Lesson Note for second term SS 3
Subject: Computer Studies
Week 1: Computer-Based Information Systems
Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
1. Explain the meaning of an information system.
2. Identify the components of an information system.
3. Give practical examples of computer-based information systems in schools, banks, and hospitals.
Introduction:
Information systems are part of everyday life, even when we do not notice them. From smartphones and
computers to banking, shopping, school activities, and transportation, we interact with information systems
daily through different electronic devices. These systems help collect, process, store, and share information,
making tasks faster and more accurate.
Organizations such as schools, businesses, banks, and hospitals rely heavily on information systems to operate
efficiently and make good decisions. They invest in technology to improve services, manage data, and support
growth. Understanding information systems helps us see how computers, software, networks, and data work
together to support modern life and organizations.
Presentation:
Defining Information Systems
Many programs in business require students to take a course in information systems. Various authors have
attempted to define the term in different ways. Read the following definitions, then see if you can detect some
variances.
An information system (IS) can be defined technically as a set of interrelated components that collect,
process, store, and distribute information to support decision making and control in an organization.
Information systems are combinations of hardware, software, and telecommunications networks that
people build and use to collect, create, and distribute useful data, typically in organizational settings.
The Components of Information Systems
Information systems can be viewed as having five major components: hardware, software, data, people, and
processes. The first three are technology. These are probably what you thought of when defining information
systems. The last two components, people and processes, separate the idea of information systems from more
technical fields, such as computer science.
Technology
Technology can be thought of as the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes. As discussed
before, the first three components of information systems – hardware, software, and data – all fall under the
category of technology. Each of these will be addressed in an individual chapter. At this point a simple
introduction should help you in your understanding.
1. Hardware is the tangible, physical portion of an information system – the part you can touch.
Computers, keyboards, disk drives, and flash drives are all examples of information systems hardware.
2. Software comprises the set of instructions that tell the hardware what to do. Software is not tangible – it
cannot be touched. Programmers create software by typing a series of instructions telling the hardware
what to do.
3. Data: This is the raw facts or figures collected for processing. Data becomes information when
processed. Example: Student names, ages, and scores in a school register (raw data.
4. People: These are the users, operators, or managers of the system. They input data, make decisions, and
use the output. Without people, the system cannot function. Example: Teachers entering student grades
or a doctor using patient records.
5. Procedures: The rules, methods, or steps followed to use the system effectively, including policies on
data entry, security, and output. Example: Step-by-step guidelines on how to register a new student in a
school database or backup procedures to prevent data loss.
Examples of Information Systems
1. In School
School Management Information System (SMIS): Used for student registration, attendance tracking,
and report card generation. Components: Teachers (people), student details (data), computers
(hardware), database software (software), enrollment procedures.
Library Information System: For borrowing and returning books, tracking due dates.
2. In Society
Banking Information System: For account management, transactions, and ATM services.
Hospital Information System: For patient records, appointments, and medical history.
Traffic Management System: Uses cameras and software to control traffic lights and monitor roads.
Week 2: Digital Data Flow
Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
1. Explain what digital data flow means and why it is important in information systems.
2. Describe each of the five stages of digital data flow: capture, transmission, processing, storage, and
output.
3. Provide practical examples of each stage using a familiar system like a school management system or
everyday Nigerian scenarios.
Presentation:
Overview of Digital Data Flow
Definition: Digital Data Flow is the movement of data in digital form (0s and 1s) from input devices through
processing units to output devices and storage systems inside a computer.
It follows this logical sequence:
Capture → Transmission → Processing → Storage → Output
Analogy: "Like water flowing through pipes: collected from source (capture), sent through pipes
(transmission), cleaned/treated (processing), stored in tank (storage), and poured out for use (output).
Stage of Digital Data Flow
1) Data capture is the process of transforming information into a machine-readable digital format, which can
be stored, analyzed, and used for various purposes.
Examples:
Typing text using a keyboard
Scanning a barcode
Filling an online form
Recording voice through a microphone
At this stage, data is converted into digital signals (binary).
2) Data transmission is the process of sending digital or analog data over a communication medium to one or
more computing, network, communication or electronic devices. It enables the transfer and communication
of devices in a point-to-point, point-to-multipoint and multipoint-to-multipoint environment.
3)