Cambridge IGCSE ICT – Complete Syllabus Notes

1 Hardware Fundamentals

Typical uses in schools

• Desktop PCs for classroom work.
• Laptops for student research and presentations.
• Servers for file‑sharing and learning‑management systems.

2 Input & Output (I/O) Devices

3 Storage Devices & Media

File‑management basics

• Folders → hierarchical organisation.
• File naming conventions – avoid spaces, use underscores, include version numbers.
• File extensions indicate format (e.g., .docx, .xlsx, .png).
• Regular backup (external drive or cloud) to prevent data loss.

4 Networking & the Internet

Safety & security in networks

• Firewalls – block unauthorised inbound/outbound traffic.
• Antivirus/anti‑malware – scan files & real‑time protection.
• Strong passwords, two‑factor authentication.
• Encryption – HTTPS, VPNs for secure data transmission.
• Data‑protection legislation (e.g., GDPR) – obtain consent, store data securely.

5 Effects of ICT

• Positive effects: Improves communication, supports learning, increases productivity, enables remote work.
• Negative effects: Digital divide, cyber‑bullying, privacy concerns, environmental impact of e‑waste.
• Ethical considerations: Plagiarism, copyright, responsible use of social media.

6 ICT Applications & Uses

7 Research Methods (Analysis of the Current System)

7.1 Observation

7.2 Interviews

7.3 Questionnaires

7.4 Examination of Existing Documents

7.5 Comparison of the Four Methods

7.6 Recording & Storing Findings (AO3 – Analyse)

• Observation notes – field notes or video; label with date, time, location, observer.
• Interview artefacts – audio recordings, transcripts, coded themes.
• Questionnaire data – raw sheets or digital export; assign unique IDs.
• Document analysis – bibliography, summary tables, relevance notes.

All artefacts must be stored in password‑protected folders or encrypted drives and retained only for the period required by the project brief, in line with e‑Safety and data‑protection regulations.

7.7 Selecting a Research Method – Decision Criteria (AO2 – Apply)

1. Define the information needed – depth (detailed insight) vs. breadth (large sample).
2. Consider resources – time, budget, equipment, personnel.
3. Assess the target audience – accessibility, willingness, language/ability constraints.
4. Identify ethical requirements – consent, confidentiality, data‑protection.
5. Match criteria to method strengths (see comparison table).
6. Justify the final choice(s) in a short paragraph, referencing at least two decision criteria.

7.8 Quick‑Check Activity (AO1–AO3)

Scenario: A secondary school wants to replace its current timetable‑management software. The ICT team must understand how teachers currently create timetables, what problems they face, and how satisfied they are with the existing system.

1. Recall (AO1): List the four research methods covered.
2. Apply (AO2): Choose two methods that together would give the most useful information for this project. Explain why, using at least two decision‑criteria from section 7.7.
3. Analyse (AO3): Identify one ethical issue for each selected method and suggest a way to address it.

8 Safety & Security (e‑Safety)

• Strong passwords – minimum 8 characters, mix of letters, numbers, symbols.
• Two‑factor authentication (2FA) for school accounts.
• Regular software updates – patch vulnerabilities.
• Antivirus & anti‑malware scans.
• Firewalls – hardware (router) and software.
• Backing up data – 3‑2‑1 rule (3 copies, 2 media types, 1 off‑site).
• Safe internet use – recognise phishing, avoid suspicious links, report cyber‑bullying.
• Legal aspects – copyright, licences, GDPR/Data Protection Act.

9 Understanding Audiences

10 Communication & Collaboration Tools

• Email – formal communication, attachments, archiving.
• Instant messaging (e.g., Teams, Slack) – quick queries, group chats.
• Video‑conferencing – remote lessons, webinars.
• Collaborative documents – Google Docs, Office 365; real‑time editing, version control.
• Learning‑Management Systems – assignment submission, grading, forums.

11 File Management & Organisation

• Folder hierarchy – e.g., Year 10/Science/Experiments/2025‑03‑12.
• Consistent naming – ReportYear10Science2025v2.docx.
• Version control – keep previous versions, use dates or version numbers.
• Metadata – author, keywords, creation date to aid searching.
• Backup strategy – local external drive + cloud sync.

12 Working with Images

13 Layout, Styles & Proofing

• Layout: Use grids, consistent margins, headings, and white‑space for readability.
• Styles: Apply paragraph and character styles (fonts, sizes, colours) for uniformity and easy updates.
• Proofing tools: Spell‑check, grammar check, thesaurus, readability statistics.
• Accessibility checks: Alt‑text for images, sufficient colour contrast, logical heading order.

14 Graphs & Charts

Creating effective graphs

• Title that explains what is being shown.
• Label axes with units.
• Use a suitable scale – avoid distortion.
• Include a legend if multiple data series.

15 Document Production (Word Processing)

• Templates – standardise letters, reports, newsletters.
• Headers/Footers – page numbers, document title, date.
• Tables – organise data; use sorting & formulas where needed.
• Mail merge – generate personalised letters or certificates.
• Export options – PDF for fixed formatting, DOCX for editing.

16 Database Fundamentals

Simple relational database example – School Library

• Books (BookID, Title, Author, ISBN)
• Members (MemberID, Name, YearGroup)
• Loans (LoanID, BookID FK, MemberID FK, LoanDate, ReturnDate)

17 Presentation Software

• Slide master – set consistent layout, fonts, colours.
• Multimedia – embed videos, audio, animations (use sparingly).
• Transitions – enhance flow, avoid over‑use.
• Presenter view – notes, timer, preview of next slide.
• Export – PDF for handouts, video for online sharing.

18 Spreadsheets

Practical example – Budget for a school event

• Columns: Item, Quantity, Unit Cost, Total Cost.
• Formula in Total Cost: =B2*C2.
• Grand total using =SUM(D2:D10).

19 Website Authoring (HTML & CSS Basics)

• HTML tags – structure content (<h1>, <p>, <img>, <a href="">).
• Attributes – provide extra information (e.g., src, alt for images).
• CSS – separates style from content; selectors, properties, values (e.g., p {color: #003366;}).
• Responsive design – use relative units (%, em) and media queries.
• Accessibility – alt text, semantic tags (<nav>, <header>), keyboard navigation.

Simple HTML page example

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<title>School ICT Club</title>
<style>
body {font-family: Arial, sans-serif; margin:20px;}
h1 {color:#006699;}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<h1>Welcome to the ICT Club</h1>
<p>We explore coding, robotics and web design.</p>
<img src="club.jpg" alt="Students working on a robot">
</body>
</html>

20 Assessment Objectives (AO1‑AO3) – How to Tackle the Exams

• AO1 – Knowledge & Understanding: Recall facts, definitions, and describe processes. Use bullet points and labelled diagrams.
• AO2 – Application: Choose appropriate tools/techniques, solve practical tasks, justify decisions (e.g., select a suitable research method).
• AO3 – Analysis & Evaluation: Interpret data, compare alternatives, assess advantages/disadvantages, suggest improvements.

Exam tips

1. Read the command word (list, describe, compare, justify, evaluate).
2. Allocate time – 40 % of the paper is practical (Paper 2/3). Practice using the software.
3. Show working – even for MCQs, mark the steps in a margin.
4. Use correct terminology – “primary key”, “latency”, “responsive design”, etc.
5. Proofread – check spelling of technical terms, ensure units are included.

21 Practice Tasks (Paper 2 & Paper 3 Samples)

1. Hardware – Identify each component in a labelled diagram of a PC.
2. Spreadsheets – Create a budget sheet with formulas for total, average and conditional formatting for overspend.
3. Databases – Design a simple relational database for a school timetable (tables, primary keys, relationships).
4. Presentation – Produce a 5‑slide slide‑show on “The Impact of Social Media on Young People”, using slide master and appropriate graphics.
5. Website authoring – Write HTML/CSS for a two‑column layout with a navigation bar and a footer.
6. Research methods – Using the scenario in section 7.8, write a short report (150‑200 words) recommending the chosen methods and outlining the ethical safeguards.

Attempt each task under timed conditions, then compare your answer with the marking scheme excerpts provided in the official Cambridge teacher’s guide.