BTEC IT Level 3 - Unit 1

What is a digital device?

Piece of physical equipment that uses digital data, such as by sending, receiving, storing or processing it.

What 9 types of digital devices are there?

1. Personal Computers

2. Mobile Devices

3. Servers

4. Entertainment Systems

5. Navigation Systems

6. Multifunctional Devices

7. Digital Cameras

8. Data capture and Collection Systems

9. Communication devices and systems

What is a personal computer?

A general-purpose computing device small and cheap enough to be used by individuals.

How are PCs able to perform common tasks?

By installing a new software application the computer becomes capable of performing a new function.

What 3 things do PCs contain?

1. Individual processors

2. RAM

3. hard disk components with expansion ports.

What additional capabilities can be upgraded on a PC?

Replacing hard disk, more storage or adding a graphics card to an expansion port, improves graphics processing power.

Give 2 examples of a PC

1. Desktop

2. laptop

How are PCs used in workplace?

Word processing, desktop publishing, spreadsheets, database management systems, creative tasks (music, film editing).

How are PCs used in personal lives?

Accessing Internet, surfing the web/email, gaming (requires expensive graphics card normally)

What is a server?

A computer that manages access to different resources and services over a network.

How do PCs connect to a server?

Via Ethernet cable and WiFi (forming a network)

What is the difference between servers and PCs?

Contain larger storage capacity, higher processing power and larger amount of memory.

Give 4 examples of servers?

1. Mail servers

2. web servers

3. print servers

4. file servers

How do web servers work?

-Web server stores the web page and associated files.

-Client computer makes request for a web page to server (by entering URL).

-Web server locates correct files and sends back to client.

Why are web servers used?

To manage access to web pages.

Why are mail servers used?

To manage access to email

How do mail servers work?

-When you write an email/press send on PC, goes to outgoing mail server.

-This mail server then sends across a network to recipient's mail server and stores in their mailbox.

-When recipient logs into their email client the mail server will forward email to their computer.

Why are file servers used?

To store your files such as word processors and spreadsheets so they are accessible from any computer on the network.

Why are print servers used?

To share access to a printer.

How do print servers work?

By using a print server, you can send your files to print from any computer on the network.

What is a mobile device?

A computing device that is designed to be portable as it is compact, light-weight and capable of running for extended periods on battery power.

What key feature helps make mobile devices more compact and reduce power consumption?

System-on-a-Chip

What is System-on-a-Chip?

The core components of the computer are integrated onto a single chip. (CPU, GPU and RAM)

What is a disadvantage of System-on-a-Chip?

It is hard to upgrade a mobile device as all the components are integrated on the chip.

What are 2 examples?

1. Tablets

2. smartphones

What are uses for mobile device?

Accessing internet on the go, playing games, calendars, email access.

What is a disadvantage of mobile devices?

-They all use touchscreen so are bad for word processing tasks.

-Also have limited processing capabilities so are bad for graphic games/film editing.

What is an entertainment system?

Computing devices that are designed to entertain (watching tv, listening to music, playing video games)

Advantages of entertainment systems?

-Good hard disk storage for storing tv/films, music and games.

-Built in internet connectivity capabilities (WiFi).

-Access to streaming and online gaming services.

3 examples of entertainment systems

1. Digital media players

2. mp3 players

3. video game consoles

What is the use of digital media players?

Allows us to stream digital media (films, tv) over a network.

What is the use of portable media players?

Portable media players download media to device and are played off hard disk.

What is the use of MP3 players?

Used to access and listen to music on a small portable device.

What are MP4 players?

They are the same as MP3 players but can watch videos as well.

What is the use of video game consoles?

Allow you to play video games. Can even use internet to play games online with people globally.

What are navigation systems?

A digital device that uses GPS (Global Positioning System) to provide a real-time map of our current location, allowing us to plan a route to be directed to a chosen destination.

What features do some Navigation systems have?

-Identifying traffic, roadworks and accidents that may delay your journey. -Provides an accurate destination time.

What is an example of navigation systems?

In car satnav

What is the use of in car satnav?

Used instead of traditional maps to help direct you along the fastest route. Can be integrated directly into car's dashboard but is often standalone. (e.g. TomTom)

Why has standalone satnavs been replaced?

As navigation systems are now being used in mobile devices for driving, walking, cycling.

What is a multifunctional device?

A device that is capable of performing more than one specific function. (Also known as MFD and multifunctional peripherals)

What are examples of a multifunctional device?

Multifunctional printers, touchscreens, force-feedback game controllers.

What is a multifunctional printer?

A device that usually combines printing, scanning and faxing functions all into a single device.

Where are multifunctional printers used?

They are popular for use in home offices for people who work from home and do not have the space or money for three separate devices.

What are touch screens used for?

They are used on tablet devices to allow users to input without a separate keyboard or mouse.

What are force-feedback game controllers?

They are used on games consoles to allow you to control the game and receive vibration output.

Give an example of a vibration output on a games console?

rumbling in a car game when you go off track/fighting game when you're hit.

What is a digital camera?

A device that is capable of taking photo and video and recording it as digital data.

How does a digital camera store photos/videos as digital data?

By using a grid of photosensors that convert light into digital pixels that our computer can store, usually on a memory card.

What is a megapixel?

Megapixels is the number of individual pixels of colour that are used to record an image.

The more megapixels a camera has...

The higher the quality the image is.

How many megapixels does a modern digital camera have?

20 megapixels

What doe most digital camera devices have?

They contain a built-in memory card slot to store the digital pictures and videos directly on the digital camera device.

What is the benefit of having a removable memory card in a digital camera?

It allows you to then transfer them to another device so that they can be stored on a computer and displayed on screen.

What are 2 examples of digital cameras?

Digital still cameras and digital video cameras.

What is a use of a digital camera?

You can upload the pictures/videos and share them as well as edit the photos.

What does photoshopping mean?

The use of a software program that we can use to remove blemishes or perform heavier changes to a photo.

What is data capture and collection systems?

They input and store data through methods other than direct data entry (such as through a keyboard). The data is entered as a result of a related activity.

What does data capture and collection systems allow?

The data to be entered into a computer system directly during the data capture stage and so greatly reduces the amount of human error issues that happen when manually entering data.

What are 3 examples of data capture and collection systems?

1. Barcode scanners 2. Optical mark readers (OMR) 3.Magnetic ink character readers (MICR)

Where are barcodes used?

On the back of products

How do barcode scanners capture data?

They capture data by reading the width of dark and light bars. When the barcode is read it matches it to a database of products on the computer and returns information.

Where is OMR used?

Used in shops for inputting lottery tickets

How is OMR used in the lottery?

Pre-printed forms like lottery tickets are designed so that when marks are placed on it, the OMR device can detect what numbers you select from the mark's location on the form.

What is MICR used for?

Verifying that cheques are legititmate

How does MICR verify cheques?

The magnetised ink is used to write a code on the bottom of the cheque. The MICR device reads the magnetic field of the characters to read the code to ensure it is a legitimate cheque.

What are communication devices and systems?

A device that is used to move data between two other devices, such as two computers

What do communication devices allow?

They allow us to transmit data between devices over a network in various ways.

What are 3 examples of communication devices and system?

Network interface cards (NIC), wireless dongles, routers

What is the use of a Network interface card?

Allow data to be transferred to and from a networked computer by connecting an ethernet cable.

Where are NICs used?

Desktop PCs.

What is the use of wireless dongles?

Allows you to either transfer data to a router wirelessly as part of a local area network or connect to a mobile broadband network.

Where are wireless dongles used?

Used in laptops.

What is the use of a router?

Directs data to its correct destination over a large network.

When is a router required?

Wherever two networks meet.

What are the 6 uses of digital devices?

1. Education and Training

2. Personal

3. Social

4. Retail

5. Organisational Use

6. Creative Tasks

What three categories are there in Education and Training?

1. Interactive Whiteboards

2. Virtual Learning Environments (VLE)

3. Online Learning

What is the use of interactive whiteboards?

Used by teaches to support teaching in front of a class

Why are interactive whiteboards multifunctional?

They display output on the screen and take input such as when used as a touchscreen to write notes and input commands.

Why are interactive whiteboards beneficial?

The notes taken can be saved to a central location that can be accessed by students to use outside of school.

Where are Virtual Learning Environments used?

Used in schools

What is a VLE?

Like a website that allows teachers to upload resources to the site so that they can share them with students.

What benefit is a VLE to a student?

They can access their learning at home so can prepare for exams/homework.

What benefit is a VLE to a teacher?

They can mark the work submitted by students and so students can access feedback whenever.

Where is online learning used?

Can access the sites through PC or mobile devices

What does online learning do?

Allows you to access visual content like videos, animation and audio explanations.

What type of digital camera is used in online learning?

A webcam (videos can be shared online through different sites)

What three categories are there for Personal use of digital devices?

1. Entertainment

2. Online shopping and banking

3. Home applicances

Where do we use entertainment systems?

To watch film and TV, listen to music and play video games.

What are the advantages of streaming films online?

No longer store files on computers saving space on hard disk.

Accessing media content is now cheaper.

What are digital media players used for?

To access streaming on television set.

What are video game consoles used for?

Allows us to play games online with others without needing to be in the same location.

What is a disadvantage of entertainment systems?

Piracy now occurs where content (films, music etc.) is illegally transferred over the internet for free.

What does online shopping allow us?

Allows us to purchase anything and being able to get it delivered the same day.

What does online banking allow us?

Allows us to manage our finances such as checking our bank statements and transferring money.

What is the benefits of online banking and shopping?

-You can do it from your home.

-Saves time and money

-Helpful for people who live in remote locations/ people with disabilities who would find it difficult to get to the high street.

What is a use of home appliances?

Controlling the central heating system through your smartphone allowing us to turn the heating on or off without being at home.

What is the advantages of home appliances?

Can help reduce costs and conserve energy.

What categories are there for social uses of digital devices?

1. Social Networking

2. Instant Messaging

3. VOIP

What does social networking allow us to do?

-Allows us to create a 'network of friends' where people are able to see our posts.

-You can also message people directly through messaging services on the sites.

-You can create or join groups and talk about similar interests.