Student Tutorial Notes and Research
Assignment
For Achievement Standard 91070
Subject Reference: Digital Technologies 1.40
Title: Demonstrate understanding of basic concepts of
information management
Version 1
Level 1, Credit 3
Achievement Criteria:
Achievement
Demonstrate
understanding of basic
concepts of information
management
Achievement with Merit
Demonstrate in-depth
understanding of basic
concepts of information
management
Achievement with Excellence
Demonstrate comprehensive
understanding of basic
concepts of information
management.
Identifying and describing key
features of operating systems
Explaining the purpose of
operating systems
Identifying and describing key
features of common application
software as they relate to the
management of information
Identifying and describing file
management procedures
Explaining the purpose of
common application software to
manage information
Explaining how application software
and operating systems software
interact to manage information
Justifying the selection of application
software to perform a task to manage
information
Explaining the purpose and
conventions of file management
procedures and use of storage
devices
Comparing and contrasting the use of
different file types for different
purposes (eg PDF vs DOC, JPEG vs
BMP)
Grades
Describing ethical issues related
to the management of
information (eg copyright,
privacy, file security,
appropriateness of the material
in its context)
AS91070 – Research project (adapted
from material from Rosehill College www.rosehillcollege.co.nz/Modules/Resources/)
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This achievement standard requires demonstrating an understanding of basic concepts of
information management. Students will be assessed on their ability to demonstrate understanding
of basic concepts of information management.
To manage information you need a good understanding of the basic concepts of information
management. This includes the following areas:

Key features of operating systems

Key features of common application software

File management procedures

Ethical issues relating to information management
Assignment
We have worked on file management and ethical issues during class. This research assignment
requires you to investigate operating systems and describe the key features of three types of
application software.
The research assignment is due on Friday 10th of August
You should have a minimum of 3 pages of written material to cover the requirements
thoroughly.
Exemplars for this assignment can be seen on the wall in the Tim room or
http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/qualificationsstandards/qualifications/ncea/subjects/technology/sample-external-assessments/level-1/
Resources required
You will require access to the following:

A computer with word processing, spread sheet, database, presentation and email software

Access to a printer and the Internet

Appropriate text books and other resources
References
Please make a reference list of any of the following you have used
 web pages
 books
 textbooks (hint - use your homework book)
 posters
 software manuals
 help sections on the software
AS91070 – Research project (adapted
from material from Rosehill College www.rosehillcollege.co.nz/Modules/Resources/)
Page 2 of 10
Operating Systems
Purpose
AS Demonstrate in-depth understanding of basic concepts of information management involves explaining the
purpose of operating systems to manage information
An operating system is a program designed to run other programs on a computer. A computer’s operating
system is its most important program. It is considered the backbone of a computer, managing both software
and hardware resources. Operating systems perform basic tasks, such as recognising input from the
keyboard, sending output to the display screen, keeping track of files and directories on the disk, and
controlling peripheral devices such as disk drives and printers.
Today’s operating systems tend to have graphical user interfaces (GUIs) that use pointing devices, such as
the mouse, for input.
Can you name another type of pointing device?
Types of Operating Systems
AS Operating systems may include but are not limited to – real time, multi-user, single user, multi-tasking,
distributed
Operating systems can be classified into four categories:
1. Real-Time operating systems require no user intervention and are designed for systems with a
specific purpose and response time (such as robotic machinery).
2. Single-user, single-task operating systems are designed for computers on which one user is
performing one task at a time (such as PDAs).
3. Multi-task operating systems are designed for computers on which one user is performing more than
one task at a time (such as desktop computers).
4. Multi-user operating systems allow two or more users to run programs at the same time. They are
designed for systems in which multiple users are working on more than one task at a time (such as
networks).
Key Features
AS Demonstrate understanding of basic concepts of information management involves identifying and describing
key features of operating systems as they relate to the management of information
Operating systems all share a number of key features. These include the following:
1. File manipulation
2. Application Execution
3. Input and Output
AS91070 – Research project (adapted
from material from Rosehill College www.rosehillcollege.co.nz/Modules/Resources/)
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Can you name some others in addition to those listed above?
File Manipulation
Some of the key features are features associated with file manipulation include:
1. Keeping track of files
2. Naming files and folders
3. Views and drop down menus made available by the operating system
The operating system helps keep your computer stay organised by arranging the contents in a hierarchical
structure of directories that includes files, folders, and drives.
A folder is a container in which you store files. This is true of manila folders in filing cabinets as well as
folders on your computer's hard disk. Windows Explorer is a program that allows you to navigate around
through your folders. Windows Explorer is like other programs in that it has a title bar, menu bar, and toolbar
at the top. It also has a taskbar button when it's open. You can move, size, minimize, and maximise
Windows Explorer's window just like any other programs.
Windows Explorer helps you manage your files and folders by showing the location and contents of every
drive, folder, and file on your computer. Creating folders is the key to organising files, because folders keep
related documents together. Following naming conventions and using proper file extensions are also
important aspects of file management.
Application execution
Without an operating system, a user cannot run an application
program on their computer. The operating system allows the
user to execute (start) applications by using exe files.
The operating system has a Graphical User Interface (called
Windows Explorer in Microsoft operating systems). As well as
organising files and folders Windows Explorer allows users to
find and open (execute) applications
The application is stored physical in binary code on the hard
drive. The operating system represents these files graphically
that a user can associate with an application. The operating
system groups the icons in menus so the user can access the
application easily
The call for the exe file is initiated by a number of ways. One of these ways is by double-clicking the icon
(thumbnail) in Windows Explorer. The icon is a Graphical User Interface (GUI) which allows for user input
and allows the user to start the application. The operating system uses the file name and the extension (exe)
to do this. Registering where applications are on the hard disk and allowing users to start them through
menus is one of the main functions of the operating system
Of course controlling the computer is possible without Windows Explorer running. You could execute the
application direct from the command line in a DOS window
AS91070 – Research project (adapted
from material from Rosehill College www.rosehillcollege.co.nz/Modules/Resources/)
Page 4 of 10
Can you identify the application associated with each of the following icons?
Exercise:
Using annotated screenshots of Windows Explorer showing thumbnail view of at least one exe file used in
the production of your recipe booklet, illustrate your understanding of executing applications.
Hint: you can locate your exe files by doing a search in Windows Explorer for all exe files using the search
text *.exe in your program files directory
Input and Output
Input Devices
The main input devices managed by the operating system are the keyboard and mouse
The mouse is used to select and execute commands. An example of using the mouse to change a directory
view is shown below
Output Devices
The basic output devices managed by the operating system are the screen (monitor). Other outputs include
audio and printing
In the screenshot below the keyboard Input) is writing directly to the operating system (without the help of a
GUI) and executing the Directory (dir) command. The result is displayed on the output device (the monitor)
Exercise:
AS91070 – Research project (adapted
from material from Rosehill College www.rosehillcollege.co.nz/Modules/Resources/)
Page 5 of 10
Open the DOS window by typing ‘cmd’ into the search window off the Start menu
.
Type the command ‘’dir’ on the command line. The directory structure
is displayed in the DOS window
Common Application Software
Purpose and Key Features
AS - Demonstrate understanding of basic concepts of information management involves identifying and
describing key features of common application software as they relate to the management of information
AS - Demonstrate in-depth understanding of basic concepts of information management involves explaining the
purpose of common application software to manage information
Application software refers to software that will help the user to perform specific tasks including but not limited to –
word processing, communicating, keeping a budget, creating slides for a presentation, managing complex data.
Application software are the programs that you open (once your operating system has opened) that allow
you to do certain tasks like writing a letter, or editing a photo. You cannot open application software without
having a working operating system because the only way to open programs is by having a ‘base’ program to
open on such as Windows Vista or XP
An example is Microsoft PowerPoint
PowerPoint is a presentation program developed by Microsoft. The software allows
users to create anything from basic slide shows to complex presentations. PowerPoint is
often used to create business presentations, but can also be used for educational or
informal purposes. The presentations are comprised of slides, which may contain text,
images, and other media, such as audio clips and movies.
Key Features of PowerPoint:
AS91070 – Research project (adapted
from material from Rosehill College www.rosehillcollege.co.nz/Modules/Resources/)
Page 6 of 10
Justifying the selection of application software (to perform a task to manage
information)
AS - Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of basic concepts of information management involves justifying
the selection of application software to perform a task to manage information
To demonstrate a more comprehensive understanding of application software you should attempt to justify
your choice of software. This explanation should be based on their suitability for the task rather than factors
such as cost.
Note: a good understanding of this area is at excellence level
Here is an example:
Application - Microsoft Word
The decision to use Word to produce the recipe book involved several factors. Other software such as
Microsoft Publisher did have considerable advantage over word in terms of processing features. Microsoft
Word does not handle layouts which are as stable or as exact as other applications and doesn’t process
graphic information as well as specialist desktop publishing applications. However the major problem with
these applications is learning how to master their features. Extensive training is needed in these specialised
programs. The Word layouts were also acceptable as source documents by the printer
How Operating Systems and Application Software Interact
AS - Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of basic concepts of information management involves explaining
how application software and operating system software interact to manage information
The operating system handles the input and output features of
the computer, such as keyboard, mouse, printer and monitor.
The application calls on functions in the operating system to do
the things it needs - like getting keyboard input, writing to the
screen, etc. Once the operating system is given a command
via an input device it transfers the command to the application.
For example in a word processing program if you press the
letter ‘A’ on your keyboard the letter appears in the document
on the screen. The operating system also controls the output
functions on your computer. For example if you want to print a
document from a word processing application, the information
from the application gets sent to the printer via the operating
system.
System software is the set of software programs that helps run the computer and coordinates instructions
between application software and hardware devices. It consists of the operating system and utility programs.
The operating system controls how your computer system functions. Utility programs are programs that
perform general housekeeping tasks for the computer, such as system maintenance and file compression.
The screenshot below shows the one form of interaction between an operating system and applications
AS91070 – Research project (adapted
from material from Rosehill College www.rosehillcollege.co.nz/Modules/Resources/)
Page 7 of 10
AS91070 – Research project (adapted
from material from Rosehill College www.rosehillcollege.co.nz/Modules/Resources/)
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TASK 1
 Read the above material to understand the basics about operating systems
 Find a relevant you tube or other video to explain what an operating system does
 In one sentence describe the purpose of an operating system
 Find out the operating system used on the school computer, your cell phone, your home
computer
 Draw a mind map or diagram showing the key tasks of an operating system
 Write a paragraph describing each of the key tasks
 Name 3 input devices
 Name 3 storage devices
 Name 3 output devices
 Draw a diagram showing how information flows in a computer – where do the operating
system and application software fit in? Explain the purpose of the operating system to
manage information
Extension
 Describe how the operating system and application software interact to print out a
document
 Describe different types of operating systems
Task 2
 Read the above material on application software
 Complete the following table
Application type
Example applications
Key features
Spread sheets
Excel (Microsoft)
Organises and sorts
Numbers (Apple)
data in tables
Open office Calc
Data calculations such
as numeric operations
and statistics
Ability to produce a
variety of Graph types
Useful for
Budgeting
Drawing graphs for
research
Statistical calculations
Repetitive calculations
Word processing
Presentation
Email
Photo
manipulation
Animation
Internet browsing
Other?
Movie making,
sound recording,
game making, web
design….


Choose a two of the applications listed and describe how you have used it for a school project or for
personal use
Give screen shots and examples of the tools/features you have used.
AS91070 – Research project (adapted
from material from Rosehill College www.rosehillcollege.co.nz/Modules/Resources/)
Page 9 of 10
File Types
AS - Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of basic concepts of information management involves comparing
and contrasting the use of different file types for different purposes (eg pdf versus doc, jpeg versus bmp).
File types may include but are not limited to – pdf, bmp, doc, jpeg, xls, docx, dat, gif, tif.
Note: a good understanding of this area is required at excellence level
A file format is a particular way that information is encoded for storage in a computer file
To demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of information management you need to be able to
compare and contrast the use of different file types for different purposes. These file types may include the
ones listed above but there are many others. They fall into one of the following categories:
Category
Image formats
Document formats
Spread sheet formats
Audio formats
Video formats
File Format
JPEG, JPG, BMP, GIF, TIF
PDF, DOC, DOCX
XLS, WKS, XLSX
WAV, MP3
AVI, MPEG
Sample Answer:
The DOC (Microsoft Word) format is editable, making it possible to add or change any text, images, tables
etc. contained in the document. However the file can look quite different on different computer and can be
easily edited by accident while viewing. PDF is a format which displays the contents very accurately and
makes it impossible to edit or change them. I decided to use the doc format while I was working on the draft
booklet and then to convert this to pdf when saving the final version. This also made sure the printed booklet
looked exactly as it did on my screen because the pdf preserved the layout.
Extension Task 3
Research the above formats and compare two formats from each category. Describe the purpose
of the file format and compare the advantages and disadvantages of each format in terms of their
suitability for the purpose.
AS91070 – Research project (adapted
from material from Rosehill College www.rosehillcollege.co.nz/Modules/Resources/)
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