lOMoARcPSD|18993199
Term 1 CAT - grade 12 CAT/ notes
Compute Applications Technology (UCT Online High School)
Scan to open on Studocu
Studocu is not sponsored or endorsed by any college or university
Downloaded by Kundai Saira ()
, lOMoARcPSD|18993199
Term 1 CAT
MODULE 1: General concepts of system technologies and software
0%
Congratulations, you have reached the final year of your school career. It's time to dive back
into the world of CAT. In the first lesson, you will look at the software applications that you
will be using, as well as the technical knowledge and skills you will acquire throughout this
course. You will also take a look at the structure and requirements of the assessments
throughout this course, as well as the examinations at the end. For the rest of the lessons,
we will refresh our knowledge of computers and technology by covering the general
concepts of system technologies and software.
By the end of this module, you should be able to:
Understand the outline and purpose of the course.
Apply reasoning behind computer usage and convergence.
Recognise types of computer systems for their different uses.
Explain the different types of software applications, related upgrades, and
problems related to software.
Lesson 1: Welcome to Grade 12 Computer Applications
Technology
Introduction
Video 1: Welcome to CAT! You can download the video transcript by clicking here.
Welcome to the specialised world of CAT! Watch Video 1, above, to find out more about the
skills you will learn and how these relate to the modern work environment.
Computer Applications Technology, or CAT, is often thought of as a soft-option subject when,
in fact, it is the cornerstone of many careers and a source of skills that are desperately
needed in today’s digital age. It is a crucial and essential subject for modern life and after
this course, you will be ready to become a productive and successful member of society.
The skills of the 21st century are tools that can be universally applied to elevate your way of
thinking, learning and working in the world. These skills are introduced and used as a
Downloaded by Kundai Saira ()
, lOMoARcPSD|18993199
foundation in school with the intention of helping you succeed outside of the classroom
setting and in real-world scenarios in life and the modern work environment.
CAT helps you obtain the following skills that are necessary for the modern work
environment.
1.1. Problem-solving
Figure 1: CAT can teach you to solve problems on your own.
Problem-solving is a fundamental human cognitive process. Many of today’s jobs require one to think outside the
box and solve problems in different ways by always being ready to construct new ways of thinking. Whenever you
are faced with a situation in which you do not know how to complete a task, there is a problem and the process of
problem-solving kicks in. Through CAT, you are exposed to multiple problem-solving methods, by using various
tools and outcomes. You are introduced to problem-solving through collecting data, understanding and interpreting
the meaning thereof, logical thinking and applying a strategy.
In CAT, problem-solving is practised using specific scenarios – such as analysing information and creating a
spreadsheet using complex functions and formulas.
1.2. Critical thinking
Downloaded by Kundai Saira ()
, lOMoARcPSD|18993199
Figure 2: CAT can help you to think differently about the world.
In addition to working through problems, critical thinking includes an element of scepticism.
This is important because it has become harder to verify accurate information.
Critical thinking empowers you to discover truths by separating facts from opinions yourself.
CAT combines theoretical concepts and practical outcomes that challenge you to analyse all
the given facts. You learn how to discover facts and figures yourself, by using multiple
sources on Google, when conducting research. Through evaluating the social impact
computer technology has on society, you ask questions, you engage with the world around
you, and this helps others to think critically, too. Information management enables you to
manipulate information and engage in critical thinking. By gathering, processing and
accessing information, and interpreting which of this information is appropriate to use.
Critical thinking is great on its own, but when you start combining it with other skills, the sky
becomes the limit to what you can achieve!
1.3. Creativity and imagination
Figure 3: The skills you learn in CAT can boost your creativity.
Creativity is thinking outside the box.
Usually, creativity is considered something you simply have or don’t have, but you can learn how to be creative by
solving problems, creating systems and trying something new. This does not mean you have to become an artist or a
writer; it means that you will look at a problem from different angles. The point of creativity and imagination is to
think wider than convention demands. You might be able to figure out a better way towards a solution, and you don’t
have to embrace your creativity alone.
Technology opens up many avenues of expression and applications are only tools.
Downloaded by Kundai Saira ()
Term 1 CAT - grade 12 CAT/ notes
Compute Applications Technology (UCT Online High School)
Scan to open on Studocu
Studocu is not sponsored or endorsed by any college or university
Downloaded by Kundai Saira ()
, lOMoARcPSD|18993199
Term 1 CAT
MODULE 1: General concepts of system technologies and software
0%
Congratulations, you have reached the final year of your school career. It's time to dive back
into the world of CAT. In the first lesson, you will look at the software applications that you
will be using, as well as the technical knowledge and skills you will acquire throughout this
course. You will also take a look at the structure and requirements of the assessments
throughout this course, as well as the examinations at the end. For the rest of the lessons,
we will refresh our knowledge of computers and technology by covering the general
concepts of system technologies and software.
By the end of this module, you should be able to:
Understand the outline and purpose of the course.
Apply reasoning behind computer usage and convergence.
Recognise types of computer systems for their different uses.
Explain the different types of software applications, related upgrades, and
problems related to software.
Lesson 1: Welcome to Grade 12 Computer Applications
Technology
Introduction
Video 1: Welcome to CAT! You can download the video transcript by clicking here.
Welcome to the specialised world of CAT! Watch Video 1, above, to find out more about the
skills you will learn and how these relate to the modern work environment.
Computer Applications Technology, or CAT, is often thought of as a soft-option subject when,
in fact, it is the cornerstone of many careers and a source of skills that are desperately
needed in today’s digital age. It is a crucial and essential subject for modern life and after
this course, you will be ready to become a productive and successful member of society.
The skills of the 21st century are tools that can be universally applied to elevate your way of
thinking, learning and working in the world. These skills are introduced and used as a
Downloaded by Kundai Saira ()
, lOMoARcPSD|18993199
foundation in school with the intention of helping you succeed outside of the classroom
setting and in real-world scenarios in life and the modern work environment.
CAT helps you obtain the following skills that are necessary for the modern work
environment.
1.1. Problem-solving
Figure 1: CAT can teach you to solve problems on your own.
Problem-solving is a fundamental human cognitive process. Many of today’s jobs require one to think outside the
box and solve problems in different ways by always being ready to construct new ways of thinking. Whenever you
are faced with a situation in which you do not know how to complete a task, there is a problem and the process of
problem-solving kicks in. Through CAT, you are exposed to multiple problem-solving methods, by using various
tools and outcomes. You are introduced to problem-solving through collecting data, understanding and interpreting
the meaning thereof, logical thinking and applying a strategy.
In CAT, problem-solving is practised using specific scenarios – such as analysing information and creating a
spreadsheet using complex functions and formulas.
1.2. Critical thinking
Downloaded by Kundai Saira ()
, lOMoARcPSD|18993199
Figure 2: CAT can help you to think differently about the world.
In addition to working through problems, critical thinking includes an element of scepticism.
This is important because it has become harder to verify accurate information.
Critical thinking empowers you to discover truths by separating facts from opinions yourself.
CAT combines theoretical concepts and practical outcomes that challenge you to analyse all
the given facts. You learn how to discover facts and figures yourself, by using multiple
sources on Google, when conducting research. Through evaluating the social impact
computer technology has on society, you ask questions, you engage with the world around
you, and this helps others to think critically, too. Information management enables you to
manipulate information and engage in critical thinking. By gathering, processing and
accessing information, and interpreting which of this information is appropriate to use.
Critical thinking is great on its own, but when you start combining it with other skills, the sky
becomes the limit to what you can achieve!
1.3. Creativity and imagination
Figure 3: The skills you learn in CAT can boost your creativity.
Creativity is thinking outside the box.
Usually, creativity is considered something you simply have or don’t have, but you can learn how to be creative by
solving problems, creating systems and trying something new. This does not mean you have to become an artist or a
writer; it means that you will look at a problem from different angles. The point of creativity and imagination is to
think wider than convention demands. You might be able to figure out a better way towards a solution, and you don’t
have to embrace your creativity alone.
Technology opens up many avenues of expression and applications are only tools.
Downloaded by Kundai Saira ()
