Be able to place an image with precision

IGCSE ICT (0417) – Complete Lecture Notes

1 – Types and Components of Computer Systems

• Hardware categories
  • CPU – central processing unit (control unit, ALU, registers)
  • Memory – RAM (volatile) and ROM/Flash (non‑volatile)
  • Motherboard – bus, chipset, expansion slots
  • Power supply, cooling system, case
• Peripheral devices
  • Input: keyboard, mouse, scanner, digital camera, microphone
  • Output: monitor, printer, speakers, projector
  • Storage: internal HDD/SSD, external USB drive, CD/DVD, cloud
• Software layers
  • Operating system (e.g. Windows, macOS, Linux)
  • Application software (word processor, spreadsheet, database, etc.)
  • Utility software (antivirus, backup, compression)

2 – Input and Output Devices

Device	Type	Typical Use	Key Considerations
Keyboard	Input	Text entry, shortcuts	Ergonomics, layout (QWERTY vs AZERTY)
Mouse / Touchpad	Input	Point‑and‑click, drag‑drop	DPI settings, left‑hand/right‑hand use
Scanner	Input	Digitise photos, documents	Resolution (DPI), colour vs greyscale
Digital Camera	Input	Capture images for reports, presentations	Megapixels, file format (JPEG/RAW)
Monitor	Output	Display documents, graphics	Resolution (pixels), size, refresh rate
Printer	Output	Hard‑copy of documents, photos	Inkjet vs laser, DPI, colour vs mono

3 – Storage Devices and Media

• Primary storage – RAM (fast, temporary)
• Secondary storage
  • Hard Disk Drive (HDD) – magnetic, large capacity
  • Solid‑State Drive (SSD) – flash, faster access
  • Optical media – CD, DVD, Blu‑ray (read‑only or writeable)
  • Removable media – USB flash drives, SD cards, external HDD/SSD
  • Cloud storage – OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox (online backup)
• File‑system basics – folders, paths, extensions, naming conventions

4 – Networks and the Internet

• Network types
  • LAN – local area network (school, office)
  • WLAN – wireless LAN (Wi‑Fi)
  • WAN – wide area network (Internet)
• Key hardware – router, switch, modem, access point
• Internet basics
  • IP address, DNS, URLs
  • Web browsers, search engines
• Network safety – firewalls, encryption (WPA2), secure passwords

5 – Effects of IT on Individuals, Organisations and Society

• Positive effects – efficiency, communication, access to information, new jobs
• Negative effects – digital divide, privacy concerns, cyber‑bullying, health issues (eye strain, posture)
• Legal & ethical issues – copyright, plagiarism, data protection (GDPR), e‑safety policies

6 – ICT Applications in Different Contexts

Sector	Typical Applications	Example Task
Education	Word processing, presentation software, virtual learning environments	Prepare a lesson plan and a slide deck
Business	Spreadsheets for finance, database for inventory, email & calendar	Produce a sales report and mail it to clients
Healthcare	Patient record systems, imaging software, appointment scheduling	Enter a new patient record and generate a prescription
Media & Design	Graphic editors, video editing, web authoring tools	Create a promotional poster and upload it to a website

7 – The Systems Life‑Cycle (SLC)

1. Analysis – identify need, define requirements.
2. Design – plan hardware, software, data structures.
3. Development – create or configure the system.
4. Testing – check functionality, fix errors.
5. Implementation – install, train users, go live.
6. Maintenance – update, backup, troubleshoot.

Case study (brief): Designing a school library catalogue – from requirement gathering to ongoing updates.

8 – Health & Safety, E‑Safety & Data Protection

• Physical health – posture, screen glare, breaks (20‑20‑20 rule).
• E‑safety
  • Strong passwords, two‑factor authentication.
  • Recognising phishing, safe browsing.
  • Use of firewalls and anti‑virus software.
• Data protection
  • Personal data definition, consent, storage limitation.
  • Backup strategies – 3‑2‑1 rule (3 copies, 2 media types, 1 off‑site).

9 – Audience, Purpose & Presentation of Information

• Analyse the audience (age, knowledge level, interests).
• Define the purpose – inform, persuade, instruct, entertain.
• Select appropriate media – text, tables, images, video, audio.
• Apply layout principles – hierarchy, alignment, contrast, consistency.

10 – Communication & Collaboration Tools

Tool	Primary Use	Key Features
Email (e.g., Gmail)	Formal and informal messages	Attachments, signatures, filters
Instant messaging (e.g., Teams, Slack)	Quick queries, group chats	Channels, file sharing, status indicators
Video‑conferencing (e.g., Zoom)	Live presentations, remote meetings	Screen sharing, recording, breakout rooms
Collaborative editors (Google Docs, OneDrive)	Co‑authoring in real time	Commenting, version history, permission levels

11 – Using ICT for Research & Information Management

• Formulate clear research questions.
• Use reliable sources – academic databases, reputable websites.
• Record bibliographic details (author, title, date, URL) for citation.
• Organise information with folders, tags, or reference‑management software.
• Evaluate information: authority, accuracy, bias, currency.

12 – Images – Precise Placement, Editing & Optimisation

12.1 Why Precise Image Placement Matters

• Creates a professional visual layout.
• Supports logical flow of information.
• Ensures consistency across pages or slides.
• Meets the IGCSE ICT exam criteria for layout and presentation.

12.2 Common Image File Formats

Format	Type	Typical Use	Compression	Transparency
JPEG / JPG	Raster	Photographs, complex‑colour images	Lossy – small file size	No
PNG	Raster	Graphics, logos, screenshots	Lossless – larger file size	Yes (alpha channel)
GIF	Raster	Simple graphics, short animations	Lossless within 256‑colour palette	Yes (single‑colour transparency)
BMP	Raster	Uncompressed raster images (rarely used)	None – very large files	No
SVG	Vector	Icons, diagrams, logos that must scale	Lossless – scalable	Yes

Raster images are pixel‑based; quality depends on resolution (DPI/PPI). Vector images are defined by mathematical paths and can be enlarged without loss of quality.

12.3 Positioning Options in Typical ICT Software

1. Alignment – left, centre, right, justified.
2. Wrapping – square, tight, through, top and bottom, behind text, in front of text, in line with text.
3. Anchoring – attaches the image to a paragraph, page, or slide.
4. Exact coordinates – specify X (horizontal) and Y (vertical) distances from a reference point (margin, column, slide edge).
5. Size control – set width and height in centimetres, inches or pixels; lock aspect ratio when required.

12.4 Step‑by‑Step: Placing an Image with Precision (Microsoft Word)

1. Insert the image: Insert → Pictures → This Device…
2. Select the picture and open the Layout Options dialog (right‑click → Wrap Text → More Layout Options…).
3. In the Position tab set:
   • Horizontal – “Absolute position” → enter the required distance (e.g., 3 cm) from the Page margin or Column.
   • Vertical – “Absolute position” → enter the required distance (e.g., 5 cm) from the Top margin or Paragraph.
   • Choose a suitable Wrap text style (usually “Square”).
   • Check Lock aspect ratio before resizing.
4. Press OK. The image now sits at the exact coordinates entered.
5. Fine‑tune: select the image and use the arrow keys while holding Ctrl for 0.1 cm increments.

12.5 Using a Grid or Ruler for Precision (Microsoft PowerPoint)

1. Show the grid: View → Grid and Guides → Display grid on screen.
2. Enable “Snap to Grid” for automatic alignment.
3. Right‑click the picture → Size and Position….
4. Enter exact values for Left and Top (horizontal & vertical) positions.
5. Enter exact Height and Width values, or tick “Lock aspect ratio”.

12.6 Essential Image‑Editing Techniques (Word / PowerPoint)

Technique	Location (Word / PowerPoint)	Key Steps
Resize (maintain aspect ratio)	Picture Tools → Format → Size	Check “Lock aspect ratio”, then change width or height.
Crop	Picture Tools → Format → Crop	Drag the black cropping handles; click “Crop” again to apply.
Rotate	Picture Tools → Format → Rotate	Use the rotate handle or select a preset angle (90°, 180°, 270°).
Flip (reflect)	Picture Tools → Format → Rotate → Flip Horizontal / Flip Vertical	Choose the required flip option.
Adjust brightness / contrast / colour	Picture Tools → Format → Corrections (or “Adjust”)	Select a preset or open “Picture Corrections” to set exact values.
Group / Ungroup objects	Select multiple objects → Picture Tools → Format → Group → Group (or Ungroup)	Grouping keeps relative positions when moving the set.
Layer order (bring forward / send backward)	Picture Tools → Format → Arrange → Bring Forward / Send Backward	Use “Bring to Front” or “Send to Back” for precise layering.
Compress / reduce file size	File → Info → Compress Pictures (Word) / Picture Tools → Format → Compress Pictures (PowerPoint)	Choose a resolution (150 dpi for screen, 220 dpi for print) and apply to all pictures if required.

12.7 Understanding DPI / PPI

• DPI (dots per inch) – used for printed output.
• PPI (pixels per inch) – used for screen display.
• Screen‑only documents: 72–96 PPI is sufficient.
• Printed work: aim for 300 dpi for high‑quality output.
• Resolution can be changed in the “Compress Pictures” dialog or with an external editor before insertion.

12.8 Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them

• Distorted images – always lock the aspect ratio before resizing.
• Unintended text flow – avoid “In line with text” unless the picture should move with the paragraph; prefer “Square”, “Tight”, “Behind text”, etc.
• Loss of precision after editing – use the coordinate fields rather than dragging the image.
• Large file size – select the appropriate format (JPEG for photos, PNG for graphics with transparency, SVG for vectors) and compress when possible.
• Incorrect resolution – verify DPI/PPI before printing; use “Compress Pictures” to match the required resolution.

12.9 Summary Checklist for Image Placement

1. Select the most suitable image format (consider transparency, colour depth and file size).
2. Insert the image and open the layout/position dialog.
3. Set absolute horizontal and vertical positions relative to a stable reference (page margin, column, or slide edge).
4. Choose an appropriate text‑wrap style.
5. Lock aspect ratio before resizing; use the size fields for exact dimensions.
6. Crop, rotate, flip or adjust brightness/contrast as required.
7. Group or order objects if more than one image is used.
8. Compress the picture to the required DPI/PPI to keep the file size manageable.
9. Verify the final layout in screen view and print preview.

Suggested Diagram

13 – Layout – Pages, Slides, Columns, Margins & Guides

• Page setup – size (A4, Letter), orientation (portrait/landscape), margins, columns, gutters.
• Slide setup (PowerPoint) – slide size (Standard 4:3, Widescreen 16:9), background colour/pattern, master slide.
• Guides & gridlines – show/hide, snap to grid, custom guide placement (drag from the ruler).
• Consistent layout – use templates or style sheets to maintain uniform headings, footers, page numbers.

14 – Styles – Fonts, Colours, Themes & Templates

• Font families – serif vs sans‑serif; recommended for readability (e.g., Arial, Times New Roman, Calibri).
• Font size & hierarchy – body (10‑12 pt), headings (14‑24 pt), use bold/italics sparingly.
• Colour scheme – limited palette (3‑4 colours) for contrast and accessibility.
• Theme / Template – apply a pre‑designed set of colours, fonts, and slide layouts; modify the master to keep changes consistent.
• Style sheet (Word) – create/modify Normal, Heading 1‑3, Caption styles; update automatically throughout the document.

15 – Proofreading & Quality Control

• Run automated spell‑check and grammar check.
• Manually verify:
  • Consistent terminology and units.
  • Correct image placement and caption numbering.
  • Accurate data in tables and charts.
• Use track changes (Word) or version history (Google Docs) to record edits.
• Final check: print preview, page numbers, header/footer alignment, and file size.

16 – Graphs & Charts – Selection, Creation & Labelling

Data Type	Best Chart	Key Features
Comparison of categories	Bar chart (vertical) or Column chart (horizontal)	Clear axis labels, consistent bar width
Trends over time	Line chart	Data points connected; can show multiple series
Proportions	Pie chart (max 5‑6 slices)	Show percentages; avoid 3‑D distortion
Distribution	Histogram	Equal‑width bins, frequency on vertical axis
Multiple data sets	Combo chart (e.g., column + line)	Use secondary axis if scales differ

Labelling checklist

• Title that describes the purpose.
• Axis titles with units (e.g., “Sales (£)”).
• Data labels or a legend if more than one series.
• Consistent colour scheme matching the document style.

17 – Document Production – Workflow & Export

1. Planning – outline, decide on sections, choose appropriate media.
2. Drafting – write text, insert placeholders for images/tables.
3. Formatting – apply styles, set margins, insert page numbers, create a table of contents.
4. Review – proofread, check image placement, verify references.
5. Finalising – compress images, update fields, lock the document if required.
6. Export – save as DOCX for editing, PDF for distribution/printing; check PDF file size.

18 – Databases – Tables, Keys, Forms, Queries & Reports

• Table design
  • Identify entities (e.g., Students, Courses).
  • Define fields (StudentID, FirstName, Surname, DOB, etc.).
  • Choose appropriate data types (Number, Text, Date, Currency).
  • Set a Primary Key – unique identifier for each record.
• Relationships
  • One‑to‑many (e.g., one Course has many Enrollments).
  • Use Foreign Keys to link tables.
• Forms – user‑friendly data entry screens; hide primary key fields if auto‑numbered.
• Queries – retrieve specific data.
  • Select query: choose fields, set criteria (e.g., “WHERE City = ‘London’”).
  • Action query: Update, Delete, Append.
• Reports – formatted output for printing; group by field, add totals, insert logos.

19 – Presentations – Slide Design, Animation & Timing

• Slide layout – title, content placeholder, image placeholder; keep text to ≤ 6 lines, ≤ 6 words per line.
• Consistent theme – same font, colour palette, background throughout.
• Use of multimedia – embed video/audio, ensure file size is manageable.
• Animation
  • Apply entrance effects sparingly (e.g., Fade).
  • Set timing: “On Click” vs “After Previous”.
• Speaker notes – add private notes for presenter, not visible to audience.
• Export options – save as PPTX for editing, as PDF for hand‑out, or as a video file.

20 – Spreadsheets – Formulas, Functions, Charts & Data Analysis

• Basic formulas – addition (+), subtraction (‑), multiplication (*), division (/), cell references (A1, $B$2).
• Common functions
  • SUM(), AVERAGE(), COUNT(), MAX(), MIN()
  • Logical: IF(), AND(), OR()
  • Lookup: VLOOKUP(), HLOOKUP(), INDEX()/MATCH()
• Cell formatting – number format, currency, percentage, date, conditional formatting.
• Charts – create from selected data; choose appropriate chart type (see Section 16).
• Data analysis tools – Sort, Filter, PivotTable (summarise large data sets).
• Protecting worksheets – lock cells, set a password to prevent accidental changes.

21 – Website Authoring – Pages, Navigation, Multimedia & Publishing

• Structure – home page, sub‑pages, navigation menu (horizontal or vertical).
• HTML basics – tags for headings (<h1>‑<h6>), paragraphs (<p>), images (<img src="..." alt="...">), links (<a href="...">).
• CSS styling – external stylesheet for colours, fonts, layout; keep CSS separate from HTML for re‑usability.
• Multimedia – embed images (optimised for web, usually JPEG/PNG), audio (<audio>), video (<video>).
• Accessibility – alt text for images, sufficient colour contrast, logical heading order.
• Testing & publishing
  • Validate HTML/CSS (W3C validator).
  • Check links, test on different browsers.
  • Upload via FTP or web‑based file manager to a web host.

Self‑Assessment Questions (All Sections)

1. Which image format would you use for a logo that requires a transparent background? Explain why.
2. Describe the difference between “In line with text” and “Square” wrapping.
3. How would you place an image 2 cm from the left margin and 4 cm from the top margin in a Word document?
4. What steps would you take to ensure an image does not become distorted when you change its size?
5. Why might you prefer to use exact coordinates rather than dragging an image into place?
6. Outline the procedure for cropping an image in PowerPoint.
7. How can you rotate an image 90° clockwise without using the mouse?
8. Explain how to reduce the file size of a document that contains several high‑resolution photographs.
9. When would you use the “Flip Horizontal” command instead of rotating the image?
10. What DPI would you select for a document that will be printed as a high‑quality report?
11. Identify three health & safety risks associated with prolonged computer use and suggest a mitigation strategy for each.
12. Give an example of a situation where a “One‑to‑many” relationship is appropriate in a database.
13. List the six stages of the systems life‑cycle and give a brief activity for each stage in the context of creating a school timetable system.
14. Choose a suitable chart type for displaying the yearly sales figures of five products and justify your choice.
15. Explain the purpose of a style sheet in a Word document and how it helps with consistency.
16. What are two advantages of publishing a website using external CSS rather than inline styles?