devices
The VDU
(computer
monitor or
screen)
Flat screen
monitors
Screen size
What is VGA
Super VGA
and XGA?
Graphics for
games
Computer
presentation
projection
devices
21
Different
types of
printer
Laser printers
Color laser
printers
Inkjet printers
Dot Matrix
printers
Printer
Memory
Cost of printer
peripherals
Plotters
23
Speakers
Speech
synthesizers
2.2.3 Storage
2.2.3.1 Memory Storage Devices
Internal hard
disks
External hard
disks
Zip drives
25
Jaz drives
Diskettes
(floppy disks)
CD-ROM
Disks
DVD Drives
What is the
difference
between
internal and
external hard
disks?
2.2.3.2 Types of Memory
What is
RAM?
What is
ROM?
What is the
ROM-BIOS?
What is flash
BIOS?
The ROM-
BIOS and the
Year 2000
bug
What is Video
(graphics)
memory?
27
2.2.3.3 Measuring Memory
Basic Units of
Data Storage
Bit
Byte
Kilobyte
Megabyte
Gigabyte
Files
Directories
(folders)
Records
2.2.3.4 Computer Performance
Computer
speed
29
2.2.4 Software
2.2.4.1 Types of Software
What is an
Operating
System?
What is an
Application
Program?
31
2.2.4.2 Operating System Software
What is a
Graphical
User
Interface?
The
advantages
of using a
GUI
2.2.4.3 Applications Software
Examples of Microsoft Word http://www.microsoft.com/office/word/default.htm
word-
processing Lotus Word Pro http://www.lotus.com/home.nsf/welcome/wordpro
applications
WordPerfect http://www.corel.com/Office2000
Examples of Microsoft Excel http://www.microsoft.com/office/excel
spreadsheet
applications Lotus 123 http://www.lotus.com/home.nsf/welcome/lotus123
Examples of Microsoft Access http://www.microsoft.com/office/access
database
applications Lotus Approach http://www.lotus.com/home.nsf/welcome/approach
Examples of Sage software http://www.sage.com
payroll
applications
Examples of Microsoft PowerPoint http://www.microsoft.com/office/powerpoint
presentation
applications Lotus Freelance http://www.lotus.com/home.nsf/welcome/freelance
Examples of Abode Photoshop http://www.adobe.com
desktop
publishing
applications
Examples of
multimedia
applications
Examples of Microsoft FrontPage http://www.microsoft.com/frontpage
Web
authoring
applications
33
2.2.4.4 Systems Development
What is a
systems
development
cycle?
2.2.5 Information Networks
2.2.5.1 LAN and WAN
What is a
LAN?
What is a
WAN?
What is
workgroup
computing?
35
2.2.5.2 The Telephone Network in Computing
PSDN
ISDN
Satellites
Fax
Telex
Modem
Digital vs.
analogue
Baud rate
2.2.5.3 Electronic Mail
The Benefits
of E-mail
What is
required to
Use E-mail?
37
2.2.5.4 The Internet
What is the
Internet and
how is it
useful?
Internet
Search
Engines
39
The cost of
email vs.
conventional
mail
2.2.6 Computers in Everyday Life
2.2.6.1 Computers in the Home
Know some of the uses of the PC at home e.g. hobbies, household accounts, working from
home, projects and homework, using e-mail and the Internet.
Computers
and the
opportunities
offered by
their use
Computer
games
Home
working
41
Home
Banking
Connecting
to the Web
2.2.6.2 Computers at Work or in Education
CBT
(Computer
Based
Training)
Automated
production
systems
Design
Systems
Types of
systems used
in business
Stock Control
Accounts /
Payroll
Voice Mail /
Fax
Email
Word
processing
Spreadsheets
Databases
Presentation
Graphics
Translation
programs
43
Where
computers
might be
more
appropriate
than people
Where people
might be
more
appropriate
than
computers
2.2.6.3 Computers in Daily Life
Types of
systems used
in the home
Accounts
45
Games
Educational
Working from
home (Tele-
working)
Internet
Bank 'hole in
the wall' cash
machines
On-line
banking
Smart ID
cards
Doctors
surgeries
47
2.2.7 IT and Society
2.2.7.1 A Changing World
The Concept
of the
“Information
Society”
Year 2000
issues
E-commerce
49
2.2.7.2 A Good Workspace
Good
working
practices
2.2.7.3 Health and Safety
Make sure
that cables
are safely
secured
Make sure
that power
points are not
overloaded
Repetitive
Strain Injury
(RSI)
Glare from
screens
Bad posture
51
2.2.8 Security, Copyright and the Law
2.2.8.1 Security
Why do you
need to back
up your
computer?
Organizing
your
computer for
more efficient
backups
Complete vs.
incremental
backups
53
Why you
should use
'off-site'
storage?
Beware of
'open files'
Passwords
The
Importance of
shutting
down your
computer
What is a
UPS?
Electrical
surge
protection
Things
computers
like
Things to
avoid
What to do if
the computer
breaks down
55
2.2.8.2 Computer Viruses
What are
computer
viruses?
How do
viruses infect
PCs?
How to
prevent virus
damage
To make a
diskette read-
only
To password
protect your
computer
2.2.8.3 Copyright
Software
Copyright
Issues
What is
freeware?
What is
shareware?
What about
software that
you find on
the Internet
57
What are site
licenses?
2.2.8.4 Data Protection Act
Data
Protection
and Privacy
Issues
Data
Protection
Legislation
2.3 Section 3: areas of impact
2.3.1 Business and employment
2.3.2 Education
2.3.3 Health
2.3.4 Arts, entertainment and leisure
59
2.3.5 Science and the environment
2.3.6 Politics and government
Exercises:
1.1 Getting Started
1.1.1 Hardware/Software Information Technology
Explain the terms “hardware” and “software”.
1.1.2 Types of Computer
What is a mainframe computer?
What is a mini-computer?
What is the difference between a PC and a Mac?
What is a networked computer?
What is a laptop computer?
What is the difference between intelligent and dumb terminals?
Explain the role of the CPU type in the overall speed of a computer.
Explain the role of the computer's clock speed in the overall speed of a computer.
Explain the role of the amount of RAM in the overall speed of a computer.
What unit is commonly used to measure the storage capacity of a hard disk?
1.1.3 Main Parts of a Personal Computer
What is meant by the term "system unit"?
What is meant by the term system (mother) board?
What is meant by the term CPU (Central Processing Unit)?
What is meant by the term RAM (Random Access Memory)?
What is meant by the term ROM-BIOS (Read Only Memory - Basic Input Output System)?
What does the term serial port mean?
What does the term parallel port mean?
What is meant by the term USB (Universal Serial Bus)?
What does the term monitor mean?
Briefly compare and contrast floppy disks, hard disks, CD-ROMs and DVDs.
What is meant by the term Zip disc?
What does the term peripheral device mean?
What is the function of a modem?
What is the function of a printer?
What is the function of a scanner?
Explain how a recordable CD may be useful!
What is the function of a tape backup unit?
Explain the terms “Input Device” and “Output Device”.
Where might you use PCMCIA compatible hardware devices?
61
1.2 Hardware
1.2.1 Central Processing Unit
Explain the function of the CPU.
What unit is used to measure the speed of the CPU?
1.2.2 Input Devices
List types of input devices.
1.2.3 Output Devices
List types of output devices.
What is the term VDU short for?
Explain some of the advantages of flat screen monitors.
Is screen size normally measured horizontally or diagonally?
What is VGA short for?
Contrast VGA with XGA.
What is a computer projection device and who might use such as device?
List as many different types of printer as you can.
Explain the term “printer consumerables”, and their significance in printer running costs.
1.3 Storage
1.3.1 Memory Storage Devices
Please complete the following table comparing the speed, capacity and cost of a range of different data storage
devices.
Device Speed Capacity Cost
Internal hard disk
External hard disk
Zip and Jaz drives
Floppy disks (diskettes)
CD-ROM drives
DVD drives
1.3.2 Types of Memory
What is RAM short for?
What is ROM short for?
What is RAM used for?
What is ROM used for?
What does ROM-BIOS stand for and what is it used for?
What does the term “flash BIOS” mean and why can it be useful?
1.3.3 Measuring Memory
What is a “bit”.
How many bits are there in a byte?
What does the word binary mean?
How many bytes are there in 1 KB?
How many bytes are there in 1 MB?
How many bytes are there in 1 GB?
Explain the terms computer files and computer records.
1.3.4 Computer Performance
List items that affect the overall speed of a computer.
1.4 Software
1.4.1 Types of Software
What is an Operating System?
Give examples of different operating systems.
What is an Application Program?
1.4.2 Operating System Software
What is a Graphical User Interface?
List advantages of using a GUI.
1.4.3 Applications Software
List examples of word-processing applications.
List examples of spreadsheet applications.
List examples of database applications.
63
List examples of payroll applications.
List examples of presentation applications.
List examples of desktop publishing applications.
List examples of multimedia applications.
List examples of Web authoring applications.
1.4.4 Systems Development
What is a systems development cycle?
1.5 Information Networks
1.5.1 LAN and WAN
What does the term LAN stand for?
List some of the advantages of using a PC connected to a network.
What does the term WAN stand for?
Compare LANs and WANs?
What is workgroup computing?
1.5.2 The Telephone Network in Computing
Explain the term PSDN.
Explain the term ISDN.
Explain how satellite communications have impacted on the use of a PC.
Explain the term Fax.
Explain the term Telex.
Explain the term Modem.
Explain the difference between digital vs. analogue.
Explain the term Baud rate.
1.5.3 Electronic Mail
Explain some of the benefits of using e-mail.
What is required to use e-mail?
1.5.4 The Internet
What is the term WWW short for?
What is the Internet and how is it useful?
What is the difference between the Internet and the WWW?
What is an Internet search engine?
List examples of commonly used search engines.
Compare and contrast the use of email vs. conventional mail.
1.6 Computers in Everyday Life
1.6.1 Computers in the Home
Explain how computers within the home may be used in connection with pursuing a hobby.
Explain how computers within the home may be used in connection with running the household accounts.
Explain how computers within the home may be used in connection with working from home.
Explain how computers within the home may be used to help children with their homework.
1.6.2 Computers at Work or in Education
Explain the term CBT.
Explain how automated production systems can increase productivity within industry.
Explain how computerized design systems can increase producing within the creative design business.
List types of computer based systems used in business to aid productivity.
List areas where it would be better to use a computer than a person.
1.6.3 Computers in Daily Life
List types of computer systems used within the home.
List types of computer systems used in education.
Explain ways in which the banks have exploited the use of the computer.
Explain ways in which the supermarkets have exploited the use of the computer.
Explain the terms “Smart ID cards”.
1.7 IT and Society
1.7.1 A Changing World
Explain the concept of the “Information Society”.
Explain the problems surrounding the “Year 2000 bug” that occurred at the start of this millennium.
Explain the term “e-commerce”.
65
1.7.2 A Good Workspace
List some good working practices with regard to the use of a computer.
List some bad working practices with regard to the use of a computer.
1.7.3 Health and Safety
List some of the precautions that you should take to ensure that your computer is safe to use, and does not
infringe health and safety regulations.
What is RSI?
Why is it essential to use a properly designed chair when using a computer?
1.8 Security, Copyright and the Law
1.8.1 Security
Why do you need to back up your computer?
How might you organize your computer for more efficient backups?
Compare complete vs. incremental backups.
Why should you use 'off-site' storage for data that you have backed up?
Why is it important to use passwords to protect your computer data?
Describe the importance of properly shutting down your computer.
What is a UPS?
Why might electrical surge protection for your computer be a good idea?
1.8.2 Computer Viruses
What are computer viruses?
How do viruses infect PCs?
How might you protect your PC against virus threats?
How could you make a diskette read-only?
1.8.3 Copyright
Describe some of the common software copyright issues connected with the use of a PC.
What is freeware?
What is shareware?
1.8.4 Data Protection Act
List the main points of the Data Protection Act (or similar legislation within your country).
Project Example
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