Computers are useful for six core functions: repetitive calculation, vast storage, searching and sorting data, combining data, communication, and fast response times. This allows for feedback between inputs and outputs. However, ICT systems have limitations such as hardware limits, software bugs, and the ability to only produce outputs as good as the inputs. While artificial intelligence is a goal, computers still struggle with tasks easy for humans like handwriting recognition. The GCE Computer Studies syllabus assesses these topics through examinations and coursework or alternative projects involving typical application software.

1. Why Computers?

3. The core uses of ICT

4. How the response speed of ICT systems facilitates the use of feedback

6. Banking

7. Utility Billing (gas etc.)

8. Research

9. Payroll

10. With a computer it doesn’t matter if it is ten calculations or ten million – it costs the same.

12. Banking records

13. Customer databases

14. Stock control

15. Government databases

17. Banks

18. Billing Systems

19. Police databases

20. Online Retailing

21. Stock Control

23. Satellite Imaging

24. Medical Research

25. Scientific Research

26. Police databases (e.g. HOLMES 2)

27. Astronomical Research

29. Internet

30. Cell Phones

31. Digital Broadcasting

32. Satellite communications

33. Global Positioning System (GPS)

35. Retail Systems

36. Banking (e.g. ATM)

37. Computer Games

38. Systems Control

39. Ticket Booking systems

41. Example 1 - Stock Control

42. Sufficient stock must be kept to satisfy customers but…

43. Storage of large levels of stock is expensive

44. The ICT system continually adjusts stock levels to make JIT orders of stock

45. Example 2 – Systems Control

46. Systems control on a car, aeroplane etc. continually responds to changes in its environment (measured by sensors)

48. Even small scale failure can have devastating and costly consequences

49. Major systems/infrastructure couldn’t function without computers

50. Water, Gas, Electricity supply

51. T.V., Radio, Telephony

52. Food/Fuel transport, Rail, Air, Road travel

54. Processor speed, disk capacity, bandwidth

55. Think about video calls on MSN etc.

56. Software “bugs” and design flaws

57. Can make a system fail or behave in an unpredictable way

58. Systems may be poorly designed and don’t achieve what they set out to do. There are many examples of failure covered in ICT4

59. Computer output can only be as good as the input

61. Many tasks that humans find easy are hardest to replicate in computers!

62. Reading handwriting accurately

63. Interpreting images

65. How GCE - Computer Studies Is Helpful For Students? encourages students to develop lifelong knowledge and skills, including: confidence in the use of computers an appreciation of the broad range of computer applications a balanced understanding of the power and versatility of the computer and the benefits of its use alongside its limitations and potential disadvantages. Cambridge O Level Computer Studies is an ideal foundation for further study at A Level, and the skills learnt can also be used in other areas of study and in everyday life.

68. Components Description Paper 1 This is a compulsory question paper, consisting of short-answer and structured questions. Candidates must answer all the questions.

69. Continued….. Paper 2: Coursework (school-based assessment) The purpose of this project is to allow candidates to demonstrate their ability to undertake a complex piece of work, which is a computer-based solution to a significant problem, and to complete the solution and present their results. A complex piece of work is one which involves one of the following: integrating components of two generic application packages to form a single solution using some of the more advanced functionality of a single application package using modules and file handling in a coded solution. In all cases, candidates must fully document the solution.

70. Continued….. Paper 3: Alternative to Coursework This paper consists of short-answer and structured questions which refer to a given scenario. Candidates must answer all the questions. There is a maximum of 60 marks for this paper, but the actual weighting will be 25% to give it the same status as Paper 2 (Coursework).

72. a simple hotel booking system

73. a simple airline booking system

74. a simple stock control system (e.g. small shop selling CDs)

75. route planning for a company that has a maximum of 10 routes

76. automatic stock control systems

77. a car parts system

78. library systems

79. control systems (e.g. chemical plants)

80. holiday booking companyPrevious experience of candidates’ work indicates that the choice of certain projects involving games, quizzes, word-processing are unsuitable projects and do not provide the opportunity to achieve high marks. Example Applications !

82. Choose any real life situation or system e.g. preparing a gas bill. Which of the six capabilities identified in the diagram earlier in this presentation apply to the system