GCE O/L Information & Communication Technology study plan
GCE O/L Information & Communication Technology · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Fundamentals of Information and Communication Technology & Computer Systems and Hardware
Define ICT and distinguish its main components (hardware, software, data, people, processes, networks) with one example each.
Classify computer systems by size and purpose (supercomputer, mainframe, server, desktop, laptop, embedded) and match each to a real use case.
Identify the function of core internal hardware: CPU (ALU, control unit, registers), motherboard, RAM, ROM, storage, PSU, and cooling.
Trace the fetch–decode–execute cycle and explain the roles of the program counter, instruction register, and clock speed.
Compare primary and secondary storage (RAM, ROM, SSD, HDD, optical) on volatility, speed, capacity, and typical use.
Your checkpoint
A labelled block diagram of a computer system showing the five ICT components and the internal hardware path from storage to CPU to output, with a 150-word explanation of the fetch–decode–execute cycle.
Computer Systems and Hardware & Data Representation and Number Systems
Distinguish input, output, and storage peripherals and select appropriate devices for given scenarios (e.g., barcode reader for retail, plotter for CAD).
Explain how data is represented in binary and convert between binary, denary, and hexadecimal for values up to 255.
Perform binary addition and describe how overflow and sign-magnitude representation affect the result.
Describe character encoding (ASCII, Unicode) and calculate file sizes for text, image (resolution × colour depth), and sound (sample rate × bit depth × duration).
Identify common file formats and justify format choices for text, images, audio, and video.
Your checkpoint
A one-page conversion and file-size worksheet: convert 10 denary values to binary and hex, add 5 binary pairs, and calculate the storage size of one image and one audio clip with working shown.
Computer Networks and the Internet
Classify networks by scale (PAN, LAN, MAN, WAN) and by topology (star, bus, ring, mesh), stating one advantage and one drawback of each topology.
Explain the roles of IP address, subnet mask, MAC address, DNS, DHCP, and default gateway in enabling communication.
Compare guided and unguided transmission media (twisted pair, coaxial, fibre, Wi-Fi, cellular) on bandwidth, cost, and interference.
Describe the TCP/IP layered model and map common protocols (HTTP/HTTPS, FTP, SMTP, IMAP, DNS, TCP, UDP, IP) to their layers and purposes.
Outline how a web page request travels from browser to server and back, naming each device and protocol involved.
Your checkpoint
A network design diagram for a small office (10 devices) showing topology, cabling, router, switch, access point, and IP addressing plan, plus a 200-word explanation of the request path for loading a web page.
Programming and Algorithms
Write algorithms in pseudocode and as flowcharts for sequence, selection, and iteration problems.
Trace given pseudocode and predict outputs, including nested loops and conditional statements.
Identify and correct logic errors (off-by-one, wrong condition, uninitialised variable) in short programs.
Define variables, constants, and data types (integer, real, string, Boolean) and choose appropriate types for given problems.
Use one-dimensional arrays to store and process lists, including finding a maximum and counting occurrences.
Your checkpoint
A portfolio of five solved algorithm problems (two flowcharts, three pseudocode) each with a dry-run trace table showing variable values at every step.
Software and Application Packages & Databases and Information Management
Classify software as system software (OS, utilities, drivers) and application software (general-purpose, special-purpose), with examples.
Explain the functions of an operating system: process management, memory management, file management, device management, and user interface.
Compare proprietary, open-source, freeware, and shareware licensing and state one implication of each for a business.
Define database concepts: table, record, field, primary key, foreign key, and data type; identify these in a given schema.
Write SQL queries using SELECT, FROM, WHERE, ORDER BY, and simple aggregate functions (COUNT, SUM, AVG).
Your checkpoint
A small database design (three related tables) with a schema diagram, five sample records per table, and six SQL queries with expected outputs.
Programming and Algorithms & Systems Development and ICT in Business
Decompose a problem into input, processing, and output, and select an appropriate algorithm pattern (linear search, counting, summation, validation).
Write and trace a linear search and a simple validation loop (e.g., range check) in pseudocode.
Describe the stages of the systems development life cycle (SDLC): analysis, design, development, testing, implementation, and maintenance.
Compare waterfall and iterative/agile approaches and recommend one for a given project scenario with justification.
Explain types of testing (unit, integration, system, acceptance) and the purpose of test data (normal, boundary, erroneous).
Your checkpoint
A mini SDLC report for a school library system: requirements list, one design diagram, pseudocode for the search function, and a test plan with six test cases (two normal, two boundary, two erroneous) and expected results.
ICT in Society, Ethics and Security
Identify common cyber threats (malware, phishing, pharming, social engineering, DoS, brute force) and match each to a suitable countermeasure.
Explain authentication and access control methods (strong passwords, MFA, biometrics, permissions) and their limitations.
Describe encryption (symmetric vs asymmetric) and the role of digital certificates and HTTPS in protecting data in transit.
Explain legal and ethical responsibilities: data protection principles, intellectual property, software piracy, and acceptable-use policies.
Evaluate the social and economic impacts of ICT (digital divide, automation and employment, e-waste, screen time) with balanced arguments.
Your checkpoint
A two-page security and ethics briefing for a small business covering five threats with countermeasures, a password/MFA policy, and a balanced 200-word discussion of one social impact.
Emerging Technologies and New Trends & Fundamentals of Information and Communication Technology & Computer Systems and Hardware & Data Representation and Number Systems & Computer Networks and the Internet & Software and Application Packages & Databases and Information Management & Programming and Algorithms & Systems Development and ICT in Business & ICT in Society, Ethics and Security
Describe current trends: cloud computing (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS), IoT, AI and machine learning, big data, blockchain, and 5G, with one realistic application each.
Evaluate benefits and risks of cloud adoption (cost, scalability, availability, data sovereignty, vendor lock-in) for a given organisation.
Complete two full timed practice papers under exam conditions and mark them against the mark scheme.
Compile a personal error log of every missed question and re-solve each one without notes.
Revise the five weakest sub-topics identified from the error log using active recall and spaced repetition.
Your checkpoint
A completed error log with at least 20 corrected questions, plus a one-page trends summary table (technology, how it works, benefit, risk, example) and a scored record of both practice papers.
Milestones
Week 2: Can convert any denary value up to 255 to binary and hex, add two 8-bit binary numbers, and calculate image and sound file sizes without notes, scoring at least 80% on a self-made 15-question quiz.
Week 4: Can trace a 20-line pseudocode program with a loop and selection using a trace table, state the final output correctly, and draw a flowchart for a simple validation problem in under 15 minutes.
Week 6: Can design three related tables with correct primary and foreign keys, write five SQL queries from memory, and list the six SDLC stages with one activity and one deliverable for each.
Week 8: Two full past-style papers completed within time, both scored at 70% or above, with every error logged, corrected, and re-attempted successfully; trends summary table complete and reviewed.