In addition to the detailed course description including quizzes and useful links, you can also access the following items by clicking on each one to download a copy:
- Revision instructions for all pupils
- Course Contents Statements
- The Abbreviations List
- A handy revision guide
- A Foundation Prelim revision cheklist
- A General Prelim revision checklist
- A Credit Prelim revision checklist
General Purpose Packages: |
|
| General Purpose Packages quiz | In this part of the course, students will study the use of computer application packages which let the user supply his or her own information. There are many different types of general purpose package, but the ones studied in the Standard Grade course are word processors, spreadsheets, database management systems, graphics programs and desk-top publishers. The main source of information for General Purpose Packages is our current textbook, "Standard Grade Computing Studies" by John Walsh, Chapter 1. |
| Word Processor quiz | In this part of the course, students will study the use of word processors. A word processor is a computer program which lets you write, edit and print out text. Most word processors nowadays are more properly called document processors, because they can manipulate much more than just plain text. For example, a modern document processor should be able to handle graphics and sound as well as text. To test pupils' word processing skills, they are asked to carry out an assessment, called World Cup, which counts towards the Practical Abilities element of Standard Grade. The main source of information for Word Processors is our current textbook, "Standard Grade Computing Studies" by John Walsh, Chapter 2. |
| In this part of the course, students will study the use of spreadsheets. A spreadsheet is a computer program which lets you do calculations on a large electronic grid which has rows and columns. Each individual cell of a spreadsheet can contain a number, a label or a formula. To test pupils' spreadsheet skills, they are asked to carry out an assessment, called Test Marks, and, possibly, a project called League Tables, which both count towards the Practical Abilities element of Standard Grade. The main source of information for Spreadsheets is our current textbook, "Standard Grade Computing Studies" by John Walsh, Chapter 4. | |
| In this part of the course, students will study how to use databases to find information and how to construct databases to solve their own problems. Currently, we are using MS Access 2000. To test pupils' database management skills, they are asked to carry out an assessment, called Cars, which can count towards the Practical Abilities element of Standard Grade. The main source of information for Databases is our current textbook, "Standard Grade Computing Studies" by John Walsh, Chapter 3. | |
| Desk-Top Publishing quiz | In this part of the course, students will study how to create complex documents using the desktop publishing software MS Publisher. To test pupils' desktop publishing skills, they may be asked to do a project, called Fan Club, which can count towards the Practical Abilities element of Standard Grade. The main source of information for Desktop Publishing is our current textbook, "Standard Grade Computing Studies" by John Walsh, Chapter 7. |
| Graphics quiz | In this part of the course, students will study how computers can be used for drawing and painting. The main source of information for graphics is our current textbook, "Standard Grade Computing Studies" by John Walsh, Chapter 5. |
| Integrated Packages quiz | In this part of the course, students will learn about integrated packages, which are packages which contain several general purpose packages. The main source of information for Integrated Packages is our current textbook, "Standard Grade Computing Studies" by John Walsh, Chapter 6. |
| Electronic Mail quiz | In this part of the course, students will learn about the benefits of electronic mail. The main source of information for Electronic Mail is our current textbook, "Standard Grade Computing Studies" by John Walsh, Chapter 9. |
| Teletext and the World Wide Web quiz | In this part of the course, students will study the use of two important information systems, namely Teletext provided by the television companies and the all-pervading World Wide Web. The main source of information for this topic is our current textbook, "Standard Grade Computing Studies" by John Walsh, Chapter 8. |
This part of the course allows students to build on the skills they gained in the S1/2 Information Technology course. Generally they will gain experience of more sophisticated general purpose packages, in particular the word processor, spreadsheet, database, desk-top publishing, presentation, graphics and web-page design packages contained in Microsoft Office 2000. They will also study Integrated Packages, Expert Systems, electronic mail and information services such as Teletext and the World Wide Web.
|
|
| Automated Systems quiz | In this part of the course, students will study how computers can be used to control applications, ranging from robots in car factories to traffic light systems in cities. The main source of information for Automated Systems is our current textbook, "Standard Grade Computing Studies" by John Walsh, Chapter 10 |
| Computers in Design and Manufacture quiz | In this part of the course, students will study how computers can be used to design and manufacture anything from a new shopping centre to a crystal glass. One of the main classroom exercises is to use CAD software to design a kitchen. The main source of information for Computers in Design and Manufacture is our current textbook, "Standard Grade Computing Studies" by John Walsh, Chapter 11 |
| World of Commerce quiz | In this part of the course, students will study how computers can be used in business. The main source of information for Commercial Data Processing is our current textbook, "Standard Grade Computing Studies" by John Walsh, Chapter 12 |
| Banking quiz | In this part of the course, students will study how computers can be used in banks. The main source of information for computers in banking is our current textbook, "Standard Grade Computing Studies" by John Walsh, Chapter 13 |
| Electronic Point of Sale quiz | In this part of the course, students will study how computers can be used in supermarkets. The main source of information for computers in supermarkets is our current textbook, "Standard Grade Computing Studies" by John Walsh, Chapter 14 |
Industrial and Commercial Applications:
|
|
| Hardware quiz | In this part of the course, students will study the various components that go together to make up a computer system. The main source of information for hardware is our current textbook, "Standard Grade Computing Studies" by John Walsh, Chapter 16 |
| In this part of the course, students will study the various types of program that allow computer systems to solve problems. For example, they will consider different types of translation software. The main source of information for systems software is our current textbook, "Standard Grade Computing Studies" by John Walsh, Chapter 17 | |
| In this part of the course, students will learn about the operating system, the software which controls the computer and any devices attached to it.. The main source of information for operating systems is our current textbook, "Standard Grade Computing Studies" by John Walsh, Chapter 18. They will study different types of operating systems and different types of processing. | |
Computer Systems:
|
Computer Programming:
