Unit Standard 2780, v6, L1
January 2010
Name:
DEMONSTRATE AND APPLY KNOWLEDEGE OF A PERSONAL COMPUTER SYSTEM
In order to achieve this unit standard the following criteria must be met in all subsections:
Elements
1.1
1.2
2.1
2.2
2.3
8/10
Required
Required
Required
Required
A / N
A / N
A / N
A / N
A / N
Achievement Criteria
Q
3.1
3.2
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
5.1
5.2
A / N
A / N
A / N
A / N
A / N
A / N
A / N
A / N
Evidence & Judgement
Sufficiency
Demonstrate knowledge of the hardware components of a personal computer system.
Range: hardware components may include but are not limited to – central processing unit, motherboard, keyboard, mouse, display monitor, disk drive,
Random Access Memory (RAM), Read Only Memory (ROM), printer, digital camera, scanner, modem, WiFi, connection to a network or the Internet.
Evidence of six hardware components is required but must include RAM and ROM
1.1
Hardware components are identified in terms of
device type and functions.
Range: device types include but are not limited to input, storage, output, processing
Task 1
E1
terms of the flow of data between them.
Task 2
1.2 The interaction of components is identified in
Components and devices are correctly linked with their name,
function and type
Case
D
3
X
Keyboard
B
5
I
Printer
A
1
O
ROM
I
10
S
Monitor
H
8
O
Mouse
E
9
I
RAM
F
6
T
USB drive
J
4
S
DVD
G
7
S
CPU
C
2
P
At least 6/9 correct.
Correct answers must include one
input, one output, one storage and one
processing. ROM and RAM and their
functions must be correctly identified.
Any statement that indicates the candidate understands
how data is input, processed and then output through the
identified components.
Order must be in the correct
sequence: Input through
keyboard/mouse etc, processed by
cpu, output through screen/printer
etc.
Page 1 of 8
NB: RAM. Is classed as T not S
Unit Standard 2780, v6, L1
Achievement Criteria
E2
January 2010
Q
Evidence & Judgement
Name:
Sufficiency
Demonstrate knowledge of the operation of the system and application software of a personal computer.
2.1 System software is identified and described in
Task 3 & 4
terms of its purpose and operation.
TASK 3
 System Software: Microsoft Windows XP, Vista,
Linux, Mac OS, Unix, Ubantu
3 System Software identified (T3)
TASK 4
 Controls peripheral devices such as monitor, printers,
disk drives
 Detects errors in users' programs
 Manage users' files and folders on disk
 Provide an interface that allows users to choose
programs to run and to manipulate files
 Controls hardware devices
 Controls input and output
 Prioritizes system requests and allocates resources
 Manages the flow of data between memory and
devices
No incorrect tasks given
Page 2 of 8
6 Tasks identified (T4)
Unit Standard 2780, v6, L1
January 2010
2.2 Application software is identified and its
TASK 3
Application Software: Microsoft Word, Adobe Photoshop
Elements, Microsoft Excel, Corel Draw
purpose stated in terms of outputs.
Evidence of four applications is required.
TASK 3:
3 Application Software identified
TASK 6:
4 out of 6 outputs matched
TASK 6
Column A
Task 3 & 6
Range: common software applications may
include but are not limited to – word
processing, spreadsheet, database, desktop
publishing, graphics, communication,
multimedia, web browser.
Name:
Column B
1. Photo editing package E. Scanned photograph
2. Word processor
A. Business letter
3. Email editor
F. Email message
4. Text editor
D. Web page
5. Desktop published package C. Magazine cover
6. Spreadsheet package B. Chart of accounts
2.3 The interaction between system software and
Task 5
application software is identified and described
The Os provides all the basic functions of the computer
system. It acts as a host for the application software,
providing access to and from inputs, outputs, managing
processor time & file system etc.
Applications are written to perform a particular user
specified task. Applications are written to run on a
particular Os (eg: run on XP or Mac os, or Vista)
Page 3 of 8
Interaction described
Achievement Criteria
E3
January 2010
Q
Evidence & Judgement
Task 7
Unit Standard 2780, v6, L1
Candidate has correctly printed the data from their
computer onto paper.
If the student does not have 4 pages to print the assessor
may provide them.
Name:
Sufficiency
Operate a printer
3.1 Data from a personal computer is displayed on
printed output media.
Range:
data from a minimum of four
different applications is printed.
3.2 Simple printer hardware faults and printer

Any statement that indicates there is no paper in the
tray that the operator is trying to print to.

Any statement that indicates the candidate knows to
put paper of the correct size into the correct tray, or
change to the correct tray selected to print from.

Any statement that indicates the candidate knows the
printer is not switched on, not connected or set up
correctly eg correct driver and PPD.(postscript printer
definition). The computer may not be connected to
the same network as the printer.

If a problem occurs when printing out the file/data, the
candidate is expected to recognise the problem,
correct it and print out the data/file correctly.
Range:
remedies must be
demonstrated or explained for a minimum of
two faults.
Task 7
related error messages are identified and
remedied.
Page 4 of 8
Printing from 4 different
applications observed.
Hard copies are handed in.
Unit Standard 2780, v6, L1
Achievement Criteria
E4
January 2010
Q
Evidence & Judgement
Name:
Sufficiency
Complete basic operation and maintenance procedures for a personal computer system.
4.1 The basic components of a personal computer
Components of a PC are correctly connected
system are connected to enable it to be
operated safely.
4.2 A personal computer system is powered up
according to organisational requirements and
confirmed as working
Task 8
system unit, keyboard, monitor, mouse, power leads,
connection to the school network
Task 8
Range:
components may include but are
not limited to – system unit, keyboard, monitor,
mouse or other pointing device, power leads,
digital camera, scanner, portable external
storage, modem, connection to a network or
the Internet..
Evidence of five examples is required
4.3 Simple hardware faults are identified and
Task 11
corrected or reported according to
organisational requirements.
Range: May include but is not limited to –
faulty components, loose or disconnected
plugs.
A minimum of three faults are identified,
corrected or reported.
Five of the six components are
connected correctly
The system which has been connected in Task 8 (4.1) is
powered up, logged on to, and is operating correctly.
Boots up, Logs in to the school
network. Windows starts.
If it has not occurred naturally during the assessment, the
student will identify and correct disconnected and/or
loosened plugs or other simple hardware faults which the
assessor creates..
If a fix is not possible a fault report is recorded in the
appropriate book.
Three faults identified and
corrected as observed by
assessor, and documented in
assessment page
Fault report entered correctly if
required.
Faulty keyboard, Video plug loose, network cable
disconnected.
Keyboard could be replaced or
reported. Video plug and network
cable reconnected
Page 5 of 8
Unit Standard 2780, v6, L1
A personal computer system is cared for and
maintained according to specified
requirements.
Range: May include but is not limited to –
cleaning, replenishing consumables, use of
system protection and/or maintenance utility
software.
Evidence of maintenance of one of each of
hardware and software is required.
Achievement Criteria
E5
Task 10
4.4
January 2010
Q
2 maintenance items: (May include but not limited to)
Cleaning required (keyboard, mouse, screen, desk etc)
Vacuum dust from power supply and in case.
Clean screen/keys with window cleaner
Use of any protection procedures (Scanning with Anti
Virus/anti spyware).
Maintenance software : Defrag etc, , Norton’s Disk Doctor
etc.
Replacing ink, cleaning printer rollers
Evidence & Judgement
Name:
2 maintenance procedures
suggested, at least one hardware
and one software
Sufficiency
Demonstrate knowledge of ergonomic principles for the safe operation of a personal computer system. Range: according to the approved code of
practice.
Page 6 of 8
Unit Standard 2780, v6, L1
January 2010
5.1 Ergonomic principles are explained in terms of
DESK DIMENSIONS
user physical well-being.

Range: three of .desk dimensions, posture in
chair and seating height; feet placement;
position of monitor, keyboard, and mouse
relative to user; rest periods and exercises.



Task 9



Work surface area is deep enough to accommodate a
monitor and keyboard placed directly in front of user.
(76cm)
Surface should be at about the height of users elbow
while sitting with feet flat on the floor
Desk should provide enough space underneath for
user’s legs while sitting in all convenient positions.
A fixed height desk needs a keyboard tray to provide
enough height adjustment to suit multiple users.
Desktop has a matte finish to minimize glare.
No sharp edges.
The leading edge of the work surface should be wide
enough to accommodate the arms of your chair,
usually about 61-68cm.
POSTURE IN CHAIR AND SEATING HEIGHT; FEET
PLACEMENT


Arm, leg body joints should be at 90º, feet on floor or
footrest so that thigh and leg at 90º.
Elbow joint at 90º, and no undue stress on wrist.
POSITION OF MONITOR, KEYBOARD, AND MOUSE
RELATIVE TO USER



Monitor placed least one arm length from the face (45
to 70 cm
viewing area of the monitor between 15° and 50°
below horizontal eye level.
Keyboard and monitor directly in front of user.
Page 7 of 8
Name:
Posters include a selection of
points from 3 sub categories.
Unit Standard 2780, v6, L1
January 2010
Name:
5.1 cont.
REST PERIODS AND EXERCISES.






5.2 Ergonomic requirements are explained in
Range: two of space, housekeeping,
atmospheric conditions, noise,
lighting, décor, printer location.
Task 9
terms of environment.
Take short 1-2 minute stretch breaks (micro pause)
every 20-30 minutes.
After each hour of work, take a break or change tasks
for at least 5-10 minutes.
Always try to get away from your computer during
lunch breaks .
Avoid eye fatigue by resting and refocusing eyes.
Periodically. Look away from the monitor and focus
on something in the distance.
Rest your eyes by covering them with your palms for
10-15 seconds.
Use correct posture when working. Keep moving as
much as possible.
Lighting: Free from glare (monitor at right angles to bright
light), flickering, reflection, shadow, could use screen filter
Dust: Workstation cleaned and dusted regularly
Temperature 19oC summer, 18-22o winter
Ventilation Adequate air flow for people and computers
Cables: Out of the way, but accessible for maintenance
Space: Adequate desk space for user and work
equipment as in 5.1. Adequate filing space so desktop is
free of clutter.
Page 8 of 8
Posters include a selection of
points from two sub categories:
space, housekeeping, atmospheric
conditions, noise, lighting, décor,
printer location.