KCA University

Nairobi, Kenya

STU 1103: COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

Prepared By:
Dr. Linus Aloo, PhD
E-mail: linusaloo88@[Link]
Phone: 0739309165
Recommended Reading
1. Iris Blanc, “Performing with Computer Applications: Personal Information
Manager, Word Processing, Desktop Publishing, Spreadsheets, Databases,
Presentations, 3rd Edition, Course Technology, 2007.
Additional Reading.
1. T. M. Srinivasan, “Computer Application”, Aavishkar Publisher, 2nd Ed. 2007.
2. [Link]
3. [Link]
fundamentals-tutorial/
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 CHAPTER ONE: COURSE OUTLINE AND INTRODUCTION TO
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
1.0 Course Outline

Purpose/Aim This course helps the learner to comfortably operate a

computer gain skills in office applications that are useful in
completing assignments in other courses.
Course Objective ❑ The learner can safely operate a computer.
(Indicative Learning ❑ The learner can develop textual, financial and simple file
Outcomes management applications.
❑ The learner can send and receive electronic mail messages.

❑ The learner can find information using the Internet.

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 CHAPTER ONE: COURSE OUTLINE AND INTRODUCTION TO
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
1.0 Course Outline LABS
Course Content Lab 1: Introduction to GUI operating systems
❖ Introduction to computers
Lab 2: Introduction to Windows OS with a view to
❖ Operating a GUI operating system
understand the common tasks like opening, closing,
❖ Using a word processor
minimizing, maximizing, and restoring most windows dialogs
❖ Using a spreadsheet for calculation
and file operations Lab 3: Creating of folders and files, modifying and saving
❖ Using an electronic mail program the same as well as creation of short cuts
❖ Introduction to the Internet Lab 4: Introduction to Word processing. Word template,
❖ Browsing the Internet to find menus, toolbars, margins, etc. Creating and saving
information
documents, retrieving already saved documents.

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 CHAPTER ONE: COURSE OUTLINE AND INTRODUCTION TO
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
1.0 Course Outline LABS
Course Lab 5: Introduction to spreadsheets. Worksheet, book, menus, toolbars, margins, etc.
Content Creating and saving worksheets, retrieving already saved documents, Using formulae and
function to do simple tasks, charting, modifying charts etc, Send, composing and receiving
mails
Lab 6: Surfing the net
Lab 7: Using search engines

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 CHAPTER ONE: COURSE OUTLINE AND INTRODUCTION TO
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

1.0 Course Outline Course Assessment

Instructional Materials/Equipment STU 1103 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
❖ Classroom with audio visual aids Course Type Weighting
❖ Computer laboratory Assessment (%)
Examination 50
Recommended Reading Continuous 50
1. Iris Blanc, “Performing with Computer Applications: Assessment
Personal Information Manager, Word Processing, Total 100
Desktop Publishing, Spreadsheets, Databases,
Presentations, 3rd Edition, Course Technology, 2007.
Additional Reading
1. T. M. Srinivasan, “Computer Application”, Aavishkar Publisher, 2nd Ed. 2007.
2. [Link]
3. [Link]
fundamentals-tutorial/
9/17/2025 Computer Applications Lecture Notes by Dr. L. A. Aloo 5
 CHAPTER ONE: COURSE OUTLINE AND INTRODUCTION TO
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
1.1. Introduction
❑ Computer is an electronic device which accepts data as input, process the data and gives
the desired result as output.
❑ The activity of processing data using a computer is called data processing.

Figure 1.1. Computer definition, data and Information

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 CHAPTER ONE: COURSE OUTLINE AND INTRODUCTION TO
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
2.2. Definitions
Computer – refers to an electronic device capable of accepting data as input and processes it
under the influence of a set of instructions referred to as software/programs to produce information
as output.
Data - refers the raw facts fed into the computer for processing. Data does not have any meaning
to the user e.g. raw students' marks fed into the computers.
Information – refers to the already processed data summarized in the form that the user wants.
Information makes sense to the user e.g. computed average marks.
Computer system – combination of different components or elements of the computer which
each performs its own tasks but work together to process data into information.

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 CHAPTER ONE: COURSE OUTLINE AND INTRODUCTION TO
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
2.2. Definitions
2.3. Applications of computer:
Instructions: instructions describe the programming • Business
commands. • Industry
Computer program: A computer program is a sequence • Home

of instructions written to perform a specified task with a • Education

computer. • Printing & publishing

• Medical Diagnosis
Hardware: The physical part of the computer is called
• Railway
hardware.
• Banking
Software: A set of programs that instruct the hardware to
• Defence setup
perform a job. Without software hardware cannot work. • Entertainment etc.

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 CHAPTER ONE: COURSE OUTLINE AND INTRODUCTION TO
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
2.4. Computer Software

Software:
❑ Software is a collection of instructions that enables
a user to interact with the computer or have the
computer perform specific tasks for them.
❑ The set of instructions are commonly known as a
program, without which computers cannot do any
operations.
❑ Software is classified broadly in to two groups:
1. System software.
2. Application software.
Figure 1.2. Computer Software
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 CHAPTER ONE: COURSE OUTLINE AND INTRODUCTION TO
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
2.4. Computer Software

Figure 1.3. Software and its types [Source, [Link].]

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 CHAPTER ONE: COURSE OUTLINE AND INTRODUCTION TO
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
2.4. Computer Software
1. System Software
❑ System software is responsible for controlling, integrating, and managing the individual hardware
components of a computer system.
❑ Systems software programs support application software by directing the basic functions of the
computer.
❑ Examples: Operating System, device driver, System utilities, Compiler, interpreter etc.
2. Application software.
❑ Application software is end-user software that is used to accomplish a variety of tasks.
❑ Examples: Spreadsheet, Word processor, data base etc.

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 CHAPTER ONE: COURSE OUTLINE AND INTRODUCTION TO
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
2.4. Computer Software
❑ Competent end users need to understand the capabilities of basic application software including:
–Word processors
–Spreadsheets
–Presentation programs
–Database management systems
•There are three categories of application software:
[Link] Purpose Applications–word processing, spreadsheets, presentation, and database management
systems.
[Link] Applications–tend to be more focused and used in specific areas.
[Link] Apps–add-on features or programs designed for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
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 CHAPTER ONE: COURSE OUTLINE AND INTRODUCTION TO
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
2.4. Computer Software

Word Processor Programs

•Word Processor Programs is one of the most flexible and widely used software tools used
to create text-based documents such as letters and reports
•Microsoft Word is the most widely used word processor.
•Other popular word processors include :
–Apple Pages
–Google Docs
–OpenOffice Writer

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 CHAPTER ONE: COURSE OUTLINE AND INTRODUCTION TO
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
2.4. Computer Software

Spreadsheet Programs
•Spreadsheet program organize, analyze and graph numeric data such as budgets and
financial reports.
•The most widely used spreadsheet program is Microsoft Excel.
•Other spreadsheet applications include:
–Apple Numbers
–Google Sheets

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 CHAPTER ONE: COURSE OUTLINE AND INTRODUCTION TO
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
2.4. Computer Software
Spreadsheet Programs: Creating a Sales Forecast

•Features
•Worksheets
•Text entries
•Functions
•Cells
•Formulas

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 CHAPTER ONE: COURSE OUTLINE AND INTRODUCTION TO
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
2.4. Computer Software
Creating a Presentation

Presentation Graphics Programs •Presentation Features

•Presentation software are programs that combine a •Document Theme
variety of visual objects to create attractive, visually •Animation
interesting presentations. •Templates
•Presentation software are excellent tools to
communicate a message and to convince people.
•The most widely used presentation software programs
are Microsoft PowerPoint, Apple Keynote, and Google
Slides.
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 CHAPTER ONE: COURSE OUTLINE AND INTRODUCTION TO
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
2.4. Computer Software
Creating a Presentation

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 CHAPTER ONE: COURSE OUTLINE AND INTRODUCTION TO
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
2.4. Computer Software

Database Management Systems (DBMS)

•A database is a collection of related data.
•A database is the electronic equivalent of a file cabinet.
•A database management system (DBMS) or database manager is a program that sets
up, or structures, a database. It also provides tools to enter, edit, and retrieve data
from the database.
•The widely used database management system designed for personal computers are
Microsoft Access.

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 CHAPTER ONE: COURSE OUTLINE AND INTRODUCTION TO
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
2.4. Computer Software

Specialized Applications Graphics Programs

•Specialized applications are •Graphics Programs are widely used by
widely used within specific professionals in the graphic arts profession.
professions. •Types of graphics programs are:
•These programs includes: 1)Desktop Publishing Programs
•Graphics Programs 2)Image Editing Programs
•Web Authoring Programs 3)Illustration Programs
4)Video Editors

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 CHAPTER ONE: COURSE OUTLINE AND INTRODUCTION TO
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
2.4. Computer Software

Desktop Publishing Programs Image Editors

•Photo Editors or Image editors are used for editing
•Desktop publishing programs or
or modifying digital photographs.
page layout programs give the
•The photograph is made of up thousands of dots or
graphic artist the ability to
pixels; they form an image referred to as a bitmap.
combine text and graphics to
•Popular image editors
create publications. –Adobe Photoshop
•Popular programs: –Corel PaintShopPro
–Adobe InDesign –GIMP
–Microsoft Publisher –Windows Live Photo Gallery
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 CHAPTER ONE: COURSE OUTLINE AND INTRODUCTION TO
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
2.4. Computer Software
Mobile Apps
Video Editors •Mobile Apps or mobile applications are add-on
•Video Editors Edit videos to programs that can be downloaded from App

enhance quality and appearance Stores for your smartphone or tablet.

•Can now use your smartphone to •Apps

•Breadth and scope are ever-expanding
edit videos
•There are over 500,000 apps for Apple iPhone
•Well-known programs
alone
•Apple iMovie
•Most popular are: Music, videos, social
•Adobe Premier
networking, shopping, games

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 CHAPTER ONE: COURSE OUTLINE AND INTRODUCTION TO
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
2.4. Computer Software
Computer App Stores: Microsoft Store

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 CHAPTER ONE: COURSE OUTLINE AND INTRODUCTION TO
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
2.4. Computer Software

Software Suites
•A software suite is a collection of separate application programs bundled together
and made available as a group.
•Office suites, also known as office software suites and productivity suites, contain
general-purpose application programs that are typically used in a business situation.
•Productivity suites commonly include a word processor, spreadsheet, database
manager, and a presentation application. The best known is Microsoft Office.

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 CHAPTER ONE: COURSE OUTLINE AND INTRODUCTION TO
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
2.4. Computer Software

Software Suites
•Cloud suites or online office suites are stored at a server on the Internet and are
available anywhere you can access the Internet. Documents created using online
applications can also be stored online, making it easy to share and collaborate on
documents with others.
•Popular online office suites include Google Docs and Microsoft Office 365.

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 CHAPTER ONE: COURSE OUTLINE AND INTRODUCTION TO
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
2.5. Concept check
1. List three categories of application software.
2. What is a graphical user interface? What are windows, menus, toolbars, and dialog boxes?
3. What are ribbons, tabs, and galleries?
4. Discuss some of the most common features in application program such as Microsoft Word.
5. What are word processors? What are they used for?
6. What are spreadsheets? What are they used for?
7. What are presentation software programs? What are they used for?
8. What are database management systems? What are they used for?
9. What are desktop publishing programs?
10. What are image editors? Bitmap images?
11. What are illustration programs? Vector images?
12. What are video editors?
13. What are app stores? What are they used for?
14. What is a software suite?
15. What is the difference between a traditional office suite and a cloud or online suite?

END OF CHAPTER 1
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