AS ICT and A2 ICT Information systems and communications

Data, Information, Knowledge and Processing

• Data, information and knowledge
• Data types
• Data sources
• Coding of data
• Test data
• Factors affecting quality of information
• Validation and Verification
• Costs of producing Information
• Information as a commodity
• Rule based systems
• Input, processing, output

Components of an Information System

• Differences between hardware and software
• Standardisation of hardware and software
• General purpose computer
• Control unit
• ALU
• RAM
• Computer performance
• Input devices
• Input devices for the disabled
• Ergonomic design
• Output devices
• Storage devices
• Hardware
• Hardware devices related to their uses
• Operating systems
• User interfaces
• Utilities
• Translation software
• Applications software
• Programming languages
• Generic, standard and tailor made software

Systems and User Interface Software

• Operating systems
• Distributed systems
• User Interface
• Self documenting systems
• Utilities - compression software, drivers and configuration files
• Translators, linkers and loaders

Files and Database Concepts

• Database terms: Files, records, fields, key fields, foreign keys, referential integrity, entity, attribute, duplicate data
• Data types
• File organisation and access - serial, sequential, indexed sequential and random access, hashing algorithms, indexes
• Entity, attributes, tables, relationships
• Difference between, flat file database, hierarchical database and relational database
• Levels of access - user/ supervisor modes, IDs and Passwords

The Role of Communications and Networking

• Protocols
• LAN
• WAN
• Advantages and disadvantages of networking
• Network security
• Analogue to digital
• Bandwidth and data transmission
• Various communication media e.g. fax, e-mail, bulletin boards, tele/video conferencing

The Role and Impact of ICT - legal, moral and social issues

• Capabilities and limitations of ICT
• Social impact of ICT at home
• Social impact of ICT at work
• Social impact of ICT in medicine
• Social impact of ICT in commerce
• Benefits of ICT for the disabled and elderly
• Impact of ICT on organisations
• Data Protection Act (1984, 1998)
• Computer Misuse Act (1990)
• Copyright, Designs and Patents Act (1988)
• Ethics and ICT
• Codes of conduct
• British Comptuer Society
• Health and safety issues and ICT

AS ICT and A2 ICT Communications technology and its application

Features of networked systems and the system cycle

• Development of networking
• Effects of new communications technology e.g. E-commerce, video conferencing
• Changing work practices: need for retraining and reskilling
• Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Model
• Systems Life Cycle stages
• User Centred Approach
• Requirements Specification
• Systems Specification

Communications and networked systems

• Networks - index of topics
• Network topologies
• Network components - switches, hubs, NIC, routers, repeaters, bridges, protocols, gateways
• Methods used to organise LANs and WANS
• Modern telephone systems and ISDN, ADSL, DSL
• Cable television networks - services available
• Mobile communication systems
• Satellite cellular communications
• Satellite communications
• GPS
• Optical communications
• Wireless communication
• Circuit and packet switching
• Communications software for networked devices
• Interfaces and protocols
• Data transmission and errors
• Bandwidth

The role and implications of communications systems

• Input, output and storage devices
• Dialogue and interaction
• Human Computer Interface and Graphical User Interface
• Common network environments - intranet, internet
• Network security - firewalls, access control, audit control
• Encryption and authentication techniques

Applications of ICT

• Common characteristics of applications and systems
• Limitations of ICT in society
• Information Super Highway
• New developments resulting from ICT
• Distributed databases