ICA10105

Certificate I in Information
Technology

ICAU1128B

Operate a Personal Computer

(20hrs)
ICAU1128B: Operate a Personal Computer

Description
This unit defines the competency required to operate a personal computer, including
starting the PC, logging in, using and understanding desktop icons and their links to
underlying programs, navigating a directory structure, saving work, printing, closing down
the PC. The following unit is linked and forms an appropriate cluster:

ICAU1129B Operate a word processing application

(No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the
time of publication.)

Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.

Unit Sector
Use

Performance Criteria

Element Performance criteria

1. Start the
computer 1.1 Check peripheral device connections for
correct position
1.2 Switch on power at both the power point and computer

2. Access 2.1 Insert user name and password as prompted and

basic note access, privacy, security and related conditions
system of use displayed on introductory screens
information 2.2 Navigate through the operating system to access
system information to identify system configuration
and application versions in operation
2.3 Use on-line help functions as required

3.1 Create and customize desktop icons

3. Navigate and
3.2 Select, open and close desktop icons to access
manipulate
Application programs
desktop
environment 3.3 Manipulate application windows and return desktop to
original condition

4.1 Create and name directories and subdirectories

4. Organize basic
directory/folder 4.2 Identify attributes of directories
structure and 4.3 Move subdirectories between directories
files
4.4 Rename directories as required
4.5 Access directories and subdirectories via different paths

5.1 Use system browser to search drives for specific files

5. Organize files for
user and/or
organization
 Requirements 5.2 Access the most commonly used types of files in the directories

5.3 Select, open and rename groups of files as required

5.4 Move files between directories
5.5 Copy files to disk
5.6 Restore deleted files as necessary
5.7 Erase and format disks as necessary

6. Print information 6.1 Add a printer if required and ensure correct printer
Settings
6.2 Change the default printer if appropriate
6.3 Print information from an installed printer
6.4 View and delete progress of print jobs as required
7. Shut down
computer 7.1 Save any work to be retained and close all
open application programs correctly
7.2 Shut down computer correctly

Skills and Knowledge

Required skills
 Saving and retrieving files to various locations
 Mouse management (button usage) for different applications
 Reading and writing at a level where basic workplace documents are understood
 Ability to communicate with peers and supervisors
 Seeking assistance and expert advice
 Interpretation of user manuals and help functions
 The ability to input user access details for accessing a personal computer (PC)
(possibly a networked environment)

Required knowledge
 Basic keyboarding skills
 Computer functions
 Basic parts of a computer and various hardware components
 Storage devices and basic categories
 Basic software operation

Range statement
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different
work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if
used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may
be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the
candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be
included.

Peripheraldevice may
 mouse
include but is not limited
 keyboard
to:
 visual display unit
 monitor
 printer
Computer may include:  laptops
 workstations
  servers
 other devices
Applicationprograms may  database programs
include:  word processors
 email programs
 internet browsers
 system browsers
 spreadsheets
OperatingSystem may  Linux 7.0 or above
include but is not limited  Windows 2000 or above
to:  Apple OS X or above
 hardware and software components that run a
Systeminformation may computer
include but is not limited
to:
On-line help functions  An instruction manual or a portion of the manual,
integrated into the program
Attributes  Indicates several properties of the directory. For
example, they indicate whether the directory is
read-only, whether it needs to be backed up, and
whether it is visible or hidden
Systembrowser may include  Windows Explorer
but is not limited to:  Konqueror
Disks may include but are  floppy disks
not limited to:
 CDs
 CD-RW (compact disks-read write)
 DVD RW
 zip disks
 flash drives
 solid state hard drives
Printersettings may include:  layout
 paper size
 paper tray
 cartridge type
 number of copies
 orientation
Information may include but  documents
is not limited to:  test pages
 web pages
 other output

Evidence Guide
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction
with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the
Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of
assessment
Evidence of the following is essential:
Critical aspects for  Assessment must confirm the ability to use software,
assessment and navigate around the desktop, use system features to
evidence required perform tasks, and save results of work.
to demonstrate To demonstrate competency in this unit the person will require
competency in this access to:
unit  Personal computer
 Printer
 Mouse and keyboard
  Monitor
 Basic software
Context of and Using a personal computer is an essential business function
specific resources for and basic core skill in most workplaces. Demonstration of this
assessment competency will require:
 Knowledge of PC operations in a narrow range of
areas
 Basic PC practical skills
 Performing a sequence of routine tasks after having
received clear direction
 Receiving and passing on messages and information.
The breadth, depth and complexity of knowledge and skills in
this competency would prepare a person to perform a
defined range of activities many of which may be routine and
predictable.
Assessment must ensure:
 Demonstration of knowledge by recall in a narrow
range of areas; demonstrating basic practical skills,
such as the use of relevant tools and applications;
performing a sequence of routine tasks given clear
direction; and receiving and passing on messages
or information.
 Applications may include a variety of employment
related skills including preparatory access and
participation skills, broad-based induction skills and/or
specific workplace skills. They may also include
participation in a team or work group.
Method of assessment The purpose of this unit is to define the standard of
performance to be achieved in the workplace. In undertaking
training and assessment activities related to this unit,
consideration should be given to the implementation of
appropriate diversity and accessibility practices in order to
accommodate people who may have special needs.
Additional guidance on these and related matters is provided
in ICA05 Section 1
 Competency in this unit should be assessed using
summative assessment to ensure consistency of
performance in a range of contexts. This unit can be
assessed either in the workplace or in a simulated
environment. However, simulated activities must
closely reflect the workplace to enable full
demonstration of competency.
 Assessment will usually include observation of real or
simulated work processes and procedures and/or
performance in a project context as well as
questioning on underpinning knowledge and skills. The
questioning of team members, supervisors,
subordinates, peers and clients where appropriate
may provide valuable input to the assessment process.
The interdependence of units for assessment purposes
may vary with the particular project or scenario.
Guidance Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry
information for sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
assessment  ICAU1129B Operate a word processing application
An individual demonstrating this competency would be able
to:
 Demonstrate knowledge by recall in a narrow range of
areas
 Demonstrate basic practical skills, such as the use of
relevant tools
Perform a sequence of routine tasks given clear direction
Receive and pass on messages and information
Maintain knowledge of industry products and services

Lets get
started…
 COMET BAY COLLEGE
Certificate I in Information Technology ICAU10105

ICAU1128B OPERATE A PERSONAL COMPUTER

Organising Files / Internet Access

1. In your school account, set up a new folder and name it Cert I

Information Technology.

2. Within this folder you need to set up seven (7) sub-folders and name them as
follows

 CAU1128B Operate a personal computer

 CAU1129B Operate a word processing application
 CAU1131B Send and retrieve information using web browsers and email
 CAU1131B Operate a database operation
 CAU1130B Operate a spreadsheet application
 CAU1132B Operate a presentation package
 CAU1204B Locate and use relevant online information

3. CREATE A MOTIVATIONAL POSTER

 Download an inspirational photo from the net or use your own photo and
save it to the sub-folder ICAU1128B Operate a personal computer.

 Find an appropriate inspirational title and saying to match the image

you have chosen. You can research this on the internet as well.

 Go to http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/ DO NOT SIGN UP - the activity we

are using is free.

 Click on the framed example – ‘Create a custom motivational poster for

free.........’

 Choose a photo: UploadRecent

UploadsFlickrPhotobucketURL
 Choose a file on your computer to upload your photos to.

 Browse an image (go to your photos you uploaded from the

internet and select one)

Continued over page…

  Keep these parts of your photo visible if you think you may need to
crop it to fit the frame:

Cente Top/ Bottom/

r Left Right

Orientation:
Landscape
Portrait

Border:
Single
Double Fancy

Formatting your poster…

On this occasion we will not go into colour selction and process. We will use the currenmt default colours
for our first project!

Title: Type in your title using capitals (It is best to choose a one or two word title)

#ff ff ff
Title+border:
#ff ff ff
Motivational text:
#000000
Background:

Choose your font (lettering style)

Roman (default)
choose the font

Format your Motivational Statement text

Motivational text: You've got room to type in three lines of text. It is

best to keep it short.

Plain
choose font(default)
This is where you can claim your artistic rights and add your name to it as the
creator!

 Click on the add credit radio button.

 Click on the ‘CREATE’ option.

BE PATIENT – It takes some time to come up!!

Save your work…

 Save the poster to:

ICAU1128B Operate a personal computer and name it ‘
‘MOTIVATIONAL POSTER’

 Print a copy for your evidence file.

Project Complete!
COMPUTER BASICS

The basic mechanism of computing is as follows:

Input Process Output

(eg. Keyboard) (eg. Printer)

Data is entered into a PC via a peripheral device. The data is processed.

The processed data is output to a peripheral device

COMPUTER SYSTEM STRUCTURE

INPUT OUTPUT DEVICES

DS
EVICE MEMORY

CPU
Central Processing Unit

STORAGE DEVICES
 Input devices

An input device is anything that puts information inside a computer via a

peripheral device (eg. a mouse). It tells the computer what to do by
directing the cursor.

Output devices

An output device is anything that can display information. Eg. A monitor

takes information and displays it on a screen

Storage devices

The main memory device in a computer is the RAM (Random Access

Memory).

Storage devices hold information, operating just like a filing cabinet.

Other examples of storage devices include:

🢝 hard drives
🢝 floppy drives
🢝 tape drives
🢝 USB drives
🢝 CD-ROM drives (Compact Disk Read Only Memory),
🢝 USB (Universal Serial Bus)
🢝 DVDs (Digital Video Disc)
🢝 zip drives

TIP! (A CD-ROM compacts and stores large amounts of information. You

can retrieve data from it but you cannot save new data to it. )
 COMET BAY COLLEGE
Certificate I in Information Technology ICAU10105

ICAU1128B OPERATE A PERSONAL COMPUTER

ACTIVITY

1. Decide whether these devices are input or

output. Place a tick in the appropriate box:
Devices Input Output
A printer
A speaker
A digital camera
A mouse
A keyboard
A monitor
A scanner

2. What do the following letters mean?

PC:
VDU:
RAM:
USB:
CPU:
DVD:
CD-ROM:
3. Referring to the ‘MS WORD’ screen diagram provided overpage, identify which
function/tool you would use to do each of the following:

Query: Function
No.
You have word processed a letter and you want to see how it sits on the page.
You are working between two documents and you want to switch easily between the two.
How do you view one and hide the other on the task bar?
Tells you which document is active on the screen
Shuts down the document on the screen
Moves the document up and down on the screen
Aligns the text to both left and right margins
The flashing vertical line which indicates where the letters will appear when you begin to
type.
You want to save a new document to file.
To copy some text and move it to another document
The Office Assistant where you get useful tips and advice when you need it
To insert a header or footer
To change the colour of the text in a document
To set up a table 10 rows by four columns