AS ICT (OCR) G061 3.1.2 Software & Hardware Components Booklet

3.1.2 Software & Hardware Components Christos Demetriou AS ICT (OCR) G061
3.1.2 Difference between hardware and software / Input, Output and storage devices

1. Using an example, define what is meant by the term hardware.

2. Using an example, define what is meant by the term software.

3. What is the difference between software and hardware?

Group Activity (5 – 6 people per group)

Launch your word processor and look at the different files that can be imported.

Do some research to see if there are any word processor types missing.

4. What are standards?

5. Describe two effects on a user of having different hardware standards.

6. What are the problems of having different standards?

7. How does standardisation affect how web pages are displayed?

8. What are the advantages of a lack of standardisation to a company?

01 Hardware, Software & Devices 2009-2010 Page 1 of 13

Input and Output Devices

Extension Activities

a. Make a template (or download one) of a Dvorak keyboard and an alphabetical keyboard. What are the
advantages and disadvantages of using the Dvorak layout and the alphabetical layout?

b. Create a concept keyboard that could be used in your school canteen by the till operator


Research the following data input devices , focusing on their purpose and ergonomic features
• Digital Camera
• Touch Screen
• Microphone
• Switch
• Sensor
Investigate the use of biometric devices as input devices. Describe the devices and list their advantages

1. Why are keyboards not suitable for inputting large amounts?

2. What are the advantages of concept keyboards?

3. Describe a digitiser.



4. Describe two different types of scanner and give examples of why the should be used

5. What is the most efficient input device for a newspaper reporter and why?

6. Fill in the following table:
Printer Description Advantages Disadvantages

Dot-matrix

Ink-jet

Laser

7. There are other types of printers. Research the following:
a. Daisy Wheel
b. Line
c. Thermal

8. Research the following output devices focusing on their purpose:
a. Loudspeaker
b. Lights

9. Research the modem as an input / output device.



10. Describe three criteria you should consider when buying a printer.

11. Identify two differences between a dot matrix and a laser printer.

12. Describe a monitor.

13. Describe two different types of plotter, noting the advantages / disadvantages of each.

14. Who might use the following devices and how might they use them?
a. 24” monitor
b. Flat-bed plotter
c. Colour laser printer
d. Loudspeaker

15. Is a CD-Writer an output device? Give reasons for your view.



Storage Devices
1. Fill in the following Table:
Media Description Use Capacity Transfer Speed Cost per MB

Floppy Disk

Hard Disk

CD

DVD

Tape

USB Flash Drive

2. Describe five characteristics that you should be looking for in order to make a comparison between
devices when choosing a storage device.

3. Describe the different types of CD and their uses.

4. Describe three different criteria to be used to compare memory sticks.

5. Why is tape suitable to use for backing up data?

6. How is a removable hard disk different from a portable hard disk?


Specialist Hardware and Software Devices

Group Presentations

Research
Review the information provided on p54 – p57 (OCR ICT for AS Book) and in the document on
page 13 – Making Software Accessible (extracted from the Intermediates Course Work)

Scenario
You need to provide access to your ICT Club web pages for visually and motor-impaired
students.
- Investigate the hardware and software that you could use / the person could purchase.
- Compare the costs of these items with those for able-bodied individuals.
- Investigate the software customisations available on a standard PC and identify who could
use them / their benefits.
- Discuss why it is important to ensure access for all in terms of computing and link this with
the One World Week theme.

02 Specialist Software & Hardware Devices 2009-2010 Page 6 of 13


Your findings should be presented on the ICT Club Computer Accessibility Web Page
• A page about specialist hardware and software for physically disabled users encompassing:-
- Description of two input devices (with photographs) that can be used by a visually impaired
person
- Description of two input devices (with photographs) that can be used by a motor-impaired
person
- Description of how a foot mouse works
- Description of how an eye-typer works

There should be some quotes from impaired users about the hardware / software and its
benefits.
You may supplement your feedback web page with a PowerPoint presentation if you wish.

Feedback
You will have one lesson to do this task then you will have 15 mins to present your results to
the class in the subsequent lesson. All group members must be involved in the feedback.

02 Specialist Software & Hardware Devices 2009-2010 Page 7 of 13

1. Describe different types of software and user interfaces

List as many pieces of software as you can.

Using an athletics club as the scenario, copy and complete the following table (an example has already
been done). You can use the same type of software more than once.
Name of Software Type Use
Word Processor Application Writing letters to members letting them know when the next
meeting is to be held
1.1. What is the role of the operating system?

1.2. Identify two different types of application software.

1.3. Describe two different user interfaces of encoding data.

1.4. What does WIMP standard for?

1.5. What is a GUI?

1.6. Describe two different utility programs.

1.7. How could a library make use of a spreadsheet, database and word processor?

03 Types of Software & User Interfaces 2009-2010 Page 8 of 13

2. Describe the characteristics of different styles of user interface


Investigate five different commands from two different operating systems. Describe what the command
does and its syntax, including the switches (parameters).
Refer to the MS-DOS commands handout on p11-12.

Extension Activities

a. Design a form to be used for entering a customer order when purchasing a car.

b. Investigate the history of the WIMP interface.

c. The Apple MAC and Microsoft Windows computers both use a WIMP interface. Compare and contrast
the interfaces on both types of computer.

d. Investigate and write a report on the problems of voice recognition and using voice-activated software.

2.1. Describe three advantages of using a command based interface.

2.2. Where would the use of a forms interface be appropriate?

2.3. What are the disadvantages of a natural language voice interface?

2.4. Describe three characteristics of a menu interface.

03 Types of Software & User Interfaces 2009-2010 Page 9 of 13


The specification states:-

describe specialist hardware devices for physically disabled users: puff-suck switch,
foot mouse, eye-typer, Braille printers and keyboards, speakers and microphones;

describe specialist software for physically disabled users: predictive text, sticky keys,
zoom, voice recognition;

In Groups your job is to create a presentation for One World Week to promote ICT inclusiveness for users with disabilities.

Your presentation should cover:-

o What is ICT Accessibility? The presentation should last
o Who Benefits From ICT Accessibility? around 10 minutes and
o What is assistive technology? will be shown to the
o What different types of assistive technologies exist? class on Friday.
(include all items stated in the spec)
o What software exists to help the physically disabled? All members of the Team
must participate!
(This means speaking and not
just controlling the slideshow
or holding up bits of paper)

04 Group Presentation – One World Week 2009-2010 Page 10 of 13


cls - Clears the screen

dir - Display files and folders in the current directory

cd Change directory (only to a folder with your current location)
Example: cd program files (this would work when you are already in the e: drive as the
program files folder is located on the e: drive)

cd Change directory to the root of the drive

cd.. Change directory by going backwards one folder

tree Displays all files, folders and sub-folders

md Make a directory
Examples: md e:test (this would create a folder called test in the e: drive folder)
md e:program filestest (this would create a folder called test inside the program files
folder which is located in the e: drive)

edit Allows you to edit a current file or create a new file

exit Exits command prompt

move Moves a file from one location to another
Example: move e:myfile.txt e:testmyfile.txt (this would move the file named myfile.txt which is
located in the e:drive to the test folder in the e: drive)

05 MS-DOS Commands 2009-2010 Page 11 of 13


copy Copies a file from one location to another
Example: copy e:myfile.txt e:testmyfile.txt (this would copy the file named myfile.txt which is
located in the e:drive to the test folder in the e: drive)

del Deletes a file
Example: del e:myfile.txt (this command will delete the text file named myfile which is located in
the e:)

rmdir Deletes a directory/folder
Examples: rmdir e:test (this command will delete the folder named test which is located inside
the e: drive)
rmdir e:program filestest (this command will delete the folder named test which is
located inside the program files folder of the e: drive)

attrib Allows you to add or remove attributes to a file
Examples: attrib +r +h e:myfile.txt (this command would make the text file named myfile located
in the e:drive both read only (preventing you from editing it) and also hidden)
attrib -r -h e:myfile.txt (this command would remove the read only and hidden
attributes from the file name myfile located in the e:drive)

When creating a batch file you must save the notepad document with the extension .bat

05 MS-DOS Commands 2009-2010 Page 12 of 13


Colour-Blindness

People who are colour-blind often have problems ‘seeing’ the following colours: red, green, blue and brown.
Therefore, these colours should be changed to help the user.

Go to Start/Settings/Control Panel/Accessibility Options and then choose the Display tab. Click on High
Contrast. (By setting this option, Windows will now use colours and fonts that are designed for easier reading.)
Now click on Settings and choose one of the High Contrast Colour Schemes.

Poor Eyesight

To help someone with poor eyesight you could set larger fonts AND icons, set mouse options such as Mouse
Pointers and set the screen so that it is Magnified.

Set Large Fonts – To do this go to Start/Settings/Control Panel/Display/Appearance and change to Windows XP
Style. Now change the Font Size to Large or Extra Large.

Set Large Icons – To do this go to Start/Settings/Control Panel/Display/Appearance and click on the Effects
button. Click on Large Icons.

Mouse Pointers – To do this go to Start/Settings/Control Panel/Mouse and click on the Mouse Pointers tab. Now
click on Mouse Pointer Trails and Show Location of Pointer When I Press Ctrl.

Magnifier – To do this go to Start/Programs/Accessories/Accessibility/Magnifier and set the Magnification Level.

06 Making Software Accessible 2009-2010 Page 13 of 13

AS ICT (OCR) G061 3.1.2 Software & Hardware Components Booklet

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AS ICT (OCR) G061 3.1.2 Software & Hardware Components Booklet