Personalised Feedback Sheet for IGCSE Section 1 Types and Components of Computers

Name: Sian Rhodes

Target grade:
Score on this assessment: 26/58
Grade for this assessment: E

General feedback/class needs:
The majority of you in this class really nailed this test. You clearly knew the main components of a
computer and most of you could give a definition for RAM and ROM.
Software and Hardware didnt seem to pose any problems for you, most students achieved the full 8
marks on question 8.
Common problems seemed to be that you didnt know the reasons why components such as RAM
and ROM are needed in a computer system and that Backing Storage is NOT backup!
Next, most of you seemed to struggle on things that an operating system does. Many of you told me
it was software that controls the whole system but we were looking for more in depth answers such
as handles any program errors or crashes to prevent the whole computer freezing.
Finally, the weakest area for you all was types of computers and their uses. It was clear that many of
you didnt know what a mainframe was, for example, nor the types of situations it would be used in.
Your personal targets:
1. Revise the key information of ram and rom
2. To understand backing storage and be able to explain it
3. To revise the components and their functions
Review
One question I got the marks on was who would use a desktop computer give 2 examples I got the
2 marks by putting down 2 examples that I know from the lessons we had on the types of computer.
One question I got nearly all the marks right was who would use a mainframe computer give 2
examples I gave 2 examples however I only got one right. I put down banks and business and
business was wrong.
One question I got completely got wrong was what does PDA stand for? I answered the question
completely wrong because I didnt know the answer. The answer was personal digital assistant.
Challenge/Extension
You will have been allocated an exam question to further your knowledge or help you to overcome a
misconception. Copy out the question here in full and answer it.
1. Explain why computers have both backing storage and RAM:
The computer has backing storage and RAM because ram will do the saving now by saving the
data and software. However when we are done with the work it sends it to the backing storage
to save the work.

2. Descried 3 drawbacks of using a command line interface (CIL) operating system:
1 doesnt have a mouse
2 need to learn the keys on the key board to be able to work on the computer
3 it is boarding looking