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0 D I G I TA L E D I T I O N

ICT STUDY GUIDE

Edexcel International GCSE (9-1)

P R E PA R E D E X C L U S I V E L Y F O R
A B D U L L A H N AV E E D
 📚 ABOUT THIS RESOURCE

This premium digital study guide is based entirely on the Edexcel International GCSE (9-1)
Information and Communication Technology Student Book. The original physical book
includes an ActiveBook access code valid for three years upon activation, providing a digital
textbook version perfect for coursework and revision support.

📊 Assessment Overview

WRITTEN EXAMINATION (PAPER 1)

• Paper 1 is a written examination that is externally set and assessed by Edexcel, representing 50%
of the total ICT qualification.

• Provides 100 marks , takes 1 hour and 30 minutes, and comprises a mixture of multiple-choice,
short-answer, and long-answer questions.

PRACTICAL EXAMINATION (PAPER 2)

• Paper 2 is a practical examination that is externally set and assessed by Edexcel, representing the
remaining 50% of the total ICT qualification.

• Provides 100 marks , takes 3 hours to complete, and consists of two mandatory sections with no
optional elements.

ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES (AOS)

• AO1: Knowledge & understanding of ICT accounts for 25-27% of the IG (20-23% in Paper 1; 5-6% in
Paper 2).

• AO2: Applying knowledge & skills to produce ICT-based solutions accounts for 46-52% (14-16% in
Paper 1; 34-36% in Paper 2).

• AO3: Analyzing, evaluating, and making reasoned judgments accounts for 24-26% (13-14% in Paper
1; 10-11% in Paper 2).

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📖 Course Structure

• Unit 1: Digital Devices • Unit 4: Online Goods & Services

(Digital Devices, Software, Memory/Processors) (Online Services, The Cloud)

• Unit 2: Connectivity • Unit 5: Applying ICT

(Digital Communication, Networks) (Applying ICT concepts)

• Unit 3: Operating Online • Unit 6: Software Skills

(Data Risks, Impact of Internet, Communities) (File Management, Graphics, Databases, Web)

UNIT 1: DIGITAL DEVICES

🎯 UNIT 1 ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES

In this unit, students learn about the features, purpose, and use of digital devices and their
software to understand their current and future uses by individuals, organizations, and society.

CHAPTER 1: DIGITAL DEVICES

Digital devices are pieces of hardware that use computers or microcontrollers and are found
everywhere in our digital world to enhance and support daily life. These devices connect and work
together to provide required data, and their continuous development changes how they are used
globally.

🧠 VOCABULARY: CORE COMPONENTS

• Mainframe computer: A large, powerful computer that does complicated jobs quickly and
can be used by many people simultaneously.

• Microprocessor: The device that controls what a computer does by taking input data,
processing it, and providing output.

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PERSONAL COMPUTERS (PCS)

Personal computers come in various shapes and sizes, such as desktops and laptops, and are common
in homes and offices.

💻 Desktops: Desktops provide more component space than laptops and offer users the option to
upgrade or add additional components. A desktop computer usually requires connected peripheral
devices, such as a monitor, printer, mouse, and keyboard.

💻 Laptops: Laptops are portable devices that include a keyboard, a screen, a track pad, and a
rechargeable battery so they can be taken away from a desk. Some larger laptops are known as
'desktop replacements'.

MOBILE PHONES & TABLETS

Mobile phones use a subscriber identity module (SIM) card to identify the subscriber and connect the
device to a mobile network. Smartphones are small computers with Wi-Fi and mobile connectivity that
allow users to make calls, access the internet, and use features of cameras, media players, and
handheld games consoles.

📱 VOCABULARY: MOBILE TECH

• Wi-Fi: Connecting computers or machines to a network using radio signals.

• Games console: An electronic device used for playing computerized video games.

• Application (app): A program that allows a user to perform a task.

• Virtual keyboard: A keyboard displayed on and used via a touch screen.

📷 CAMERAS AND IMAGE RESOLUTION

Digital cameras use light sensors to capture images formed by light passing through the device's lens.
Digital images consist of pixels, and better-quality sensors capture more detail to produce images with
a higher resolution.

RESOLUTION MAXIMUM DISPLAY SIZE (BEFORE PIXELATION)

1.3 megapixel 1280 × 960 pixels

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 RESOLUTION MAXIMUM DISPLAY SIZE (BEFORE PIXELATION)

2 megapixel 1600 × 1200 pixels

3 megapixel 2048 × 1536 pixels

4 megapixel 2272 × 1704 pixels

8 megapixel & above 2560 × 1920 pixels

⚡ Features of Digital Devices

PORTABILITY & PERFORMANCE

A device's portability is directly related to its size and weight. Device performance is determined by the
speed at which the processor carries out software instructions, meaning a faster processor increases
overall performance. Faster RAM enables quicker instruction loading, and more RAM allows the system
to run more programs simultaneously.

USER INTERFACE TYPES

• Command Line Interface (CLI): precise text instructions → text feedback.

• Menu-Driven Interface: lists of options (e.g., ATMs, older phones).

• Graphical User Interface (GUI): Uses windows, icons, menus, and pointers (WIMP).

• Voice Interface: Uses voice recognition software.

• Gesture Interface: Swiping/pinching fingers across the screen.

🖲️ Peripheral Devices

INPUT PERIPHERALS

• Keyboards & Pointers: Mice, track pads, joysticks, graphics tablets.

• Scanners & Webcams: Document scanners, barcode/QR readers, video streams.

• Biometric Scanners: Fingerprint, facial, voice, and iris recognition for security.

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OUTPUT PERIPHERALS

PRINTER TYPE SPEED COST QUALITY IDEAL USE CASE

Dot matrix Slowest Cheap Low Carbon copies, multiple forms

Inkjet Fast Medium High Home printing and photographs

Laser Fastest Expensive Highest High-volume office printing

💾 SECONDARY STORAGE

Secondary storage is non-volatile (retains data when power is off).

FEATURE HARD DISK FLASH MEDIA OPTICAL MEDIA MAGNETIC TAPE

Access Speed Fast Fastest Slow Slowest

Max Capacity ~128 GB+ Up to many TB Up to 50 GB (Blu-ray) Up to 185 TB

Cost Per GB High Very high Medium Low

Portability Not ideal Highly Portable Not suitable Not suitable

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 📝 CHAPTER QUESTIONS (SELF-TEST)

1. State one benefit of using barcodes in a supermarket.

2. State one reason why small, built-in microphones are used in smartphones.

3. Explain why capacitive touch screens do not work with woollen gloves.

4. State three computer systems that do not use monitors.

5. State two benefits of using laser printers rather than inkjet printers.

6. Explain why some 3D printers use biodegradable materials.

7. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using sensors in smart cars.

8. Explain one reason why Blu-ray disks are used to store modern console games.

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