Know and understand characteristics and uses of communication media including newsletters, posters, websites, multimedia presentations, audio, video, media streaming and ePublications

ICT 0417 – Cambridge IGCSE ICT – Complete Lecture Notes

1 Computer Systems – Foundations

Understanding the hardware and software that underpin all ICT applications.

2 Input & Output (I/O) Devices

• Keyboard & Mouse – primary text and pointer input.
• Touchscreen – combines input and output; useful for tablets.
• Scanner & Digital Camera – convert physical images to digital files.
• Microphone & Webcam – capture audio/video for multimedia.
• Printer Types – ink‑jet (photo quality), laser (fast text), plotter (large‑format).
• Speakers & Headphones – audio output; consider volume control and hearing safety.

3 Storage – Primary & Secondary

• Primary (RAM) – temporary, fast, cleared on shutdown.
• Secondary

  • Hard Disk Drive (HDD) – magnetic, larger capacity, slower.
  • Solid‑State Drive (SSD) – flash memory, fast, more expensive per GB.
  • Optical Media – CD/DVD/Blu‑ray, useful for distribution but declining.
  • Removable Media – USB flash drives, SD cards, external HDD/SSD.

• Cloud Storage – online services (Google Drive, OneDrive); benefits: accessibility, backup, collaboration.

4 Networks – Types & Components

• LAN (Local Area Network) – covers a single building or campus; uses Ethernet or Wi‑Fi.
• WAN (Wide Area Network) – connects multiple LANs over larger distances; the Internet is the largest WAN.
• Network Hardware

  • Router – directs traffic between networks, provides NAT and DHCP.
  • Switch – connects multiple devices within a LAN.
  • Modem – converts digital data to analogue for telephone lines or cable.
  • Access Point – provides wireless connectivity.

• Network Topologies – star, bus, ring, mesh; impact on speed, reliability, and cost.
• Protocols – TCP/IP, HTTP/HTTPS, FTP, SMTP; essential for data exchange.

5 Effects of ICT on Individuals, Organisations & Society

• Positive Effects

  • Improved communication speed and reach.
  • Greater access to information and learning resources.
  • Automation of routine tasks → higher productivity.

• Negative Effects

  • Digital divide – unequal access to technology.
  • Health concerns – eye strain, posture, hearing loss.
  • Environmental impact – e‑waste, energy consumption.

• Ethical & Legal Issues

  • Copyright infringement.
  • Data protection (GDPR, Data Protection Act).
  • Cyber‑bullying and online harassment.

6 ICT Applications – Communication

6.1 Communication Media – Overview

Choosing the most suitable medium depends on audience, purpose, message complexity, distribution channel, and resources.

Choosing the Right Media – Decision Flowchart

Insert a flowchart that starts with “What is the primary purpose?” → “Who is the audience?” → “What resources are available?” → leads to the most suitable media type (e.g., Text‑only → Newsletter, Visual‑heavy → Poster, Interactive → Website/Streaming, etc.).

6.2 Mobile Communication

• SMS (Short Message Service) – up to 160 characters; ideal for quick alerts (e.g., emergency notice).
• Instant Messaging (IM) – WhatsApp, iMessage, Telegram; supports text, images, video, voice notes; useful for group project coordination.
• VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) – Skype, Zoom, Microsoft Teams; audio/video calls without a telephone line.
• Video Calls – Google Meet, FaceTime; enables remote tutoring or virtual parent‑teacher meetings.
• Mobile Internet – browsing, cloud storage access, apps; consider data limits and e‑safety.

E‑Safety for Mobile Communication

• Never share personal details (address, phone number) with strangers.
• Use strong passwords or biometric locks on devices.
• Enable two‑factor authentication for messaging and banking apps.
• Report inappropriate or threatening messages to a trusted adult.
• Check and adjust privacy settings on each app (who can see your profile, status, location).
• Download apps only from official app stores; keep software up‑to‑date.

7 Systems Life‑Cycle (SDLC)

All ICT projects follow a structured process.

8 Safety & Security

8.1 Physical Safety

• Ergonomic workstation set‑up – chair height, monitor distance.
• Regular breaks (20‑20‑20 rule) to prevent eye strain.
• Safe handling of equipment – avoid exposure to moving parts, hot components.
• Electrical safety – use surge protectors, avoid over‑loading sockets.

8.2 E‑Safety & Data Protection

• Legislation – GDPR, Data Protection Act, Copyright Act.
• Common Threats

  • Phishing – deceptive emails/websites.
  • Malware – viruses, ransomware, spyware.
  • Unauthorised access – weak passwords, unsecured Wi‑Fi.

• Protective Measures

  • Use reputable antivirus/anti‑malware software.
  • Keep operating systems and applications updated.
  • Back up data regularly (cloud or external drive).
  • Encrypt sensitive files and use HTTPS for web traffic.

8.3 Copyright & Intellectual Property

• Only use material you have created, have permission for, or that is in the public domain/Creative Commons.
• Always give proper attribution (author, source, licence).
• In exams, indicate when you have used a template or external resource.

9 Audience, Email & Internet Communication

9.1 Understanding the Audience

• Age, technical skill, language proficiency, cultural background.
• Tailor tone, vocabulary, and media choice accordingly.
• Consider accessibility – captions, alt‑text, simple layouts for users with disabilities.

9.2 Email Communication

• Structure: Subject line, greeting, body, closing, signature.
• Professional etiquette – clear purpose, concise language, appropriate tone.
• Attachments – use common formats (PDF, DOCX) and keep file size < 5 MB where possible.
• E‑Safety – verify sender, avoid opening suspicious attachments, use spam filters.

9.3 Internet Communication Tools

• Web‑based forums, blogs, wikis – collaborative spaces for sharing ideas.
• Social media (Twitter, Instagram) – short‑form public communication; monitor privacy settings.
• Learning Management Systems (Moodle, Google Classroom) – central hub for assignments, announcements, feedback.

10 File Management, Images & Layout

10.1 File Management

• Folder hierarchy – use logical, consistent naming (e.g., YearTermSubject).
• File extensions – recognise .docx, .xlsx, .pptx, .pdf, .jpg, .png, .mp4.
• Backup strategies – 3‑2‑1 rule (3 copies, 2 different media, 1 off‑site).
• Version control – add version numbers (v01, v02) to filenames.

10.2 Image Editing & Optimisation

• Basic edits – cropping, resizing, rotating, colour correction.
• File formats – JPEG (photographs, lossy), PNG (transparent backgrounds, lossless), GIF (simple animation).
• Resolution – 72 dpi for web, 300 dpi for print.
• Compression – reduce file size while maintaining acceptable quality for web use.

10.3 Document Layout & Styles

• Use paragraph and character styles for consistency (headings, body text, captions).
• Apply page layout settings – margins, columns, headers/footers, page numbers.
• Insert tables, charts, and cross‑references.
• Proof‑reading tools – spell‑check, grammar check, readability statistics.

10.4 Graphs & Charts

• Choose appropriate type: bar, line, pie, histogram, scatter.
• Label axes, include units, provide a clear title.
• Use data labels or legends for clarity.
• Export as high‑resolution image for inclusion in reports or presentations.

11 Document Production (Word‑Processing)

• Creating templates – set default fonts, styles, and spacing.
• Using mail merge for personalised letters or certificates.
• Inserting hyperlinks, bookmarks, and cross‑references.
• Exporting to PDF for secure distribution.
• Collaboration – track changes, comments, and version history.

12 Database Applications

• Key Concepts

  • Fields, records, tables, primary key, foreign key.
  • Relationships – one‑to‑one, one‑to‑many, many‑to‑many.

• Design Process

  1. Identify data to be stored.
  2. Define tables and fields.
  3. Set primary keys and establish relationships.
  4. Create forms for data entry.
  5. Build queries for searching, sorting, and reporting.

• Practical Skills

  • Using Microsoft Access or LibreOffice Base.
  • Data validation (drop‑down lists, input masks).
  • Generating reports with grouping and totals.
  • Importing/exporting CSV files.

13 Spreadsheets

• Cell referencing – relative, absolute (\$A\$1) and mixed.
• Common functions – SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT, IF, VLOOKUP/HLOOKUP, CONCATENATE.
• Data validation – restrict entries, drop‑down lists.
• Charts – create and format bar, line, pie charts directly from data.
• Conditional formatting – highlight trends or outliers.
• Pivot tables – summarise large data sets.

14 Presentation Software

• Slide master – set consistent layout, fonts, colours, footers.
• Embedding media – insert video/audio clips, animations.
• Transitions vs. animations – use sparingly for professionalism.
• Presenter view – notes, timer, preview of next slide.
• Export options – PDF handout, video export, online sharing link.

15 Website Authoring

• HTML Basics – structure with <html>, <head>, <body>, headings, paragraphs, links, images.
• CSS Styling – selectors, properties (colour, margin, font‑size), external stylesheet.
• Responsive Design – media queries, flexible grids, viewport meta tag.
• Multimedia Integration – embed video (YouTube iframe), audio, interactive forms.
• Accessibility – alt‑text for images, sufficient colour contrast, keyboard navigation.
• Publishing – use web‑hosting, FTP upload, domain registration, HTTPS.

16 ICT Applications – Extended Topics (6.7 to 6.11)

• Computers in Medicine – electronic health records, diagnostic imaging, telemedicine; benefits: faster diagnosis, remote care; risks: data privacy.
• Expert Systems – AI that mimics human expertise (e.g., troubleshooting wizards); uses rule‑based logic; limitation: cannot handle situations outside its knowledge base.
• Retail Industry Applications – POS systems, inventory management, e‑commerce platforms; real‑time stock updates; security concerns with payment data.
• Recognition Systems – biometric (fingerprint, facial), OCR (optical character recognition); applications in security and data entry; issues: false‑positives, privacy.
• Satellite Systems – GPS navigation, weather monitoring, satellite TV; rely on ground stations; limitations: signal loss in urban canyons, high cost.

17 Assessment Objectives (AO) Mapping

18 Exam‑Style Practice – Sample Questions

1. AO1 – Knowledge – Define “responsive design” and give one advantage for users on mobile devices.
2. AO2 – Application – Using a word‑processor, create a one‑page school newsletter (include heading style, table of contents and an image). Explain the steps you took.
3. AO3 – Evaluation – A school wants to replace its printed notice board with a digital signage system. Discuss three advantages and two possible disadvantages, then recommend whether the change should be made.

19 Quick Reference – Key Terms Glossary

• CMS – Content Management System; software that allows easy creation and updating of website content.
• ePub – Reflowable electronic publication format.
• VPN – Virtual Private Network; provides secure remote access.
• Adaptive Bitrate – Streaming technique that adjusts video quality based on bandwidth.
• Primary Key – Unique identifier for a record in a database table.