Unit 1

The Online World

Learning Aim A –
Investigate online services
and online communication

Bradley Emmens

1
Contents
LAA 01a: Online Services – Starter Task.................................................................................................3
LAA 01b: Online Services – Knowledge Check.......................................................................................4
LAA 01c: Online Services – Exam Questions Check................................................................................7
LAA 02a: Online Advertising – Knowledge Check..................................................................................9
LAA 02b: Online Advertising – Exam Questions Check........................................................................12
LAA 03a: Online Documents I – Starter Task.......................................................................................13
LAA 03b: Online Documents I – Knowledge Check..............................................................................14
LAA 03c: Online Documents I – Exam Questions Check.......................................................................17
LAA 04a: Online Documents II – Starter Task......................................................................................19
LAA 04b: Online Documents II – Knowledge Check.............................................................................20
LAA 04c: Online Documents II – Exam Questions Check......................................................................22
LAA 05a: Online Communication – Starter Task..................................................................................24
LAA 05b: Online Communication – Knowledge Check.........................................................................27
LAA 05c: Online Communication – Exam Questions Check.................................................................31
LAA 06a: Cloud Computing and Ubiquitous Computing - Case Studies...............................................34
LAA 06b: Cloud Computing and Ubiquitous Computing - Knowledge Check.......................................35
LAA 06c: Cloud Computing and Ubiquitous Computing – Exam Questions Check...............................37

2
LAA 01a: Online Services – Starter Task

1/. What is an online service?

An online service is any information and services provided to a user over the internet

2/. List different types of online services

Email ecommerce streaming

3/. Using your list of online services above, organise them into categories.

Two category examples have been given to you:

Communication Entertainment

Email Podcasts
Social Networking Radio
Online Conferencing Tv players
blogs Multiplayer games
Newsgroups
Instant messaging
Education Commerce

Online learning Internet banking

Virtual learning environment Online auction websites
Retail sales
Publishing

3
LAA 01b: Online Services – Knowledge Check

1/. Using the following statements, match them to their correct category:
This service focuses on moving data between users. Online storage

This service allows people to get up-to-date information on how society Realtime information
is functioning.
This service involves businesses purchasing stock and selling it to Commerce
potential customers. It also allows society to manage their finances.
This service allows companies to get public attention by paying fees to Advertising
popular websites for a limited time.
This service involves businesses using different software packages and Business
websites to make their business more efficient and to save money.
This service involves public services such as government bodies such Government
as the HMRC, DVLA and local council.
This service provides users access to back up their files, access and Online storage
share them.
This service allows society to use, purchase and share different media Communication
products legally for their enjoyment.
This service provides students with access to teaching and learning Education
resources outside of the classroom.
This service allows society to use it for leisure and for fun, such as Entertainment
playing video games or relaxing to a video.

2/. Sort the following types of online services into their categories:

Communication Real Time Information

Email Flight status update

Social networking News services
Online conferencing Train timetables
Newsgroups Traffic reports
Instant messaging Weather
Blogs News services

Commerce Government

4
 Retail sales Revenue (tax) collection
Publishing Renewing car tax
Online auction websites Online tax returns
Internet banking E-voting
Application for services or grants

 Applications for services or grants  Online conferencing

 Blogs  Online tax returns
 Email  Publishing (e.g. Kindle on Amazon)
 E-voting  Renewing car tax
 Flight status updates  Retail sales (e.g. HMV, Teso.com)
 Instant messaging  Revenue (tax) collection
 Internet banking  Social networking
 News services  Traffic reports
 Newsgroups  Train timetables
 Online auction websites (e.g. eBay)  Weather

3/. Which of the following is an example of an online commerce service?

Remember commerce means business and business is about making money – so
commerce services involve money in some way.

A Train Timetable B Online Auction Site

C Online Tax return D E -Voting Website

4/. Which of the following is not a real-time online service?

A Instant messaging B Live bus timetable
C Pollen count website D News App

5/. Sort four more types of online services into their categories:
Education Entertainment

eStudy Online gaming

Online learning for learners Radio players
Online training Music and radio station websites
On demand films
Catch up tv

Downloading Business

5
upgrades Business networks
software
music and film Video conferencing
Collaborative working
RemoteNet

 ‘eStudy’  Online gaming

 ‘RemoteNet’  Online learning for learners (e.g. BBC Bitesize)
 Business networks  Online training
 Catch-up TV  Radio players
 Collaborative working  Software
 Music and film  Upgrades
 Music and radio station websites  Video conferencing
 On-demand films

6
LAA 01c: Online Services – Exam Questions Check

1/. The image shows an example of an online shopping website.

Online shopping is an example of which of the following?
Select one of the answers. (1 mark)

A: Pay-per-click
B: Entertainment
C: Instant Messaging
D: Commerce

2/. Almira is travelling to Spain to visit family. She needs to check her flight time
online.
Which type of online service would she use? Select one of the answers. (1 mark)

A: Entertainment
B: Download services
C: Real-time information
D: Communication

3/. Which online service would make use of video conferencing?

Which type of online service would be used? Select one of the answers. (1 mark)

A: Download services
B: Real-time information
C: E-voting
D: Business

4/. Two uses of online services are shown.

Match each use with the online service. (2 marks) Application for grants = government
Internet banking = commerce

7
5/. Podcasts, radio/tv players and multiplayer games are examples of which online
service:
Select one of the answers. (1 mark)

A: Business
B: Communication
C: Entertainment
D: Commerce

6/. Identify two types of online services used by government:

Select two of the answers. (2 marks)

A: Compression
B: Revenue collection
C: Password provision
D: Applications for services
E: Netiquette

Total:

8
/ 8 marks

LAA 02a: Online Advertising – Knowledge Check

1/. Describe the term online advertising

Online advertising is a means promoting products and services using the internet

2/. Give two reasons why online advertising is used

It can be used to spread marketing messages widely to consumers
It can also be used to drive traffic to your site build brand awareness

3/. Identify three methods of online advertising

Pay per click
Pop up
banners

9
4/. Look at the advertising methods below and identify each one.

5/. Briefly explain how search engine advertising works:

6/. What are the main purposes of

banner and pop-up advertisements?

A Animated to capture user B Avoid web traffic

attention
C Guide web traffic D Capture e-mail addresses

10
7/. What is pay-per-click advertising?
Pay per click advertising implements the affiliate model by providing purchasing
opportunities to customers and allowing a financial incentive to another website.
Advertisements or links to a company’s site are placed on other websites and in return the
affiliate site receives a percentage of the income for any new visitors.

8/. Complete the statement below describing the affiliate model:

The affiliate model is implemented in pay per click advertising to provide

Financial incentives to other websites (affiliates).

Advertisements or links to a company’s website are placed on other websites (affiliates).

For any new visitor that accesses the advertised site, the affiliate site will
receive a percentage of the income.

You may only use each word once:

link
visitor
political
affiliate
websites
financial
pay per click
email
affiliates
search engine
9/. Why might an ownerincentives
of a website and an advertiser want to be involved with an
percentage
affiliate model of online advertising?
The owner of the website gets paid a percentage of visitors the advertisers get and an
advertiser gets visitors for their site

10/. What is e-mail advertising?

Companies can use emails to send advertisements to customers however customers
often see this type of advertising as spam if it is sent regularly and in bulk

11
11/. State one advantage and disadvantage of e-mail advertising
Advantage Disadvantage
You can send it to multiple people at once Seen as spam

12/. State three effective features of online advertising

Design features

Retain customer interest

Responsiveness

LAA 02b: Online Advertising – Exam Questions Check

1/. E-mail is a method to advertise new offers and products available online. One
advantage of e-mail advertising is speed of delivery.
State one disadvantage of using e-mail advertising. (1 mark)

It can be seen as spam if it is sent regularly

2/. Search engines are a method used to advertise a business online. One
disadvantage of search engine advertising is that it can be expensive.

12
Explain two disadvantages, other than cost, of using search engines as an online advertising
method. (4 marks)

1/. Purchasing keywords can be expensive

2/.Vague use of keywords could mean traffic visits generate little to no sales

Total:

/ 5 marks

LAA 03a: Online Documents I – Starter Task

1/. Use the descriptions provided to identify their terms, then organise them into the
table.

Term Description

Online Storage This is another type of online service. Many

(Cloud) organisations are providing services for customers to

13
 store and backup data on their computers. Files can
be made available and sharable with others.
Upload This term describes how data is sent from a system
to a different system so a copy can be stored.
Download This term describes how a copy of data is retrieved
from a system and stored onto another.
Data Backup This is a method of making copies of files. These
copies can be retrieved if disaster recovery is
needed.
File Access This gives you permission to read, write, archive,
delete, open and close online documents.
File Sharing This gives you permission to allow online documents
to be accessed by others for viewing or
collaboration.
Descriptions:
This is a method of making copies of files. These copies can be retrieved if disaster recovery
Terms: is needed.
Online
Storage This gives you permission to allow online documents to be accessed by others for viewing or
(Cloud) collaboration.

Upload
This term describes how data is sent from a system to a different system so a copy can be
Download stored.
Data
This is another type of online service. Many organisations are providing services for
Backup
customers to store and backup data on their computers. Files can be made available and
File Access sharable with others.
File Sharing
This term describes how a copy of data is retrieved from a system and stored onto another.

This gives you permission to read, write, archive, delete, open and close online documents.

LAA 03b: Online Documents I – Knowledge Check

1/. Describe the term online documents

Online documents are digital files that are held on a computer that can be accessed,
edited and shared from anywhere

14
2/. Identify four types of online documents
Word
powerpoint
spreadsheet
pdf

3/. Which of the following statements are TRUE about online data storage?
A You can store and backup B You can access your files
data
C You can make files available D Other people can make files
and sharable to others available and sharable to you

4/. Use the descriptions to identify the service that online data storage provides.

Service Description
Upload/Download This is a method of making copies of files.
These copies can then be retrieved if
disaster recovery is needed.

File access This gives you permission to read, write,

archive, delete, open and close online
documents.

File sharing This gives you permission to allow online

documents to be accessed by others for
viewing or collaboration.

5/. Define the term upload and give an example

Send data from a system to a different system so a copy can be stored. You can upload stuff to
one drive to store so you have a copy.

6/. Define the term download and give an example

Retrieving a copy of data from one system to another. You can download copies to

15
7/. Which of the following can have an impact on the quality of file transmissions
between users?

A File Sizes B Speed

C Network Usage D File Names

8/. What is the name of the method used to reduce file sizes?
Compression

9/. Complete the statements below describing the method:

Data compression reduces the data size of files. The original files
are converted into zip files. An algorithm is used to compress the files, this is
a mathematical step-by-step sequence used to work out calculations and carry out
instructions.

A zip file contains an index, this is the last item showing the placement of each
of the data files and allows other files to be added. Files can also be expanded
to extract the data as they were originally.

You may only use each word once:

added zip
algorithm instructions
Data placement
original index
compression calculations
expanded

10/. Why might someone want to use compression software?

To lower the size of the file so they can send it through an email

11/. State three advantages of online documents

Easily accessible

16
 Collaborative working
Automatic backup

12/. Describe why they are advantages – give one reason for each.
Advantage Reason
Easily accessible Allows to use documents on multiple
devices
Collaborative working Allows you to work with others on the same
document at the same time
Automatic backup Allows you to save your work online and
auto saves every time a change is made

LAA 03c: Online Documents I – Exam Questions Check

1/. File compression is used when transferring files

17
Identify two reasons for compress files. (2 marks)

To achieve faster file downloads

To ensure files do not contain a virus
To reduce storage space required
To ensure files are not corrupted
To increase file safety
2/. When Olivia sends files over the
internet, she sometimes needs to
compress them.
Identify two reasons why Olivia would compress files. (2 marks)

Transfer time for compressed files is reduced

Compressing files ensures version control
Multiple files can be sent in a single compressed folder
Compressing files checks the data for errors
Higher security levels apply to compressed files

3/. File extensions show a file has been compressed.

a) Identify one file extension that shows a file has been compressed. (1 mark)

.pub
.doc
.zip
.xls

b) Identify the method used in file compression. (1 mark)

Formula
Algorithm
Query
Permission

4/. Large files can be compressed to make uploading and downloading faster
a) Explain how text files are compressed. (2 marks)

Text file compression uses a dictionary-based algorithm by organising the data

into numbered lists. The compression software searches for patterns to include in
a dictionary so that repeated words and redundant data can be removed. This
would reduce the file size

b) Explain how image files are compressed. (2 marks)

Image file compression can use lossly compression such as JPEG or PNG file
format. If there are small variations of coloured pixels in an image in close

18
proximity, data size can be reduced by reusing shades of colour.

Total:

/ 10 marks

19
 LAA 04a: Online Documents II – Starter Task

Standalone vs Online Software

1/. Look at the statements below and identify whether they relate to standalone or
online software.

Standalone Online

Advantages

Disadvantages

Statements:
It installs onto the hard drive and does not require internet access.

It allows many people to share a version of a document.

Without an internet connection, documents can be inaccessible.

It has added security (backed up and updated automatically)

It does not offer backup services.

The service may go offline or bankrupt, taking your documents away.

It runs faster than online software if there is a poor connection.

Hackers pose a greater threat to access your documents unauthorised.

Encourages collaborative working meaning other people can work on a document at the same time.

Users cannot update a shared version at any one time. (Each version is unique to the user).

20
LAA 04b: Online Documents II – Knowledge Check

1/. State the difference between standalone software and online software

2/. Identify two benefits of using online software as opposed to standalone software
1/.

2/.

3/. Which of the following statements are TRUE about online software?
A Allows many people to use B It can automatically back up
and share versions of and update your files
documents
C It is installed on the hard drive D It offers manageability for
version control

4/. Identify two drawbacks of using online software

1/.

2/.

5/. What is a repository?

A ____________ is a ___________ that allows you to __________ older

___________ of your documents. Documents can be ___________ to the
repository
to track any ___________ made. This allows other users to ____________ the
most up-to-date version.

Selection of words: committed versions

server system 21 changes
download delete create
repository backup hide
6/. Two IT students; Simon and Francoise have just started working on a
collaborative document.

a) Give one reason why version control could be used

b) Describe one way they could ensure version control is used

7/. State three levels of access that administrators can impose on documents

8/. Write a description for each level of access

Level of Access Description

22
LAA 04c: Online Documents II – Exam Questions Check

1/. File permission for online documents are used to prevent unauthorised access.
Identify two types of file permission. (2 marks)

Read only
Low control
Share only
High control
Full control

2/. Ruth wants to share an online document with Jasper and Zain. Ruth will give
them read/write file permission.
Explain two reasons why Ruth would give read/write file permission to Jasper and Zain when
sharing the online document. (4 marks)

3/. One advantage of using online software to create documents is that files can be
shared.

a) State two other advantages of using online software to create documents. (2 marks)

b) State two reasons why it is important to control levels of access when sharing files.
(2 marks)

4/. Jim and Laura use online software to work collaboratively to produce a joint
presentation.

a) Explain one advantage to Jim and Laura of using online software for collaborative
working. (2 marks)

23
 b) Explain one disadvantage to Jim and Laura of using online software for collaborative
working.
(2 marks)

Total:

/ 14 marks

24
 LAA 05a: Online Communication – Starter Task

1/. List as many ways people can communicate

2/. Categorise how these communications are used

Entertainment Blogging Instant

Messaging

3/. What are online communities?

4/. Identify other rules and guidelines of online netiquette

5/. Match the following information exchanges to their correct description:

25
 - Web logs (blogs)
- Wikis
- Chatrooms
- Podcasts
- Microblogging sites

Information Exchanges Description

(Online Tool)
These are websites that provide information to visitors of the site.
Pages are frequently updated by contributors to ensure information is
accurate. These are common sites for research purposes.

These are audio and/or video files that can be downloaded from the
internet. These are often found on popular websites such as
YouTube and Twitch.

These are websites that allow users to create and exchange very
short text entries. A popular example of this type of site is Twitter.

These are websites that allow users to share their personal

experiences and thoughts on topics and current events. These
typically text, images and sometimes video content.

This tool provides large interactive online communities to get together

and participate in the same conversation or topic at the same time.

6/. Identify advantages and disadvantages of using social networking and instant
messaging:

Advantages Disadvantages
Social
Networking

Instant
Messaging

26
7/. What do you think Voice over Internet Protocol is?

8/. State any forms or services that offer VoIP communications

9/. State any advantages and disadvantages using VoIP

10/. State any advantages and disadvantages using VLE’s

27
LAA 05b: Online Communication – Knowledge Check

1/. Describe the term online communication

2/. Identify four methods of how people can communicate online

1) 2)

3) 4)

3/. Give two reasons why people use contemporary (modern) social media
1)

2)

4/. What is an online community?

5/. What does the term network of friends refer to?

A A group of people who have B A group of people who are
just met and need to join an adding you as friend to see
online community to talk. your profile.

C A group of people who keep in D A group of people who you

regular contact in an online communicate with in real life.
community.

6/. What is a virtual world? Give an example.

28
7/. Identify the term netiquette

8/. State two examples of negative netiquette

1)

2)

9/. Select the statement that best describes ‘information exchanges’

A Any user who can share B A selection of tools that
information with anyone on allows social media to reveal
any social media site. information about online
communities.

C A selection of tools that allows D A method to allow anyone on

online communities to publish, the internet to access your
access and exchange information and contact you.
information using social media.

10/. State two advantages of social networking

1)

2)

11/. State two advantages of instant messaging

1)

2)

29
12/. What are the disadvantages of social networking?

A People are more likely to share B People can pretend to be a

personal information (losing friend of yours by creating a
privacy) fake profile.

C It allows people to keep in D The internet cannot

touch with you. guarantee the removal of
information shared.

13/. What are the disadvantages of instant messaging?

A People can pretend to be a B Using IM as an alternative to

friend of yours by creating a a mobile phone can reduce
fake profile. the cost.

C Communication between two D People can send attachments

people can cause that can cause viruses to
misunderstandings. spread.

14/. Describe the term Voice over Internet Protocol.

15/. State two forms or services that offer VoIP communications

1)

2)

16/. Select the advantages (in green) and the disadvantages (in red) of VoIP

A Allows contact anywhere in the B Distorted voice quality

world.

C Reliant on the quality of a D Online streaming and

broadband connection. conferencing.

30
 E Identity theft, viruses, F Travel, venue and
spamming and phishing. environment costs.

17/. Complete the statements below describing Virtual Learning Environments:

Learning providers can create a ______________ as a VLE to _____________

resources, support ___________ , submit assignments and assess progress

online.

The system is a ____________ world that ___________ the real world of

education because it shows how __________ and _____________ would interact.

Some VLE’s can work in ___________ _____________ and allow learners to

_____________ by using microphones, speakers and/or ___________

exchanges.

Words:
learners text time communicate
distribute teachers learning virtual
real mirrors community

31
LAA 05c: Online Communication – Exam Questions Check

1/. Which of these is not a method of online communication? (1 mark)

Blog updates
Fibre optic
Social networking
Email messages

2/. Identify two key terms used in online communication. (2 marks)

Upgrading
Chat
Database
Training
Netiquette

3/. Identify two types of real-time communication over the internet using speech and
live video. (2 marks)
Online forum
Email
VoIP
Web conferencing
Blog

4/. Identify two examples of social media. (2 marks)

Email
IMAP
Wiki
Bluetooth
Blog

5/. Andrew prefers playing online multi-user computer games rather than single-user
games
Identify two reasons why online multi-user games are popular. (2 marks)

Other players are available at any time

The graphics are always high quality
They allow players to communicate with each other
There are no age restrictions on purchasing games
All games are 3D

6/. Benji uses instant messaging to chat to his friends.

32
Identify two benefits of instant messaging. (2 marks)

Virus checking is carried out automatically

Messages are sent and received in real time
Users can include web links
All messages are transmitted securely
Inappropriate messages are monitored

7/. VoIP technology is widely used in the online world. Reduced cost is one benefit of
using VoIP technology

a) Give the main use of VoIP technology (1 mark)

b) Identify one other benefit of using VoIP technology. (1 mark)

8/. Brian has been set work for the holidays by his teacher but was not present to
collect the assignment brief. Brian will use a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) to
access the assignment brief and submit his work.

a) Give one piece of information Brian would need to enter to login to the VLE. (1 mark)

b) Give one other way the VLE will help Brian complete the work. (1 mark)

c) Give one advantage to the teacher of receiving Brian’s work through a VLE.
(1 mark)

d) Give one disadvantage to the teacher of receiving Brian’s work through a VLE.
(1 mark)

9/. Suni is going travelling abroad for six months.

33
 a) Give two advantages to Suni of using online social networking websites to
communicate with her family and friends at home. (2 marks)

b) Give two precautions that Suni should take to reduce the risks of using online social
networking websites.
(2 marks)

10/. A group of students has set up a social networking site.

Explain one way the students can use the social networking site to help them with
their studies (2 marks)

34
LAA 06a: Cloud Computing and Ubiquitous Computing - Case
Studies

Scenario 1:
A local taxi company wants to implement tracking devices to their taxi fleet to help
monitor their movements.

1) Discuss three reasons why this technology should be implemented

2) Discuss two reasons why this technology should not be implemented

Scenario B:
A local supermarket wants to implement RFID technology to their stock for
monitoring.

1) Explain three reasons why this technology would aid the supermarket

35
LAA 06b: Cloud Computing and Ubiquitous Computing - Knowledge
Check

1/. What is cloud computing?

2/. State two reasons why a user would want to use cloud services

1)

2)

3/. State two reasons why a website owner would want to use cloud services

1)

2)

4/. What are the benefits of cloud computing?

A Users and website owners are B The security of the data is

only charged fees based on well protected because it is
the amount of storage used. hosted.

C User files can be available D The performance of cloud

anywhere in the world. computing is much stronger
than a local server.

5/. Describe two concerns of cloud computing

1)

2)

36
6/. Define the term ‘ubiquitous computing’

7/. List four examples of ubiquitous computing in society

1)

2)

3)

4)

37
LAA 06c: Cloud Computing and Ubiquitous Computing – Exam
Questions Check

1/. Cloud computing involves delivering hosted services over the internet.

a) Explain one reason why the use of cloud computing will decrease demands on in-
house hardware. (2 marks)

b) Explain one advantage of the ‘Software as a Service’ model of cloud computing.

(2 marks)

2/. Ubiquitous computing can make use of radio frequency identification (RFID)
system chips.

Explain two advantages of using RFID chips over traditional barcodes. (4 marks)

3/. Businesses may use ubiquitous computing for stock control purposes.

Explain two reasons why a business might use ubiquitous computing to aid stock control.

(4 marks)

38
The following question is marked based on the following descriptors:

4/. A local council has a number of vehicles in its fleet. The council is keen to install
tracking devices in the vehicles to help monitor their movements.

Discuss this proposal considering the impact of the technology on the council and its staff.

(8 marks)

39