6 ICT applications
Candidates should be able to:
6.1 communication applications
• describe a range of communication applications (e.g. newsletters, websites, multimedia presentations, music scores, cartoons, flyers and posters)
• describe the use of mobile phones for communication (e.g. text messaging, phone calls, accessing the internet)
• describe the use of internet telephony, including Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP)
• describe applications for publicity and corporate image publications (e.g. business cards, letterheads, flyers and brochures)
6.2 data handling applications
• describe the use of a range of data handling applications (e.g. surveys, address lists, clubs and society records, school reports and school libraries)
6.3 measurement applications
• describe a range of measurement applications (e.g. scientific experiments, weather stations)
• explain the difference between analogue data and digital data
• explain the need for conversion between analogue and digital data
• describe the use of microprocessors and computers in a number of applications (e.g. pollution monitoring, intensive care units in hospitals)
• discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using computers in measurement rather than humans
6.4 microprocessors in control applications
• describe the role of a microprocessor or computer in control applications, including the role of the pre-set value
• describe the use of computer control in applications (e.g. turtle graphics, automatic washing machines, automatic cookers, computer controlled central heating systems, burglar alarms, computer controlled glasshouse)
6.5 modelling applications
• describe the use of computer modelling in spreadsheets (e.g. for personal finance)
6.6 applications in manufacturing industries
• describe a range of computer controlled applications (e.g. robotics in manufacture and production line control)
• discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using computer controlled systems rather than humans
6.7 school management systems
• describe how systems are used to manage learner registration and attendance • describe how systems can be used to record learner performance
• describe how systems can be used for organising examinations, creating timetables and managing teaching cover/substitution
6.8 booking systems
• identify areas where booking systems are used (e.g. travel industry, theatre and cinemas)
• describe the online processing involved in booking tickets
• discuss the advantages and disadvantages of online booking systems
6.9 banking applications
• describe the computer processing involved in Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)
• describe the computer processing involved in using automatic teller machines (ATM) (e.g. withdrawing cash, depositing cash or cheques, checking account balance, mini statements, mobile/cellphone recharge/top up, bill paying, money transfers, ordering paper-based goods)
• describe the use of processing involved in credit/debit card transactions
• describe the clearing of cheques
• describe phone banking
• describe internet banking, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of it
6.10 computers in medicine
• describe the contents of information systems in medicine (including patient records, pharmacy records, monitoring and expert systems for diagnosis)
• describe how 3D printers can be used in producing medical aids (e.g. surgical and diagnostic aids, development of prosthetics and medical products, tissue engineering, artificial blood vessels and the design of medical tools and equipment)
6.11 computers in libraries
• describe the files used in libraries (e.g. records of books and borrowers)
• describe the computer processing involved in the issue of books, including the use of direct data entry methods
• describe the automatic processing involved in issuing reminders for overdue books
6.12 expert systems
• identify a range of applications which use expert systems (e.g. mineral prospecting, car engine fault diagnosis, medical diagnosis, chess games)
• identify the components of an expert system (e.g. interactive user interface, inference engine, rules base, knowledge base)
• describe how an expert system is used to suggest diagnoses
6.13 computers in the retail industry
• describe the use of point of sale (POS) terminals, how the stock file is updated automatically, and how new stock can be ordered automatically
• describe the use of electronic funds transfer at point of sale (EFTPOS) terminals (e.g. the checking of the validity of cards, the use of chip and PIN, the communication between the supermarket computer and the bank computer)
• describe internet shopping
• discuss the advantages and disadvantages of internet shopping
6.14 recognition systems
• describe how recognition systems work (e.g. Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR), Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) and Optical Character Recognition (OCR), Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID))
• describe how number plate recognition systems work
• describe the processing of cheques
• describe the processing of OMR media (e.g. school registers, multiple-choice examination papers)
• describe how RFID and RF technology is used in a range of applications (e.g. tracking stock, passports, automobiles, contactless payment)
6.15 monitoring and tracking systems
• describe how a workforce or member of the public can be monitored or logged
• describe how the use of cookies can be used to monitor a person’s internet activity
• describe the use of key-logging
• describe how worker/employee call monitors can be used
• describe the use of automatic number plate recognition
6.16 satellite systems
• describe the use of different satellite systems (e.g. Global Positioning Systems (GPS), satellite navigation, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), media communication systems)