CAPE Information Technology Unit 1 study plan
CAPE Information Technology Unit 1 · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1
Define information technology and distinguish data, information and knowledge using at least five original examples of your own
Describe the components of a computer system (hardware, software, data, people, procedures) and explain how they interact in a named real-world system
Classify input, output, storage and processing devices by function and justify the classification of three ambiguous devices
Explain the difference between system software and application software with two examples of each and one scenario where the boundary is unclear
Your checkpoint
A one-page concept map of the computer system showing all five components, 15 labelled devices and the software categories, with a 150-word written justification of three classification decisions
Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1
Compare primary and secondary storage in terms of speed, volatility, cost per unit and typical use, using a table you construct yourself
Calculate storage requirements for given file sets and convert between bits, bytes, KB, MB, GB and TB without a calculator error
Explain data capture, validation and verification and write two validation rules for a named data-entry scenario
Describe the role of the operating system in resource management, file management and user interface provision
Identify the main types of application software and match each to a workplace task
Your checkpoint
A storage and data-handling worksheet with ten conversion problems solved, two validation rules written for a named scenario and a 200-word comparison of primary versus secondary storage
Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1 & Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 2
Explain the stages of the data processing cycle (capture, input, processing, output, storage) and trace one business transaction through all five stages
Distinguish batch, online and real-time processing and select the appropriate mode for four named scenarios with reasons
Describe the main types of information systems (transaction processing, management information, decision support, executive information) and state the user level each serves
Explain how data flows between the levels of an organisation and why summarisation matters at each level
Your checkpoint
A four-scenario table matching processing mode and system type to each scenario, plus a 250-word narrative tracing a customer order from capture to management report
Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 2
Describe the main network topologies and classify them by cost, fault tolerance and ease of expansion
Distinguish LAN, WAN, MAN and PAN and give one realistic Caribbean or workplace example of each
Explain the roles of router, switch, hub, modem and access point and identify which device performs which function in a described network
Compare client-server and peer-to-peer architectures for a small office of eight staff
Define bandwidth, latency and throughput and explain why they are not interchangeable
Your checkpoint
A network design sketch for a small office with eight staff, labelling every device, stating the topology chosen and a 200-word justification covering cost, fault tolerance and expansion
Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 2 & Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 3
Explain the layered nature of network protocols and state the purpose of TCP/IP, HTTP, SMTP and FTP
Describe the function of IP addressing and DNS in locating a resource on the internet
Distinguish the internet from the World Wide Web and give two examples of services that are not the web
Explain how a web browser requests and renders a page, naming the roles of URL, DNS, HTTP request and response
Identify three security risks specific to networked environments and one control for each
Your checkpoint
A numbered walkthrough of what happens between typing a URL and seeing a page, with at least eight correctly ordered steps and three security risks mapped to controls
Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 3
Describe the stages of the traditional waterfall development life cycle and state one advantage and one limitation of each stage
Compare waterfall with at least two iterative or incremental approaches and select one for a described project with justification
Distinguish requirements gathering techniques (interview, questionnaire, observation, document review) and choose one for a named stakeholder group
Explain the purpose of feasibility study, data flow diagrams and entity relationship diagrams in analysis
Identify the roles of project manager, analyst, programmer and end user in a development project
Your checkpoint
A development-methodology recommendation for a named scenario, with a 300-word justification comparing two approaches and a list of four requirements-gathering activities matched to stakeholder groups
Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 3 & Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 2
Explain the purpose and structure of a data flow diagram and draw a level-0 diagram for a described system
Explain the purpose and structure of an entity relationship diagram and identify entities, attributes and relationships in a described scenario
Distinguish the main file organisation methods (sequential, direct, indexed) and match each to an access pattern
Describe implementation, testing, conversion and maintenance activities and explain why maintenance dominates system cost
Identify three types of system failure or data loss and one backup or recovery control for each
Your checkpoint
A level-0 data flow diagram and an entity relationship diagram for one described scenario, plus a 200-word note explaining each symbol used and the testing strategy planned
Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1 & Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 2 & Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 3
Consolidate the three modules by rewriting your weakest ten concepts from memory and checking each against your notes
Answer at least 40 mixed practice questions under timed conditions and record your score by module
Diagnose every wrong answer to its underlying concept gap and write a one-line correction for each
Rehearse structured responses to scenario questions using a claim, evidence, explanation pattern
Produce a one-page formula and definition sheet covering storage units, bandwidth, processing modes and development stages
Your checkpoint
A timed mixed mock of at least 40 questions with a score breakdown by module, a written correction log for every error and a one-page revision sheet
Milestones
Week 2: Can define data, information and knowledge, classify any given device or software as input, output, storage, system or application, and complete storage conversions with at least 90 percent accuracy on a self-set ten-item quiz
Week 4: Can describe a network from scratch: name the topology, list every device with its function, and justify client-server versus peer-to-peer for a small office, scoring at least 8 of 10 on a self-marked checklist
Week 6: Can explain the full development life cycle and justify a methodology choice for an unseen scenario in under 15 minutes without notes
Week 8: Achieve at least 70 percent on the timed mixed mock overall and at least 60 percent in each of the three modules, with a correction log showing no repeated error type