GRADE 5 ICT NOTES

NAME : _______________________________

CLASS : _______________________________
ICT TOOLS

Fault – is a problem or an abnormal condition which leads to

failure to communicate with the computer’s operating system.

Drivers – a group of files that enable one or more hardware

devices

POST stands for Power On Self Test. It is a process of checking

whether basic computer system devices like keyboards and other
hardware devices are present and working properly.

Common computer faults

 The power button fails to start a computer

 The computer is slow
 The printer is not working
 A program is not responding
 The keyboard is not working
 The mouse is not working
 An application is running slowly
 The screen is blank

Fault detection is recognizing that a fault has happened,

Fault isolation is locating the ICT tools at fault

Fault estimation is learning the extent and the severity of a fault.

Fault diagnosis aims at identifying the origin of a failure

Animation

Is making non moving things appear to make movements with the

help of technology.

Examples of animation software

 Adobe’s flash
 FireWorks
 Photoshop
 After effects
 Auto desk’s Maya
 3DSMax
 Apple’s Motion
 Monkey jam
 SAM Animation
 iMovie
 Windows Movie Maker
 Dragon Animation

Animation can be pencil drawings, computer drawings, models or

can be ordinary objects like clay, sand, coins and buttons.

There are 2D animation, 3D animation and Stop Motion

Bitmap animations are made of pixels

Vector animations are made by using mathematical calculation

Motion graphics focuses on shapes and text.

Advantages of animations

They quickly get people’s attention. Can be used to entertain, to

advertise, raise awareness or communicate.

They are easy to use to demonstrate things that could be difficult

to demonstrate

It can be a tool to teach, people learn faster when they see.

Animation support story telling

CREATING AND PUBLISHING

A database is a collection of information that is organized and

used on a computer

Properties of a database

1. Table
Data is stored in rows and columns

2. Record
A record as a row within a table

3. Fields
These are columns within a table
Data types

Text, date/time, numbers, currency, Yes/No, Auto number

The design view allows you to design the table

The datasheet view displays the database in rows and columns

Records are added and removed in datasheet view

COMPUTER SOFTWARE

Uploading – is the process of copying files which include images,

videos or documents from your computer to the server.

Downloading – is the process of copying file which include

images, videos or documents from the server to your computer.

Compose – is to write or create music.

Multimedia – is the use of one or many ways of communication

using images, videos or sounds.

Systems software – helps run the computer hardware and

computer system itself. System software start running when we
power on a computer and stop when the computer is powered
off. Systemsoftware include operating systems, device drivers,
diagnostic tools.

Application software – are the programs which run specific tasks

on a computer. They are specific purpose software primarily used
to perform certain tasks.
Software packages

Presentations software – Microsoft PowerPoint, Open Office.org

Slides

Text processing software – Microsoft Word, Open Office.org Writer

Spreadsheet – Microsoft Excel, Open Office.org Calc Writer

Multimedia software – VLC media, Vidmate, Windows media

player

Instant messaging software – whatsapp, facebook, twitter, gmail,

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Advantages of video conferencing

Workers can use own office so documents do not get lost when
travelling. Heavy documents do not have to be carried around.

Company can call meetings at short notice.

Employees can work from home.

Company does not have to pay travelling expenses.

Travelling time is saved.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Internet – is the largest system of connected computers around

the world that allows people to share information and
communicate with each other.

Cyber bullying – the use of the internet to make life unpleasant for
another person. It is also sending text, images or video to hurt
another person. It is bullying in form of e-mail,text messages and
the internet. It takes place on social networking sites such as
facebook, twitter, email, whatsapp, skype. Cyber bullying causes
anger, shame, fear, poor performance in school work and
sadness.

Phishing – having a false website or sending a false e-mail to make

another individual trust you and get sensitive information such as
usernames, passwords and credit card details from them.
Uses of the internet

E-learning – learning conducted on the internet.

E-banking – a method of banking in which the customer conducts

transactions electronically via the internet.

Communication.

Social networking – the use of dedicated websites and

applicationsto interact with other users, or to find people with
similar interests to one’s.

Research – investigation into and study of materials and sources in

order to establish facts and reach new conclusions.

Entertainment.

Downloading educational files movies, games and music.

Dangers of using the internet

- Cyber bullying
- Phishing
- People may get your personal information
- Minors can get access to information not appropriate for
their age
- Education time can be wasted accessing content irrelevant
to your course matter
- The internet promotes laziness
- Physical ties are broken since people hardly talk to each
other
Rules to stay safe on the internet

- Treat everyone online with respect.

- Do not communicate with strangers.
- Never arrange to meet someone you don’t know.
- Do not post bad pictures of anyone on the internet.
- Do not respond to rude texts, messages and email.
- Do not post personal information such as your cell phone
number and home address on any social networking site.
- Do not share passwords with others.

THE WORLD WIDE WEB AND ONLINE COLLABORATION

WWW – World Wide Web

Web browser – a computer program used to navigate the www

Search engine- an application that searches for and retrieves

data based on some criteria using the internet

Surfing – browsing the internet

How to make searches more effective

- Be specific and choose your search phrases carefully.

- Place your search phrase inside speech marks.
- Do not use small words like “the” and “a” and do not
punctuate
- Use the minus operator to narrow your search.
Examples of search engines include – Google, yahoo, Ask.com,
Firefox

E – MAIL

It stands for electronic mail. It allows you tosend a message to

someone over the internet. A message can either be plain text or
may contain attachments.

To use email, you need to have access to a network or internet.

Each person on email has a unique email address, which is how

you direct an email address to a specific person and all your
emails come into your inbox.

Structure of an email address

Example of an email address is [email protected]

The first part – “celineaisha” is called the username

The last part – “gmail.com” is the domain or hostname

The symbol “@” separates the username and the hostname.

A username should not have punctuation marks (,;:) and braces

([], <>) and @. It should have lowercase characters and numbers.
ICT INTERPRISE

Digital photographers

Photographers use their knowledge and composition skills to

produce good images.

Photographers take pictures for the purpose of art, entertainment,

business or news.

Duties / roles of a digital photographer

- Capture individual and family quality photographs.

- Makes adverts to attract people
- Analyse and decide how to compose a picture
- Use photo editing software
- Arranging or adjust photos and change background
- Print photos
- Put frames on pictures
- Maintain photograph equipments

Tools used by photographers

Tripod stand

Digital camera

Reflector kit

Camera lens
Lighting (camera light)

Camera bag

Props

Printer

Printing

Is the process for reproducing text or images into a hard copy or

tangible using a printer.

Advantages of printing

- When text is on paper it is easy to read

- Paper record can be delivered properly and safely.
- Printed papers are lighter and convenient comparing to a
laptop.
- Papers are not affected by virus
- Creation of jobs like postman
- Readily available
- No special equipment to use like laptops to read

Disadvantages of printing

- It is expensive that means ink, paper and electricity is

needed.
- Updating printed material can take time.
 - Longer documents may cost more than short documents.

PROGRAMMING

Programming is the art of writing instructions to tell the computer

what to do. Computer programmers are people who design and
write computer programs. Scratch is a programming language
the is perfect for making games, animations and stories. Scratch is
for young people. Other programming languages include C, C++,
Java, Cobol, Ada, Pascal and visual basics.net

Motion- moving a sprite around the screen

Looks – appearance of the sprite

Sound – make noises and play music

Control – start and stop the script and handle decisions

Sensing – detect the position of the sprite

Operators – performs mathematical operations

Variables – used to hold information such as numbers or text

Programming is an art of writing instructions that tell computers

what to do.
The instructions come in many varying languages, called
programming languages.

Scratch is a language perfect for creating animation and games.

Programmers are people who are skilled in using programming

languages to create computer applications.

Computer programs are created in a programming environment

or software

Stage is where you see your stories, games and animations come
to life.

Script is the set of step wise instructions that you give to the Sprite
to do a particular task.

Scripts area is the place where you write the Script for the Sprite.
Script is also called a program.

Each instruction is also called a command.

It is important to group or master the steps well.

A space bar can be used to command the sprite to move.

Sprite can be dragged to where you want it on the Stage.

Sprite can be reset by using go to x y blocks in the pallete.

COMMUNICATION AND NETWORKS

A communication network is the pattern of directions in which
data or information flow in the organization.

A network is a group of two or more devices that can

communicate together in order to exchange data.

It is also known as a telecommunication network which allows

devices to share resources.

Advantages of using network

 File sharing
You can easily share data between different users, or access
it remotely if you keep it on other connected devices.

 Resource sharing
Using network -connected peripheral devices like printers,
scanners and copiers or sharing software between multiple
users saves money

 Sharing a single internet connection

It is cost efficient and can help protect your system if you
properly secure the network

 Increasing storage capacity

 You can access files and multimedia such as images and
music which you store remotely on other machines or
network attached storage devices.

 Shared knowledge
Networking is great for sharing ideas and knowledge, it helps
you expand your knowledge and allow you to see things
from another perspective.

 It allows for frequent collaboration

Computer networks allow multiple people to be logged into
the same platform at once.

LAN – Local Area Network

WAN – Wide Area Network

WLAN – Wireless Local Area Network

LAN (Local Area Network)

A Local Area Network is a privately owned computer network

covering a small geographical area, like a home, office or groups
of buildings for example a school network. A LAN is used to
connect the computers and other network devices so that the
devices can communicate with each other and to share
resources.
WAN (Wide Area Network)

A Wide Area Network is a telecommunication network. A wide

area network is simply a LAN of LANs or Network of Networks.
WANs connect LANs that may be on opposite sides of a building,
across the country or around the world.

LAN vs WAN

Differences LAN WAN

Names LAN WAN
Coverage Local only like homes, Large geographical
school, offices area like cities,
states, nations
Speed High speed Low speed
Data transfer High data transfer rate Lower data transfer
rate rate
Connection Mostly via telephone or Mostly via satellites
Ethernet cables
Set up cost Not very expensive Very expensive
Maintenance Easier and at low cost Difficult since
cost geographical and
high cost
Congestion Less congestion More congestion
Questions

1. What is a computer network?

2. List any two types of networks.
3. What does WAN stand for?
4. Give any 3 reasons why we need computer networks.

Network topology

Topology – the structure of the network of how all the components

are interconnected to each other. It can also mean arrangement.

Star topology

A star topology is a network topology in which all the network

nodes (connection point) are individually connected to a central
switch, hub or computer which acts as a central point of
communication to pass on the messages.

In a star topology, every computer is connected to a hub or

switch which is at the centre.
Advantages of star topology

 It is very fast
 It is easy to troubleshoot
 Less damage in case of a single computer failure as it does
not affect the entire network.

Disadvantages of star topology

 It is expensive to install
 If the hub or switch breaks, it will stop working.
 Entire performance of the network depends on the single
device hub.
 It requires more wires compared to the ring and bus
topology

Bus topology

A bus topology is a topology for a Local Area Network (LAN) in

which all the nodes are connected to a single cable.

All the computers are connected to a long cable known as the

bus.
Advantages of bus topology

 It is easy to set up and extend bus network

 It is cheap
 It requires less cable

Disadvantages of bus topology

 It is slow if the network becomes large

 If the bus breaks, it will stop working

 It is difficult to detect and troubleshoot fault at individual

station.

Ring topology

In ring topology, each device or node is connected with its

neighbouring node forming the shape of ring hence it is known as
ring topology. Data circulates from one computer to another.
Advantages of ring topology

 Each computer has equal access to resources

 It is easy to maintain than a nus network
 Data can be transferred between workstations at high
speeds.
 Additional workstations can be added without affecting
performance of the network.

Disadvantages of ring topology

 It is difficult to remove a faulty computer.

 Expanding the network disrupts services for all computers.
 All data being transferred over the network must pass
through each workstation on the network, which can make it
slower than a star topology.
 The entire network will be impacted is one workstation shuts
down
 The hardware needed to connect each workstation to the
network is more expensive than ethernet cards and hub or
switches

Network components / devices

Hub

A hub is used in star networks to connect a computer to a

network. A hub connects multiple computers together in a Local
Area Network (LAN). All information sent to the hub is then sent
through each part to every device in the network.
Switch

A switch does the same job as a hub but it is more intelligent than
a hub.

Router

A router moves data from one network to another. Using a router

allows many computers to share an Internet connection.

Network cables

Cables are used to connect computers together. The most

commonly used cable is a Cat5e with an Rj45 connector

Modem

It enables you to connect your computer to the available internet

connection over the existing telephone line. A modem is not
necessary for LAN, but required for internet connection such as
dial-up and DSL.

Network Interface Card

Each computer in a network has a special expansion card called

a Network Interface Card (NIC). The NIC prepares (formats) and
sends data, receives data and controls data flow between the
computer and the network.

Use the following words to answer the questions below by filling in

the blank spaces. Not all terms will be used

Router, computer network, local area network, hub, topology,

switch, standalone, WAN, collaboration, peripherals

1. A _____________________ describes how computers are

arranged.
2. The internet can be classified as a giant _________________.
3. A _____________________ is more intelligent than a
____________________.
4. A computer that is not connected to a network is known as a
________________________ computer.
5. Additional components attached to a computer to expand
its use are called _____________________.
6. A _______________________ allows a LAN to be connected to
the internet.
Section A

Answer all questions

1.What is a computer?

A. It is a machine. B.It is an electronic device which is used to input data

,process and store information.

C.It is a printing machine D.It is a device used to make work easy.

2.ICT stands for ……………………………………………………..

A.Information Communication Technology

B.Information Computer technology.

C.Information and Communication Technology

D.Internet Computer Technology.

3.What is a computer virus ?

A)program that harms the computer B)program that protects the computer

C)program that is used for typing D)program that inputs data.

4.A program that protects the computer is ………………………

a)screen saver B)virus C)anti virus D)desktop

5……………………….is an example of a computer antivirus.

A.word B)Avast C)paint D)excel

6.What are the effects of computer viruses?

A.it stores data B)it performs faster C)process data

D)corrupts data and files.

7………………………….is an application used to play music on a computer.

A.VLC B)speakers C)word D)excel

8. These are ……………………………….

A video camera B)micro phone C)computer D)Head phones

9.No use of own ……………………………..in the computer lab

A)files B)projector C)tablet D)memory stick

10.We download games on the …………………………………..

A)phone B)internet C)laptop D)google

11.The picture or text that moves around the screen when you have not
touched it is a…………………………….

A.desktop B)screen saver C)icons D)background

12. We click using the …………………………………..

A)keyboard B)mouse C)monitor D.desktop

13.To photocopy is to…………………………………..

A) produce many copies of the same document.

B) to scan the documents.

C) to print images

D) to input data.
14.An email is used to send …………………………………………………

A)messages B)computers C)projector

D)hard copy.

15………………………………………………………is used to protect data against

unauthorized access

A).Screen guard B)anti virus C)pass words D) internet

Section B

16.List three common computer faults

i.…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

ii…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

iii……………………………………………………………………………………………………….

17.Name any two effects of computer viruses

i.…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

ii…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Keyboard keys

Key Use

18.Shift ……………………………..

19.…………………………………….. spacing words

Computer abbreviations
20.ICT stands for …………………………………………………………………………

21. CPU stands for …………………………………………………………………………

22.USB means ………………………………………………………………………………….

23. PDF stands for.............................................................................

24. WWW stands for .........................................................................

25. RAM stands for ............................................................................