ALLAMA IQBAL OPEN UNIVERSITY, ISLAMABAD

(Department of Computer Science)

WARNING
1. PLAGIARISM OR HIRING OF GHOST WRITER(S) FOR SOLVING
THE ASSIGNMENT(S) WILL DEBAR THE STUDENT FROM AWARD
OF DEGREE/CERTIFICATE, IF FOUND AT ANY STAGE.
2. SUBMITTING ASSIGNMENTS BORROWED OR STOLEN FROM
OTHER(S) AS ONE’S OWN WILL BE PENALIZED AS DEFINED IN
“AIOU PLAGIARISM POLICY”.

Assignment Submission Schedule

6 credit Hours Due Date 3 credit hours Due date
Assignment 1 10-01-2025
Assignment 1 05-02-2025
Assignment 2 05-02-2025
Assignment 3 05-03-2025
Assignment 2 01-04-2025
Assignment 4 01-04-2025
Note: Tutorial schedule (Rehnama-e-Tulba) will be available on AIOU website:
http://www.aiou.edu.pk
Course: Basics of ICT (5403/1431) Semester: Autumn, 2024
Level: (B.A)
Please read the following instructions for writing your assignments. (SSC, HSSC & BA
Programmes)
1. All questions are compulsory and carry equal marks but within a question the
marks are distributed according to its requirements.
2. Read the question carefully and then answer it according to the requirements of the
questions.
3. Late submission of assignments will not be accepted.
4. Your own analysis and synthesis will be appreciated.
5. Avoid irrelevant discussion/information and reproducing from books, study guide
of allied material.

Total Marks: 100 Pass Marks BA: 40

Pass Marks (A.D): 50

ASSIGNMENT No. 1
(Unit 1–4)
Note: All questions are compulsory. Each question carries equal marks.
Q.1 a) Define the term ICT. Describe it with the help of proper examples. (20)
b) Explain the role of ICT in teaching as well as learning.

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Q.2 a) Write down the advantages and disadvantages of “Information and
Communication Technology”. (20)
b) Explore the importance of ICT in different fields like education, business and
training. Explain it in detail with the help of examples.
Q.3 a) Internet is a well known example of ICT. How it enable people to
communicate easily through different communication mediums? (20)
b) Differentiate between the following terms:
 ICT and Telecommunication
 Point and Draw Devices
 Memory and Hard Disk
 Buses and Ports
Q.4 a) List the hardware components of a computer. Explain at least five of them
in detail. (20)
b) Why internet and call phones are being considered the good examples of
ICT? Explain and exemplify it in detail.
Q.5 Write short notes on the following topics: (20)
 Voice Reproduction System
 Multimedia Projector
 Speech Synthesizer
 Plotters
Total Marks: 100 Pass Marks BA: 40
Pass Marks (A.D): 50
ASSIGNMENT No. 2
(Unit 5–9)
Note: All questions are compulsory. Each question carries equal marks.
Q.1 a) What is meant by computer software? (20)
b) Differentiate between system software and application software.
Q.2 a) What is meant by operating system? Define it in detail with the help of
different examples. (20)
b) Explain the different functions of an operating system.
Q.3 a) Identify basic elements of a communication system. (20)
b) Differentiate between Simplex, Half Duplex and Full Duplex with the help of
proper examples.
Q.4 a) Define multimedia system with the help of a diagram and also explain its
different characteristics.
b) Identify various applications of multimedia which play an important role in
our daily lives. (20)

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Q.5 a) What is programming language? How computer program is related with a
programming language? (20)

b) What is the difference between Low Level and High Level Language?
ALLAMA IQBAL OPEN UNIVERSITY, ISLAMABAD
(Department of Computer Science)
Course Code: 1431/5403 (Bachelor Level)
Course Title: Basics of ICT
Credit Hours: 3 (3 + 0)
Session Offered: As per offering schedule
Recommended Books: Computer Fundamentals by PK Sinha, BPB
Publications 4th Edition 2007
Audio/Video/Multimedia CD: Will be developed
Reference Book: Computer Literacy BASICS: A Comprehensive
Guide to IC3 by Connie Morrison and Dolores Wells
(August 2009) 3rd Edition.
Pre-Requisite: None
Course Coordinator: Chaudhary Muhammad Shahbaz Anjum
Teaching Methodology: Distance learning/Online
Course Introduction:
The course is aimed to provide an outline of computer, its uses, development,
Components, Input, Output devices, hardware and Software. The course also covers
fundamentals and use of ICT.
Course Objectives:
After completing the course you should be able to:
1. Understand the role and importance of ICT in today’s society.
2. Identify various components of a computer system.
3. Understand basics of data communication and networking of computer system.
4. Understand basics of windows operating system and its functionality.
5. Understand basic concepts of multimedia and identify and use various multimedia
components.
6. Understand basic concepts of computer languages.
Evaluation Criteria:
i. Assignments (02) 30%
ii. Final Examination 70%
Course Outline:
Unit 1: Introduction to ICT
Introduction to ICT and definitions, ICT Application Examples, ICT as an
AID to Computer teaching and learning.
Unit 2: Overview and Organization of computers
History and Development of Computer, Generations of Computer, Types of
Computer, Classification of computer, Applications of Computer, Buses,
Ports, Microprocessor, Main Memory, Motherboard of Computer system
Secondary Storage Devices.

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Unit 3: Input Devices
Keyboard Devices, Point and Draw Devices, Digitizer, Speech Recognition
Devices, Data Scanning Devices (Image Scanner, OCR, OMR, BCR, MICR),
Electronic Card Reader and Vision-Input system.
Unit 4: Output Devices
Monitor (Graphic Adopter, Size, Resolution, and Types of Monitors),
Printers and Types (Dot-Matrix, Ink Jet, Drum, Chain/Band, and Laser),
Plotters (Raster & Pen), Presentation Graphics, Special Function Terminal
(ATMs, POSS), Multimedia Projector, and Voice Response Systems (Voice
Reproduction System, Speech Synthesizer).
Unit 5: Computer Software
Introduction, How Software Works, Types of Software (Application and System
Software), Software Installation, Uninstalling Software, Development of Software,
Software Distribution.
Unit 6: Operating System
Introduction and Functions of an Operating System, System Performance
Measure, Process Management, Some Popular Operating Systems, Microsoft
Windows Practice (Start, Shutdown, Creating and Operating on the Icons,
Opening Closing and Sizing the Windows, Using elementary job Commands
like – Creating, Saving, Modifying, Renaming, Finding and Deleting a File,
Creating and Operating on a folder, Changing setting like, Date, Time Color
(back ground and foreground), Using Short Cuts, Using on-line help, Control
Panel and its Usage, Concept of Task Manager, Setting up Network
Connection and IP setting).
Unit 7: Data Communication and Networking
Data, Sources and types of Signals, Basic Elements of a Communication
System, Data Transmission Modes, Data Transmission Media, Data
Transmission Speed, Switching Techniques, Routing Techniques, Network
Topology, Network Types, Communication Protocols, Network Interface
Cards, Concept of OSI Model.
Unit 8: Multimedia
Introduction to Multimedia, Multimedia Components (Text, Graphics, Animation,
Audio, and Video), Multimedia Applications (Multimedia Presentation, Foreign
Language learning, Video Games, Special Effects in Movies, Multimedia Kiosk,
Animated Advertisements, Multimedia Conferencing), Media Center Computer.
Unit 9: Introduction to Computer Languages
Introduction, Types, Characteristics, and Generations of Computer
Languages, Concepts of Assembler, Compiler, Linker, and Interpreter.
Self-Assessment Activities / Practical
1. Write down the importance of ICT in daily life use.
2. Elaborate the evolution of computer system.
3. List the hardware components of a computer and their organization.
4. Figure out various types of components of data communication system and it
functionality.
5. Compare features of Windows Operating System on your computer with other
Operating System (use Internet).

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Note: These are sample activities. Tutor may assign additional activities during the course
workshop. In the assignments the students are instructed to keep in view the copy right law.
Prepared by: Department of Computer Science
Last Revised: 2014