CSEC® Information Technology Syllabus, Specimen Paper, Mark Scheme and Subject Reports

282 Pages·2014·2.84 MB·English

by  Caribbean Examinations Council

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SYLLABUS
SPECIMEN PAPER
MARK SCHEME
SUBJECT REPORTS
Macmillan Education
4 Crinan Street, London, N1 9XW
A division of Macmillan Publishers Limited
Companies and representatives throughout the world

www.macmillan-caribbean.com

ISBN 978-0-230-48289-0 AER

© Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC®) 2014
www.cxc.org
www.cxc-store.com

The author has asserted their right to be identified as the author of this work in accordance with the
Copyright, Design and Patents Act 1988.

First published 2014

Permission to copy
The material in this book is copyright. However, the publisher grants permission for copies to be
made without fee. Individuals may make copies for their own use or for use by classes of which they
are in charge; institutions may make copies for use within and by the staff and students of that
institution. For copying in any other circumstances, prior permission in writing must be obtained
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Designed by Macmillan Publishers Limited
Cover design by Macmillan Publishers Limited and Red Giraffe
CSEC Information Technology Free Resources
®

LIST OF CONTENTS

®
CSEC Information Technology Syllabus Extract 3
®
CSEC Information Technology Syllabus 4

®
CSEC Information Technology Key and mark Scheme

Paper 02 January 2009 65
Paper 032 January 2009 76

®
CSEC Information Technology Subject Report

January 2004 82
June 2004 102
June 2005 117
January 2006 136
May/June 2007 142
January 2008 158
May/June 2008 170
January 2010 184
May/June 2010 191
January 2011 200
May/June 2011 211
January 2012 225
May/June 2012 238
January 2013 253
May/June 2013 263
Information Technology Syllabus Extract
This syllabus is designed to provide a coherent view of the significance of
information in a socio-economic context. Emphasis is placed on application of
knowledge, problem-solving using the computer, and proficiency in using productivity
tools. This approach has been adopted in recognition of the impact that changes in
the availability of information can have on the educational process. Focus is placed
on getting students to develop skills for life in an increasingly technological world,
rather than on students absorbing a myriad of seemingly unrelated facts which may
have only short term relevance.
The syllabus aims to expose candidates to a wide range of Information and
Communication Technologies, affording learning experiences which include an
element of discovery, and foster self-confidence. Candidates would also acquire
computer-related practical skills that will prepare them to meet the region’s need for
increased productivity and efficiency in a fast changing technological world. The
syllabus has been organised to offer certification at the General Proficiency only.
The syllabus is organised under eight main sections:
• Section 1 Fundamentals of Hardware and Software
• Section 2 Problem-Solving and Program Design
• Section 3 Program Implementation
• Section 4 Applications and Implications of Information and
Communications Technology
• Section 5 Information Processing
• Section 6 Word-processing, Presentation and Web Page Design
• Section 7 Spreadsheets
• Section 8 Database Management
CARIBBEAN EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL

Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate
®
CSEC

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
SYLLABUS

Effective for examinations from May/June 2010

CX C 3 0 / G / S Y L L 0 8 1
Published by the Caribbean Examinations Council

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted in any form, or by any means electronic, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior
permission of the author or publisher.

Correspondence related to the syllabus should be addressed to:
The Pro-Registrar
Caribbean Examinations Council
Caenwood Centre
37 Arnold Road, Kingston 5, Jamaica, W.I.

Telephone: [phone]
Facsimile Number: [phone]
E-mail address: [email protected]
Website: www.cxc.org

Copyright © 2008, by Caribbean Examinations Council
The Garrison, St Michael BB14038, Barbados

CX C 3 0 / G / S Y L L 0 8
Contents
RATIONALE .............................................................................................................................................. 1
AIMS ...................................................................................................................................................... 2
ORGANIZATION OF THE SYLLABUS .................................................................................................. 2
SUGGESTED TIME-TABLE ALLOCATION .......................................................................................... 2
FORMAT OF THE EXAMINATIONS ..................................................................................................... 3
CERTIFICATION AND DEFINITION OF PROFILE DIMENSIONS.................................................. 4
HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS............................................................................. 5
NOTES TO TEACHERS ........................................................................................................................... 5
REGULATIONS FOR RESIT CANDIDATES......................................................................................... 7
REGULATIONS FOR STUDENTS FROM PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS .............................................. 7
SECTION 1 – FUNDAMENTALS OF HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE ............................................ 8
SECTION 2 – PROBLEM-SOLVING AND PROGRAM DESIGN ........................................................ 10
SECTION 3 – PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION ................................................................................... 12
SECTION 4 – APPLICATIONS AND IMPLICATIONS OF INFORMATION AND
COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY ........................................................................... 13
SECTION 5 – INFORMATION PROCESSING ..................................................................................... 15
SECTION 6 – WORDPROCESSING, PRESENTATION AND WEB PAGE DESIGN ...................... 16
SECTION 7 – SPREADSHEETS............................................................................................................... 19
SECTION 8 – DATABASE MANAGEMENT.......................................................................................... 21
GUIDELINES FOR THE CONDUCT OF THE SCHOOL BASED ASSESSMENT............................ 23
RECOMMENDED TEXTS ........................................................................................................................ 46
GLOSSARY................................................................................................................................................. 47
CX C 3 0 / G / S Y L L 0 8 ii
This document CXC 30/G/SYLL 08 replaces CXC 30/G; T/SYLL 00 issued in 2000.
A

Revised 2000, 2008, 2013

Please check the website, www.cxc.org for updates on CXC’s syllabuses.

CX C 3 0 / G / S Y L L 0 8 iii
Information Technology
Syllabus

◆ RATIONALE

Information Technology has evolved over the past five decades in response to the need for more efficient
techniques to manage the significantly increased volume and sophistication of the knowledge reservoir of
mankind. It merges the study of Computer Science, Telecommunications and Office Automation; involves
the collection, storage, accessing, processing and dissemination of information and impacts on both work
and leisure activities.

In a world characterised by technological innovation and computerized responses to situations in the work
place and in the wider society, all citizens will need to have practical exposure to the techniques of
Information Technology in order to bridge the widening gap between Caribbean nations and the developed
countries and provide our citizens with the best chances for survival and growth in this new age.

A structured programme in Information Technology develops computer-related skills and encourages the
development of analytical and design skills which are applicable in all areas of the curriculum. This unique
feature warrants the inclusion of Information Technology in the secondary school curriculum.

This syllabus is designed to provide a coherent view of the significance of information in a socio-economic
context. Emphasis is placed on application of knowledge and the use of the computer. This approach has
been adopted in recognition of the impact that changes in the availability of information can have on the
educational process. The focus is on getting students to develop skills for life in an increasingly
technological world, rather than on students absorbing a myriad of seemingly unrelated facts which may
have only short term relevance.

The syllabus aims to provide the kind of practical experience which includes an element of discovery, and
fosters self-confidence, together with the practical skills that will prepare students to meet the region’s need
for greatly increased productivity and cost effective procedures.

The Information Technology syllabus is based on objectives, skills and content which will cultivate the attributes of the Ideal
Caribbean Person as articulated by CARICOM. That is, a Caribbean person who demonstrates multiple literacies, as well as
independent and critical thinking. The individual questions the beliefs and practices of the past and brings this to bear on the
innovative application of science and technology to problem solving. Such a person will inevitably demonstrate a high level of
self-confidence and self-esteem, a positive work ethic, and display and nurture creative imagination in the economic and
entrepreneurial spheres and other areas of life. Also, in keeping with the UNESCO Pillars of Learning, this course of study will
contribute to the development of a person who will learn to be, learn to know, learn to do, learn to live together, and learn to
transform oneself and society.

CX C 3 0 / G / S Y L L 0 8 1
◆ AIMS

The syllabus aims to:

1. prepare students to function effectively in a dynamic technological era;

2. promote the development of computer-related skills for immediate application to other curricular
areas;

3. provide a foundation for post-secondary education;

4. facilitate the development and application of problem-solving skills in students.

◆ ORGANIZATION OF THE SYLLABUS

The syllabus is organised under eight main sections.

1. Fundamentals of Hardware and Software

2. Problem-Solving and Program Design

3. Program Implementation

4. Applications and Implications of Information and Communications Technology

5. Information Processing

6. Wordprocessing, Presentation and Web Page Design

7. Spreadsheets

8. Database Management

◆ SUGGESTED TIME-TABLE ALLOCATION

It is estimated that the syllabus can be covered in approximately 160 hours or 4 periods per week during the
fourth and fifth years in the secondary school. A suggested time allocation (in hours) is shown below for
each section. The laboratory hours indicated are calculated on a per student basis.

CX C 3 0 / G / S Y L L 0 8 2