MS4
£4.00
GCE MARKING SCHEME
INFORMATION & COMMUNICATIONS
TECHNOLOGY (LEGACY)
AS/Advanced
SUMMER 2009
INTRODUCTION
The marking schemes which follow were those used by WJEC for the Summer 2009
examination in GCE INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY (LEGACY).
They were finalised after detailed discussion at examiners' conferences by all the examiners
involved in the assessment. The conferences were held shortly after the papers were taken
so that reference could be made to the full range of candidates' responses, with photocopied
scripts forming the basis of discussion. The aim of the conferences was to ensure that the
marking schemes were interpreted and applied in the same way by all examiners.
It is hoped that this information will be of assistance to centres but it is recognised at the
same time that, without the benefit of participation in the examiners' conferences, teachers
may have different views on certain matters of detail or interpretation.
WJEC regrets that it cannot enter into any discussion or correspondence about these
marking schemes.
PAGE
ICT1
ICT4
1
6
ICT1
1.
Data consists of raw facts and figures.
Information is data which has been processed by the computer.
Knowledge is derived from information by applying rules to it.
1
1
1
Any appropriate example, such as 9:00, 135/75, 10:00, 135/75, 11:00,
120/60.
1
To render the data as information, it first must be given a context, e.g.
medical – a patient’s blood pressure readings, and to make it more
understandable it is put into a table.
Reading time Patient’s BP
9:00 155/95
10:00 145/85
11:00 120/60
1
The doctor can now apply her knowledge to this information and now
see that the patient’s condition is improving.
2.
2 x 2 marks
(a)
Monitoring progress e.g. a supermarket records the speed and
quality of input of a shop assistant at a pos terminal and if they
are doing badly they can be identified.
Targeting resources e.g. it is better for a company selling high
performance cars to get a list of current owners from an
insurance company rather than waste money sending flyers to
everyone.
(b)
Costs (any three from)
Data collection, e.g. often companies have to give prizes to get
people to return questionnaires.
Data entry e.g. if data is keyed in, this takes time and operators
have to be paid to do it or purchasing of OMR equipment.
Data processing e.g. hardware and software need to be
purchased to turn the collected data into information.
Data maintenance e.g. an organisation might maintain a
database of its customers. The database will only remain
accurate and up to date if any changes to customer details are
reported and the appropriate records amended, i.e. someone has
to contact the customers.
1
1
4
3
3.
(a)
Any two of
1 mark for each type given
1 mark for each advantage
2x2
Note - Advantages must be different.
Internet/search
engines
Email experts /
teacher
Chat to other
students /
tutors
Post questions
on bulletin
boards
CD based
software
Key word searches
Interactive resources
Editable information
Copy and paste pictures / diagrams into reports
Wider choice / variety of information available
Up-to-date information
Easier / quicker to search for information
Books may not be available; email could give
faster response
Real-time
Ask further questions if not sure
Reach wider audience
Lighter to carry home
Key word searches
Copy and paste pictures / diagrams into reports
Interactive resources
Editable information
Wider choice / variety of information available
Up-to-date information
Easier / quicker to search for information
On-line
Key word searches
encyclopaedias Interactive resources
Editable information
Copy and paste pictures / diagrams into reports
Wider choice / variety of information available
Up-to-date information
Easier / quicker to search for information
Teletext
Up-to-date information
Interactive
Up-to-date information
Television
Satellite
Real time displays such as Magic Planet
information
systems
2
4
4.
1 mark in each part for description of feature and second mark for
example of use
(a) (i)
animated transition
This is when you give an entry effect such as fading when
you move from one slide to another,
In an Estate Agent, this could be used to highlight some
features of a property you are selling via a running
presentation. The transition being used to attract a
customer’s attention.
(b)
5.
(ii)
Templates
Are prewritten pages with design and some basic
information already there and it saves you having to create
from scratch
In an Estate Agent these could contain a layout with the
companies colour scheme and company logo already
placed.
(iii)
Hyperlinks
These are words or images which when clicked upon take
you to another document or image, or to a different part of
your current page. E.g. could be used by an Estate Agent
by clicking on a photo to the room information.
3x2
2
Either two distinct points or one well developed.
HTML
customise the pages
Use of keywords for searching
Control of flash graphics
Smaller overheads / less memory / faster to load
Any 5 from ( have to have at least one of each for full marks)
Advantages
• Messages can be sent across the world for the price of a local
phone call.
• You can send not only simple text messages but also attached
files in a variety of formats.
• You can use an address book to send the same message to
several different people for the same cost as one call.
• The message will arrive much more quickly than conventional
mail.
Disadvantages
• You are reliant on the recipient having suitable hardware and
software.
• There are security and privacy issues. Confidential mail is
travelling across a very public network.
• E-mail attachments have proved to be a security ‘Achilles heel’,
providing an entry point for destructive viruses.
3
5
6.
7.
(a)
3 x (1mark for each hazard)
RSI refers to a range of conditions affecting the neck, shoulders,
arms and hands, when forcing muscles to perform the same
action over and over again.
Eyestrain staring continuously at a brightly lit screen all day can
lead to headaches, blurred vision, dry and irritated eyes etc.
Backache problems of the spine associated with being crouched
over a computer screen all day.
Similarly for Stress and EFL radiation.
3
(b)
Actions 3 x (1mark for each action)
Employers should ensure staff have regular breaks every hour
and move around.
provide wrist pads, foot rests, adjustable monitors, adjustable
seating which leaves the spine in the optimum position.
vdu training.
Establish H&S policy.
Ensure that the working spaces are correctly lit, and display
screens correctly adjusted with anti glare filters.
3
Definition 1 mark Method 1 mark Example 1 mark
(a) Verification is the checking that data has been copied correctly
from one medium to another (correctly entered).
Double keying, is when information is entered twice and
compared against each other.
In setting up an account, the user will be required to enter their
email address and password twice to ensure that the customer
can get back into their account.
When filling online form asked to read to check before submit.
(b)
Validation is to ensure that the data is sensible and of the right
sort.
Range check is when you check that the information entered is
within 2 specified values.
Could be used in this case to ensure that the date of birth
entered is of a person who is over 18 or in fact is possible i.e. Not
30 days in February.
Need to make sure that the check is a sensible one.
4
3
3
8.
(a)
Expert systems are rule-based, specific systems that are
designed to reproduce the role of human expert systems.
4 valid points - Very full answers in any section can be worth
two rather than one
Could discuss NHS Direct (online medical expert system) or a
system which could be in a surgery used by a nurse.
Saves a doctor time by filtering the minor cases.
Allows the patient to get a quicker diagnosis as do not have to
wait to see a doctor.
Can get the diagnosis without having to leave home.
Some people can open up more to a computer
Some people will not speak to a machine (do not give converse)
Second opinion.
More knowledge on obscure cases.
Have to keep it up to date.
Expensive to buy and set up the system.
GIGO
2
4
(b)
MICR or CAT
4
Have to have at least one advantage and one disadvantage for
full marks Some patients can find them claustrophobic
Very expensive to buy, need experts to control them. Waiting lists
to have a scan, very high quality images. Less invasive than
surgery. Can strip away the layers electronically to get at the real
problem. Able to show soft tissue problems.
(c )
Database
Records can be updated instantly, full information available at the
bed side without having to fetch and return paper records (i.e.
less time wasted on admin).
Reasons
Infected blood given to a patient now able to track source, who
else had the blood. Ensure right patient is operated upon. Save
doctors’ time at the bedside. Can call up a patient’s record from
anywhere and see things like X-rays online.
Link with GP surgeries improved so that GP can see what is
happening to their patient and consultant can see everything
about the patient that the GP knows.
(d)
Bar code put on the containers of blood, which gives information
on type and contains info on who from, etc. Less likely that
patient’s have the wrong blood, more accurate tracking of blood
around the hospital.
Check bar code on patient against bar code on medicine before
dispensing.
QWC
4
2
2
5
ICT4
Any four of the following, discussed in detail:
4x2
Font size – readability, appropriate to level of user, avoid eye strain
Consistency of signposting and pop up information – intuitive, learn
faster
On screen help – important if no outside help available when working
Layout appropriate to task – faster to type in for expert or good
example of differentiation between user expertise/ intended
audience/age
Clear navigation structure – saves time wasting, easier to work
through
Colour – blue/yellow good combination (green/red blindness), ability
to customise.
Who is going to use it – need to differentiate between non-technical
and technical users
Disabled use
8
(a)
Any four of the following, discussed in suitable detail:
4x1
ISP
Maintaining a company website/ need for trained staff
Catalogue of stock, stock database so that one can immediately see
if something is available or whether there will be a delay.
Methods of secure payment (i.e. use of systems such as Paypal or
ensuring that the system is secure from fraud).
Database of customer orders/ shopping trolley so that immediate
searches can be made to find and update customer information.
Tracking on-line orders, etc.
If candidates just state four points then maximum mark is 2.
4
(b)
Any 6 points, but must include 1 of each type to get full marks
Appropriate advantages for shopper such as:
24 hour access, greater choice, no need to travel/order from comfort
of home/ less stressful, allows disabled to shop more easily, better
prices
6
1.
2.
Appropriate advantages for business such as:
cheaper as no need to pay high rates, wider customer base, takes
pressure off staff, offer wider choice due to ‘just in time’, make money
from advertising, saves on staff costs
Any possible problems such as: customer worries over security,
anyone can set up, no longer a social activity, fraud, power cut,
hidden costs of carriage or import tax, hidden costs and phone costs,
what you get is not what you see/ cannot see/feel the item, harder to
return (if well argued), initial set up costs, need for specialist staff to
maintain
Note – question mentions ‘describe’ not just ‘state’.
6
3.
Any three possible problems & appropriate solutions:
3x2
6
Problems
• Introduction of viruses / own disks
• Personal use of equipment, software or Internet
• Running up phone bills
• Personal email
• Distribution of racial or sexual materials
• Fraud
• Swapping identities (theft or given)
• Abusive emails
• Slowing down of network
• Games playing
• Illegal use of software
Not looking after logon/password
Using data for personal use
Solutions
• Responsibilities
• Respecting rights of others
• Warning about monitoring
• Abiding by current legislation
• Protecting hardware and software from malicious damage
• Complying with licensing agreements
• Authorisation
• Permissions on data access
• Security defining rules
• Rules about personal use
4.
8
4x2 or 2x4 if well argued.
Censorship / Freedom of speech – people have the right to say what they
want.
You should not use the internet to promote illegal activities; by allowing them
there you are promoting them.
Certain people and children can be wrongly influenced by this type of material
and do things that they wouldn’t otherwise do.
By driving them from main sites you are making them more attractive and more
people will then look at them.
Who has the right to censor the internet? Will the government go on to ban
information that puts them in a bad light?
Is it practical to do it? Who is going to police it and resource the enforcement?
7
5.
Four points well argued
4x2
Physical security – Locking the building/rooms where the computers are kept,
making sure that if it is a wireless network appropriate security is used.
Prevention of misuse – firewalls to prevent hacking, appropriate username and
passwords.
Audit trails for detection, so that access can be traced and to see who has
done what.
Continuous investigation of irregularities – always checking logs looking for
anything out of the ordinary.
System Access – establishing procedures for accessing data such as log on
procedures, firewalls.
Personnel administration – vetting, etc.
Operational procedures including disaster recovery planning and dealing with
threats from viruses.
Disciplinary procedure
8
6.
Any 18 points or 9 well argued or a mixture of both but have to cover all 4
sections to get full marks
Benefits
• Data can be pooled and therefore accessed by a wide range of users.
This helps to ensure data integrity.
• Hardware resources such as printers and scanners can be shared.
This is a much more cost effective solution than providing each user
with their own set of peripheral devices.
• Software resources can be shared. One version of the software can be
purchased and installed centrally which cuts down on management
needs.
• Security is centralised and so improved. The network manager can
control access by setting access rights and user permissions and by
auditing computer use etc.
• Back up procedures are easier to complete if centrally located and
managed. Instead of each user being responsible for backing up their
data, the network manager will take responsibility for running regular
back-ups and recoveries.
Disadvantages
• Setting up a network is more costly than running a group of standalone
computers. In addition to the stations a central server is needed.
• Networks are particularly vulnerable to viruses. If one machine is
‘infected’, it is easier for this infection to spread than would be the case
in a standalone environment.
• Network management requires a degree of specialist knowledge and
this will mean employing a network manager for this purpose.
• Networks are vulnerable to crashes and if the network crashes you
cannot use any of the computers.
• Networks require more maintenance. There are more things that can
go wrong, cables can break, network files can be corrupted, the system
can be jammed due to network traffic. Staff have to be employed to
complete this maintenance.
18
8
Factors
• Cost of the network. Fibre optic cable cabling offers faster transmission
rates than other media but costs significantly more. One has to also
take into account the ongoing maintenance costs.
• The size of a network can vary depending on the size of the
organisation and can go from a small room containing one or two PCs
to a global network.
• How the system will be used. Are the users going to require a wide
range of applications? Are they going to store a large number of data
files? Where does the processing get done?
• Existing systems. Can the current stock of PCs and peripherals be
used on the new network?
• Performance required. Speed of processing, reliability, user
friendliness, capacity
• Security. Will they have to prepare for outsider access? etc.
• Topology
Communications / Changes in working practices
• Email and being able to transfer information between employees.
• Video conferencing to get expert help on particularly tricky work
• Internet access to research particular procedures or latest
developments.
• Wireless access and its benefits
• Ability to telework
• Re-training of staff
Quality of Written Communication
9
2
7.
(a)
(i)
Suitable definition of a relational database, such as
A large collection of data items and links (1) between them, structured in
such a way that it allows it to be accessed by a number of different
applications programs. (1) (mention of tables and relationships and
different views)
(ii)
PUPIL [Pupil Code, Name, Form, DOB, Gender]
1 for suitable table name
1 for suitable primary key field and 1 for other 2 suitable fields
SUBJECT (Subject Code, Pupil Code, Teacher Code, Time, Day, Room)
1 for suitable table name
1 for suitable primary key field
1 for Pupil Code as foreign field
1 for Teacher Code as foreign field and 1 for other 2 suitable fields
Or other suitable structure marked with similar rules.
(iii)
Any two relevant reasons:
2x1
Hierarchy of passwords
Storage of data separate to programs
Access rights to parts of the program
(i)
A distributed database is a collection of (different) interrelated databases
spread over a network. Some computers on the network each hold part
of the data and co-operate in making it available to the user. A hotel
chain might use distributed databases to store details of reservations.
Each hotel stores its own reservations on a local computer.
2
8
2
2
(b)
(ii)
4
Look for four separate points or two very well argued points for
maximum marks: 4 x 1 or 2 x 2 (second mark could be for relating the
answer to medical databases)
More complex hence more expensive to install and maintain
Increased security risk from transfer
If one location fails might hinder others
Could get data inconsistency
Quality of Written Communication
2
TOTAL 60
GCE ICT (Legacy) MS (Summer 2009)
4 August 2009
10
WJEC
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