Form 1 Information Technology End of Year Study Guide

Vocabulary practice cards covering basic computer definitions, IPOS cycle, hardware vs. software, email basics, and Microsoft Word formatting for the Form 1 IT curriculum.

Computer

An electronic device that accepts data, processes it, and produces information.

Hardware

The physical parts of a computer that you can touch and see, such as the monitor, keyboard, and printer.

Software

A set of instructions or programs that tell the computer what to do, like Windows, Microsoft Word, or games.

Desktop (Computer Type)

A computer that stays in one place and is used at home or school.

Laptop

A portable computer that opens like a clamshell.

Tablet

A small, flat computer with a touch screen that is easily carried.

Mainframe

A large, powerful computer used by big organizations.

Supercomputer

An extremely powerful computer used for complex calculations.

Data

Raw facts and numbers BEFORE processing (e.g., $85$, $90$, $78$).

Information

Data AFTER it has been processed and given meaning (e.g., “Your test scores are $85$, $90$, $78$”).

IPOS Cycle

The information processing cycle consisting of four stages: INPUT, PROCESS, OUTPUT, and STORE.

Memory Trick for IPOS

In People Order Stuff.

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

The “brain” of the computer that processes all data.

ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)

A component of the CPU that performs math calculations and logic operations (AND, OR, NOT).

CU (Control Unit)

A component of the CPU that directs and coordinates all computer operations.

RAM (Random Access Memory)

TEMPORARY memory where data is LOST when the computer is switched off because it needs power to keep data.

ROM (Read Only Memory)

PERMANENT memory that cannot be changed and stores startup instructions.

Input Device

A device used to enter data into the computer, such as a keyboard, mouse, scanner, or microphone.

Output Device

A device that presents results to the user, such as a monitor, printer, or speakers.

Storage Device

A device used to keep data permanently, such as a Hard Disk Drive (HDD), Flash Drive, or CD/DVD.

Operating System (OS)

System software that manages all hardware and software (e.g., Windows, macOS, Linux, Android).

Desktop (User Interface)

The screen that appears when the computer FIRST starts up, showing icons, the taskbar, and wallpaper.

File Extension

Letters at the end of a filename showing its type (e.g., .doc, .jpg).

.doc or .docx

File extension used for Word documents, letters, and essays.

.jpg or .jpeg

File extension used for image files such as photographs and pictures.

.exe

File extension for executable programs and applications.

.xls or .xlsx

File extension for spreadsheet files and data tables created in Excel.

.mp3

File extension for audio files, music, and sound.

.pdf

File extension for portable documents.

BACKSPACE

Keyboard key that deletes characters to the LEFT of the cursor.

DELETE

Keyboard key that deletes characters to the RIGHT of the cursor.

CAPS LOCK

Keyboard key used to type all letters in UPPERCASE continuously.

SHIFT

Keyboard key used to type capital letters and the symbols located above number keys.

SPACEBAR

The longest key on the keyboard, used to insert a space between words.

FUNCTION KEYS

Special keys at the top of the keyboard (F1, F2, F3…) used for shortcuts; F1 is for Help.

Ctrl + C

Keyboard shortcut to COPY selected text.

Ctrl + V

Keyboard shortcut to PASTE copied text.

Ctrl + Z

Keyboard shortcut to UNDO the last action.

Ctrl + P

Keyboard shortcut to PRINT a document.

Ctrl + S

Keyboard shortcut to SAVE a document.

CC (Carbon Copy)

An email field used to send a copy openly so others CAN see who else received the message.

BCC (Blind Carbon Copy)

An email field used to send a copy secretly so other recipients CANNOT see who received it.

Spam

Unwanted junk mail that can sometimes carry viruses.

Word Processing

Software used to create, edit, and format text documents like letters, essays, and reports.

Ribbon

The part of the Word window below the title bar that contains tabs (Home, Insert, Review, etc.) with various tools.

Status Bar

The area at the BOTTOM of the Word window showing page number, word count, and zoom level.

Header

Information that appears at the TOP of every page in a document.

Footer

Information that appears at the BOTTOM of every page in a document.

B (Bold)

A formatting button that makes text thick and dark.

I (Italic)

A formatting button that makes text slanted.

U (Underline)

A formatting button that puts a line under text.