Executive Diploma in Business
Management
MODULE LEARNING GUIDE
EDIT101
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT
FOR BUSINESS
Version 1: May 2013
Olympia College
ED
1. INTRODUCTION
Computers are everywhere: at work, school, and at home. Many daily activities involve
the use of or depend on information from a computer. People use all types and sizes of
computers for numerous reasons and in various places. As technology continues to
advance, computers are becoming more part of everyday life. Thus, many people believe
that computer literacy is vital to success in today’s world. Computer literacy involves
having knowledge and their uses.
2. AIMS
The focus of this subject is to understand why computers are essential components in business
and society and to present the most up to date technology in an ever changing discipline. This
course provides students with the exercises and assignments that allow students to interact with
computer and learn by actually using computer and World Wide Web. This subject also assists
students in planning a career and getting certified in computer field.
3. OVERVIEW OF THE SYLLABUS:
The module is organised into four major learning sections as outlined below:
3.1. SECTION 1: Introduction to computers, types of computers and components of
computers.
This section starts with introduction to basic computer concept, such as what is
computer, how it works, and what makes it a powerful tool. You will learn types of
computers and components of computers.
3.2. SECTION 2: Software: Operating System, Utility Program and Application
Software.
This section enables students to learn about a variety of stand-alone operating systems,
network operating systems. Students will be introduced to a variety of business
software, graphics and multimedia software, home/personal/education software and
communication software.
3.3. SECTION 3: Databases and management
In this section, students will learn the advantages of organizing data in database and
describe various types of data.
3.4. SECTION 4: Communication and networks, Internet and World Wide Web.
This section will enable student to learn about communications technology and
applications, Internet, World Wide Web, browsers, email, FTP and instant messaging.
3.5. SECTION 5: Computers and society
In this section, students will learn about computer and Internet risk, ethical issues
surrounding information accuracy, intellectual property rights, codes of conduct,
information privacy, and computer related issues.
4. LEARNING OUTCOMES
On completion of this module, students will be able to:
 Understand what is computer and how it is used.
 Understand components of computer, types of computers with the latest technology.
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Understand the software of computers including system software and application
software.
Understand the Internet, how to use it, and World Wide Web.
Understand how to use computers in society.
5. AUDIENCE AND PRE-REQUISITES
This module is for students who are in the basic stages of the Diploma program. No
prerequisite required to undertake this module.
6. LEARNING MATERIALS:
 Indicative Readings:
a. Shelly Cashman Vermaat, Discovering Computers 2012 A Gateway to Information,
Thomson Course Technology.
b. Brian K. Williams, Stacy C. Sawyer, Using Information Technology, A practical
Introduction to Computers & Communications, Complete Version, Six Editions,
McGraw Hill.
7. ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENTS:
The following is an outline of the various assessment instruments for this module:
7.1. ASSIGNMENT (45%)
An individual assignment will be given to the student on the first week and will have to
be returned on a date to be announced.
PRESENTATION (15%)
The students need to present their assignment in the form of a PowerPoint presentation
or any other presentation tools. Marks will be awarded based on the quality of the
presentation, language etc
7.2. FINAL EXAMINATION (40%)
Final Examination is included in this module. It seeks to determine participants’
individual effectiveness in responding to specific questions under time-constrained
invigilated conditions. The examination is a closed book examination, requesting
participants to demonstrate their knowledge and critical analysis skills in responding to
questions covering the module syllabus.
7.3. ASSESSMENT TIMELINES
The coursework assignment is to be distributed to students by the end of Week 1 and its
submission deadline is no later than week 5
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
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Refer to assignment and final examination marking guide.
7.4. ASSESSMENT DESCRIPTOR
The following general principles should be used when marking and awarding grade:
Grade
Characteristics
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Above
70%
60-69%
50-59%
40-49%
< 40%
Excellent work which demonstrates that the student:
Possesses an authoritative grasp of the concepts, methodology and
content appropriate to the subject and to the assessment
 Selects and organises material with consistent success at an
exceptionally high stage
 Is able to display originality and personal insight and is capable of
expressing their argument clearly, concisely and accurately.
The student demonstrates:
 An above average stage of understanding, organising,
interpretation and a clear grasp of methodology suitable focused
on the topic
 An ability to synthesise material and to construct responses which
reveal insight and may offer originality
 A grasp of material that enables a coherent response to the
assessment task to emerge
 An ability to generate work that is accurate and appropriately
organised.
 The student is able to cover basic subject matter but in a relatively
unimaginative and pedestrian manner.
Organisation and
presentation of material is acceptable but may display some
weakness. Limitations in understanding and interpretation and
difficulty in linking to relevant material may be evident.
 The student’s performance is only just acceptable in most respects
revealing some inadequacies in the grasp of material, weak
organising ability and limited communication skills.
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The student’s performance is deficient revealing inadequate grasp
of material, poor organising ability and poorly developed
communication skills.
8. INSTRUCTIONAL PLAN AND RESOURCES
The base source of material to be used in the design of the teaching-learning schedule will
be the print based module material provided to both staff and students. Other resources will
be included to supplement and fill in gaps especially latest development or recent changes,
which are obviously not found in the module material.
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CLASS LEARNING SCHEDULE
WEEK LECTURE
1
TUTORIALS / ACTIVITIES
Introduction to Computers
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Operating
System
Utility programs.
and
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Application software
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Discussion on the following topics:
What is computer?
Why is computer literacy important?
What are the components of computer?
Categories of computer, element of
information system.
Exercises on chapter 1 (page 43-45)
Access internet to learn online, visit
scsite.com/dc2007/ch1/learn
Discussion on the following topics:
Introduction System software
Discussion on operating systems and
functions of operating systems, such as
managing program, managing memory and
others.
Types of operating systems.
Operating system utility programs.
Introduction to network operating systems.
Exercises on chapter 8 (page 435-437)
Access internet to learn online, visit
scsite.com/dc2007/ch8/learn
Discussion on the following topics:
Introduction to application software and
role of application software.
Business software such as word processing,
spreadsheet software, database software,
presentation software.
Graphics and multimedia software.
Educational and reference software.
Exercises on chapter 3 (page 173-175)
Access internet to learn online, visit
scsite.com/dc2007/ch3/learn
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Database management
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Communication
networks
and
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The Internet and World
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Wide Web.
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Discussion on the following topics:
Introduction to database, data and
information
Discussion on hierarchy of data
Maintaining of data.
Discuss difference between file processing
and databases.
Database management system.
Discussion on relational database, object
oriented database, and multidimensional
database.
Exercises on chapter 10 (page 545-547)
Access internet to learn online, visit
scsite.com/dc2007/ch10/learn
Discussion on the following topics:
Introduction to communications and uses of
computer communications.
Introduction what is networks and example
such as LAN, MAN and WAN.
Discuss on network topology and network
architecture.
Network communications standards.
Communications over telephone network.
Communication devices.
Physical transmissions media.
Exercises on chapter 9 (page 503-505)
Access internet to learn online, visit
scsite.com/dc2007/ch9/learn
Discussion on the following topics:
Introduction to Internet and history of the
Internet.
How the Internet works.
Discuss on the World Wide Web.
Discussion on email, FTP, chat rooms and
instant messaging, Internet telephony, ecommerce.
Exercises on chapter 2 (page 107-109)
Access internet to learn online, visit
scsite.com/dc2007/ch2/learn
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Computers and society
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Discussion on the following topics:
Computers security risks
Internet and network attacks.
Unauthorized access and use.
Hardware theft and vandalism
Information theft and system failure.
Ethics and society
Information privacy.
Health concern of computer use.
Exercises on chapter 11 (page 597-599)
Access internet to learn online, visit
scsite.com/dc2007/ch11/learn
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TEACHING SUGGESTIONS AND GUIDELINES
WEEK 1
Over the week of lecture and tutorial, the focus will be to undertake the following:
 What is computer?
 Why is computer literacy important?
 What are the components of computer?
 Categories of computer, element of information system.
Learning outcomes to attain:
 Define the term, computer
 Recognize the importance of computer literacy.
 Identify the components of computers.
 Describe the categories of computers.
 Identify the elements of information systems.
 Discuss the various computer applications in society.
Readings and preparation to be undertaken by the lecturer:
a. Page 4 - 37 from the Main reference text.
b. Main reference text namely:
 Shelly Cashman Vermaat, Discovering Computers 2007 A Gateway to
Information, Thomson Course Technology.
c. Visit the following websites for better understanding and study aids
scsite.com/dc2012/ch1/learn
WEEK 2
Over the week of lecture and tutorial, the focus will be to undertake the following:
 Introduction System software
 Discussion on operating systems and functions of operating systems, such as
managing program, managing memory and others.
 Types of operating systems.
 Operating system utility programs.
 Introduction to network operating systems.
Learning outcomes to attain:
 Identify the types of system software.
 Describe the functions of operating systems.
 Explain the purpose of the utilities included with most operating systems.
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Summarize the features of several stand-alone operating systems.
Identify various network operating systems.
Readings and preparation to be undertaken by the lecturer:
a. Page 398 - 429 from the Main reference text.
b. Main reference text namely:
 Shelly Cashman Vermaat, Discovering Computers 2012 A Gateway to
Information,
Thomson Course Technology.
WEEK 3
Over the week of lecture and tutorial, the focus will be to undertake the following:
 Introduction to application software and role of application software.
 Business software such as word processing, spreadsheet software, database software,
presentation software.
 Graphics and multimedia software.
 Education and reference software.
Learning outcomes to attain:
 Identify the categories of applications software.
 Explain ways software is distributed.
 Identify the key features of widely used business software.
 Identify the key features of widely use graphics and multimedia programs.
 Identify the key features of widely used home, personal and educational programs.
Readings and preparation to be undertaken by the lecturer:
a. Page 134 - 167 from the Main reference text.
b. Main reference text namely:
 Shelly Cashman Vermaat, Discovering Computers 2012 A Gateway to
Information,
Thomson Course Technology.
WEEK 4
Over the week of lecture and tutorial, the focus will be to undertake the following:
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Introduction to database, data and information
Discussion on hierarchy of data
Maintaining of data.
Discuss difference between file processing and databases.
Database management system.
Discussion on relational database, object oriented database, and multidimensional
database.
Learning outcomes to attain:
 Define the term, database
 Identify the qualities of valuable information
 Discuss the term characters, field, record and file.
 Identify the maintenance techniques.
 Differentiate between a file processing system vs. database approach.
 Describe the characteristic of relational, object oriented and multidimensional
database.
Readings and preparation to be undertaken by the lecturer:
a. Page 514 - 539 from the Main reference text.
b. Main reference text namely:
 Shelly Cashman Vermaat, Discovering Computers 2012 A Gateway to
Information,
Thomson Course Technology.
Visit the following websites for better understanding and study aids
scsite.com/dc2012/ch11/learn
WEEK 5
1. Over the week of lecture and tutorial, the focus will be to undertake the following:
 Discussion on the following topics:
 Introduction to communications and uses of computer communications.
 Introduction to what is networks and example such as LAN, MAN and WAN.
 Discuss on network topology and network architecture.
 Network communications standards.
 Communications over telephone network.
 Communication devices.
 Physical transmissions media
2. Learning outcomes to attain:
 Discuss the components required for successful communications
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Identify the various sending and receiving device
Describe uses of computer communications
List advantages of using network
Differentiate among client/server, peer to peer, and P2P networks.
Describe the various network communication standards.
Describe commonly used communication devices.
Identify various physical and wireless transmission media.
Readings and preparation to be undertaken by the lecturer:
a. Page 460 - 497 from the Main reference text.
b. Main reference text namely:
 Shelly Cashman Vermaat, Discovering Computers 2012 A Gateway to
Information,
Thomson Course Technology.
c. Conduct all activities as found in the module materials. Conduct the chapter test on
the completion
of the classes.
d. Assign further readings and activities to students based on the main reference text
or activities from
the module materials.
WEEK 6
Over the week of lecture and tutorial, the focus will be to undertake the following:
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Introduction to Internet and history of the Internet.
How the Internet works.
Discuss on the World Wide Web.
Discussion on email, FTP, chat rooms and instant messaging, Internet telephony, ecommerce.
Learning outcomes to attain:
 Discuss the history of Internet
 Explain how to connect and access Internet.
 Analyse an IP address
 Describe types of website
 Recognize how web pages use graphics, animation, audio, video, virtual reality and
plug-in.
 Explain how email, FTP, newsgroup and message board, mailing list, instant
messaging, and Internet telephony work.
Readings and preparation to be undertaken by the lecturer:
a. Page 68 - 101 from the Main reference text.
b. Main reference text namely:
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 Shelly Cashman Vermaat, Discovering Computers 2012 A Gateway to
Information,
Thomson Course Technology.
Visit the following websites for better understanding and study aids
scsite.com/dc2012/ch11/learn
WEEK 7
Over the week of lecture and tutorial, the focus will be to undertake the following:
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Computers security risks
Internet and network attacks.
Unauthorized access and use.
Hardware theft and vandalism
Information theft and system failure.
Ethics and society
Information privacy.
Health concern of computer use
Learning outcomes to attain:
 Describe the types of computer security risk
 Identify ways to safeguard against computer viruses, Trojan horses, denial of
services attack, back doors, spoofing
 Discuss the techniques to prevent an authorized computer access and use.
 Identify safeguard against hardware theft and vandalism.
 Define encryption and explain why it necessary.
 Discuss issues surrounding information privacy.
 Discuss ways to prevent health related disorders and injuries due to computer use.
Readings and preparation to be undertaken by the lecturer:
a. Page 556 - 591 from the Main reference text.
b. Main reference text namely:
 Shelly Cashman Vermaat, Discovering Computers 2012 A Gateway to
Information,
Thomson Course Technology.
Visit the following websites for better understanding and study aids
scsite.com/dc2012/ch11/learn
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