NATIONAL CERTIFICATE IN ACCOUNTANCY

COURSE CODE: 310/04/C0/0

SUBJECT: INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS

CODE: 310/09/S07

DURATION: 60 HOURS

1. AIM OF THE SUBJECT

To prepare the student to apply computer skills and understand best practices of
using computers for both business and personnel use.

2. OBJECTIVES

2.1 Identify and describe the operation of major hardware units of a computer

2.2 Distinguish and describe the operation, characteristics and application of

input, processing, storage and output devices.

2.3 Identify and describe computer personnel, duties and responsibilities.

2.4 Outline the different computer generations and computer types.

2.5 State and describe requirements of a computer room environment.

3. CONTENT

3.1 Hardware

3.2 Software

3.3 File Management

3.4 Data Communications and Network Basics

3.5 Security, Copyright and Legal Aspects

3.6 Computer Ergonomics, Health and Safety

3.7 Internet Services

3.8 Word Processing

3.9 Spreadsheet Package

3.10 Database

3.11 Presentation
NATIONAL CERTIFICATE IN ACCOUNTANCY

3.1 HARDWARE

3.1.1 Input Devices

3.1.2 Storage devices

3.1.3 CPU

3.1.4 Output devices

3.1.5 Types of memory

3.1.6 Computer performance

3.1.7 Types of computers

3.2 SOFTWARE

3.2.1 Systems Software

3.2.2 Operating Systems

a) DOS
b) Windows Operating Systems
c) Network Operating Systems
d) Utilities

3.2.3 Application Software and their uses

a) Word Processing
b) Spreadsheet Processing
c) Database Processing
d) Presentation Application
e) Desktop Publishing Application
f) Multimedia Application

3.3 FILE MANAGEMENT

3.3.1 Operating the computer, starting, restarting and shutting down

3.3.2 View computers basic system information e.g. operating

systems, processor type, RAM and speed

3.3.3 Set-up desktop configuration, screen, background options etc

3.3.4 Format diskettes

3.3.5 Use help facility

3.3.6 Create folders and icons

3.3.7 Work with icons, windows, directories/folders.

NATIONAL CERTIFICATE IN ACCOUNTANCY

3.3.8 Move, copy and delete files and folders.

3.3.9 Print management

a) Print from an installed printer

b) Change default printer from the printer list
c) View print jobs and progress

3.4 DATA COMMUNICATIONS AND NETWORK BASICS

3.4.1 Network topologies, bus, mesh, star and ring

3.4.2 Network types LAN, MAN, WAN

3.4.3 Data sharing in an organization

3.5 SECURITY, COPYRIGHT AND LEGAL ASPECTS

3.5.1 Security – Data threats, Privacy Act, UPS, Computer Policy

3.5.2 Computer viruses – the term virus, how viruses are spread,
Internet and downloads, Antivirus software

3.5.3 Copyright – Software copyright rules, legal issues, user licenses

and software distribution, shareware, freeware, firmware etc.

3.5.4 Data Protection Act

a) Data Protection Action use

b) Implications of Data Protection Act
c) Handling of personal data

3.6 COMPUTER ERGONOMICS, HEALTH AND SAFETY

3.6.1 Computer Laboratory and best practices for good working

environment, positioning of screen, chair and keyboard.

3.6.2 Provision of adequate lighting and ventilation

3.6.3 Safety standards of cables and power points, Repetitive Strain

Injury (RSI), eye strain and bad posture

3.7 INTERNET SERVICES

3.7.1 Basic Internet concepts and its main uses

3.7.2 Economics of Internet use and email services

3.7.3 Distinction between Internet and World Wide Web

3.7.4 Uses of email, requirements to send and receive email.

NATIONAL CERTIFICATE IN ACCOUNTANCY

3.8 WORD PROCESSING

3.8.1 Load a program from hard disk

3.8.2 Create a new document

3.8.3 Enter text

3.8.4 Insert Text

 Copy text
 Delete
 Move text
 Replace text
 Mail merge
 Change line spacing
 Underline
 Change margins
 Centre
 Obtain different fonts
 Embolden
 Justify margins
 Search and replace
 Page numbers

3.9 SPREADSHEET PACKAGE

3.9.1 Load the program

3.9.2 Creating a spreadsheet

3.9.3 Cursor manipulation

3.9.4 Using the help facility

3.9.5 Entering labels

3.9.6 Apply / replicate formulae

3.9.7 Insert columns and rows, delete columns and rows

3.9.8 Save the spreadsheet (file)

3.9.9 Manipulation function key

3.9.10Print spreadsheet or specified window

3.9.11Retrieve spreadsheet
NATIONAL CERTIFICATE IN ACCOUNTANCY

3.10 DATABASE PACKAGE

3.10.1 Load program

3.10.2 Set up files containing alphabetic and numeric fields within the
record

3.10.3 Enter data

3.10.4 Add records, delete records

3.10.5 Edit records

3.10.6 Sort records by a key field

3.10.7 Search records by a key field

3.10.8 Print selected fields

3.10.9 Search on more than one criteria, produce print outs.

3.11 PRESENTATION PACKAGE

3.11.1Load a presentation program

3.11.2Create a new slide

3.11.3Edit a slide

3.11.4Add new slides

3.11.5Create a slide show

3.11.6 Move around slides, delete and edit layout

3.11.7Work with Master Slide

NATIONAL CERTIFICATE IN ACCOUNTANCY

4. SUGGESTED BOOKS FOR REFERNCE

1. Aaron M Tenenbaum 1989 Data Structures on Program Prentice Bruce

Design in C
2. Robert L Kruse P 1990 Data Structures on Program Prentice Bruce
Leung Design in C
3. Tremblay J & Bunt R 1979 An Introduction To McGraw-Hill Book
Computer Science An
Algorithmic Approach

4. Anderson R G Data Processing -

Information and Systems
5. Dolye S 1996 Information Systems for Stanley Thornes
You Publishers
6. United Nations & 1995 @ ease with email : A United Nations/
Friedrich Ebert Stiftung handbook on using Friedrich Ebert
electronic mail for NGOs in Foundation
developing Countries