ICT Strand
Information and Communications Technology Fundamentals
In This Lesson
Computer Hardware
What is Hardware?
Physical components of a computer system that can be seen and touched. Hardware includes all the tangible parts that make up a computer.
Input Devices
Send data to the computer
- Keyboard: Text input
- Mouse: Pointing device
- Scanner: Image digitization
- Microphone: Audio input
- Webcam: Video capture
- Touchscreen: Direct interaction
Output Devices
Display or produce results
- Monitor: Visual display
- Printer: Hard copy output
- Speakers: Audio output
- Projector: Large display
- Headphones: Personal audio
Processing Unit (CPU)
The "brain" of the computer that executes instructions.
- ALU: Arithmetic Logic Unit - performs calculations
- CU: Control Unit - directs operations
- Registers: Small, fast storage
- Cache: Quick-access memory
Brands: Intel, AMD, Apple Silicon
Storage Devices
- HDD: Hard Disk Drive (magnetic)
- SSD: Solid State Drive (flash)
- USB Flash Drive: Portable storage
- Memory Card: SD, microSD
- Optical Drive: CD, DVD, Blu-ray
Memory (RAM)
- RAM: Random Access Memory
- Volatile: Data lost when power off
- Capacity: 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, 32GB
- Types: DDR4, DDR5
- Purpose: Active program storage
Software Fundamentals
What is Software?
Programs and instructions that tell the computer what to do. Unlike hardware, software cannot be physically touched.
System Software
Controls and manages computer hardware
- Operating System: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
- Device Drivers: Hardware communication
- Utility Software: Antivirus, disk cleanup
- BIOS/UEFI: Basic Input/Output System
Application Software
Performs specific tasks for users
Productivity
Word, Excel, PowerPoint
Browsers
Chrome, Firefox, Edge
Graphics
Photoshop, GIMP, Canva
Communication
Email, Zoom, Messenger
Software Licensing
- Proprietary: Paid, closed source (MS Office)
- Freeware: Free, but closed source
- Open Source: Free, modifiable (LibreOffice)
- Shareware: Try before you buy
Programming Basics
What is Programming?
The process of creating instructions (code) that tell a computer how to perform tasks. Programmers use programming languages to write software.
Core Concepts
- Variable: Container for storing data values
- Data Types: Integer, String, Boolean, Float
- Operators: Arithmetic (+, -, *, /), Comparison (==, !=)
- Expressions: Combinations that produce values
Control Structures
Sequence
Step-by-step execution
Selection (If-Else)
Decision making
Iteration (Loops)
For, While, Do-While
Functions
Reusable code blocks
Programming Languages
- Python: Beginner-friendly, versatile
- JavaScript: Web development
- Java: Enterprise, Android
- C/C++: System programming
- HTML/CSS: Web structure and styling
Problem Solving Steps
- Understand the problem
- Plan the solution (algorithm)
- Write the code (implementation)
- Test and debug
- Document and maintain
Web Development
Web Development Overview
Creating websites and web applications for the internet. Includes frontend (what users see) and backend (server-side logic).
HTML
Structure & Content
- Headings (h1-h6)
- Paragraphs (p)
- Links (a)
- Images (img)
- Lists (ul, ol)
CSS
Styling & Layout
- Colors, fonts
- Spacing (margin, padding)
- Flexbox, Grid
- Responsive design
- Animations
JavaScript
Interactivity
- DOM manipulation
- Event handling
- Form validation
- AJAX requests
- Dynamic content
Web Development Tools
Code Editors: VS Code, Sublime Text
Browsers: Chrome DevTools, Firefox
Version Control: Git, GitHub
Frameworks: Bootstrap, React, Vue
Networking Basics
What is a Network?
A collection of computers and devices connected together to share resources, data, and communicate with each other.
Types of Networks
- LAN: Local Area Network (office, home)
- WAN: Wide Area Network (internet)
- MAN: Metropolitan Area Network (city)
- PAN: Personal Area Network (Bluetooth)
- WLAN: Wireless LAN (Wi-Fi)
Network Devices
Router
Connects networks, assigns IP
Switch
Connects devices in LAN
Modem
Connects to ISP
Access Point
Wireless connectivity
Key Concepts
- IP Address: Unique device identifier
- MAC Address: Hardware identifier
- DNS: Domain Name System (URL to IP)
- Protocol: Rules for communication (TCP/IP, HTTP)
- Bandwidth: Data transfer capacity
Network Security
- Firewall: Blocks unauthorized access
- Encryption: Protects data in transit
- VPN: Secure remote connection
- Antivirus: Malware protection
- Password policies: Strong authentication