Computer Applications

Unit 1: Basics of Information Technology

Computer Systems: characteristics of a computer, components of a computer system - CPU, memory, storage devices and I/O devices

Memory: primary (RAM and ROM) and secondary memory

Storage devices: hard disk, CD ROM, DVD, pen/flash drive, memory stick

I/O devices: keyboard, mouse, monitor, printer, scanner, web camera

Types of software: system software (operating system, device drivers), application software including mobile applications

Computer networking: Type of networks: PAN, LAN, MAN, WAN, wired/wireless communication, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cloud computers (private/public)

Multimedia: images, audio, video, animation

Unit 2: Cyber-safety

Safely browsing the web and using social networks: identity protection, proper usage of passwords, privacy, confidentiality of information, cyber stalking, reporting cyber crimes

Safely accessing websites: viruses and malware , adware

Unit 3: Office tools

Introduction to a word processor: create and save a document.

Edit and format text: text style (B, I, U), font type, font size, text colour, alignment of text. Format paragraphs with line and/or paragraph spacing. Add headers and footers, numbering pages, grammar and spell check utilities, subscript and superscript, insert symbols, use print preview, and print a document.

Insert pictures, change the page setting, add bullets and numbering, borders and shading, and insert tables - insert/delete rows and columns, merge and split cells.

Use auto-format, track changes, review comments, use of drawing tools, shapes and mathematical symbols.

Presentation tool: understand the concept of slide shows, basic elements of a slide, different types of slide layouts, create and save a presentation, and learn about the different views of a slide set - normal view, slide sorter view and hand-outs.

Edit and format a slide: add titles, subtitles, text, background, and watermark, headers and footers, and slide numbers.

Insert pictures from files, create animations, add sound effects, and rehearse timings.

Spreadsheets: concept of a worksheet and a workbook, create and save a worksheet.

Working with a spreadsheet: enter numbers, text, date/time, series using auto fill; edit and format a worksheet including changing the colour, size, font, alignment of text; insert and delete cells, rows and columns. Enter a formula using the operators (+,-,*, /), refer to cells, and print a worksheet.

Use simple statistical functions: SUM (), AVERAGE (), MAX (), MIN (), IF () (without compound statements); embed charts of various types: line, pie, scatter, bar and area in a worksheet.

Unit 4: Scratch or Python

Alternative 1: Educational programming language - Scratch

• Introduction to Scratch.

• Drag and drop commands, creating simple scripts, repeating blocks of commands.

• Discuss x-y plane, create scripts to move the cat (Scratch mascot).

• Create a script to draw diagrams using the pen feature.

Alternative 2: Python

• Programming Basics: Algorithms and Flowcharts

• Characteristics of a good program

• Introduction to Python

• A simple “Hello World" program

• Running a Python program

5. Lab Exercises

• Browser settings for a secure connection

• Working with the operating system: Navigation of the file system using a mouse and keyboard.

• Word processing: create a text document; create a letter, report, and greeting card.

• Create a text document with figures in it. It should describe a concept taught in another course.

• Discuss the following in a text document about the basic organisation of a computer: CPU, memory, input/output devices, hard disk.

• Create a text document in an Indian language other than English.

• Create a presentation.

• Create a presentation with animation.

• Include existing images/ pictures in a presentation.

• Animate pictures and text with sound effects in a presentation

• Create a simple spreadsheet and perform the following operations: min, max, sum, and average.

• Create different types of charts using a spreadsheet: line, bar, area and pie.

• Write basic Scratch/Python programs.