GCE APPLIED ICT OCR UNIT 3. ICT Solutions for Individuals & Society. Student Workbook

Transcription

1 GCE APPLIED ICT OCR UNIT 3 ICT Solutions for Individuals & Society Student Workbook

2 This is a mandatory AS unit. The World Wide Web allows individuals to access information on any topic. Easy access to information has had a fundamental effect on society and the way that individuals live their lives. In this unit you will learn about: public-service websites search engines databases and spreadsheets presenting the results of an investigation This unit will help you to: make efficient use of a search engine when you need to carry out research understand the impact of the availability of electronic information on individuals and society access information from large websites access information from online databases make use of a local database to find information use spreadsheet software to analyse numeric data and present results combine different types of data to present the results of an investigation Your work for this unit is externally assessed by OCR What you need to do: You are required to produce for your portfolio of evidence: a presentation of the results of a single investigation use a spreadsheet to analyse numeric data a report on the sources and methods you have used to find information a report that explains the impact of the availability of electronic information elearning Tutors Limited Page 2

3 The World Wide Web Public Service Website Evaluation This is a group task. Each member of your group should examine a different public service website and complete the website evaluation form on the following pages of this workbook. The websites chosen by your group should be from a mixture of public service sectors. Each group member should use their evaluation to report their findings to the rest of the group. elearning Tutors Limited Page 3

4 Website name. Website address (or url). Give an overview of the information or service provided by the website.. elearning Tutors Limited Page 4

5 Describe the facilities provided by the website to allow you to access and download the information you require. Comment on the usability and accessibility of the website. elearning Tutors Limited Page 5

6 Describe the best feature of the website. Comment on how the website could be improved. elearning Tutors Limited Page 6

7 Personal Audit Everyday we carry out many different activities that involve an interaction with an individual or an organisation. Sometimes you will use a computer or a communication technology to enable the interaction to take place. On other occasions no ICT aids will be used in the interaction. Your task is to keep a log, over a three day period, of each occasion that you: search for information carry out a transaction communicate with others For each activity: describe the activity state if ICT has been used to enable the activity to take place if ICT has been used, state the technologies used Explain how the availability of information in electronic format and the ability to communicate electronically has been of benefit to you in your day-to-day life. Using ICT Describe, using examples, how two organisations make use of Information and Communication Technologies to communicate with individual customers or clients and with members of society in general. The Digital Divide 1. Explain the meaning of the terms 'digital divide' and 'digital inclusion'. 2. Describe the causes and the effects of the digital divide. 3. Describe one initiative to close the digital divide. 4. Over the last 3 years has the digital divide been widening or narrowing? elearning Tutors Limited Page 7

8 Using Websites When you visit a website you use a variety of tools to find the information you need including navigation bars, hotspots, directories and internal search engines. You can provide evidence that you have used these tools by producing screen shots. You can capture a screen shot by pressing the PrtSc key. Once you have a screenshot it can be pasted into a document or edited using a drawing program. Your task is to return to the website you used for your public service website evaluation and produce a series of annotated screen shots to show a novice computer user how they can navigate the site to find the information they require. Search Engines Explain the meaning of the following terms: directory website logical operator natural language search engine wildcard keyword meta-search engine search engine Use a variety of search tools to find the contact details for the Trading Standards Department that covers your home village, town or city. As you use the Internet create a series of screen shots to show how you have refined your searches and made use of advanced search options. Describe the strengths and weaknesses of each of your chosen search tools. Identify the best search tool for this task. elearning Tutors Limited Page 8

9 Databases Using Online Database The 'Online' link from the menu in the Database section of the digital learning resources gives you links to a series of online databases. Use this checklist to make sure you have explored a range of online databases. The online database categories are: Census Films Motoring Searching for Information The 'Access' link from the menu in the Database section of the digital learning resources gives you detailed instructions on the 'Using Microsoft Access' task. Use this checklist to make sure you have completed the different components of the task. You are required to: search for information sort data into order produce a report You should also try these tasks: Task 1 Use the tblcomputer table to find all respondents who have a digital camera. Produce a report from your query. elearning Tutors Limited Page 9

10 Task 2 Create a query to search for the details of the computer equipment in Ken Newton's household. Use the following fields in your query: First name Last name Adults Children Desktop Laptop Network Internet Access Camera Scanner Use your query to produce a report. Definitions Explain the meaning of the following terms: data type logical operator query relational database report field primary key record relational operator table elearning Tutors Limited Page 10

11 Spreadsheets The Excel workbook in the digital learning resources for this unit has been used to record the results of a survey of Internet usage. Open the workbook and save it on your computer. 1 Worksheet Presentation Improve the presentation of the data in the worksheets by making appropriate use of: number and cell presentation formats worksheet names graphic images 2 Charts or Graphs Produce a series of charts or graphs to illustrate the findings of the survey. 3 Formulae and Functions In table 2, use the min, max, average, mode and median functions to analyse the Internet use by region data. Use table 3 to calculate the annual percentage change in Internet usage for each age group. 4 Data Entry Add a new worksheet to your workbook. The new worksheet is to be used by another member of your group to enter data about their use of the Internet over the last 7 days. For example you may wish to ask how many hours have been spent using an instant messaging service or the value of any goods purchased over the Internet. Your worksheet should make appropriate use of features to simplify data entry such as spin buttons, list boxes, data entry messages and data validation. elearning Tutors Limited Page 11

12 5 Testing Test the formulae, functions and data entry features used in your workbook to check that they generate the results you expect. Use the test record sheet from the Online version of the resources for this unit to document your tests. 6 Macros Insert a new worksheet named "Menu" at the start of your workbook. Create a series of macros that will move the user to other worksheets. On the Menu worksheet create a series of command buttons linked to the macros that allow you to select the other worksheets. Create a macro that will print table 4. 7 Page Layout and Printing Making appropriate use of headers and footers that include the worksheet name, your name, a file name and the date and time, produce a printout of the worksheet containing table 3. Your teacher or tutor will ask you to submit your completed Excel workbook so that your work can be reviewed. elearning Tutors Limited Page 12

13 Introduction Your Portfolio of Evidence For your portfolio of evidence you are required to produce a presentation of the results of an investigation. Your work should include the use of a spreadsheet to analyse the numeric data you collect. You should also produce a report on the sources and methods you have used to find information and a report that explains the impact of the availability of electronic information. Your portfolio of evidence needs to include: how you have selected and made efficient use of search engines to find the information you require, information accessed from large websites and online databases, the use of a local database to find the information you require, the use of spreadsheet software to analyse numeric data and present results, different types of information combined to present the results of your investigation, an evaluation of the methods you have used to find information and present the results. an explanation of the impact of the availability of electronic information on individuals and society, Self-assessment review The self-assessment review in the digital learning resources shows you what you need to be able to do to achieve different grades. When you started working on this unit you should have assessed your skills, knowledge and understanding of Using ICT to Communicate by completing the 'Start of Unit' column. When you think you have finished your portfolio tasks you should complete the 'End of Unit' column. It will help you to identify any further work that needs to be completed to achieve your target grade. You should also number each page of evidence in your portfolio and record the location of your evidence in the 'Page Number(s)' column. elearning Tutors Limited Page 13

14 Planning and deadlines If you are to achieve your target grade, it is important that you plan your work and meet deadlines. If you leave work until the last moment before a deadline it is likely to be rushed, lack detail and omit key items from the assessment grading criteria. The calendar, diary and planner tools will help you to plan and meet your deadlines. Selection and efficient use of search engines You are required to select and make efficient use of search engines to find the information required. There are 10 marks available for this task. To achieve high marks for this task you must: identify the information that you require as part of your investigation, select at least three search engines and use the search facilities of each to locate the information that you require, use the advanced search facilities of each search engine correctly to refine your searches, provide a detailed and accurate comparison of the results that you obtain to select and justify the most appropriate search engine. use efficient methods, including the correct use of logical and other operators in search strings, to speed up the process of finding the information that you require. elearning Tutors Limited Page 14

15 Access information from large websites and online databases You are required to use large websites and online databases to find the information you require. There are 6 marks available for this task. To achieve high marks for this task you must: identify the information that you require from a large website, provide evidence of accessing the information that demonstrably meets your requirements by using menus, navigation bars etc. identify the information that you require from an online database, provide evidence of accessing the information that demonstrably meets your requirements by using an internal search engine to carry out a range of complex searches of the online database. Using a local database You are required to use a local database to find required information. There are 4 marks available for this task. To achieve high marks for this task you must: use complex search criteria involving a wide range of relational, logical and other operators to carry out searches to obtain information from a local database that has been provided that is fully relevant to your investigation, provide evidence of your searches and present your results as well presented reports. elearning Tutors Limited Page 15

16 Using spreadsheet software You are required to use spreadsheet software to analyse numeric data and present results. There are 9 marks available for this task. To achieve high marks for this task you must: create a well designed spreadsheet to carry out analysis of numeric data involving complex functions and formulae, make use of macros to speed up the input of data and the production of well designed and meaningful results, test your spreadsheet thoroughly to ensure its functionality and the accuracy of the results obtained, provide clear evidence of testing. Combining information to present the results of an investigation You are required to combine different types of information to present the results of the investigation. There are 6 marks available for this task. To achieve high marks for this task you must: produce a well structured presentation that effectively combines at least five types of information from at least five different sources to present the results of your investigation clearly and coherently, so that they are easy to follow and understand, list your information sources in a detailed bibliography. elearning Tutors Limited Page 16

17 Evaluation You are required to evaluate the methods used to find information and present the results. There are 8 marks available for this task. To achieve high marks for this task you must: show that you have identified the strengths and weaknesses in your initial searches, show how you have refined your initial searches to meet the purpose more closely, show that you have identified the strengths and weaknesses in the presentation of your results, show how you have refined the presentation of your results to meet the purpose more closely, suggest how you might approach a similar task in future. Impact of the availability of electronic information on individuals and society You are required to produce an explanation of the impact of the availability of electronic information on individuals and society. There are 7 marks available for this task. To achieve high marks for this task you must: explain in detail how the availability of electronic information affects people and situations that you are familiar with, such as yourself and your family. explain in detail how the availability of electronic information affects society in general and individuals within it, including people and situations outside your normal experience, explain in detail how organisations now communicate with individuals and society, explain in detail the effect on those who do not have (or want) access to ICT, produce a report which is consistently well structured with few, if any, spelling, punctuation and grammar errors. elearning Tutors Limited Page 17