The learning outcomes detailed above will be achieved through the following teaching methodologies:
• Lectures - communication of knowledge and ideas from the lecturer to the student.
• Practical Exercises/Labs – students will work on practical tasks to develop their skills in the use of information technology tools.
• Class Discussion/Debate - Students will be encouraged to actively participate in the class sessions which will develop their analytical and communication skills. Case studies may be used in class as well as mini-project assignments based on the impact of new and emerging technologies on the areas of Communications and Public relations.
• E-Learning – It is envisaged that the module will be supported with on-line learning materials.
• Self-Directed Independent Learning – the emphasis on independent learning will develop strong and autonomous work and learning practices.
Module Aim:
The module aims to develop the essential information technology skills for supporting the students' needs in other business subjects. Students will learn the Windows environment, email and the Internet, as well as applications for Word Processing, Spreadsheets and Presentations. A further aim will be to integrate
communication skills, requiring students to make a professional standard presentation.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner should be able to:
LO1
Utilise the main features of an operating system.
LO2
Utilise the main features of the college email system and employ web searching techniques for sourcing information on the Internet
LO3
Use and apply word processing software to an intermediate level.
LO4
Use and apply spreadsheet software to an intermediate level.
LO5
Create presentations for business purposes and present them using presentation software.
LO6
Explain the basic principles of computer hardware, software and networking.
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
No recommendations listed
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed.
No requirements listed
Module Content & Assessment
Indicative Content
Basic Practical Computing
Introduction to the Windows environment; working with files and folders, including saving, copying, moving, renaming, and deleting. Introduction to college email system; creating, retrieving and reading mail; replying to, forwarding and deleting mail; signatures and attachments; creating and using address books and distribution lists; introduction to the internet; development of web searching skills; referencing material sourced online
Practical Word Processing
Creating and saving documents; printing documents; editing and formatting text; formatting
paragraphs; laying out a document-margins, orientation, columns, page background; inserting headers and footers; replacing text;
using comments, symbols, equations and text boxes; check spelling and grammar; using bullets and numbering; using simple
tables; sorting data; working with columns; creating formatting and managing illustrations (images, shapes, SmartArt and Charts);
Practical presentation
Creating and saving presentations; printing presentations; designing presentations; working with text; proofing content; working with pictures and multimedia; working with charts; viewing presentations; sharing presentations; making a professional presentation
Practical Spreadsheets
Introduction to spreadsheets; spreadsheet formulas; spreadsheet functions; formatting cells as numbers, text, currency etc;
formatting worksheets for clear presentation; sorting spreadsheet data; introduction to IF functions; introduction to Lookup
functions inserting, deleting and formatting cells, rows and columns; conditional formatting; fill-in series; headers and footers;
page layout and setting print area; basic spreadsheet charts;
Introduction to information Technology
o Hardware
o Computer Hierarchy
o Input and Output
o Computer Memory
o Secondary Storage
o Communications Equipment.
o Software
o Systems Software
o Types of Operating System
o Applications Software
o Custom vs Off-the Shelf Packages
o Windows-based applications
o File management
o Software Issues
.
o Telecommunications
o Communications media
o Protocols / standards and interfaces
o Types of networks.
o The Internet and the Web
o History of the Internet, the WWW
o Intranets
o Protecting Information Assets
o Behavioural methods of keeping data safe
o Computer-based methods of protecting data
Assessment Breakdown
%
Continuous Assessment
15.00%
Practical
85.00%
Continuous Assessment
Assessment Type
Assessment Description
Outcome addressed
% of total
Assessment Date
Other
In class examination of IT theory.
6
15.00
Week 15
No Project
Practical
Assessment Type
Assessment Description
Outcome addressed
% of total
Assessment Date
Practical/Skills Evaluation
Practical/Skills Evaluation of Operating system, e-mail & Internet search
1,2
10.00
Week 3
Practical/Skills Evaluation
Practical/Skills Evaluation of Word Processing & Spreadsheets
3
20.00
Week 13
Practical/Skills Evaluation
Practical/Skills Evaluation of Spreadsheets
4
20.00
Week 21
Practical/Skills Evaluation
Practical/Skills Evaluation of Word Processing
3
20.00
Week 23
Practical/Skills Evaluation
Practical/Skills Evaluation of Presentations
5
15.00
Week 29
No End of Module Formal Examination
SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment