St.

Andrew High School

for Girls

CSEC
INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY
2014 - 16
STUDENT GUIDE

NAME: _____________________________________________________________
FORM: ________ I.T. OPTION: _______ DATE RECEIVED: _______________

Prepared by
Ms C Lemhard September 2014

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CONTENTS
Page

Rationale........................................................................................................................ 3
Introduction
Pre-Requisites..................................................................................................... 4
Aims of the CXC CSEC syllabus ..........................................................................4
Profile Dimensions.............................................................................................. 4
Organisation of the CXC CSEC Syllabus...............................................................4
Final Assessment................................................................................................ 4
Programming Language......................................................................................5
Requirements...................................................................................................... 5
Tools.................................................................................................................... 5
Expectations/Procedures.....................................................................................5
Goals................................................................................................................... 6
Notes.................................................................................................................. 6
Lab Rules....................................................................................................................... 7
Syllabus.........................................................................................................................
School Based Assessment Project..................................................................................12

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INTRODUCTION
RATIONALE FOR THE STUDY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

nformation Technology has evolved over the past five decades in response to the need
for more efficient techniques to manage the significantly increased volume and
sophistication of the knowledge reservoir of mankind. It merges the study of Computer
Science, Telecommunications and Office Automation; involves the collection, storage,
accessing, processing and dissemination of information; and impacts on both work and
leisure activities.
In a world characterised by technological innovation and computerized responses to
situations in the work place and in the wider society, all citizens will need to have practical
exposure to the techniques of Information Technology in order to bridge the widening gap
between Caribbean nations and the developed countries; and provide our citizens with the
best chances for survival and growth in this new age.
A structured programme in Information Technology develops computer-related skills and
encourages the development of analytical and design skills which are applicable in all areas
of the curriculum. This unique feature warrants the inclusion of Information Technology in
the secondary school curriculum.
This syllabus is designed to provide a coherent view of the significance of information in a
socio-economic context. Emphasis is placed on application of knowledge and the use of the
computer. This approach has been adopted in recognition of the impact that changes in the
availability of information can have on the educational process. The focus is on getting
students to develop skills for life in an increasingly technological world, rather than on
students absorbing a myriad of seemingly unrelated facts which may have only short term
relevance.
The syllabus aims to provide the kind of practical experience which includes an element of
discovery, and fosters self-confidence, together with the practical skills that will prepare
students to meet the regions need for greatly increased productivity and cost effective
procedures.

Extracted from the CXC CSEC Information Technology syllabus 2008

AIMS OF THE CXC CSEC SYLLABUS

To
1.
2.

Prepare students to function effectively in a dynamic technological era;

Promote the development of computer-related skills for immediate application to other
curricular areas;

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3.
4.

Provide a foundation for post-secondary education;

Facilitate the development and application of problem-solving skills in students

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ORGANISATION OF THE CXC CSEC SYLLABUS

Section
Section
Section
Section

1
2
3
4-

Section
Section
Section
Section

5
6
7
8

FUNDAMENTALS OF HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE

PROBLEM-SOLVING AND PROGRAM DESIGN
PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
APPLICATIONS AND IMPLICATIONS OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION
TECHNOLOGY
INFORMATION PROCESSING
WORD-PROCESSING, PRESENTATION, AND WEB PAGE DESIGN
SPREADSHEETS
DATABASE MANAGEMENT

PROFILE DIMENSIONS
(i)
(ii)
(iii)

Theory
Productivity Tools
Problem-Solving and Programming

PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE
Pascal

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Paper 1 : 1 hour and 30 minutes - 60 multiple choice questions from all areas of the syllabus - 20%
of the final grade
Paper 2 : 2 hours and 15 minutes - 12 structured questions from all areas of the syllabus - 50% of
the final grade
Paper 3 : School Based Assessment project - 30% of the final grade

REQUIREMENTS
TOOLS
One flash drive
Three large composition books OR Three 3-subject notebooks OR One binder, one set of dividers, and
folder paper
Loose ruled paper for submission of tests and class-work
One ream letter sized, white paper for printing of Information Technology subject related material at
school (to be
handed to the subject teacher on or before September 30) for deposit to the departments paper
bank
One storage folder for keeping information sheets and worksheets
Four 3-prong folders for submission of final school-based assessment projects (or projects can be
spiral bound)

RESOURCES
Textbooks :
Heinemann Information Technology for CSEC by Reid, Dinesan & Khan

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Information Technology for CSEC 3rd Ed by Kelvin Skeete & Kyle Skeete
Access to personal computer/laptop/netbook
Internet access

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EXPECTATIONS/PROCEDURES
The I.T. teacher is responsible for all classes and activities on the Third Floor of the M. Joan Reader
Vocational Block; he/she has the authority to give directives and students are expected to comply at
all times. Please note the following additional expectations Class:
- Prompt attendance at all classes
- Late students will be expected to produce a written excuse from a teacher
- Habitual lateness or being late by 30 minutes or more will have consequences
- Students are expected to be prepared for class at all times
- This means having their storage medium, notebook, and textbook when required
- This also means that homework and other preparation activities must be completed
- It is expected that students who will be participating in a house/department/school activity
that will see them
being late to, or absent from, class, will demonstrate their good manners by inform the
teacher of this,
before the day in question.
- Respect and kindness in action and speech at all times; the schools core values must be
honoured and the
technology policy and school rules observed at all times.
- Reasoned and valid contributions to class discussions.
- Independent reading around the topics outside of class.
- Independent practice of problem solving/programming concepts covered.

Assignments:
- Homework and other assignments will be posted to the class group on
www.sahs.edmodo.com and it
is the students responsibility to check this website daily for assignments and notices.
- All homework and tests must be completed even if a student was absent from school/class.
- On-time completion of all assignments is expected. Hard copy assignments are due in class
or, where
allowed, no later than 2:25p.m. on the deadline day. Soft copy submissions are due no
later
than 8pm on the deadline day. Late work will attract a daily penalty.
- Unless otherwise instructed, all homework is to be typed using a word-processor and printed
(see class
website for details).
- Students, having contributed to the printing bank, will be allowed to freely print information
technology
assignments up to 4 pages long and SBA drafts in the teaching labs. Longer
assignments must be
printed in the Student Technology Centre at the prevailing rate.
- All diagrams must have a caption and labels where appropriate; hand-drawn diagrams
should be done
in pencil.
- It is expected that sheets of paper will be properly fastened together before they are handed
in
- Assignments must be handed to Ms. Y. C. Lemard; work handed to another teacher or left on

14

a desk
is work not submitted.
- Students who waste printing resources will be fined.

Computer Labs:
The computer labs are provided solely to assist in the teaching/learning process. For that and other
ethical reasons students are asked to note the rules as stated in the schools Technology Acceptable
Use Policy.
In particular please note the following regarding all rooms on the 3 rd floor of the Vocational Block - Absolutely no food, sweets, gum, drink or water is to be consumed in the labs/rooms.
- No food wrappers/containers or juice boxes/bottles are to be placed in the bins in any of the
rooms.
- The equipment is not to be adjusted in any manner whatsoever without permission; similarly
the computer
settings are not to be changed.
- Students may not install updates or new programs.
- The computers are to be shut down, the monitors turned off and the chairs replaced under
the tables when
you are leaving the labs.
- You may print information technology assignments only on the printers in Labs V3.5 or
V3.3/4 only after
receiving permission from a teacher; the printer is out of bounds otherwise; students
are also not
allowed to open the paper trays.
- Students are not allowed in the labs during form or devotion times or when other classes are
taking place.

Plagiarism:
Plagiarism rules will be strictly observed in the Information Technology Department and plagiarized
work or work not properly credited will receive a zero. As seen in this excerpt from plagiarism.org
"according to the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, to "plagiarize" means

to
to
to
to

steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own
use (another's production) without crediting the source
commit literary theft
present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source.

In other words, plagiarism is an act of fraud. It involves both stealing someone else's work and
lying about it afterward."1
Plagiarism is both unethical and illegal. Any and all suspected incidents of plagiarism will be dealt
with to the fullest extent allowed under St. Andrews policies.

Miscellaneous
Information Technology students are expected to be involved in the Computer Club of SAHS

1 http://www.plagiarism.org/plag_article_what_is_plagiarism.html July 22, 2012

15

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LAB RULES
CODE OF CONDUCT FOR COMPUTER LABORATORIES V3.3/4 and V3.5
The use of these facilities is governed by the guidelines stated below. Entry into the lab implies your acceptance of these rules

A.

ADMISSION
-

Information Technology and Computer Science students will be admitted for regular classes
Other students will be admitted when accompanied by a subject teacher
Only students assigned to the class will be allowed in the lab during a scheduled class time
All other students need express permission from an information technology teacher to access the labs at
other times

B.PROHIBITED ITEMS
classroom

C.

Food and drink of any kind including sweets, chewing gum and water should not be taken into the labs or

Food wrappers are not to be disposed of in the bins in the labs or in the classroom
Students personal electronic devices can only be used with express permission from the teacher

RULES
-

D.

Sit in your assigned area

Remove all media, shut down the computer and turn off the monitor after use.
Leave your area tidy.
Behave in a seemly manner on the floor/in the labs
Use appropriate language with fellow lab users and on the computer
Respect intellectual property rights
Respect the right of other lab users to use the facilities undisturbed
Obey all directives from the teacher.

RESTRICTIONS
-

Do
Do
Do
Do
Do
Do
Do
Do

not
not
not
not
not
not
not
not

change any computer settings.

adjust any furniture/fixture or computer peripheral.
store any personal files on the machines without permission.
attempt illegal or unauthorized access to other computers or networks.
distribute viruses or other malware.
play computer games or access the internet without permission.
engage in anti-St Andrew or other illegal/prohibited activities.
send any jobs to the printer without permission

Failure to comply with these guidelines WILL result in the loss of your privilege to use the
computer laboratories
By Order
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT, September 2013

I agree to all the rules of the lab and to the guidelines in this manual
STUDENT NAME : ____________________________________________________

FORM : ________________

SIGNATURE : _________________________________________________

PERIOD : 2014 - 2016

PARENTS NAME : ________________________________ PARENTS SIGNATURE : _________________________

RELATION : ______________________

DATE : ________________________________

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TEACHERS NAME : ________________________________

_____________________________

OPTION :

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NOTES
MY PERSONAL GOALS FOR THIS SUBJECT
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

Teacher's email address :

albert.carr@sahs.edu.jm

Students SAHS email address :

Students SAHS ID Number:

_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________

Class Website :
Other Websites :

www.csecit2016.wikispaces.com
sahsinfotech.wikispaces.com
www.quizlet.com
www.proprofs.com

www.sahs.edmodo.com
www.theanswerpad.com

mail.google.com

drive.google.com

calendar.google.com

______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

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CXC CSEC SYLLABUS

Section 1 Fundamentals of Hardware and Software

Aim :
1.
2.

appreciate the fundamental hardware and software terminologies and concepts;

develop expertise in the operation and use of microcomputer-based systems.

Content :
Topic

Sub-Topic

Key Concepts

Hardware
Componen
ts

General purpose
computer systems

Functions of hardware
components

Memory
Secondary Storage
Input devices
Output devices
The processor
Hardware
specifications
Data representation

Types, Storage units

Role, categories
Categories
hard copy, soft copy

Software
Componen
ts

Cover
ed?

Review
ed?

Review
ed
Again?

Binary, octal,
hexadecimal,
character
representation

Systems programs

Operating systems
Application
programs
Software operating
modes

Multitasking,
multiprocessing,
multiprogramming

User interfaces

Section 2 Problem-Solving and Program Design

Aim :
1.

understand the fundamental principles and practices of problem-solving on the computer

Content :
Topic

Sub-Topic

Key Concepts

Cover
ed?

Review
ed?

Review
ed
Again?

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ProblemSolving

Steps
Problem
decomposition
Representing data

Algorithms

Concept of
algorithms
Representing
Control Structures

Testing
Top-Down
Design

Data Structure
Trace tables
Stepwise
refinement

Input, processing,
output
Constants, variables,
data types

Pseudocode,
flowchart
Sequence
Truth tables
Selection
Iteration - for
Iteration while
Iteration repeat until
Arrays

Section 3 Program Implementation

Aim :
1.
An understanding of how to convert algorithms to programs using structured programming
techniques.
Content :
Topic

Sub-Topic

Key Concepts

Programming
Languages

Levels

Low level languages,

high level languages
Programming
language generations

Generations
Programming
Pascal

Testing

Steps
Associated terms
Declarations
Data
manipulation
Control structures
Arrays
Testing

Sequence
Selection
Iteration

Cover
ed?

Review
ed?

Review
ed
Again?

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Program
Documentati
on

techniques.
Importance

Features
Types

Internal, external.

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Section 4 Applications and Implications of Information Communications

Technology
Aim :
1.
2.
3

develop an awareness of the use of the computer and the implications of that use;
develop an awareness of trends in internet and communications technology;
develop an awareness of careers in the field of information technology.

Content :
Topic

Sub-Topic

Internet and
Communicati
ons
Technology

Definitions,
glossary

Networks
Networks

Applications
and
Implications

WWW
Data security and
data integrity.
Information
misuse
Hardware and
software needs of
applications
Current and
emerging
technological
trends
Jobs

Key Concepts

Cover
ed?

Review
ed?

Review
ed
Again?

Types
Transmission media
Wireless technology
Communications
modes
Internet, intranet,
extranet
Bandwidth
WWW services

Impact of I T on job
skills
Computer- related
professions

Section 5 Information Processing

Aim :
1.
An understanding of the principles, organisation and operation of information processing
systems.

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Content :
Topic

Sub-Topic

Concept of
Information
Processing

Data vs
information

Data
File
Organisation

Forms of
information
processing
Data sources
Validation
Verification
Types

Key Concepts

Cover
ed?

Review
ed?

Review
ed
Again?

Sequential
Random
Index- sequential
Serial access

Section 6 Word-processing, Presentation and Web Page Design

Aim :
1.
gain hands-on experience in the use of word-processing, presentation and web page design
packages.
Content :
Topic

Sub-Topic

Key Concepts

Wordprocessing

Preparation of a
document
Headers, footers,
footnotes,
endnotes
Combining
documents
Block operations
Columns
Tables
Miscellaneous
functions
Mail merge
Uses
Wizards,
Slides and
templates
Formatting
Headers and
footers;

Editing, formatting,;

Presentation

Search and replace ,

Spell check

Cover
ed?

Review
ed?

Review
ed
Again?

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Animation, movie
files
Graphics
Making a
presentation
Web Page
Design

Speaker notes,
moving between
slides

Planning
Creating
Testing
Publishing
Maintaining

Hyperlinks

Section 7 Spreadsheets
Aim :
1.

Develop expertise in the use of a spreadsheet package.

Content :
Topic

Sub-Topic

Simple
Spreadshe
ets

Purpose,
terminology,

More
Spreadshe
eting

Addressing;
Arithmetic formulas
Editing
Manipulating

Functions
Workbooks

Key Concepts

Cover
ed?

Review
ed?

Review
ed
Again?

Cover
ed?

Review
ed?

Review
ed

Title locking, sorting,

searching
vlookup(), rank(), if(),
Importing worksheets,
manipulating multiple
worksheets

Charting
Extracting

Section 8 Database Management

Aim :
1.

Develop expertise in the design of a DBMS.

Content :
Topic

Sub-Topic

Key Concepts

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Again?

Concept of
a DB

Creating a
Database

Querying

Reporting

DBM terms
Advantages and
limitations of
databases;
Setting up tables
Maintaining table
structure
Sorting a database
Relationships
Selection queries
Action queries

Update, make table,

delete

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SCHOOL BASED ASSESSMENT

The school -based assessment project is worth 30% of your final grade.
The assessment consists of one practical project consisting of four related components, divided into
tasks which are administered over the two year period of the course.
This project aims to provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate your problem solving and
programming skills as well as your ability to use productivity tools effectively in manipulating and
presenting text data, simulating a worksheet, and entering data, performing analysis on said data
and present that data using a DBMS tool.
The teacher will
- Assign the project
- Determine the final deadlines for each stage of the project
- Provide guidance throughout the life of the project
- Ensure that students do the project work themselves
- Assess each students skills in accordance with CXC guidelines
The following
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

will be assessed:
Word processing
Spreadsheeting
Database Management
Problem-Solving and Programming
Total

20 marks
20 marks
20 marks
30 marks
90 marks

Each final submission will be accepted on a date and time to be advised by the subject teacher.
Students are required to hand in their projects at that time. Work not received by that time will
receive a zero. No printing of SBA submissions will be allowed in the teaching labs on a deadline day.
See the class website for more guidelines on the SBA.