MODULE: COMPUTER INTEGRATION IN THE CLASSROOM (FDEME3-L)

ASSIGNMENT 02 MEMORANDUM 2012

NOTES:

1. This memorandum is only a guideline for the allocation of marks. Many answers may be
possible in a particular question. Always judge whether the student’s answer is relevant, true
and valid in the context of the question.

2. In any question the principle of one mark for one relevant and valid fact/argument is applied.

3. Students must describe their answers in their own words. Quotations from the study material
are totally unacceptable and should carry a penalty of at least 80%.

4. Be on the lookout for assignments that were copied from previous memoranda. Mark them
normally but keep them apart and hand them to the lecturer (such students will be heavily
penalised).

5. Be also on the lookout for assignments that are exact copies of each other. Mark them
normally but make a clear note that they are copies and hand them over to the lecturer.

Question 1 [25]

(a) Reasons why KSS is not successful in integrating technology in teaching, learning and
administration (10)

MEMO: Any five reasons described with two valid and relevant facts/arguments/statements each, for
example ( x5=10):

 The school’s technology equipment for administration is outdated and insufficient for the
needs.
 The school’s technology equipment for learning is insufficient for the number of learners.
 The principal/school does not have a vision for integrating technology in teaching and learning.

 A technology vision is not shared with the stakeholders (teachers, learners and parents).
 The stakeholders are not enthusiastic and motivated to implement and integrate technology in
teaching, learning and/or administration.
 There is no person/contract/service available to maintain the IT properly.
 There is no IT coordinator to manage, schedule, monitor and control the use of the technology
by teachers and learners.
 There is no long term technology plan for implementing in order to meet the needs of the
school.
 There is no budget for maintaining the equipment and purchasing new equipment.
 The teachers are not trained in implementing and integrating technology in teaching and
learning.

(b) Five major steps/interventions for KSS to succeed in IT in teaching, learning and
administration. (10)

MEMO: Any five valid and relevant major steps/interventions two valid and relevant
facts/arguments/statements each, from the following main areas ( x2=10):
  Technology vision: The principal/school should develop a vision of how technology can
support teaching, learning and administration in the school, and this vision should be shared with
all stakeholders
 Technology plan: The school should develop a technology plan for implementation in the
immediate future to meet the needs, including a budget to finance it
 Teacher training: All teachers should receive proper training in integrating technology in
teaching and learning (or should receive proper training to become computer, information
and integration literate )
 IT infrastructure: The school’s IT infrastructure should be upgraded with sufficient hardware
and appropriate software to meet the teaching, learning and administration needs.
 IT coordinator: The school should appoint an IT coordinator to manage, schedule, monitor
and control the use of the technology by teachers and learners, and ensure that equipment is
properly maintained.
 Departmental support: The education support should the school in terms of, for example,
organising training for the teachers, providing more equipment, and maintenance of the
equipment.
 Security: Make arrangements to safeguard the school’s hardware, software and data against
any kind of loss.

(c) Five ways in which the education department can support KSS to succeed in integrating IT in
teaching, learning and administration. (5)

MEMO: Any five valid and relevant ways of supporting such as the following ( x5=5):

 Organise training for teachers in integrating technology in teaching and learning

 Provide sufficient hardware and software to properly integrate technology in teaching, learning
and administration.
 Arrange maintenance contracts for the school’s IT infrastructure
 Provide staff to support and coach teachers in integrating technology in teaching and learning
 Provide funding for purchasing, expanding and maintaining the school’s IT infrastructure.

Question 2 [25]

(a) Operating system and its role (or function) (4)

MEMO: (Microsoft) Windows

Any three relevant and valid facts/arguments/statements about the role/function of an operating system
(3x =3), such as:

 It controls the operations of the computer and its devices

 It coordinates all the activities of the hardware devices in a computer
 It allows a user to run application software (i.e. it serves as the interface between the user and
application software)
 It assigns processors to different tasks being performed by the computer system
 It allocates main memory and other storage areas to the system programmes as well as application
programs and data
 It co-ordinates and assigns different output and input device while one or more system and
application programs are being executed
 It handles the management of files on various storage devices
 It establishes and enforces a priority system in which jobs are executed on a computer system
 It interprets and executes the commands and instructions of programs

(b) The operations of the machine cycle. (4)

MEMO: The following four operations

 (1) Fetching an instruction
(2) Decoding the instruction
(3) Executing the instruction
(4) Storing the result
(c) The subcomponent of the component of the system unit that is responsible for the machine
cycyle (2)

MEMO: The control unit of the central processing unit (CPU) or processor

(d) Contents of the RAM when using a computer to calculate the average of a subject’s
examination marks. (3)

MEMO:

 (Part of) the operating system Windows

 (Part of) the application program such as a spreadsheet
 The data (examination marks)

(e) Six input devices that one could expect to find on the computers of the school’s educational
LAN. (3)

MEMO: Any six relevant and valid specific input devices such as the following (½ x 6 = 3) – use of
the word “devices”, for example “pointing devices”, is not acceptable – specific devices must be
named:

Keyboard
Mouse
Modem
Network interface cards
Memory stick (flash drive)
CD/DVD drive (player)
Digital camera
Microphone
Optical scanner
Interactive whiteboard

(f) Six output devices that one could expect to find on the computers of the school’s educational
LAN. (3)

MEMO: Any six relevant and valid specific output devices such as the following (½ x 6 = 3) – use of
the word “devices”, for example “audio devices”, is not acceptable – specific devices must be named:
:

Monitor/screen
Printer
Data projector
Modem
Network interface card
Memory stick (flash drive)
CD/DVD drive (player)
Speaker
Fax machine
Interactive whiteboard

(g) Capacities of the following:

 MEMO:

Hard disk: Anything between 100 Gigabyte (Gb) and 3 Terabyte (Tb) (2)
Central processing unit (CPU): Anything between 1 – 4 Gigahertz (GHz) (2)
Screen: Anything between 15 – 25 “ (inches) (2)
Question 3 [25]

(a) Identify and describe (in at least two sentences each) five broad knowledge areas (or main
topics) that you would recommend for training the teachers of KSS in integrating IT into
teaching and learning in the classroom. (10)

MEMO: Any five relevant and valid broad knowledge areas (or main topics) for teacher training with
two relevant and valid facts/arguments/statements about each – there should be at least one broad
knowledge area from each of the three literacies: computer, information and integration literacies (5 x
= 10) - such as:

Computer The hardware and software of computers

literacy General uses of computers, e.g. word processing, spreadsheets and databases
Information The Internet as information resource and its basic
litercay services/facilities/affordances
Searching specific information on the Internet using a search engine
Evaluation criteria for evaluating the appropriateness of Internet information for
teaching and learning purposes
Internet communication for teaching and learning purposes
Integration Combining appropriate technology with teaching and learning strategies
literacy Technology uses in teaching
Technology uses in learning

(b) Five types of technology tools (application packages) for use in learning activities, and
examples. (10)

MEMO: Any five of the following types of application packages, each with an authentic application
in a teaching task (5 x = 10):

NOTES: 1. It must be types of application packages. If names of application packages are given,
allocate only ½ a mark.

2. The examples must be learning specific, i.e. it must describe a tool used for a learning-
relevant purpose

e-mail + an authentic and learning-specific application in a learning task

Web browser + an authentic and learning-specific application in a learning task
Word processor + an authentic and learning-specific application in a learning task
Spreadsheet + an authentic and learning-specific application in a learning task
Database + an authentic and learning-specific application in a learning task
Presentation graphics + an authentic and learning-specific application in a learning task

(c) Five possible types of IT uses in a school’s administration and management. (5)

MEMO: Any five relevant and valid uses of IT in the school’s administration and management (5 x =
5)- the tool must be mentioned, for example:

 Use a word processor to create official documents

 Use a spreadsheet to do calculations, e.g. a school budget
 Use presentation graphics to communicate info/ideas about various to school audiences
  Use e-mail to send and receive official messages
 Use a Web browser to Transfer teacher’s salaries into their bank accounts
 Keep an online diary for senior management
 Use a Web browser to visit official Web sites to get information
 Use a database to record of staff and learners.
Question 4 [25]

(a) The security situation of KSS’s hardware, software and data, and recommendations of how it
can be improved. (10)

MEMO: Any five of the following security dangers and a precaution/safeguard against each one (5 x
= 10):

 Computer viruses – install antivirus programs with regular updates

 Unauthorised access by hackers/crackers – install a firewall
 Information theft – encrypt the data
 Hardware theft – install burglar proofing and access control systems
 System failure – make regular backups
 S/w theft – lock original package away, keep product keys confidential, etc.

(b) Describe (in at least two sentences each) three advantages and three disadvantages (or
dangers) that Internet access can have for the school’s staff and learners. (12)

MEMO: Any three relevant and valid advantages of using the Internet in a school, described with two
facts/arguments/statements each (3 x = 6), and any three relevant and valid disadvantages
(dangers) of using the Internet in a school, described with two facts/arguments/statements each (3 x
= 6). For example:

Advantages:

 Teachers and learners have access to lots of information that can support teaching and learning
activities.
 Teachers and learners can communicate with experts outside the classroom to support teachers
and learners in their teaching and learning tasks.
 Teachers and learners can publish the results of their research tasks on the Internet for others to
review and comment on.

Disadvantages:

 The teachers and learners may be exposed to information that is false, incorrect, biased,
discriminating, degrading, etc. – in other words information/material that is unsuitable for use in
teaching and learning
 Teachers and especially learners may come in contact with undesirable characters that can
cause great harm and grieve.
 The computers that teachers and learners are working on can become infected with viruses.
 Teachers and learners can fall prey to phising, scam and other fraudulent attempts.

(c) Many school’s have their own Web sites nowadays. What do you think are its advantages?
(3)

MEMO: Any three valid and relevant advantages such as the following examples:
To advertise the school to parents and learners and the broader community
To disseminate information regarding:
School vision, mission, history, policies, rules, fees, etc.
Staff and their contact details
 Academic programme (terms, test and exam time tables, etc.)
Cultural programme
Sport programme
TPA activities
To provide inquiry and feedback facilities for parents in the community