GNVQ Advanced IT - Unit 1

Investigate components of an information technology system

Requires students to describe the purposes of different types of hardware and software, and to explain the effect of the system specification on the performance of the information technology sytem

1.  describe types of hardware and their purposes
2. explain effect of system specification on performance
3. describe types of software and their purposes

Types of hardware: main processor unit (micro-processor, control devices), input devices, storage devices, output devices

Purposes of hardware: data capture (manual, automated; data logging, sensed), processing, storage (permanent, temporary; primary, secondary), output (screen display, sound, print, physical control)

System specification: micro-processor type, number of micro-processors, processor speed, cache, primary storage (RAM, ROM), secondary storage, devices (data capture, data display, control).

Performance: speed, parallel processing, quality, efficiency.

Types of software: operating systems, user interface systems, network operating systems, communications, programming languages; applications.

Purposes of software: system initiation, simplify user interaction, working group sharing, communicating, production of software, file management; processing (documents, numerical data, graphics, structured data), modelling, controlling, expert systems.

A report covering the range, which:

• describes types of hardware and their purposes
• describes types of software and their purposes
• explains the effect of system specification on performance

Micro-processor (PC1 range) this includes CPU, bus (address, data, control), memory (RAM,ROM), input/output units.

Control devices (PC1 range) devices connected within the main processor housing.  For example, disc contoller, video card, input/output cards, serial and parallel output cards.

Storage devices (PC1 range) for example RAM, ROM (CD, electronic). magnetic disc, CD disc, magnetic tape, magnetic card/strip.

Physical control (PC1 range) the control of output devices which cause some physical change such as increasing the output of a heater or making a robot move to anew position.

Information can be found  in many computing magazines

This unit covers the essential knowledge requirements for students to undertake practical work for element  Unit 1.4 Students progressing from Intermediate level  may have already gained some evidence required for this element, however this element is more demanding and attention should be paid to ensure coverage of the range.

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