Overview
Qualification Grading Type
Graded
Unit Learning Outcomes
1.
Understand the characteristics of computer hardware components.
Assessment Criteria
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1.1.
Describe the five main components of a computer.
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1.2.
Explain how these components are connected and communicate via data and address buses.
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1.3.
Explain the flow of data to and from these components (fetch-decode-execute).
2.
Be able to analyse how Input/Output devices are used for specific purposes.
Assessment Criteria
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2.1.
Analyse a variety of I/O devices and their use for specific purposes.
3.
Be able to evaluate the effectiveness of a range of storage media.
Assessment Criteria
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3.1.
Evaluate the effectiveness of a range of storage media devices for specific purposes.
4.
Understand how data is represented on a computer.
Assessment Criteria
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4.1.
Explain how data is represented on a computer including:
- bits and bytes
- different methods used to represent text, numeric and other information.
5.
Understand the startup procedures of a computer.
Assessment Criteria
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5.1.
Explain the role of the following in relation to a specific computer system:
a) BIOS routines
b) the POST procedure
c) the role of the CMOS RAM.
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5.2.
Summarise key features of two operating systems.
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5.3.
Summarise the operating system files and the order in which they are loaded for a selected operating system.
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5.4.
Explain the role of Plug-and-Play in a selected operating system:
- at startup
- whilst the system is in use.
6.
Be able to analyse computer specifications for a given purpose.
Assessment Criteria
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6.1.
Explain how ports are used to connect external devices.
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6.2.
Where a choice of different types of port exists, justify the preference for one port over another.
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6.3.
Explain the function of three cards that could be used in a computer system.
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6.4.
Analyse when different cards might be chosen.