BTEC Level 3 National in

Information Technology:
Unit 1
Learner Workbook 1
Learning Aim A:
Digital devices in IT systems

Learner name

Tutor name

Page 1
Learning Aim A Content
TOPIC 1
A1) Digital devices, their functions and use
The features and uses of digital devices in IT systems to meet the needs of individuals and organisations
Digital devices that form part or all of IT systems:
o multifunctional devices
o personal computers
o mobile devices
o servers
o entertainment systems
o digital cameras – still, video
o navigation systems
o data capture and collection systems
o communication devices and systems.
The function and use of digital devices for:
o education and training
o personal
o social
o retail
o organisational use – business operations, internal and external dissemination of information
o creative tasks.

TOPIC 2
A2) Peripheral devices and media
The features and uses of peripheral devices and media in IT systems to meet the needs of
individuals and organisations.
Peripheral devices used with other digital devices to form part of an IT system:
o input devices
o output devices
o storage devices.
Manual and automatic data processing.
Accessibility devices.
Characteristics and implications of storage media used to form part of an IT system.

Page 2
Learning Aim A Content (continued…)
TOPIC 3
A3) Computer software in an IT system
The concepts and implications of the use of, and relationships between, hardware and software
that form large- and small-scale IT systems and their impact on individuals and organisations.
Types of operating system:
o real-time operating system
o single-user single task
o single-user multi-tasking
o multi-user.
The role of the operating system in managing:
o networking
o security
o memory management
o multi-tasking
o device drivers.
Factors affecting the choice and use of user interfaces:
o graphical
o command line
o menu based
o adapted.
Factors affecting the choice of operating system.
Factors affecting use and performance of an operating system.
Utility software:
o the purpose, features and uses of utility software
o factors affecting the choice, use and performance of utility software.
Application software:
o the purpose, features and uses of application software
o factors affecting the choice, use and performance of application software.
The principles and implications of open source and proprietary operating systems
and software.
The impact and features of user interfaces in computer software.
The features of common file types and formats used for:
o images
o videos
o application software.
The implications on IT systems, individuals and organisations of the use and selection of files and
formats.

Page 3
Learning Aim A Content (continued…)
TOPIC 4
A4) Emerging technologies
How emerging technologies can be used by individuals and organisations.
The concepts and implications of how emerging technologies affect the performance of IT systems.
Implications of emerging technologies on the personal use of IT systems.
Implications of emerging technologies on the use of IT systems in organisations.

TOPIC 5
A5) Choosing IT systems
How the features of an IT system can affect its performance and/or the performance of a larger
IT system.
Factors affecting the choice of digital technology:
o user experience – ease of use, performance, availability, accessibility
o user needs
o specifications
o compatibility
o connectivity
o cost
o efficiency
o implementation – timescales, testing, migration to new system(s)
o productivity
o security.

Page 4
 Introduction
What are Digital Devices?

Page 5
Introduction

What are Digital devices?

1. In your own words describe what is meant by the term ‘digital.’

2.Explain 2 different reasons why organisations would use digital devices.

2. Describe the following types of device Hardware.

Type Explanation
CPU

Memory

Storage

Display

Page 6
 Topic 1
Digital devices, their
functions and use

Page 7
A1 Digital devices, their functions and use

LO1 – Understand the digital devices that form part or all of IT systems.
LO2 – Understand the function and use of digital devices for Education, Retail & Organisational use.
LO3 – Understand the function and use of digital devices for Personal, Creative & Social use.

Tasks

Task 1 – Research Multifunctional Devices & fill out the following table in detail.

Devices Functions Uses Advantages & Disadvantages

copy, scan, print and fax It can copy, scan, print and fax Advantage:
all in one machine Saves spaces for the multi functions
that are in the multifunctional devices
Also, it will save money to buy one
machine instead of four
Convenient its more convenient to
have functions all in one it saves time
and money
Multifunctional
Disadvantage
Devices
The problem is that you have to wait
for someone to finish instead of going
to a printer while the other guy is
scanning

Multifunctional devices may have

lower specialization as they are more
than one function to focus on

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Research the devices below & fill out the following table in detail.

Personal
Computers

Continued…

Research the devices below & fill out the following table in detail

Devices Functions Uses Advantages & Disadvantages

To contact other peoplr

Mobile Devices

Servers

Entertainment
9
 Systems

Continued…

Research the devices below & fill out the following table in detail

Devices Functions Uses Advantages & Disadvantages

Digital Cameras

Navigation
Systems

10
Continued…

11
Research the devices below & fill out the following table in detail

Devices Functions Uses Advantages & Disadvantages

Data Capture &

Collection Systems

Communication
Devices &
Systems

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Task 2 – Spend 1 hour researching into how digital technologies are used in Education, Retail, Organisations, Creative
Industries, Personally and Socially. Fill in the following table with your findings.

Function of Devices in
Sectors Digital Devices Used Uses of Devices in Sector
Sector

Education

Retail

Organisations

Continued…

Sectors Digital Devices Used Function of Devices in Uses of Devices in Sector

13
 Sector

Creative

Personal

Social

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Task 3 – Exam Questions

1. Bobbies is a new small supermarket chain with 6 stores.

State 2 different data capture & collection systems that might be used in
supermarkets. [2]

2. Explain how the 2 data capture & collection systems might be used in the
supermarkets and why they would benefit the business. [4]

3. Jerry works in the games industry and builds 3D games using a PC for use on
tablets. He creates both the graphics and does all of the coding for the games.
State two different input devices and two different output devices, explaining
how they would be useful for jerry in the creation of video games. [8]

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 Worksheet 1.1
Cases of bottles and jars
Learning Aim A

Carla owns a business in rural England that distributes bottles and jars which are used to store preserves, chutney
and homemade cordial. They are elegant glassware, and Carla buys them in bulk and stores them in her very large
garage at home. She receives orders over a dedicated phone number displayed on her website and employs a part-
time helper to write out the address labels and pack the orders into strong cardboard boxes which are taken to the
Post Office for despatch.
Since starting the business two years ago with just a laptop, mobile phone and website, Carla’s business has more
than doubled each year. Little is automated and Carla is finding she is still working all day and evening to keep on top
of the paperwork, logging all payment receipts and invoices in an accounts book, ordering bottles, responding to
enquiries and orders over the phone, and chasing deliveries. She also has some customers who would prefer not to
have to wait for delivery until payment has arrived with Carla and been banked. This leaves Carla with little time to
spend with her family and friends.
Carla would like you to suggest how she can improve the efficiency of the business without the need for extra staff –
you have a budget of £200 to suggest how she can use digital devices.
List your answers in the space provided, or overleaf if you need more room. Remember to provide Carla with details
about what she could do differently and why and what impact it is likely to have on her current work/life balance.

What can be done differently? Why? How will this improve

things?/What impact will this
change have on work/life
balance?

16
 Worksheet 1.2
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Learning Aim A

Use this sheet to make your own list of key terms that you meet in this unit.
Technical term or acronym Explanation or simplified term

17
Continued…
.
GLOSSARY OF TERMS (Continued…)

Technical term or acronym Explanation or simplified term

18
 Worksheet 1.3 Digital devices, their functions and use
Learning Aim A

Describe the function of each device and then state where they might be used

Device Function Use

Text from a book
Read books online or on
E-books displayed on a computer
a device
or handheld device

Visualiser Projects an object in real In a class room

life on a whiteboard

A whiteboard that you

Interactive Whiteboard In a classroom
draw, write and touch

Create a three
3D Printer Manufacturers
dimensional object

Enables people to draw

Graphics Tablet on a device like a tablet Animators, illustrators
with a special pen

Stores money then opens

Till Stores
when asked

Bluetooth Lets people hear audio

without connecting wire Everyday , gaming
Headset to device

Read and scans 2d and

QR code reader Transport, Concerts
1d codes like tickets

A watch that displays

Smart Watch information that is on Everyday, running
smart phone
Continued…

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 Device Function Use

Plotter Produces vector graphs Business graphics

Colour Laser Provides high quality

Home printer
Printer prints using toner

creates a 3d experience Playing a game or

VR Headset
playing a game watching a movie

To contact people
Can browse internet also Browse web
Smartphone
access to social media Use social media
Download games
Navigates people to a
Directs user to a chosen destination to make it
Satnav
destination easier for people to get
somewhere
Monitors an area using Home
IP Camera software that connects to
internet Business

Gyro Mouse Allows mouse to rotate Gaming, personal use

Read a signal from a

Contactless RFID RFID chip and transmits a Chips in pets
signal from an active tag

Browse the internet, play

Tablet games ,check email and Work, home and everyday
etc

Business, transports
Ticket Printer A printer that prints tickets
,events

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 Worksheet 1.4
MY LEARNING LOG
Learning Aim A

Use your learning log to make a note of the different topics you have learnt and devices you have encountered and
used. Be sure to think about why you used it and how you might have managed without the device.

Date Something new I have learnt How I learnt it Digital device/s I What I need to
(what I was was using explore further
doing)

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 Topic 2
Peripheral devices and
media

22
A2 Input, Output & Storage

LO1 – Understand the Input devices that form part or all of IT systems.
LO2 – Understand the Output devices that form part or all of IT systems.
LO3 – Understand the Storage devices that form part or all of IT systems.

Tasks

Task 1 – Fill in the following table to show your understanding of Input & Output Peripherals.
Peripherals Input or Output Uses
For pc and computer also gaming

Keyboard
Input

To display graphics like video games and the web if connected to

computer
Monitor
Output

Move the cursor to navigate around the page

Input
Mouse

Continued…

Peripherals Input or Output Uses

23
 To interact on the screen without having to use a mouse or keyboard

Touch Screen
Input

To display something connected to a computer to make have a bigger

screen so everyone in a classroom can see
output
Projector

To record audio for a song or video game

Microphone
Input

Print papers out

Output
Printer

24
Task 2 – Research Storage Devices & Fill out the following table in detail.
Storage Device Functions Uses Advantages & Disadvantages
To store data so you can access Advantage
it again for example a photo Cheap per unit of each storage data
that you take in your phone Easy and fast access
Fast retrieval time
Hard Drive
Stores retrieval data like Disadvantage
photos, data and etc Easy to damage
Will slow down eventually
Slow to access than solid state drives
Advantage
Compact in size
Portable
Highspeed of data transfer
Less power of consumption
Solid State Drive
Disadvantage
More expensive than magnetic
storage
Vulnerable to abrupt power loss

Advantage
Fast and instant to load
Easy to carry due to weight
Don’t require that much power
Longer battery life
USB Memory Stick
Disadvantage
Expensive
Data extraction can be difficult and
long

Continued…
25
Storage Device Functions Uses Advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages
Require less amount of power
Portable due to size and weight
Don’t produce any noise
Portable can fit Into computes, phones
and cameras
SD Cards Large storage

Disadvantages
Break easily
Can be lost and misplaces
Can be affected by electronic
corruption -make card unreadable
Advantage
Can store more data than a DVD
Store movies with better picture and
sound quality
Optical Disks
Disadvantage
More expensive than DVD
Require blu ray
Can lose data if scratched

Magnetic Tape Large organisations to store Advantage

data Cheapest form
To store large volumes of Can store large amount of data -1T
data Can be backup overnight

Disadvantages
Require special equipment to record
Data can be damaged if place next to

26
 a magnetic field e.g. speaker
Slow to access data

27
Task 3 – Answer the following questions about cloud storage.

Cloud storage means:

Allows a person to save data and files in a off site spot which you
can access through a public internet or private

The Advantages of Cloud Storage are:

Save cost
Elimionates data redundancy and replication
Tight security protection
Regulatory compliance

The Disadvantages of Cloud Storage are:

Extra cost for uploading and downloading leads to more money

Customer support is poor
Not on phtsical data no one is responsible for data
Some cloud storage provide hard drives

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Task 4 – Exam Questions

1. Explain 2 reasons why you would choose a Solid State Drive over a Hard Disk
Drive? [2]

Faster to access than a hard drive also easy to carry due to size

2. Lance is a video editor. Explain 2 reasons why lance should not use a memory
stick to transfer video footage between his office and his home. [4]

Transferring data with a memory stick can be extremely difficult this also means it
will take a long time which Is not good

3. Jane rides mountain bikes and wants to record her riding through a helmet
mounted camera in High definition. Name a storage device that would be
suitable for this and state why you chose your answer. [4]

I think the best option is a SD card the first reason is because it can fit into many
device like a camera, phone and a laptop also when your finished you can carry it
easily because it is light. When bike riding you won’t need to worry about the
length because it can hold a large amount of data and it don’t produce any noise
when working on it

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A2 Manual & Automatic Data Processing

LO1 – Understand what Manual Data processing is.

LO2 – Understand what Automatic data processing is.
LO3 – Evaluate examples of Manual and Automatic data processing.

Tasks

Task 1 – Write a definition for Manual Data Processing (Book P12).

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Task 2 – Find 5 examples of Manual Data Processing and give some of the Advantages and Disadvantages of Processing the
data manually.

Example of Manual Data Processing Advantage Disadvantage

Keying In mail and telephone orders

Cost it is more expensive to pay
Overall disadvantages and advantages labour then have a computer to do the
same job

A human will take more time to do a

task then a computer will do in half
the time especially for large projects

Accuracy of the data that is entered

manually may have some mistakes
due to not being careful and having
many tasks to complete

Hiring a third parties may weaken the

security as you do not have full control
of the information

With a computer there will be 100%

consistency as it is programmed to do
that task however a human may have
a bad day and make a couple of
mistake

Entering customer detail from paper

forms

31
Processing sales

Marking exam scripts

Entering or collecting survey response

32
Task 3 – Write a definition for Automatic Data Processing.

33
Task 4 - Find 5 examples of Automatic Data Processing and give some of the Advantages and Disadvantages of Processing the
data automatically.

Example of Automatic Data Processing Advantage Disadvantage

Smart meters

Seismometer

Satellites

Processing of ATM transactions

Race timing system

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A2 Accessibility Devices

LO1 – Define what an Accessibility Device is.

LO2 – Describe different types of Accessibility Device.
LO3 – Select different Accessibility Devices for different situations.

Task 5 -Define what an Accessibility Device is.

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Task 6 - Fill in the following table describing the Accessibility Device and listing its Advantages and Disadvantages.

Device Description Advantage Disadvantage

Speech Recognition
Software

Screen Readers

Touch Screens

Big Key Keyboard

Continued…

Device Description Advantage Disadvantage

36
Ergonomic Keyboard

Screen Magnifiers

Screen Overlays

Eye Motion Sensors

37
Task 7 – Exam Questions

1. Give 2 advantages of using biometric readers for use in personal identification

systems? [2]

2. What are 2 disadvantages of manual data processing over automatic data

processing? [2]

3. What are 3 benefits of using smart meters in the home to monitor Gas and
Electricity usage? [3]

4. Tommy has poor vision. Give 2 ways that Tommy could use software to help
him use his desktop computer at work. [4]

5. Sally has a disability which affects the use of her arms.

Give 2 devices that Sally can use to help her use an ICT system and explain how
the device benefits Sally. [4]

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39
 Topic 3
Computer software in
an IT system

A3 Types of Operating System & the role of Operating

Systems.

LO1 – Define Real-time, Single-user single task, Single-user multi-tasking & Multi-user
Operating systems.
LO2 – Know the advantages & Disadvantages of Real-time, Single-user single task, Single-user
multi-tasking & Multi-user Operating systems.
LO3 – Define the role of the Operating System in a computer system.
LO4 – Understand the factors that affect the performance of an operating system.

40
Tasks

Task 1 – What is an Operating System?

41
Task 2 – Define the following types of user interface including their
advantages and disadvantages.

Operating Disadvantage
Definition Advantages
System s

Real-time

Single-user
single task

Single-user
multi-tasking

Multi-user

42
Task 3 – Operating Systems perform many functions. Describe how the
Operating System manages the 5 functions below.

Function Describe how it manages the function

Networking

Security

Memory
management

Multi-Tasking

Device Drivers

43
Task 4 – Describe how the following factors affect the performance of an
Operating System.

Function How does it affect the performance?

Hardware

Malware

Virtual
Memory

44
Task 4 – Exam Questions

6. Compare and contrast the use of single user single-task operating systems
compared to the use of single user multi-tasking operating systems? [6]

7. Compare and contrast the use of Real-Time operating systems compared to

the use of Multi-User operating systems? [4]

8. Describe the ways that an operating system helps to manage the security of
an ICT system. [4]

45
 9. What is the role of the operating system when managing memory? [4]

Multi tasking operating system don’t runs on servers meaning that it don’t take
up[ storage else it would take up u a lot of memory.fr other OS they need memory
storage to load up and run applications

10. Analyse the factors that affect the performance of an operating system [8]

A3 Application & Utility Software.

LO1 – Understand the uses of application software.

LO2 – Understand the uses of utility software.
LO3 – Understand the differences between Propriety and Open Source software.
LO4 – Describe the factors that affect the choice and performance of software.

Tasks

Task 1 – What is Software?

46
47
Task 2 – Giving examples, explain the different uses of software.

Why it’s
Software Definition Examples
needed?

Productivity
Software

Graphics Software

Communications
software

48
Task 3 – Describe each of the following Utility Software explaining what it is used for
giving advantages and disadvantages where appropriate.

Utility Description with Advantages & Disadvantages where

Software appropriate

File
Compressors

Back-up
software

Disk
Defragmente
r

Continued…

49
 Utility Description with Advantages & Disadvantages where
Software appropriate

Firewalls

Anti-Virus

Registry
Cleaners

System
Profilers

Task 4 – List the advantages and disadvantages of Proprietary and Open Source
Software.

Software Advantages Disadvantages

Proprietary

Open Source

50
51
Task 5 – What are the factors that affect the choice and performance of software?

Choice Performance

52
Task 6 – Exam Questions

1. Jayne is trying to decide on a piece of software to use in her shop to manage

orders and deliveries. Analyse the benefits and drawbacks of Jayne using open
source software for meeting her needs? [4]

2. Bob is a graphic designer he is thinking of using propriety software to create

his graphics. Analyse the benefits and drawbacks for Bob when choosing
Propriety Software to meet his needs? [4]

3. Zhulee wants to improve the performance of her laptop as it is running very

slowly. Analyse the features of 2 different utility software tools that can help
Zhulee improve the speed of her laptop? [6]

53
 Topic 4
Emerging technologies

A4 Emerging Technologies

LO1 – Understand how Emerging Technologies are used by Individuals and Organisations.
LO2 – Understand the implications on ICT Systems that Emerging Technology has.
LO3 – Understand the implications of Emerging Technologies on Individuals and Organisations.

Tasks

Task 1 – Find out about each of the following Emerging Technologies including their
uses and their Advantage and Disadvantages
What is it? Uses Advantages &
Disadvantages
Artificial
Intelligenc
e

54
Biometrics

Continued…

55
 What is it? Uses Advantages &
Disadvantages

Robotics

Virtual
Reality

56
Task 2 – Looking at the same 4 areas from task 1. Explain how each of the emerging
technologies are used by Individuals and Organisations.
Individuals Organisations

Artificial
Intelligence

Biometrics

Robotics

Virtual Reality

57
Task 3 – Give some of the implications that Emerging Technology will have.

58
Task 4 – Exam Questions

1. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of using robots in the
manufacturing industry? [6]

2. What are some of the advantages of using biometrics for access to hardware such as
mobile phones? [4]

59
 Worksheet
Hack the visual
1.5 Learning Aim A

MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITY R&D

Go to the Middlesex University website and search ‘interactive video player wins award’. Read the case
study ‘Hack the visual’. Then answer the questions.

1 What idea did this student have?

2 How did student Loom go about turning his idea into reality?

3 How do you think Loom’s creation will benefit users in the future?

4 What other innovations are the University team involved in relating to technology?

5 What creative ideas do you have for the future of technology?

60
 Topic 5
Choosing an IT system

61
A5 Choosing ICT Systems

LO1 – Understand the factors that should be considered when choosing an ICT system.
LO2 – Understand the terms User Experience, Specifications, Compatibility, Connectivity and Cost.
LO3 – Understand the terms Efficiency, Productivity, Implementation and Security.

Tasks

Task 1 – What needs to be considered when choosing an ICT System?

What needs to be considered?

User Experience

Specifications

Compatibility

Connectivity

Cost

62
 What needs to be considered?

Efficiency

Productivity

Implementation

Security

63
Task 2 – Exam Questions

1. Thomas needs a system to create graphics for his graphic design company. Explain
three factors that should be considered by Thomas when choosing his ICT system? [6]

2. Suzanne needs an ICT system to complete her college work on. Explain three different
factors that should be considered by Suzanne when choosing her ICT system? [6]

3. Dennis runs a large car garage and has recently decided that using ICT might help in
speeding up day to day processes. Explain three different factors that should be
considered by Dennis when choosing his ICT system? [6]

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