ECDL
Syllabus Version 4.0
Module 1
Concepts of Information
Technology
1.1 General Concepts
What is a Computer?
General-purpose
Programmable
Calculates
Stores results
A computer is a general-purpose, programmable device
that is capable of calculating and storing results
What is a Computer?
Input Processing Output
1.1.1 Hardware/Software Information Technology
1.1.1.1 Understand the Basic Concepts of Hardware,
Software and Information Technology (IT).
• Hardware
– The term hardware refers to the
physical parts of a computer such as
the system unit, mouse, keyboard,
monitor etc
• Software
– The software is the set of instructions
that make the computer behave in a
given way
– Software is held either on your
computer’s hard disk, CD-ROM, DVD
or on a diskette (floppy disk) and is
loaded (i.e. copied) from the disk into
the computers RAM (Random Access
Memory), as and when required
1.1.1.1 Understand the Basic Concepts of Hardware,
Software and Information Technology (IT).
• Information Technology
– encompasses all forms of technology
used to create, store, exchange, and
use information in its various forms
(business data, voice conversations,
still images, motion pictures,
multimedia presentations, and other
forms, including those not yet
conceived)
– It's a convenient term for including
both telephony and computer
technology in the same word. It is the
technology that is driving what has
often been called "the information
revolution"
1.1.2 Types of Computer
1.1.2.1 Distinguish Between Main-frame Computer,
Network Computer, PC, Laptop and
Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)
• Make sure you understand
the following terms:
– Mainframe computer
– Network computer
– Personal computer
– Laptop computer
– Personal Digital Assistant
(PDA)
1.1.2.1 Distinguish Between Computers in Terms
of Capacity, Speed, Cost, and Typical Users.
• Mainframe Computers
– Very powerful, used by large
organisations such an banks to
control the entire business
operation. Very expensive!
• Personal Computers
– Cheap and easy to use. Often
used as stand-alone computers or
in a network. May be connected
to large mainframe computers
within big companies
1.1.2.1 Distinguish Between Computers in Terms
of Capacity, Speed, Cost, and Typical Users.
• Laptop Computer
– is a battery- or AC-powered personal
computer generally smaller than a
briefcase that can easily be transported
and conveniently used in temporary
spaces such as on airplanes, in libraries,
temporary offices and at meetings
– A laptop typically weighs less than 2½kg
and is 6cm or less in thickness
1.1.2.1 Distinguish Between Computers in Terms
of Capacity, Speed, Cost, and Typical Users.
• Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)
– is a small mobile hand-held device that
provides computing and information
storage and retrieval for personal or
business use
– Most PDAs have a small keyboard
– Some PDAs have an electronically
sensitive pad on which handwriting can
be received
– Typical uses include schedule and
address book storage and retrieval and
note-entering
– Increasingly, PDAs are combined with
telephones and paging systems
1.1.2.1 Distinguish Between Computers in Terms
of Capacity, Speed, Cost, and Typical Users.
• Suggested Task
– Draw up a simple table to make a comparison between the main types of
computer
Mainframe Network Personal
Laptop PDA
Computer Computer Computer
Capacity
Speed
Cost
Typical
Users
1.1.3 Main Parts of a Personal Computer
1.1.3.1 Know the Main Parts of a Personal Computer:
The Central Processing Unit (CPU)
• The CPU (Central Processing Unit)
is normally an Intel Pentium (or
equivalent) and it is one of the most
important components within your
computer
– It determines how fast your computer
will run and is measured by its GHz or
MHz speed
– For example, a 2.4 GHz Pentium is much
faster than a 400 MHz Pentium CPU
– It is the CPU that performs all the
calculations within the computer
1.1.3.1 Know the Main Parts of a Personal Computer:
The Hard Disk
• Hard disks are the main, large
data storage area within your
computer
• They are used to store your
operating system, your
application programs (i.e. your
word processor, games etc) and
your data
• They are much faster than CD-
ROMs and floppy disks and can
also hold much more data
1.1.3.1 Know the Main Parts of a Personal Computer:
Common Input/output Devices
Input devices Output Devices
Keyboard Monitor (VDU)
Mouse Printer
Scanner Speakers
Digital camera
1.1.3.1 Know the Main Parts of a Personal Computer:
Types of Memory
• RAM
– The RAM (Random Access
Memory) is where the operating
system is loaded and also where
your applications are copied to
when you load an application,
such as a word processor or
database program.
• ROM
– The ROM-BIOS (Read Only
Memory - Basic Input Output
System) chip is a special chip
held on your computer's system
(mother) board.
– It contains software that is
required to make your computer
work with your operating system
1.1.3.1 Know the Main Parts of a Personal Computer:
Understand the Term ‘Peripheral Device’
• A peripheral device is any
device that you can attach
to your computer
– You can attach a scanner,
printer, data projector,
speakers etc. to your system
unit
1.1.4 Computer Performance
1.1.4.1 Know Some of the Factors That
Impact on a Computer's Performance
CPU speed
RAM size
Hard disk speed and
capacity
Number of
applications running
