1. Unit 2 Technology Systems
BTEC First Diploma in Information and Creative Technology

2. Learning aims
Understand how the components of technology systems work together.
Understand how data flows between internal components of a computer and is processed to provide information.
Understand different types of software.

3. Re-cap
What did we do last lesson?

4. Computer hardware devices
The term hardware is used to describe any of the physical devices and components used within a technology system.
It includes different types of computer and other digital devices, for inputting and outputting data, and for data storage.

5. Hardware devices What are the features and uses of hardware devices?
Create the following table and describe the features and uses of the hardware devices listed.
System
Features
Key uses
Personal computer (PC)
Server
Laptop
Tablet
Games console
Programmable digital devices

6. Hardware devices Personal computer (PC)
System
Features
Key uses
Personal computer (PC)
Processor type, e.g. single core, dual core or quad core
Processor speed, e.g 1.6 or 2.6 GHz
Amount of Random Access Memory (RAM), e.g. 4GB or higher
Type of operating system, e.g. Windows, OS X or Linux
Network connectivity, e.g. wireless or wired
Storage size, e.g. 160 GB, and type e.g. solid state device
Running apps such as word processing and spreadsheets
Server
Powerful computer with lots of RAM and disk space
Controlling a network
Laptop
Portable computer
Mobile computing
Tablet
Touch screen computer
Web browsing
Games console
Computer designed for gaming with high-quality graphics card
Gaming
Programmable digital devices
Anything with digital control, e.g. a microwave oven
Controlling hardware

7. Activity
Look at the hardware devices handout and refer back to your notes from the last exercise.
In small groups, create a presentation which clearly explains what each system is, its features and uses, and recommends an appropriate system for a small business owner.

8. Printers There are many different types of printer:
Inkjet printer – used in homes and small offices. Cheap to buy and reasonably cheap to operate and produce good quality colour output, but are poor at large volume printing.
Laser printers – again used in many homes and businesses. They are relatively cheap to buy, reasonably cheap to operate and are good at large volume printing. They are often black and white but colour laser printers are becoming more widely available.
Impact dot-matrix printer – used by some businesses to print multi-part stationery, which can be separated into copies for the customer and the business. These are more expensive to buy, are loud and have poor print quality, but they are very cheap to run.

9. Activity
Research the different types of printer, inkjet, laser, and dot-matrix
For each printer:
Provide a brief description
Provide an image
Find out how much it costs to buy and how much it costs to run – how much are replacement cartridges/ toner and how many long do they last?
Recommend a printer for the small business owner in the last activity.

10. Automated Systems
Automated system – a system that uses technology and control systems. It doesn’t usually require human intervention.
In addition to the traditional hardware devices associated with computer systems, different sectors use specialist devices to help improve the efficiency and productivity of their business.
Automated technology systems monitor and perform activities, e.g. central heating systems that regulate our environment and robots that explore the universe.

11. Automated systems Examples: Automated system What is it? Input devices
Output devices
Self-service checkout
Used in supermarkets to scan purchases and pay for shopping
Scales to weigh the goods before and after scanning
Scanner to read bar codes on shopping and loyalty card
Payment inputs form cards, coins or notes
Screen and speakers to explain how to use the checkout
Payment receipt printer and a device to give money as change
Production line
Hardware components such as robots and controlling software can be combined to form an automated system in a production line to make cars and other products
Optical sensors to locate product components.
Pressure sensors to feel product components
Controlling robots to manufacture components

12. Automated systems https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_ZmkzIebr0 Activity
In small groups, investigate automated systems
Choose 1 system and explain:
What the system is
What the input and output devices
The advantages and disadvantages of the system
Find a video of your system in action
Create a presentation of your system and feedback to the other groups

13. Check! In groups, answer the following:
List 3 common forms of attack on computer systems.
List 3 typical security measures.
Give 3 reasons why an organisation might want to develop and improve its technology systems.

14. Homework!
For next lesson, create a table of key terms and their definitions.
You will be required to add new words to this table every week.