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:

multifunctional devices

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Inside of the it world there are some devices that operate in a number of functions that provide versatility and additional functionality to users. These devices are offers referred to as MFD's but also as AIO's (All-In-One's). A classic example is a modern printer, these operate as a usable printer but also as a scanner and even photocopier. These additional functions have enabled users to minimise the amount of office hardware and provide them with more productivity and efficiency as well as financially and environmentaly.

personal computers

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Personal computers or best known as PC's are "stand-alone" computers that are commonly used at home or in personal settings. PC's today have a wide range of specifications, as they are used for a number of different purposes, these could be, surfing and browsing the internet, creating word documents and spreadsheets to gaming. The roles that these systems take will as suggested require differing specification of the hardware within them. Hardware that would be different between the systems would be HDD's (Hard Disk Drives) CPU's (Central Processing Unit) and memory.

mobile devices

The device that most people have access to, and, has more power and technology inside it than put the man on the moon, the humble mobile phone. Mobile phones today have the capability to connect to the "full" internet unlike the "WAP" internet in the earlier 2000's, they are able to direct us to points of interest using built in GPS positioning, watch high definition videos, listen to music, play games AND make phone calls and send texts. 

The first truly mobile phone was released in 1973 developed by Martin Cooper

servers

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A server is a device that does many things depending on its intended purpose. Servers are used to be a central device that "serves" clients, examples of typical servers would be a client-server. A client-server allows your classroom computers to enable you to log in to your accounts on any PC inside of the organisation, school or college. These servers can be configured to allow specific access to specific areas within a network. Other examples could be a games server, a single, and powerful machine that enables users to connect to it to play multiplayer games.

entertainment systems

Entertainment is one of the largest consumer areas and as result the variety of devices available is wide-reaching. The ability to play games, watch videos, surf the net and video conference means that these devices are able to offer more in their services. Some of the most widely known entertainments devices and systems are;

Playstations,

xbox's

Amazon Fire, Echo shows

Apple TV, iPad's, iPhones

DAB radios

Google,

Facebook Portal

Now TV

and a plethora more.

digital cameras – still, video

Digital cameras are more powerful than ever! the digital camera is an evolution of the traditional cameras that are descendants of the original pinhole camera. The digital camera now uses digital sensors to take an image rather than the traditional film that has been used for a number of decades. This sensor is graded using megabytes, the more megabytes that a camera has the more detail that it is able to capture. 

At the time of writing this (21/04/2021), most digital cameras are able to function as both a "still" camera and as a "video" camera, having the ability to record videos in 4-6K resolutions this means the quality of the video is almost life-like.

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navigation systems

The ability to navigate around the roads of the world historically required the use of maps called A to Z's these paper-based maps would outline roadways and walkways for people to move around. however, this all changed in the early 2000s when GPS navigation systems became publicly accessible allowing users to use a single digital device to take the place of the maps and to give a pinpoint position of where the holder of the device was. 

Over the past decade, this navigational system has further improved provide additional detail to users, things like traffic detail and intelligent re-routing to faster routes if one became available or to avoid accidents, hazards and even toll roads.

data capture and collection systems

The use of technology systems can enable companies to gather details using a number of different ways. Any time you buy a ticket the information from that can be used to track your journey from one location where the ticket is purchased to a specific destination where the ticked is checked before allowing you to move onward. 

Other devices that can be used to capture information are,

Fingerprint scanners are used in a number of fields, most notable is the Police. They record fingerprints of criminal for use later if needed.

ANPR or Automatic Number Plate Recognition, these systems record 

communication devices and systems.

The function and use of digital devices for:

education and training

The use of digital devices within education has revolutionised how students are taught. If we look back over the centuries people have learnt by using chalk and physical writing on paper, chalkboards and even on walls, how far we have come. If we look at our classrooms now, we will find projectors, interactive boards, PC's tablets cameras and microphones. This has enabled the delivery of education to be remote ( as demonstrated during the covid pandemic of 2020-2021). Additional to the ability to teach and learn remotely the use of these types of digital devices has enabled the creation of digital media and learning materials that support the theory of how to do things.

You may have also experienced the use of VLE's (Virtual Learning Environments) of which My Student Site is one, where content is made available to users via an internet connection and where students can also make digital submissions of work to their tutors.

personal

Our lives have changed over the past 50 years through the evolution of digital devices and media. To the point where some of you will not have experienced life without access to a computer at home or school. The way we live our lives now has a strong link to the digital world from the alarm clocks next to our beds the electric toothbrush that tells us when to stop brushing, to the fridges that let us know by an email alert that the milk is low and to click on a button in the link to add it to my online shopping order. 

We take for granted at times how much of our lives use technology systems to allow us to go about daily activities, from calling our loved ones on a mobile phone and withdrawing cash from a "hole in the wall". we are ever-connected, and because of this caution must be applied to how we conduct ourselves as there is a vulnerability within systems and there are a number of individuals that make it their lives work to get information and data from others for malicious purposes. 

social

Digital devices as we have discussed earlier are part of our digital makeup. These devices allow us to socialise not only verbally but non-verbally over social media. If you look at your own usage of your digital device over a short period you may be surprised to see your use of the device to socialise is higher than that of the people that your physically around. This has a huge impact on our ability to converse with each other and as a result, some companies are incorporating time limits and prompts to users to make them aware of the amount of time that is being spent using the device (Apple).  

 retail

The retail sector uses technology systems to not only streamline their own work but also for their own customers. You will have experienced this at simple self-service tills where you act as the sales assistant moving your own shopping on to a conveyer and then scanning it all through the till before making your payment through either a cask or card payment, then you get the luxury of bagging it all up to. This clever move from shops has been enabled through the use of bar codes and in payment, some cards have RFID (Radio Frequency Identifiers) that are preprogrammed to enable contactless payment. 

organisational use – business operations, internal and external dissemination of information

The use of digital devices in all organisations cannot be overlooked, their use is extensive and wide covering. Companies use digital devices to enable them to run payroll and accounts systems to pay their employees, contractors and suppliers remotely and with integration to banking systems to manage cash flows. Other examples where digital devices are used is CNC machinery within the construction sector allowing for pinpoint milling of components and equipment all controlled by IT systems.

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Other devices that are used are 3D printers. Organisations are able to create prototypes of products using CAD (Computer-Aided Design) programs to then use a 3D printer to generate a version of the idea before it is finalised for a more detailed version to be created using industrial level machinery that carries large production costs.

creative tasks.

The creative sector over the past decade has grown significantly and the availability of digital devices had allowed hobbies and professionals to work on a compatible level.  The use of digital devices has meant that camera operators are able to take a large number of photographs and film without concern over the waste of highly expensive professional-grade film.   

Along with the digitisation of filmography other avenues are now become a reality, such as 3d imagery. This ability makes the augmented reality concept a reality. Developers are able to provide clients and users with a 360 virtual experience of locations and products.

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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.

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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

file types and formats.

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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.

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

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B Transmitting data

The concepts, process and implications of transferring data within and between IT systems.

B1 Connectivity

• Wireless and wired methods of connecting devices and transmitting data within and

between IT systems.

• How the features of connection types can meet the needs of individuals and organisations.

• The implications of selecting and using different connection types.

• The impact of connection types on the performance of an IT system.

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B Transmitting data

The concepts, process and implications of transferring data within and between IT systems.

B1 Connectivity

• Wireless and wired methods of connecting devices and transmitting data within and

between IT systems.

• How the features of connection types can meet the needs of individuals and organisations.

• The implications of selecting and using different connection types.

• The impact of connection types on the performance of an IT system.

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B2 Networks

The concepts and implications for individuals and organisations of connecting devices to form

a network.

• The features, use and purpose of different networks:

o personal area network (PAN)

o local area network (LAN)

o wide area network (WAN)

o virtual private network (VPN).

• Factors affecting the choice of network:

o user experience – ease of use, performance, availability, accessibility

o user needs

o specifications

o connectivity

o cost

o efficiency

o compatibility

o implementation: timescales, testing, downtime

o productivity

o security.

• How the features of a network and its component parts affect the performance of an

IT system.

B3 Issues relating to transmission of data

How the features and processes of data transmission affect the use and performance of IT systems.

• Protocols used to govern and control data transmission for common tasks:

o email

o voice and video calls over the internet

o web pages

o secure payment systems.

• Security issues and considerations when transmitting data over different connection types

and networks.

• Factors affecting bandwidth and latency.

• The implications of bandwidth and latency on the use and performance of an IT system.

• Types of compression:

o lossy

o lossless.

• The applications and implications of data compression.

• The use and implications of codecs when using and transmitting audio and video in

digital format.

C1 Online systems

The features, impact and implications of the use of online IT systems to store data and

perform tasks.

• The personal and professional uses and applications of cloud storage.

• The personal and professional uses and applications of cloud computing.

• The impact and implications on individuals of using cloud storage and computing.

• The impact and implications on organisations of using cloud storage and computing.

• Systems that enable and support remote working:

o VPNs

o remote desktop technologies.

• Factors affecting the use and selection of online systems:

o security

o cost

o ease of use

o features

o connectivity.

C2 Online communities

The features of online communities and the implications of their widespread use for organisations

and individuals.

• Ways of communicating and interacting with online communities:

o social media

o blog, microblog, vlog

o wiki

o chatrooms

o instant messaging

o podcasts

o forums.

• The implications for individuals of using and accessing online communities:

o user experience – ease of use, performance, availability, accessibility

o meeting needs

o cost

o privacy

o security.

• The implications for organisations of using and accessing online communities:

o employee and customer experience – ease of use, performance, availability,

accessibility

o customer needs

o cost

o implementation – timescales, testing

o replacement or integration with current systems

o productivity

o working practices

o security.

D Protecting data and information

The issues and implications of storing and transmitting information in digital form.

D1 Threats to data, information and systems

The implications of accidental and malicious threats to the security and integrity of data, held in,

and used by, IT systems.

• The characteristics of threats to data:

o viruses and other malware

o hackers

o phishing

o accidental damage.

• The impact of threats to data, information and systems on individuals.

• The impact of threats to data, information and systems on organisations.

D2 Protecting data

The features, uses and implications of systems and procedures used to protect the data of

individuals and organisations.

• Processes and implications of techniques for protecting data and systems:

o file permissions

o access levels

o backup and recovery procedures

o passwords

o physical access control

o digital certificates

o protocols.

• The features, characteristics and implications of using antivirus software to protect data.

• The features, characteristics and implications of using firewalls to protect data.

• The features, applications and implications of encryption methods used to protect:

o stored data

o data during transmission.

• The role of current legislation in protecting data and IT systems from attack and misuse.

• The impact on individuals and organisations of legislation designed to protect data and IT

systems.

• The purpose, role and impact, on individuals and organisations, of codes of practice for the

protection of data produced by the Information Commissioner’s Office (UK) and

professional bodies.

E Impact of IT systems

The uses, issues and implications of IT systems and their impact on individuals and organisations.

E1 Online services

How the features of online services are used to meet the needs of individuals and organisations.

• The features and implications of using online services to support:

o retail

o financial services

o education and training

o news and information

o entertainment and leisure

o productivity

o booking systems.

• The uses, impact and implications for individuals and organisations of:

o transactional data

o targeted marketing

o collaborative working.

E2 Impact on organisations

• The features and implications of IT systems used by organisations for:

o stock control

o data logging

o data analysis

o general office tasks

o creative tasks

o advertising

o manufacturing

o security.

• The impact and implications for organisations of IT systems in terms of:

o user experience – ease of use, performance, availability, accessibility

o employee and customer needs

o cost

o implementation – timescales, testing, downtime

o replacement or integration with current systems

o productivity

o working practices

o staff training needs (initial and ongoing)

o user support

o security.

E3 Using and manipulating data

The uses, processes and implications for individuals and organisations of accessing and using data

and information in digital form.

• Sources of data:

o primary

o secondary.

• Judging and ensuring the reliability of data.

• The characteristics and implications of methods of collecting data and opinions:

o survey

o questionnaire

o focus groups

o interview.

• Reasons for ensuring data accuracy.

• Methods of ensuring data accuracy:

o verification

o validation.

• Methods of extracting and sorting data.

• Numerical and data modelling.

• Presenting data and results.

• The characteristics and implications of user interfaces for data collection and processing systems:

o ease of use

o accessibility

o error reduction

o intuitiveness

o functionality

o performance

o compatibility.

F Issues

The concepts, impacts and implications of issues resulting from the use of IT systems.

F1 Moral and ethical issues

The implications, for individuals, organisations and wider society, of moral and ethical factors of

using information technology.

• The moral and ethical factors of the use of information technology:

o privacy

o environmental

o unequal access to information technology

o online behaviour and netiquette

o globalisation

o freedom of speech and censorship

o acceptable use.

• The purpose and role of codes of practice produced by professional bodies for the use of

IT systems.

• The impact of codes of practice on individuals and organisations.

F2 Legal issues

The legal issues relating to the use of IT systems and the implications for individuals, organisations

and wider society.

• The role of current legislation (and subsequent additions and amendments) in protecting

users and their data from attack and misuse:

o computer misuse legislation

o police and justice legislation (computer misuse)

o copyright, designs and patents legislation

o copyright regulations (computer programs)

o display screen equipment health and safety regulations

o data protection legislation

o consumer rights legislation.

• Guidelines and current legislation (and subsequent additions and amendments) designed

to ensure the accessibility of IT systems:

o disability discrimination legislation

o equality legislation

o British Standards Institute (BSI) codes of practice

o Open Accessibility Framework (OAF)

o Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 1.0 and 2.0 World Wide Web

Consortium (W3C®).

• The moral and ethical factors of the use of IT systems:

o health and safety

o copyright

o computer misuse

o protection of data

o privacy

o accessibility.

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