DATA PROCESSING

PREAMBLE

This examination syllabus is derived from the Senior Secondary School curriculum on Data
Processing published by the NERDC. It is designed to test basic knowledge and skills acquisition
in data processing. A conceptual approach was used in preparing the syllabus, considering areas
that would encourage the development of entrepreneurial skills for everyday living.
This syllabus is not a teaching syllabus. It is an examination syllabus. Teachers are therefore
advised to use the national teaching syllabus for the teaching-learning process.

OBJECTIVES OF THE SYLLABUS

The objectives of the syllabus are to test candidates’

(i) acquisition of basic skills of data processing and management;

(ii) level of competence in ICT applications that will promote the acquisition of
entrepreneurial skills for everyday living in the global world;
(iii) knowledge in the application of ICT in facilitating business transaction and
education;
(iv) preparedness for further studies in Data Processing and Management.

EXAMINATION SCHEME

There will be two papers, Papers 1 and 2 both of which shall be taken as a composite paper at
one sitting.

PAPER 1: will consist of forty multiple-choice objective questions, all of which are to be
answered in 1 hour for 40 marks.

PAPER 2: will consist of two sections: Sections A and B. Candidates will be required to
answer five questions in all.

Section A: will consist of four essay questions. Candidates will be required to

answer any three in 1 hour for 30 marks.

Section B: will be a test of practical work. It shall consist of two compulsory

essay questions to be answered in 1 hour for 40 marks.
 DETAILED SYLLABUS

S/N TOPICS CONTENT NOTES

INFORMATION AGE

1 History of Computers i. Computing devices. Candidates should identify the

various computing devices since the
beginning of counting/computing.

ii. Concept of Number Should include the importance of

system in computing. number system to computing.

iii. Generations of Relate each generation with its

Computer: first, second, characteristic feature.
third, fourth, fifth describe each generation under the
generations of following: year of development,
computer. basic component/type of
technology, speed of operation,
storage capacity/component.

2 Data and Information i. Definition of data and Differences between data and
information. information should be emphasized
ii. Types of Data.
ii. Ways of handling Data.
iii. Definition of Data.
iv. Digitalization.

BASIC COMPUTING

3 Classification of Classify computers by:

Computers Type, Size, Usage.

4 Application of ICT in i. Uses of ICT in everyday The use and areas of ICT application
everyday life activities. should be linked to societal
ii. Impact of ICT in the development.
society.

5 Components of i. Input Devices. Examples of each component should

Computers ii. Output Devices. be treated and how they are used in
iii. System Unit. data processing.
iv. Storage Devices
 INFORMATION
PROCESSING

6 The art of Information i. Definition of Information

processing Processing.
ii. Steps involved in Description of each step involved in
Information Processing. information processing is required.

INFORMATION
TRANSMISSION

7 Process of Information i. Definition of information

transmission transmission.
ii. Methods of transmitting Modes of information transmission
information. such as visuals(newspaper),
audio(radio, telephone), audio-
visual(GSM, Television) are required.
8 Medium of Information i. Types of Information Medium of information transmission
Transmission Transmission. such as radio, television, newspaper
ii. Classification of means etc.
of transmission.

9 Networking i. Meaning of Networking, Significance of networking should be

Internet and Intranet. mentioned

ii. Types of Networking. Types such as MAN, LAN, WAN

should be treated.

10 Internet i. Definition of Internet.

ii. Benefits of internet Candidates should be able to
iii. Internet browsers develop skills in the use of various
iv. Internet security services available on the internet
v. Abuse of the Internet

TOOLS FOR
PROCESSING
INFORMATION

11 Operating System i. Definition of Operating

System.
ii. Types of Operating
System.
iii. Examples of Operating Differences between text (character)
System. base interface and Graphical User
Interface should be treated.
iv. Functions of Operating
System.
12 Word Processing i. Definition of Word Candidates should be able to make
Processing. use of word processor to create and
manipulate documents
ii. Uses of Word Processing

iii. Examples of word

Processing software.
iv. Starting, loading and
exiting word processing

v. Creating, saving and

retrieving documents
13 Spreadsheet i. Definition. Candidates should be able to make
ii. Uses. use of spreadsheet to create and
iii. Examples of manipulate worksheets
Spreadsheet
Applications.
iv. Loading and exiting
spreadsheets.
v. Creating, saving and
retrieving Spreadsheet
files.
14 Database Management i. Definition. i. Candidates should be able to use
System ii. Uses. DBMS to create and manipulate
iii. Examples of Database files.
Database Applications. ii. Include examples of packages
iv. Loading and exiting for database management such
DBMS. as Microsoft Access.
v. Creating, saving and
retrieving database
files.

15 Presentation Package i. Definition, uses, i. Candidates should be able to use

examples. presentation programs to create
ii. Loading and exiting and manipulate slides.
Presentation programs.
iii. Creating, saving and
retrieving presentation
files.
16 Web Design Packages i. Definition. Designing of web pages not
ii. Uses. required.
iii. Components.
iv. Examples.
17 Graphic Packages i. Definition. Focus should be placed on Corel
ii. Uses of Graphic software Draw
packages.
iii. Examples of graphic
packages.
 COMPUTER
MAINTENANCE,
ETHICS AND
HUMAN ISSUES

18 Maintenance of i. General Cleaning. Candidates should take note of basic

Computer ii. Battery Charging and maintenance procedures.
replacement for
portable systems and
UPS.
iii. DVD drive lens cleaning.
iv. Details of Hardware
maintenance.
v. Details of Software
maintenance.
vi. Computer crash and Students should be able to ensure
data recovery. data integrity and recover data after
a crash

19 Computer Ethics i. Computer room Responsible ways of using and

management ethics. securing computers
ii. Laboratory rules and
regulations.

20 Safety Measures i. The sitting arrangement. Importance of safety measures

ii. Positioning of the should be emphasized.
monitor, keyboard, CPU,
mouse and any other
peripheral devices.
iii. Illuminating the
computer room.
iv. Maintaining a dust free
environment.
v. Keep liquid away from
the computer room.

21 Career opportunities in i. Professions in computer.

Data Processing ii. Qualities of a good data Duties of each
processing professional. professional/professional bodies
iii. Computer professional should be treated.
bodies.

22 Computer Virus i. Definition. Destructive effects of virus infection

ii. Types/Examples. on computers
iii. Sources.
iv. Signals of virus warning
v. Virus prevention,
detection and deletion.
 DATA
MANAGEMENT

23 Relational Model i. Database and table Arranging data in tables and forms
creation using should be emphasized
application packages.

ii. Creating relationships The concept of primary and foreign

between tables keys, entities, attributes and
relationships should be emphasized.

iii. Creation of forms, Query language should be limited to

queries and report. those available to the database
application package (e.g. query by
example , SQL).

24 File Organization i. Definition of File Comparison between the various

organization. types of File Organization is
ii. Types of File required.
organization.

25 Database Security i. Concept of data Importance of securing data is

security, access control required
and data encryption.
ii. Role of a database
administrator.

26 Parallel and Distributed i. Basic concept of parallel Definitions of concepts is required

databases and distributed database. Significance of storing data in a
ii. Storing data in a distributed database management
distributed database (DBM) system is also required.

LIST OF FACILITIES AND MAJOR EQUIPMENT/MATERIALS REQUIRED

The table below shows the minimum requirement for a class of fifty candidates.

ITEM EQUIPMENT QUANTITY

NO. REQUIRED

1 Pictures/Charts showing different computing devices 5

and other relevant information such as computers in a
network

2 Computer system with Graphical User Interface (GUI), 5

internet ready system;
3 Standard software packages such as Open Office, 1
Microsoft office etc.(Latest version is desirable)

4 Multimedia systems and applications such as 1

projector, speakers

5 Graphic packages such as corel draw. 1