COMPUTER APPLICATION
TECHNOLOGY (CAT) THEORY
Grade 10-12 IEB, 2024
, TABLE OF CONTENT
SECTION 1: .............................................................................................................................................. 5
SYSTEM TECHNOLOGIES............................................................................................................ 5
Computers in our everyday lives (Module 1.1) .............................................................................. 6
Why we use computer? ..................................................................................................................... 6
1. Efficiency, accuracy and reliability ......................................................................................... 6
2. Communication ...................................................................................................................... 6
Types of computer systems ............................................................................................................... 8
1. Non-portable computers........................................................................................................ 8
Categories of users ............................................................................................................................. 9
Personal/casual users (computer): ................................................................................................ 9
Personal computers (PCs): ........................................................................................................... 10
SOHO user..................................................................................................................................... 10
Mobile user ................................................................................................................................... 10
Power user .................................................................................................................................... 11
Enterprise user ............................................................................................................................. 11
Convergence of technology ............................................................................................................. 11
SUMMARY: ....................................................................................................................................... 13
Why we use computers? .............................................................................................................. 13
Types of computer systems: ........................................................................................................ 13
Categories of users: ...................................................................................................................... 13
Entry-level computers: ................................................................................................................. 15
Convergence: ................................................................................................................................ 15
EXTRA INFORMATION: ..................................................................................................................... 16
Hardware devices (Module 1.2) ........................................................................................... 22
The information processing cycle? .................................................................................................. 22
Input:............................................................................................................................................. 22
Processing: .................................................................................................................................... 22
Combining input sources: ............................................................................................................ 24
Input devices ................................................................................................................................ 24
Ergonomic consideration: Factors – buying decision: ................................................................. 26
Risk associated with human input devices .................................................................................. 26
OCT Software ................................................................................................................................ 27
Image capture devices in general (Scanners and digital cameras) ............................................. 27
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, Output devices ............................................................................................................................. 28
Monitor & Display ............................................................................................................................ 29
Printers ......................................................................................................................................... 29
Social Implications: Environmental considerations ................................................................... 31
Storage devices................................................................................................................................. 31
Communication Devices................................................................................................................... 35
Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality ........................................................................................... 36
SUMMARY: Concepts, terms and tips .......................................................................................... 38
Hardware Recommendations (Module 1.3) .................................................................... 39
Buying a computer ........................................................................................................................... 39
System Unit .................................................................................................................................. 39
Devices that connect to the computer ........................................................................................ 41
Devices for disabled users............................................................................................................ 42
The Value of ICT............................................................................................................................ 48
Efficiency, productivity and accuracy .......................................................................................... 48
Accessibility .................................................................................................................................. 50
New Technology ........................................................................................................................... 51
Social Implications – Environmental Issues................................................................................. 51
SUMMARY – Concepts, terms and tips:....................................................................................... 53
The value of ICT: ........................................................................................................................... 53
New technology: .......................................................................................................................... 53
Software (Module 1.4) ............................................................................................................. 54
Choosing the right software......................................................................................................... 54
Purpose of the software............................................................................................................... 54
Web-based applications versus installed applications ............................................................... 54
Compatibility ................................................................................................................................ 59
Application software .................................................................................................................... 60
Commonly use type of applications: ........................................................................................... 60
Office suites: ................................................................................................................................. 60
Reference software ...................................................................................................................... 61
Web browser ................................................................................................................................ 61
Email Software ............................................................................................................................. 61
Document management software – using the PDF .................................................................... 61
Software that enhances accessibility, efficiency and productivity ............................................ 62
Software – which/where/when/by whom..................................................................................... 63
Fixing software problems................................................................................................................. 66
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, Basic troubleshooting................................................................................................................... 66
Bugs – why we need to keep software updated ......................................................................... 67
User-centred design ..................................................................................................................... 67
SUMMARY – Concepts, Terms and Tips .......................................................................................... 70
Choosing software:....................................................................................................................... 70
Commonly used types of applications:........................................................................................ 70
Software that enhances accessibility, efficiency and productivity ............................................ 70
Fixing software problems:............................................................................................................ 71
User-centred design: .................................................................................................................... 71
System software and computer management .............................................................. 72
(Module 1.5) ................................................................................................................................. 72
Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 72
Operating Systems ........................................................................................................................... 72
The role of operating systems ..................................................................................................... 73
The Task Manager ........................................................................................................................ 74
Single-user versus multi-user operating system ......................................................................... 74
Operating Systems Utilities.............................................................................................................. 74
File Management.......................................................................................................................... 75
Scheduling..................................................................................................................................... 76
Printer Management .................................................................................................................... 76
Backup .......................................................................................................................................... 77
Backup software ........................................................................................................................... 77
Backup tips ................................................................................................................................... 77
Security tools .................................................................................................................................... 78
Access control ............................................................................................................................... 78
Firewall ......................................................................................................................................... 78
Security ......................................................................................................................................... 78
Factors influencing performance ..................................................................................................... 80
Memory (RAM) ............................................................................................................................. 80
Processors (CPU)........................................................................................................................... 81
Hard Drive (HDD) / SSD ................................................................................................................ 81
Number of applications running .................................................................................................. 82
Caching.......................................................................................................................................... 82
Disk space and speed ................................................................................................................... 82
Malware – basic concepts ............................................................................................................ 82
Troubleshooting using utility software ........................................................................................... 82
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TECHNOLOGY (CAT) THEORY
Grade 10-12 IEB, 2024
, TABLE OF CONTENT
SECTION 1: .............................................................................................................................................. 5
SYSTEM TECHNOLOGIES............................................................................................................ 5
Computers in our everyday lives (Module 1.1) .............................................................................. 6
Why we use computer? ..................................................................................................................... 6
1. Efficiency, accuracy and reliability ......................................................................................... 6
2. Communication ...................................................................................................................... 6
Types of computer systems ............................................................................................................... 8
1. Non-portable computers........................................................................................................ 8
Categories of users ............................................................................................................................. 9
Personal/casual users (computer): ................................................................................................ 9
Personal computers (PCs): ........................................................................................................... 10
SOHO user..................................................................................................................................... 10
Mobile user ................................................................................................................................... 10
Power user .................................................................................................................................... 11
Enterprise user ............................................................................................................................. 11
Convergence of technology ............................................................................................................. 11
SUMMARY: ....................................................................................................................................... 13
Why we use computers? .............................................................................................................. 13
Types of computer systems: ........................................................................................................ 13
Categories of users: ...................................................................................................................... 13
Entry-level computers: ................................................................................................................. 15
Convergence: ................................................................................................................................ 15
EXTRA INFORMATION: ..................................................................................................................... 16
Hardware devices (Module 1.2) ........................................................................................... 22
The information processing cycle? .................................................................................................. 22
Input:............................................................................................................................................. 22
Processing: .................................................................................................................................... 22
Combining input sources: ............................................................................................................ 24
Input devices ................................................................................................................................ 24
Ergonomic consideration: Factors – buying decision: ................................................................. 26
Risk associated with human input devices .................................................................................. 26
OCT Software ................................................................................................................................ 27
Image capture devices in general (Scanners and digital cameras) ............................................. 27
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`
, Output devices ............................................................................................................................. 28
Monitor & Display ............................................................................................................................ 29
Printers ......................................................................................................................................... 29
Social Implications: Environmental considerations ................................................................... 31
Storage devices................................................................................................................................. 31
Communication Devices................................................................................................................... 35
Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality ........................................................................................... 36
SUMMARY: Concepts, terms and tips .......................................................................................... 38
Hardware Recommendations (Module 1.3) .................................................................... 39
Buying a computer ........................................................................................................................... 39
System Unit .................................................................................................................................. 39
Devices that connect to the computer ........................................................................................ 41
Devices for disabled users............................................................................................................ 42
The Value of ICT............................................................................................................................ 48
Efficiency, productivity and accuracy .......................................................................................... 48
Accessibility .................................................................................................................................. 50
New Technology ........................................................................................................................... 51
Social Implications – Environmental Issues................................................................................. 51
SUMMARY – Concepts, terms and tips:....................................................................................... 53
The value of ICT: ........................................................................................................................... 53
New technology: .......................................................................................................................... 53
Software (Module 1.4) ............................................................................................................. 54
Choosing the right software......................................................................................................... 54
Purpose of the software............................................................................................................... 54
Web-based applications versus installed applications ............................................................... 54
Compatibility ................................................................................................................................ 59
Application software .................................................................................................................... 60
Commonly use type of applications: ........................................................................................... 60
Office suites: ................................................................................................................................. 60
Reference software ...................................................................................................................... 61
Web browser ................................................................................................................................ 61
Email Software ............................................................................................................................. 61
Document management software – using the PDF .................................................................... 61
Software that enhances accessibility, efficiency and productivity ............................................ 62
Software – which/where/when/by whom..................................................................................... 63
Fixing software problems................................................................................................................. 66
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, Basic troubleshooting................................................................................................................... 66
Bugs – why we need to keep software updated ......................................................................... 67
User-centred design ..................................................................................................................... 67
SUMMARY – Concepts, Terms and Tips .......................................................................................... 70
Choosing software:....................................................................................................................... 70
Commonly used types of applications:........................................................................................ 70
Software that enhances accessibility, efficiency and productivity ............................................ 70
Fixing software problems:............................................................................................................ 71
User-centred design: .................................................................................................................... 71
System software and computer management .............................................................. 72
(Module 1.5) ................................................................................................................................. 72
Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 72
Operating Systems ........................................................................................................................... 72
The role of operating systems ..................................................................................................... 73
The Task Manager ........................................................................................................................ 74
Single-user versus multi-user operating system ......................................................................... 74
Operating Systems Utilities.............................................................................................................. 74
File Management.......................................................................................................................... 75
Scheduling..................................................................................................................................... 76
Printer Management .................................................................................................................... 76
Backup .......................................................................................................................................... 77
Backup software ........................................................................................................................... 77
Backup tips ................................................................................................................................... 77
Security tools .................................................................................................................................... 78
Access control ............................................................................................................................... 78
Firewall ......................................................................................................................................... 78
Security ......................................................................................................................................... 78
Factors influencing performance ..................................................................................................... 80
Memory (RAM) ............................................................................................................................. 80
Processors (CPU)........................................................................................................................... 81
Hard Drive (HDD) / SSD ................................................................................................................ 81
Number of applications running .................................................................................................. 82
Caching.......................................................................................................................................... 82
Disk space and speed ................................................................................................................... 82
Malware – basic concepts ............................................................................................................ 82
Troubleshooting using utility software ........................................................................................... 82
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