Computer Applications Technology / Digital Literacy
Class / grade level
Grade 10 · FET Phase · first year of the subject, no prior computing knowledge assumed
Brief description
An eight-week introductory course covering what a computer is, the software
that instructs it and the hardware that carries those instructions out. Learners finish able to
classify any computing device they meet, explain how data becomes information, choose the right
application for a task, and read a device specification well enough to advise on a purchase.
Welcome to Computer Applications Technology
Welcome video — to be embedded here
Record 3–4 minutes to camera, upload to YouTube as unlisted,
then edit this block and embed it. The script is in the compliance map, point 2a.
How to work through this course
Take the modules in order — each one builds on the last.
In each module: watch the lecture, read the slide deck, download the handout.
Do the practice activity before the quiz. The quiz assumes you have.
Finish the knowledge check. You get feedback after every answer and may retake it.
Post in the discussion forum at least once per module.
Check Announcements weekly. Assignment due dates appear in your calendar automatically.
If you get stuck: ask in the module Q&A forum first —
someone usually has the same question. For anything personal, message me directly.
Course objectives
By the end of this course you will be able to:
Classify any computing device you encounter as embedded, mobile, personal, server or
supercomputer, and justify the classification in writing.
Describe the four stages of the information processing cycle and apply them correctly
to at least ten unfamiliar devices.
Explain the difference between data and information using an example you generate yourself.
Sort any hardware component into input, processing, storage or output and defend the decision.
Distinguish system software from application software, and identify the licence type of any
program on a device you use.
Read a device specification and explain in plain language what the processor, RAM and storage
figures mean for a stated user.
Recommend a computer against a fixed budget and defend the trade-offs you accepted.
Where each objective is assessed. Objectives 1–3 in Module 01,
objective 5 in Module 02, objectives 4, 6 and 7 in Module 03.
