FORM 4- INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

2017- 2018

AIMS OF THE CURRICULUM FOR GRADE 10

Information Technology has evolved over the past five decades in response to the need for more efficient techniques to manage the significantly increased volume
and sophistication of the knowledge reservoir of mankind. It merges the study of Computer Science, Telecommunications and Office Automation; involves the
collection, storage, accessing, processing and dissemination of information and impacts on both work and leisure activities.

In a world characterised by technological innovation and computerized responses to situations in the work place and in the wider society, all citizens will need to
have practical exposure to the techniques of Information Technology in order to bridge the widening gap between Caribbean nations and the developed countries
and provide our citizens with the best chances for survival and growth in this new age.
A structured programme in Information Technology develops computer-related skills and encourages the development of analytical and design skills which are
applicable in all areas of the curriculum. This unique feature warrants the inclusion of Information Technology in the secondary school curriculum.
Aims of The IT syllabus:

1. prepare students to function effectively in a dynamic technological era;

2. promote the development of computer-related skills for immediate application to other curricular areas;
3. provide a foundation for post-secondary education;
4. facilitate the development and application of problem-solving skills in students.

RESPONSIBILITY OF THE KEY PLAYERS IN THE TEACHING LEARNING PROCESS

STUDENTS
Students are responsible for their learning. It is clear that there is a relationship between student’s effort and achievement. Students are encouraged to motivate
themselves to learn. Teacher’s encouragement can motivate any student to learn. Taking the learning experience outside of the classroom will extend and enrich
their understanding of the content. These may include becoming members of a computer club, subscribing to magazines and other online resources; attend
Technology conferences and competitions to learn of new and emerging technologies.
 PARENTS/GUARDIANS
Parents/guardians have a critical responsibility in supporting their child/ward learning experience. By becoming knowledgeable about the curriculum they
determine what is taught and can determine best to support their child/ward. Parents/guardian can assist their child/ward by attending school’s consultation
sessions and encouraging them to do extended work outside the classroom.
TEACHERS
Teachers and students responsibilities complement each other. Teachers are responsible for developing culturally relevant instructional technologies to achieve
learning outcomes as well as appropriate methods for assessment and evaluations. Joining professional technology societies, subscribing to technology magazines
and other online resources, attend Technology conferences to be aware of new and emerging technologies as well as teaching strategies.

SCHEME OF WORK

TERM 1

UNIT 1- FUNDAMENTALS OF HARDWARE & SOFTWARE

UNIT 2- APPLICATIONS AND IMPLICATIONS OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY

TERM 2

UNIT 3- INFORMATION PROCESSING

UNIT 4- DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

TERM 3

UNIT 5- SPREAD SHEET

UNIT 6- WORD PROCESSING

TOPICS AIMS OBJECTIVES CONTENT
describe a general-purpose computer system Major functions of systems: input, processing, output, storage.

explain the functions of the major hardware components Central Processing Unit (CPU): control unit and ALU; main memory /immediate
of a computer system access storage, secondary storage, input/output devices

Outline the functions and uses of primary storage devices Bistable devices, PROM, EPROM, RAM, ROM
manipulate units of storage Bit, byte, kilobyte, megabyte, gigabyte, terabyte, word, word size.

compare the types of secondary storage media with respect Magnetic tape, floppy disk, hard disk (fixed head, moving head, external), optical
appreciate the fundamental hardware and software terminologies and concepts

to portability, speed and capacity disks (CD, DVD), flash drive,flash memory cards.
develop expertise in the operation and use of microcomputer-based systems

use terms associated with storage devices Read/write head, sectors, tracks, buffers, cylinders, access time, sequential access,
FUNDAMENTALS OF HARDWARE & SOFTWARE

direct access; device interfaces such as: SCSI, IDE, SATA.

explain the uses of various input devices and media Optical mark reader (OMR), character readers (OCR, MICR), mouse,
joystick, bar code reader, document scanner, light-pen, touch
terminals, voice response unit, pads and tablets, point of sale
(POS), keyboard, digital camera, biometric systems, sensors,
remote control, sound capture, pointing devices, webcam
state the types and functions of output devices Visual display unit: resolution, types, sizes. Printers:impact and
non-impact, types: (character, line, page, laser, inkjet, dot
matrix). Characteristics: (speed, quality, storage capacity);
plotters; audio output devices (for example, speakers, head-
phones, earphones); microfilm. Also terms such as hard copy,
soft copy, human readable and machine–readable.
describe how data are stored and manipulated within the Binary, octal and hexadecimal number systems; binary addition and
computer subtraction. Integers (positive and negative): sign and magnitude,
BCD, two’s complement; representation of characters, ASCII.
interpret the hardware specifications of a computer system CPU type and speed; memory: capacity, type, word size, speed.
Hard drive: capacity, speed; fire wire, expansion slots, ports.
distinguish between systems programs and application Systems software: operating systems, translators, utilities:
programs Application software: general purpose, special purpose, custom
written. Customization, integrated software.
explain the functions of an operating system File management, memory management, security, device
management, input/output management, user interface, process
management
Distinguish among multitasking, multiprocessing and Basic treatment of these terms
multiprogramming
explain the different types of processing modes Batch processing, real-time, on-line, time-sharing
 
distinguish between types of user interface Software interface: Command driven, graphical user interface
 (GUI) (menu driven, pull-down and pop-up menus, icons).
Hardware interface: touch screens, nonvisual interface, sensors,
and Braille keyboards

TOPICS AIMS OBJECTIVES CONTENT

use terms associated with data Definitions of data communication and network; types of
communications and networks networks: (local area network, wide area network,
metropolitan area network), types of transmission media:
cable/wired media (coaxial, fibre-optic, twisted pair),
APPLICATIONS AND IMPLICATIONS OF INFORMATION & COMMUNICATIONS

wireless media (satellite, microwave, infra-red), wireless

network technology: (Bluetooth,Wi-Fi), hotspot, modem,
bandwidth (broadband, narrowband, voiceband),
the use of the computer and the implications of that use;

communication modes: (simplex, duplex, half duplex), point-

to-point, and broadcast.
distinguish among Internet, intranet
trends in Internet and Communications Technology;

and extranet
careers in the field of Information Technology

explain concepts associated with the Including Electronic mail (e-mail), newsgroups, Internet
Internet Relay Chat (IRC), Telnet, File Transfer Protocol (FTP), upload,
download, World Wide Web (WWW), web browser, HTTP,
TECHNOLOGY

Hypertext Markup Language (HTML/XHTML), web page,

website, blogging, webserver, URL, e-commerce, elearning,
HTTP, pod-casting, bulletin board, VoIP
describe measures to secure data and Software Restrictions: passwords, encryption, virus
maintain data integrity protection, firewall; physical access restrictions: biometric
systems, guards, locks; fire/water proof cabinets; archiving;
backup and recovery procedures; propriety data and
software
Develop an awareness of:

outline ways by which information can Violation of privacy, propaganda, software piracy, computer
be fraud, electronic eavesdropping, industrial espionage,
misused surveillance, storage of inaccurate information, identity
theft, credit card fraud
describe appropriate hardware and Projects to determine the relevant hardware and software
software to meet the particular needs (open source vs. proprietary) used in areas including
of a given application business, industry, science and technology, education, law
enforcement, recreation, music, gaming
describe current and emerging Expert systems, robots, CADD, CAE, CAM, telemarketing,
   technological trends teleconferencing.
assess the impact of Information Computer skills used by office employees, teachers,
 Technology on job skills and careers engineers, medical personnel, musicians, mass media
personnel, law enforcement personnel, movie industry;
loss of jobs; retraining; telecommuting
describe the roles of various personnel The functions of individuals in computer-related fields:
in programmers, systems analysts and designers, IT
computer-related professions managers, systems programmers, database administrators,
network administrators, IT managers, file librarians,
computer
technicians, computer engineers, software engineers,
software testers, webmaster, web-developer, software
trainer, multi-media artists.

TOPICS AIMS OBJECTIVES CONTENT

distinguish between data and Data as raw unprocessed facts; information as processed data
information
explain the characteristics and Forms of Information Processing: automation, process control,
functions of Information Processing commercial, industrial, and scientific data processing; information
INFORMATION PROCESSING

Information Processing Systems

retrieval and management

understanding of the principles,
organization and operation of

identify the sources of data in Source document, turnaround document, machine and human
students should develop an

specified application areas readable document

describe methods of validation and Difference between validation and verification.
verification of data Methods: range check, reasonableness checks, data type checks,
inconsistency checks.
identify appropriate verification and Such as double entry to identify and correct
validation checks given a particular typographical/transposition errors
scenario;
describe various methods of file Sequential field ordering; random, index-sequential; direct access,
organization and access sequential-access
select appropriate file organization Associate an appropriate file structure and access method to a specific
for application. For example, a payroll file would be organised
particular application sequentially with sequential access
explain the concept of a database Definition of database: repository of information; collection of tables
expertise in
DATABASE
MANAGEM

that are related to each other

students

use terminology commonly Database terminology: table (relation), entity, tuple, attribute, primary
ENT

develop
should

associated with a database key, secondary key, composite key, candidate key, alternate key,
foreign key
distinguish among terminology Row (tuple, record), column (attribute, field), key. Data types:
 the design associated with files and databases alphanumeric; numeric; data; logical
of a outline the advantages and Comparison with files with regards to: Speed; Ad hoc queries;
database limitations of databases standardization; present multiple views of the same data
manageme create a database Table structure with at least three data types and populate with at
nt system least twenty-five records. Use of wizard is prohibited.
in the modify a table structure Adding new fields, deleting fields, changing field definitions
developme sort a database Arranging data in numeric, alphabetic; or alphanumeric format. Report
nt of generating facilities of the database package, including use of sorting,
computer grouping statistical and
application summary features, for example, count, sum and average
s establish relationships Use of joins, merge tables/files
query a database using multiple Using more than one criterion; use of select, calculated fields
search conditions
determine the results of a search Two or more fields involving the use of relational and
on a database given multiple logical operators
conditions
generate reports to the screen, Report generating facilities of the database package, including use of
printer and files sorting, grouping, statistical and summary features, for example,
count, sum and average

TOPICS AIMS OBJECTIVES CONTENT

explain the purpose of a spreadsheet Definition of spreadsheet: a spreadsheet is a table consisting of cells
(rows, column locations) that hold accounting or financial data and
simulates the traditional physical spreadsheet; it captures displays
spreadsheet package in the

and manipulates data

use appropriate terminology and notions Row, column, cell, cell address, label, value, formula, function,
SPREADSHEETS

students should develop

expertise in the use of a

commonly associated with spreadsheets; worksheet, template, range, title, window, record
select basic pre-defined systems Including sum, average, date, maximum, minimum, count, if, vlookup,
functions rank
create advanced arithmetic formulae Formulae involving addition, subtraction; multiplication; division;
powers; square roots, the use of brackets
explain the use of common features of Row/column title locking, relative addressing, absolute addressing
spreadsheet software
invoke row and column title locking Horizontal, vertical, both
replicate (copy) formulae into other cells Relative versus absolute addressing
manipulate data on a spreadsheet Effects of move, copy, delete operations on formulae
 develo manipulate columns and rows Insert and delete columns and rows
pment format a spreadsheet Numeric data formatting, text formatting, alignment, borders
of sort a spreadsheet Primary field, secondary field, ascending vs. descending order
comp find a record matching a given criterion Simple criterion, complex criterion, record – find command
uter perform charting operations Bar charts, line graphs, pie charts, graph titles, labels on
applic axes
ations select appropriate graphical
representation
of data
manipulate multiple worksheets Use of two or more worksheets to solve problems involving some or all
of the functions and operations listed above
import files Graphics, tables

TOPICS AIMS OBJECTIVES CONTENT

select appropriate editing features in the Deleting and inserting characters, words, lines, sentences,
hands-on experience in

preparation of a document paragraphs. Type-over mode. Selecting blocks of text. Copying and
WORDPROCESSING

students should have

moving sections of text

describe commonly available features Page numbers, page breaks, text alignment, word wrap, margins,
Wordprocessing

tabs, page length, default settings, font size

select appropriate formatting features for Margins, tab stops, line spacing, page breaks, page numbers, left
the and right justification, centre line, underline, highlight, uppercase,
the use of

preparation of a document bold, and italic

use headers, footers, footnotes and
endnotes appropriately
combine documents
 packag perform block operations
e in the use columns and tables appropriately
develop apply appropriate character formatting Underline, bold, italics, font types and sizes, superscript
ment of features and subscript
comput use search and replace functions
er- appropriately
generat use mail-merge facilities Creation of primary documents and data files in mail merge
ed application; Field names
docume use spell-check
nts and import documents Text files, graphics, tables including options such as automatic
be able save and backup copy, password protection, track changes
to
express
their
aptitude
and
creativit
y in
design

PROJECT TO BE GIVEN AT THE BEGINNING OF THE TERM 1

Students should have hands-on experience in the use of Presentation and Web Page Design packages in the development of
computer-generated documents and be able to
express their aptitude and creativity in design.

a) Students must create a powerpoint presentation highlighting the :Uses of presentation software; Concepts of wizards, templates
and slides; purpose of slide master

Ensure that the following is used: an appropriate layout, formatting features to enhance presentation, headers and footers,
animation, insertion of graphics and moving pictures

b) Students must create a website