Grade 9 Information Technology - Key Concepts

Unit 1: Organization of Files

  • Files: A file is a unit of stored data identified by a filename and represented by an icon.
  • Folders: A folder (or directory) stores files and subfolders to organize computer files.
  • Folders help organize related files, allow multiple files with the same name, and use File Explorer for management.
  • File Explorer: Used to interact with files/folders. Key parts include the Navigation pane, Forward/Back buttons, Ribbon, Address bar, Search box, and Status bar.
  • Creating files: Use software programs like Notepad, Word, or Paint.
  • Creating folders: Navigate to the desired location, click "New folder", and enter a name.
  • Copying files: Select, right-click, and choose "Copy", then paste into the destination folder.
  • Renaming files/folders: Highlight, right-click, and select "Rename", or press F2.
  • Accessing files/folders: Use the Address bar, Forward/Backward buttons, or Navigation pane.
  • Moving files/folders: Use "Cut" and "Paste", drag-and-drop, or the "Move to Folder" command.
  • Deleting files/folders: Select and press "Delete", or right-click and choose "Delete". Recover from Recycle Bin unless permanently deleted via Shift+Delete.
  • Searching files: Use the Search box in File Explorer or the Start button.
  • Computer Drives: Hardware components for storing data (e.g., hard disk, CD/DVD drive, USB drive), often referred to by a letter (C:, D:).

Unit 2: Computer Network

  • Network: A connection of devices for resource sharing.
  • Network Elements: Hardware (end devices, intermediary devices), software, protocols, and a connection medium.
  • End Devices: Devices that send or receive data (e.g., computers, printers).
  • Intermediary Devices: Connect end devices (e.g., NIC, repeaters, switches, routers, wireless access points (WAP)).
  • Communication Protocol: Rules that govern data communications (e.g., Internet Protocol (IP)).
  • Connection Media: Wired (copper, fiber optic cables) or wireless (radio waves, microwaves) paths for messages.
  • Network Types by Medium: Wired (Ethernet) and wireless networks.
  • Network Types by Size: PAN (personal), LAN (local), MAN (metropolitan), WAN (wide area).
  • Network Topologies: Bus, Mesh, Star, Ring.
  • Network Types by Resource Access: peer-to-peer and client-server.
  • Advantages of networks: Sharing data/information/hardware/software, communication, transferring money.
  • Disadvantages of networks: Viruses, vulnerabilities, complexity, cost, social media effects, and threats.

Unit 3: Computer System

  • Application Software: Used for daily tasks (e.g., Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
  • Word Processing: Creating, editing, saving, and printing documents using software like Microsoft Word.
    • Formatting paragraphs involves indention, alignment, bulleting/numbering, and spacing.
    • Indentation methods: Tab key, Ruler, Indent Commands, Paragraph Dialog Box.
    • Text alignment: Left, Right, Center, Justified.
    • Lists: Bulleted, numbered, multilevel.
    • Page breaks: mark the end of one page and the beginning of the next.
    • Headers and Footers appear at the top and bottom of document pages, often containing page numbers, dates, or author's name.
  • Spreadsheets: Software like Microsoft Excel to organize, store, and analyze data in tabular form.
    • Mathematical operators: +, -, ", /, ^.
    • Cell references: Identify a cell's location (e.g., A1).
    • Relative cell references adjust automatically when copying formulas.
    • Absolute cell references remain constant when copying formulas ($A$1).
  • Presentations: Software like Microsoft PowerPoint to create electronic presentations.
    • Slides contain text, graphics, sound, movies, and other objects.
    • Slide layouts: Predefined arrangements of elements.
    • Themes: Preset designs with colors and fonts.
    • Bullet points emphasize key points.
    • Can insert images, videos, SmartArt, charts; can adjust slide backgrounds and views easily.

Unit 4: Image Processing and Multimedia

  • Image: A physical representation of something.
  • Digital images are represented and stored digitally.
  • Image Processing: Enhancing or extracting information from images using software.
  • Multimedia: Combining text, audio, images, animation, or video into an interactive presentation, utilizing planning strategies (e.g., storyboards).
  • Photoshop: Popular image processing software for editing, cropping, resizing, color correction, and sharpening.
    • Cropping techniques involve use of crop tool or specifying size or marquee.
    • Image corrections can remove red eye or improve flash.
    • Color adjustment is made using levels, curves, saturation, or auto-adjustment tools.
    • Image sharpening techniques include smart sharpen, unsharp mask, or high pass.

Unit 5: Information and Computer Security

  • Computer Security: Protecting computer systems and information from harm, theft, and unauthorized use.
  • Principles: Confidentiality (ensuring access only to authorized users), integrity (maintaining data's correctness), and availability (ensuring access when needed).
  • Threats: Can be natural (fire, extreme temperatures, lightning) or artificial. Most are manmade.
  • Cyber-attacks: A growing concern includes DoS attacks, malware (Trojan horses, viruses, worms, ransomware), man-in-the-middle attacks, phishing, and social engineering.
  • Cyber safety rules: Use social media safely, not mis-information/disinformation, and protect from cyberbullying, sex trafficking, hate crime and financial scams.
  • Potential Losses: Include destruction/loss of information, data corruption, theft of services, illegal usage, disclosure of information, denial of use, and elevation of privilege.

Unit 6: Fundamentals of Programming

  • Computational Problem: Can be solved step-by-step with a computer.
  • Problem Solving Steps: Understand the problem, develop an algorithm, write the program, test the program.
  • Algorithm: A precise sequence of instructions for solving a problem.
  • Program: Instructions written using a programming language.
  • Flowcharts/Pseudocode: Tools for representing algorithms graphically or with English-like instructions.
  • Top-Down Approach: Breaking down a problem into smaller, manageable modules.
  • Bottom-Up Approach: Building up a solution from individual components.


Term 1: Files
Definition 1: A unit of stored data identified by a filename and represented by an icon.
Term 2: Folders
Definition 2: Stores files and subfolders to organize computer files.
Term 3: File Explorer
Definition 3: Used to interact with files/folders; key parts include the Navigation pane, Forward/Back buttons, Ribbon, Address bar, Search box, and Status bar.
Term 4: Network
Definition 4: A connection of devices for resource sharing.
Term 5: End Devices
Definition 5: Devices that send or receive data (e.g., computers, printers).
Term 6: undefined
Definition 6: Connect end devices (