Question 1 – Lesson 1: Computers and Devices

Question 1 – Lesson 1: Computers and Devices

a) Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer system that you can touch and see.
Examples of hardware devices include:

• Central Processing Unit (CPU)
• Random Access Memory (RAM)
• Hard Disk Drive (HDD) or Solid State Drive (SSD)

b) Two differences between a desktop computer and a laptop computer are:

• Portability: A laptop computer is designed to be portable and can be easily carried, while a desktop computer is typically stationary and less portable.
• Integrated Components: Laptops often have integrated components (e.g., built-in screen, keyboard, touchpad), whereas desktop computers usually have separate external components (monitor, keyboard, mouse).

Question 2 - Lesson 2: Software

a) Software is a set of instructions, data, or programs used to operate computers and execute specific tasks. An operating system (OS) is system software that manages computer hardware and software resources and provides common services for computer programs (e.g., Windows, macOS). An application (or application software) is a program designed for end-users to perform specific tasks (e.g., Microsoft Word, Google Chrome).

b) Two examples of operating systems are:

• Microsoft Windows
• macOS

Two examples of applications are:

• Microsoft Word
• Google Chrome

Question 3 – Lesson 3: User Access Options

a) Logging off closes all open programs and files for the current user, but the computer remains powered on and other user accounts can log in without restarting the system. Shutting down completely powers off the computer, closing all programs and files for all users and cutting power to all components.

b) A user may need to restart a computer to apply system updates or new software installations.
Steps for restarting a computer (in Windows):

1. Click the Start button (usually in the bottom-left corner of the screen).
2. Click the Power icon.
3. Select Restart from the options.

Question 4 – Lesson 4: File Management

a)

• The Desktop is the main screen area where you can see icons for frequently used programs, files, and folders. It serves as a workspace for quick access.
• The Taskbar is a bar typically located at the bottom of the screen that displays open applications, pinned programs, and system icons (like time, date, and network status). It allows for quick switching between tasks.
• File Explorer (formerly Windows Explorer) is a file management application that provides a graphical user interface for accessing and managing files, folders, and drives on your computer.

b) The file extensions are:

• Word processing: .docx (or .doc for older versions)
• Spreadsheet: .xlsx (or .xls for older versions)
• Presentation: .pptx (or .ppt for older versions)
• PDF files: .pdf

Question 5 – Lesson 5: Organising Files and Folders

a)
Steps to create a new folder (in Windows):

1. Navigate to the location where you want to create the folder.
2. Right-click on an empty space.
3. Select New, then click Folder.
4. Type a name for the new folder and press Enter.

Steps to rename a file or folder (in Windows):

1. Right-click on the file or folder you want to rename.
2. Select Rename from the context menu.
3. Type the new name and press Enter.

b) Copying a file or folder creates a duplicate of the original in a new location, leaving the original file or folder untouched in its initial location. Moving a file or folder transfers the original from its initial location to a new location, deleting it from the original spot.

Question 6 – Lesson 6: Storage

a) Four types of storage media used for storing digital data are:

• Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
• Solid State Drive (SSD)
• USB Flash Drive
• Optical Discs (e.g., CD, DVD, Blu-ray)

b) The storage capacity units from smallest to largest are:

1. Bit
2. Byte
3. Kilobyte (KB)
4. Megabyte (MB)
5. Gigabyte (GB)
6. Terabyte (TB)
7. Petabyte (PB)