Information Communication Technology

Grade 9
By: Yenesew Abebay
 UNIT 1 & 2 Presentation Outline
UNIT 1 : ORGANIZATION OF FILES UNIT 2 : COMPUTER NETWORK

2.1 Definition of Network

1.1 Basics of Files and Folders
2.2 Fundamental Elements of Network
1.2 Managing Files and Folders
2.3 Types of Networks
1.3 Computer Drives
2.4 Advantages and Disadvantages of
Network
1.4 Unit Summary
2.5 Unit Summary

1.5 Unit Review Exercise 2.6 Unit Review Exercise

UNIT 1
ORGANIZATION OF FILES
UNIT OUTCOMES

At the end of this unit, learners will be able to:

 Explain file, folder and drive.
 Manipulate file and folder.
 Explore drive on computer system.

3
 1.1 Basics of Files and Folders
1.1.1 Files
A file is a collection of data stored in one unit, identified by a filename. It can be a document,
picture, audio or video stream, data library, application or other collection of data. Files are
usually represented by an icon. Because there are thousands of different file formats, different
icons are used to help identify the type of file or program associated with. In Figure below, you
can see different types of files on the desktop.
 KEY CONCEPTS
A file stores a data which can be a document, a
01
picture, text, video, audio, etc.

02 A file has different icons in a computer.

 1.1.2 Folders
A folder, also called a directory, is where a space used to store files, other folders and shortcuts to
a program on a computer. A good analogy is the manila folders (dossier) seen in an office to store
papers or reports. A folder contained in another folder is called a subfolder.

The difference between a file and a folder is that a file is a collection or group of interrelated data
and information whereas a folder is a container used to store different files and subfolders. We
can have different types of Files such as text, video, document and image and each has different
extensions to identify their types but folders do not have extensions.
KEY CONCEPTS
A folder, which is also called a directory, is a container
01
of files.

02 A folder helps us to organize related files together.

 1.2 Managing Files and Folders
1.2.1 Using File Explorer A file explorer has the following main parts
 Cont.….
Element File Explorer Description and Usage
Numbers Elements
1 Navigation pane  allows you to view and access your computer’s file and
folder structure.
 is a Quick Access area.
 It allows you to navigate quickly and easily to the folders
that you use regularly or frequently.
2 Forward and Back  Enables you to go to folders you have previously opened.
buttons If you go to a different folder, you can choose the Back
button to return to the last folder you accessed.
3 Ribbon  Enables you to perform layout, formatting and sharing
tasks. It also enables you to change your files’ and folders’
displays.
4 Address bar  Enables you to go to a different folder in the same
Explorer window.
 Cont.….
Element File Explorer Description and Usage
Numbers Elements
Titles of each of the columns displayed in the file and folder list.
5 Column headings
You can choose which columns you want to display by adding a
column heading or removing a column heading.
Allows you to search for subfolders, documents, images,
6 Search box
programs, web pages and bookmarks in the current folder.

File and folder Shows you the files and folders in the current folder (the folder
7
listing you selected in the Navigation pane).
Enables you to quickly preview an item, such as a photo, without
8 review/Details pane
having to open that item.

Displays information about a selected folder and its contents

9 Status bar
such as the total number of items in the folder, the number of
items selected and the total file size.
 Opening File Explorer
To open File Explorer, click on the File Explorer icon located in the taskbar.

Alternatively, you can open File Explorer by clicking on the Start button and then
clicking on File Explorer.
 1.2.2 Creating New File
A file is created using a computer software program.
For example,
 to create a plain text file you can use a text editor such as notepad and
notepad++,
 to create a document file, you would use a word processor such as
WordPad, Microsoft Word,
 to create an image file you may use an image editor such as Microsoft
Paint, paint 3D, and Adobe Photoshop.
 How to create a text file
The easiest way to create a text file in Windows is to open up the Notepad application
software program on your computer. The Notepad is a text editor included with
Microsoft Windows.

 The Windows Notepad program can be opened using the methods below.
1. Click Start.
2. In the Run or Search box, type Notepad and press Enter.
Viewing, editing, and creating images
There are many software programs you can use to display, view, edit and create
images, logos or arts on your computer. Microsoft Paint a default image editing
application software in window Operating system. We can use it to simply edit our
image file.
Creating presentation file
Presentation files are created for electronic presentations consisting of a series of
separate pages or slides. To create presentation files, there are different application
software such as Microsoft PowerPoint and LibreOffice.
1.2.3 Creating a New Folder
Creating a new folder can help you store related files in an organized manner.
 The following steps can be followed to create a new folder.
1. Navigate to the location where new folders are created.
2. In File Explorer, click on the Home menu item.
3. From the Home tab, click on the New folder button
4. Enter the name of your new folder.
5. After you enter the folder name, click anywhere outside the text area to complete
creation of the folder name.
 1.2.4 Copying a File
Copying a file is used to put the file in a duplicated manner. To copy computer
documents, pictures or other files from one place to another, follow the following
instructions.
The following steps show how to copy a file or multiple files in Microsoft Windows from
one folder to another.
1. Go to the files or folders you want to copy.
2. Highlight the file or files you want to copy by clicking them once with the mouse. If you
need to highlight more than one file, you can hold down the Ctrl or Shift keys on your
keyboard or drag a box around the files you want to copy.
3. Once highlighted, right-click one of the highlighted files and select copy. You may also
press the Ctrl + C shortcut key or in File Explorer, click Home at the top of the window and
click Copy.
 Cont.….
4. Open the destination folder, right-click an empty space in the folder, and choose
paste. Alternatively, in the File Explorer menu bar at the top, click Home and then click
Paste.
 1.2.5 Renaming File and Folder
In Window, to rename files such as text, photo, document, audio and video
files and folders, you can use one of the following methods.
Method 1 Method 2
02  Highlight or select the
 Right click the file with 01
file or the folder.
your mouse and select
Renaming  Press the F2 key on the
Rename from the menu
that appears. Files & keyboard
Folders

Method 3
04
Method 3 03  Click File at the top of the
window and select Rename
 Highlight the file or the
from the list of available
folder you want to rename options.
by single-clicking the file
1.2.6 Accessing Files and Folders
There are a number of ways you can navigate to your files and folders in File
Explorer. The methods below will help you to do so.

Using the Address bar (located at the top of File Explorer). The Address bar
shows the full path of your current location.
Forward and Backward buttons

From the Folders/Navigation pane

ƒ
Using the Search function (which searches file names and file and folder
contents in the current folder to find items containing your search term)
ƒ
1.2.7 Moving Files and Folders on Computer
There are several methods available to move computer files
and folders (directories) from one source or level to another.
In Windows, you can move files using several methods.
These are

 Cut and paste

 Drag-and-drop
 Use the “Move to Folder” command

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1.2.8 Deleting File and Folder 20

Now and then, it is a good idea to clean up your drives and delete duplicated
files such as photos, documents, temporary files and videos, and other unneeded
or unwanted files and folders.
Use the following Steps to delete file or folders using Delete key method
 Locate the item you want to delete.
 Highlight the file or the folder by left-clicking with your mouse once.
 Press the Delete key
 1.2.9 Searching a File on a Computer
Microsoft Windows has a search feature that helps you find any file such as document,
spreadsheet, picture or video on your computer. To find a file, it is not required to know
its full name. Some of the methods used to search files are discussed below.
 Using Start button

 Using File Explorer

 1.3 Computer Drives 22
A drive is a computer hardware component used to store and retrieve data, files,
programs, operating system, etc. All drives store files and programs used by a computer.
Accessing all drives available on a computer
In Windows 10, it is possible to view all mounted or attached drives in File
Explorer. To achieve this, follow the following steps carefully.
1. Open File Explorer by pressing Windows key + E.
2. 2. In the left pane, select This PC.
3. All drives are shown on the right side of the window explorer wizard
2.1 Definition of Network 25

A network is a connection of two or more computers that are linked

together in order to share resources (such as printers, files and disks) or
allow electronic communications.
 Activity 2.1
26

Form a group of three to five students and discuss the following questions.
1. What is a computer network?
2. What are the applications of network in our day-to-day lives?

2.2 Fundamental Elements of Network

Networks are comprised of four basic elements: hardware, software, protocols and
connection medium. All data networks are comprised of these elements, and cannot
function without them.
The backbone of any network is the hardware that runs it. Network hardware includes
end devices (sending and receiving devices) and intermediary devices which are
network cards, routers or network switches, modems and Ethernet repeaters.
Cont.….
In order for the hardware to interact with the network, it needs software to issue commands.27The
primary form of networking software is protocols, connection monitoring software, networking
operating system, clients and other tools designed to further facilitate your computer’s ability to
connect to the network.
 End devices ƒ
 Intermediary devices ƒ
 Communication Protocols, which are rules held in the form of software and, ƒ
 Transmission medium (wired or wireless)

2.2.1 End Devices

End devices, which are also called hosts, are devices used to send or receive data over the
network. The sending device is called a sender and the receiving one is a receiver. Some examples
of end devices are:
 Computers(such as desktops, laptops, file servers and web servers etc.) ƒ
 Network printers,
 ƒSecurity cameras & ƒ
 Mobile handheld devices.
Cont.….
In order for the hardware to interact with the network, it needs software to issue commands.28The
primary form of networking software is protocols, connection monitoring software, networking
operating system, clients and other tools designed to further facilitate your computer’s ability to
connect to the network.
 End devices ƒ
 Intermediary devices ƒ
 Communication Protocols, which are rules held in the form of software and, ƒ
 Transmission medium (wired or wireless)

2.2.1 End Devices

End devices, which are also called hosts, are devices used to send or receive data over the
network. The sending device is called a sender and the receiving one is a receiver. Some examples
of end devices are:
 Computers(such as desktops, laptops, file servers and web servers etc.) ƒ
 Network printers,
 ƒSecurity cameras & ƒ
 Mobile handheld devices.
2.2.2 Intermediary devices
29

Intermediary devices interconnect end devices. These devices interconnect and work
behind the scenes to ensure data flow across the network and the devices. Intermediary
devices connect the individual hosts to the network and also can connect multiple
individual networks to form an internetwork. Intermediary device includes
 Network Cards
 Routers
 Switches
 Wireless access points and
 Repeaters.
2.2.3 Communication Protocol
30

In networking, a protocol is a set of rules that governs data communications. In order

for different network hardware to interact with the network, they should follow the same
rules called protocols.

It is software that instructs network devices on how to connect to the network and
how to interact with one another. Internet Protocol (IP) is one of the important
communication protocols and used for addressing network devices and forwarding
data from one network to another.
 2.2.4 Connection Media
31
Without physical connections(wired or wireless), a network cannot function. The connection media are the
media which are used to carry the message from sender to receiver. We have two types of communication
medium: wired and wireless.

Wired medium Wireless Medium

 It is also called guided medium.

 It is also referred to as unguided media
 It is a cable that connects end devices. Copper
or unbounded transmission media.
and fiber optic cables are examples of wired
medium.
 It is used to communicate
 The most common copper cable used in information through the air, water or
networks today is unshielded twisted-pair vacuum, e.g. radio Waves, micro
cable (UTP), which uses electric signal to waves, infrared waves and satellite
transmit message for a maximum distance of communications.
100 meters. Fiber optic cable uses light to
transmit signal at faster speed and longer
distance than copper cable.
Elements of Network
 2.3 Types of Networks
There are different types of network classified based on the following four categories: ƒ
 Network media ƒ
 Size of the network ƒ
 Topology ƒ
 Resource security and access.
2.3.1 Types of Network Based on Connection Medium
Based on connection medium, computer networks are classified into wired 34
and
wireless networks.
Wired Network
Wired networks, also called Ethernet networks, are the most common type of local area
network (LAN) technology. A wired network is simply a collection of two or more computers,
printers, and other devices linked by Ethernet cables. This is shown in Figure, as an example,
where each line connects the end devices and servers to the global network (the globe) cables.
 Wireless Network
35
Wireless networks have no physical connection with the wired network; instead they get
connected through the wireless access point (WAP). A wireless network, which uses high-
frequency radio waves rather than wires to communicate between nodes, is another option for
home or business networking.
Individuals and organizations can use this option to expand their existing wired network or to
go completely wireless. Wireless network allows for devices to be shared without networking
cable which increases mobility.
2.3.2 Types of Networks Based on Size
Computer networks can be characterized by their sizes. The size of a network can be expressed in
terms of the geographic area the network occupies and the number of computers connected to the
network.
Some of the network types based
on size are:
 Personal area network or PAN
 Local area network or LAN
 Metropolitan area network or MAN
 Wide area network or WAN
Personal Area Network Local Area Network 37
Metropolitan Area Network Wide Area Network
2.3.3 Types of Network Based on Topologies
Network topology defines how various computers or electronic devices represented as
nodes are connected to one another in the network. It refers to the physical
arrangement of devices in a network. Typical network configurations include bus
topology, mesh topology, star topology, and ring topology.
Bus Topologies Mesh Topologies
40

Star Topologies Ring Topologies

Advantage and Disadvantages of Network Topologies 41
 2.3.4 Types of Network Based on Resource Access and Sharing
Peer-to-Peer Network
Peer-to-Peer Network In a Peer-to-Peer network, each machine (computer) is known as peer and
01 can participate in the sharing of files or resources. No server is required in this network, so there is
no additional cost for a dedicated machine, but there is also no a real security.

A peer-to-peer network is also called workgroup and there is no hierarchy among the
02 computers. This mean that all computers are peers (equals) and the connection is
created for resource sharing and communication purposes only.

The number of computers in peer-to-peer network usually does not exceed 10; if the
03
number is beyond this, the network becomes very difficult for administration.
Client-server Network

Client-server Network A client-server network involves multiple clients or workstations,

connecting to at least one central server. Most resources are installed on the server. When clients
need access to these resources, they access them from the server. Servers often have private user
directories as well as multiple public directories .

In client-server networks the clients are allowed to function as workstations without sharing any
resources. It is easier to upgrade software applications and files because they are held on one
single computer. System-wide services can be provided through the server software. Security is
enhanced on a client server network because the security is handled by the server. The following
table summarizes the difference between peer-to-peer and client network.
Comparison of client-server and peer-to-Peer networks
 2.4 Advantages and Disadvantages of Network
2.4.1 Advantages of network
Sharing data and information - One of the biggest advantages of a network is sharing data and
information between each of the devices on the network. In addition, networks allow accessing the
data which is stored on central computer called database server. For example, we use network for
sharing documents, images, photos, songs and videos.
ƒCommunication - A network gives all users the ability to quickly communicate with each other
either using chatting or instant messaging services such as Skype, WhatsApp and Viber to send files
and messages among the users, video conferencing, e-mail, TV and radio.
ƒ Sharing hardware – Expensive hardware devices connected to a network can be shared
among all users. ƒ
• Storage devices such as Hard Disk that are shared on a storage server, which is also called NAS
(Network attached storage), can store and access vast amounts of information. ƒ
• A printer which is attached and shared on a server (printer server) allows all network users to print
from one printer according to their privilege configured on the server by a network administrator. ƒ
• Fax machines, Scanners, more powerful computers, such as super computers that can perform
complex tasks within short period of time than a single computer will take to complete.
Share software – Different application software and Internet-based services can be
shared over the network for all licensed users for the software. For instance, we can share
software such as computer games and work Internet-based services such as e-learning. E-
learning or learning management system in its broadest sense is designed to support
teaching and learning as well as student-to-student and student-to-teacher instructions.

Transferring money - Being connected to a secure network allows a person or

business to digitally transfer money between banks and users. For example, a network
could allow a company not only to manage employees’ payroll but also to transfer their
pay to the employee’s bank account.
2.4.2 Disadvantages of network
ƒVirus and malware - Networks make sharing information between network users
easy. Unfortunately, this also means that viruses and other malwares have an easier time
spreading between computers on a network.
ƒVulnerabilities - When computer are connected on the network, it will be accessible
remotely, with these potential new methods of accessing the computer; it can introduce new
security issues or vulnerabilities to the computer, users and the data on the network which
affect the organization and the country at large. ƒ
Complex - Networks are complex, and setting up and managing a network for a business
or corporation requires someone with a lot of experience or certification. ƒ
Cost - Setting up, managing and administering a network hardware and software incurs
cost to the organization building a network. ƒ
Social media effect on youth and adults - particularly youths, including students,
waste their time on use of social media and unsafe Internet resources. There are also many
cyber security threats such as cyber-bullying, disinformation/misinformation and identity
theft that you should be aware of and learn to develop safe use of the Internet.