LEARNER GUIDE

SCHOOL NATURAL AND APPLIED SCIENCES

QUALIFICATION DIPLOMA IN ICT (APPLICATIONS

DEVELOPMENT)
QUALIFICATION CODE ICT601

MODULE APPLICATIONS DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATIONS

MODULE CODE
NADF512

COMPILED BY MR. P. NTLATYWA

1. GENERAL INFORMATION
1.1. Welcome and Introduction
On behalf of Sol Plaatje University we welcome you to the Information Technology
programme with a specialization in Applications Development and more specifically to
Programming1 as a subject. Programming skills play an increasingly vital role in almost all
occupations, and contribute to productivity gains, innovation and employment growth across
all South African and international industries. This leads to exciting career opportunities
especially in maiden areas such as the Northern Cape were new jobs have been created in
the past and long-term career prospects continue to strengthen.

Programming1 is one of the four compulsory subjects that must be completed in the common
first semester in year one of the Diploma. It is an exciting and stimulating course which
introduces you to the world of computer programming through understanding of logic and
design. Successful completion of the course will enable you to do Applications Development
2.The purpose of this Learner Guide is to provide you with written guidelines as to what to
expect of the University and what the University in turn expects of you, with regard to this
course. In Section 1 you are given administrative details of the Department as well as the
contact details of the lecturer teaching this course. The general course information shows
you the number of lecture, practical and tutorial periods a week and provides information
about additional time you will be expected to spend on course-related work.

The responsibilities of the students with regard to participation and attendance are stated and
an overview is provided of the learning and teaching approach. Comprehensive assessment
details for the course are given in this section as well as details of the materials that will be
used, e.g. text books. In Section 2 full technical details of the purpose of the qualification,
course entry requirements and NQF level, assessment criteria and moderation are provided,
as well as the exit level and critical cross-field outcomes for the course. In Section 3, the
modules and specific outcomes are shown and the work schedule provides a detailed weekly
work plan for the year.

1.2. Course description

Programming1 is one of the four compulsory subjects that must be completed in the common
first semester in year one of the Diploma. It is an exciting and stimulating course which introduces
you to the world of computer programming through understanding of logic and design. Successful
completion of the course will enable you to do Applications Development 2.The purpose of this
Learner Guide is to provide you with written guidelines as towhat to expect of the University and
what the University in turn expects of you, with regard tothis course. In Section 1 you are given
administrative details of the Department as well as the contact details of the lecturer teaching this
course. The general course information shows you the number of lecture, practical and tutorial
periods a week and provides information about additional time you will be expected to spend on
course-related work.
1.3. Course objectives
The basic building blocks for a novice software developer are developed. This content
includes exposure to software application tools and software design techniques and
methodologies utilizing modern technologies. On completion, the student will be able to
develop basic software applications using GUI, which include using the appropriate
programming concepts, arrays and OO methodologies.
Topics covered are - basic programming concepts; introductory concepts, working with
debugger, and functions as well as creating GUI skills.

1.4. Contact Information

Name E-mail address Consultation
Lecturer Mr. P Ntlatywa [email protected] Online: Email/Ms
Teams
Office door/Time
Internal Mrs N. Modiba [email protected]
Moderator

1.5 General Module Information

Credit Value NQF Level Field Sub-Field
20 5 IT

Formal Contact Time – attendance at all classes is compulsory

Theory 4 x 45 minute periods per week
Practicals 1 x 45 minute periods per week
Tutorials 1 x 45 minute periods per week

1.6 Non-Contact Time

Notional Activity Code Hours
Learning Hours Lectures L 30
Tutorials T 15
Practical Work PW 15
Laboratory Work LW -
Independent self-study of standard texts and IS1 30
references (study guides, books, journal articles)
Independent self-study of specially prepared IS2 -
materials (case studies, multi-media, etc.)
Assessments (Summative & Formative) A 20
ICT (e.g. Moodle, Communications Lab, etc.) ICT 30
Presentations (by students) P 30
Research R 30
Service Learning SL -
Other (explain) O -
 Total 200

Experiential Training/Service Learning/Work Integrated Learning (WIL)

There is currently no WIL component in this Module.
1.7 Advice on online /face to face/blended Learning
Please note that this class will be 60% face to face and 40% online. Blended learning will be
conducted if the need arises.
1.8 Rules for acceptable class (online /face to face/blended) behavior
Everyone must be treated with respect both Lecturer and Students are required to comply.
1.9. Roles, Responsibilities and Attendance Requirements
According to University Policy all lectures must be attended punctually and regularly.
Attendance at all classes is especially important for Students studying this module. Knowledge
and skills are augmented with the listening to lectures and interaction with peers. Class
activities also reinforce knowledge acquired during own reading. Registers will be taken at all
classes and filed for future reference.

Participation is an important part of the class sessions. Participation means both attendance and
engagement. Students are expected to attend and fully participate in all the scheduled classes,
group learning opportunities, discussion sessions and practical sessions. In addition,
punctuality is important.

Students are expected to be on time and ready to begin at the stated time on the timetable.
Students who are not able to attend a formal contact session must provide the lecturer with a
written note explaining their non-attendance. These notes will be kept in the Module file in
case queries regarding a student’s poor performance are raised. Misunderstandings about
Module content or failure to understand a topic can often be cleared up in one-on-one sessions
with the lecturer and Students are urged to consult their lecturers if they have any queries, etc.
It is also important for a lecturer to be aware of any personal problems which may affect a
student’s performance.
1.10. Grievance procedures
Students who have grievances should first discuss the matter with the lecturer concerned. If
not satisfied with the outcome, or the matter not resolved by the lecturer, the student may report
it to the class representative, who will in turn take it to the SRC, who will then inform the Head
of School who will then take the matter to the Registrar (in that order).

Academic dishonesty will NOT be tolerated in any form whatsoever. This includes cheating
during any test, submitting someone else’s work as your own (plagiarism) and copying
someone else’s program. Students caught cheating during a test (whether official or class test),
will have their answer book/paper taken away, and will be handed a new answer book/paper to
continue with. A committee consisting of the subject lecturers will then discuss the situation
and make recommendations to the Programme Head. Where two or more students handed-in
programs seem undeniably to be identical copies of each other, ALL the students involved will
receive a mark of ZERO.

1.11. Students with special needs

SPU is keen to accommodate students with special needs. These needs are catered for without
influencing academic standards. It is, however, the student’s responsibility to inform the
lecturer in good time of any special needs to ensure effective communication in this regard.
Students are requested to make appointments to meet with lecturers during the available
consultation times. As this will not always be possible, however, lecturers will endeavour to
make time to meet with Students in ‘emergency’ situations.

Lecturers are expected to attend all scheduled contact classes. If possible, notice will be given
if a lecturer cannot attend a class and arrangements will be made by the lecturer to cover the
work missed. Students are advised to check the department notice board daily for any
information pertaining to their Module, classes, etc.

1.12. Learning and Teaching Strategies

The University has adopted a smart based student-centered, interactive teaching and
assessment strategy applicable to the future career towards which this programme of study is
directed.
Learning/teaching approach Details
Lecture slides and other
relevant learning resources A prescribed text book (see details below) will be used.
• Live streaming through Lectures will be online (Microsoft Teams) and also
Microsoft Teams physically i.e contact classes.
• Face2face
• Blended learning

• Online discussion Chat There will be a Group project issued, every student must
rooms or forums be in a group. No individual project will be accepted.
 • Face to face group There will be a chat/forum on Moodle for students to
chat/discussion engage in.
• Group project work
Practical Work Practical work will be issued for practice in the tutorial
classes.
Independent self-study In some topics, students will be required to study on their
own after the lecturer gives guidelines.
1.13. Assessment
Formative Assessment
This type of assessment will be used to inform both the student and the lecturer and will not be
allocated a mark. It will be used to allow the student and lecturer to monitor his/her progress
in achieving the Module goals and specific module outcomes. It will take the form of self-
review, peer review and lecturer review and should be seen by the student as a valuable learning
aid. It will also be used to provide valuable feedback to the lecturer regarding his/her
instruction techniques, topics that require revision or additional attention, etc. Students will be
asked to provide comprehensive evaluations of the Module and lecturer at least once during
the Module cycle.

Summative Assessment
This type of assessment is used to formally measure the learning of skills, knowledge and
understanding and is associated with a recorded mark. All summative assessments will count
towards the Semester mark as indicated in the table below:

ASSESSMENTS
Assessment instrument What to submit Weight Date
Class Test 1 (Moodle) Moodle 20% 14th March
Semester Test 1 (practical) Notepad code 30% 24th 26th 28th March
Semester Test 2 (practical) Notepad code 30% 5th 7th 9th May
Project PowerPoint Presentation 20% 16th May
Please Note: A student must score at least 50% for the final mark (calculated as shown
above) to pass the Module.

A medical certificate must be provided regarding missed tests and/or assignments, etc. this
must be submitted to the lecturer or site department secretary within 5 working days of the test
date or due date. Medical certificates not received within 4 days will not be considered – unless
the student was hospitalized. If a medical certificate is accepted, an assessment would be
prepared for the student. Complaints or queries about assessment marks must be raised with
the lecturer concerned within 7 days of the assessment being returned to the students.

NB: dates are subject to change to accommodate special circumstances.

1.14. Continuous Assessment

There will be no written examination at the end of the semester. However, there will be
a subminimum of 50% required to pass the course

1.15. Learning Materials and Stationery Requirements

Prescribed Textbook(s)
Basic Programming Principles (Using Visual Basic.NET) Authors: Correlie Pretorius and
Hetsie Erasmus.
ISBN-10: 978-0-79623-179-6

1.16. Recommended Reading

An introduction to Programming using Visual Basic 2012. Author: David I. Schneider. ISBN -10:
0-13-337850-0

1.17. Library Services

https://www.spu.ac.za/index.php/library-services-all/

1.18. Software and Other Resources

Software : Visual Studio
1.19. Plagiarism
Plagiarism should be always avoided, whenever a student uses an author’s work without
recognizing it and /or cutting and pasting it (not stating facts/thought in own words).
Plagiarized work will not be accepted for marking and students may be subjected to
disciplinary action.

2. MODULE INFORMATION
2.1 Admission Requirements and Pre-Requisites
Refer to University General Prospectus

2.2 Module Exit Level Outcomes

 Upon completion of this module, students should be able to
The basic building blocks for a novice software developer are developed. This content
includes exposure to software application tools and software design techniques and
methodologies utilizing modern technologies. On completion, the student will be able to
develop basic software applications using GUI, which include using the appropriate
programming concepts, arrays and OO methodologies.
Topics covered are - basic programming concepts; introductory concepts, working with
debugger, and functions as well as creating GUI skills. Students will be able to Identify and
to implement proper tools use and software used with personal computer components and
their purposes. Students will be provided with elementary problem solving and programming
techniques, and to practically apply these techniques in GUI. Students are only exposed to
basic functions and knowledge of GUI programming language and IDE intergraded
development environment.

2.2.1 Outcomes Assessment Criteria

Each summative assessment during the semester will assess how well the student has achieved
the outcomes of specific modules (see below). Students will be told which topics (and
outcomes) will be included prior to the assessment

2.3 Moderation
All summative assessment question papers and memoranda for Programming 1 subject are
internally moderated.

2.4 Articulation
Completion of this subject offers vertical articulation within the Diploma: Information
Technology(Applications Development) and is portable to another institution offering
the same Diploma.
3. LEARNING COMPONENT

3.1 Topics and Specific Outcomes

TOPIC SPECIFIC OUTCOMES

On completion of this module, learners should be able to:

Introduction to VisualBasic.NET -Understand the basics of Visual basic

-Manage the windows in the intergraded developmentenvironment

(IDE)

-Understanding of the syntax and errors of Visual Basic

 Understand basic concepts and arithmetic such as:

General concepts andarithmetic - Variables

- Constants

- Know how to write arithmetic expressions

- Know how to format numeric output

- Distinguish between different data types

- Distinguish between variable and constant

Creating user interface with basic Practically demonstrate the use of:
controls:
- Label control

- Text box control

- Group box control

- Button control

- Picture box

Selection controlstructure Demonstrate the understanding and knowledge of thefollowing:

- Logical and Relational operators

- If statement

- If-Then-Else statement

- Compound If-statement

- Check boxes

- Data validation

- Nested If-statement

- Radio buttons

- Case structure
Iteration using a fixedcount loop Demonstrate the understanding and knowledge of thefollowing:

- For-Next loop

- List boxes

- Nested For-statement