Unit 1 Exam Revision Q and A

​Past Paper Revision

Open Ended

(Q1) A ‘2-in-1 laptop’ has a Graphical User Interface (GUI) similar to a tablet computer. Discuss the factors that make a GUI suitable for use in mobile devices such as tablet computers.

Q1 Answer

Learners discuss the factors that that make a Graphical User Interface (GUI) suitable for use in mobile devices such as tablet computers.

Icons

Allow users to understand what the Apps / functions or other instructions do without having any detailed knowledge of computing terminology

There is no need to write long instructions/code, which can introduce errors

Don’t have to remember coding/formatting

Allow beginners/non IT literate users to understand and get started using the devices straightaway

Are intuitive

Are not language dependent (e.g. English & French Icons are likely to be very similar)

Very similar between different types of devices allowing for transferability

Q1 Answer (Continued)

Navigation aids

Drop down menus incorporated to speed up/aid navigation around/between the screens

Forward/back navigation allow users to move freely/quickly between screens/windows

Touch Screen

GUI maximises benefits of touch screen technology (although can be used with ‘onscreen keyboards etc) Touch screen technology enables users to ‘point’/select using a finger/stylus. Enabling easy/fast access to Apps etc.

General points

Ideal/easy accessibility/interaction for users with a wide range of impairments with impairments e.g. visual impairments/users who struggle/are unable to use a standard keyboard.

Can be adapted e.g. colour/font size/ positioning/sizing of icons to aid impairments.

More suitable for small screens rather than command line interface.

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(Q2) Maria is a scientist working as part of a team studying the British weather.

An unmanned data logging system has been set up in the mountains of Scotland to monitor weather conditions such as temperature and rainfall.

Explain what is meant by the term ‘data logging’.

Q2 Answer

An Automated system (1) to capture data (1) for future analysis (1)

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(Q3) Explain two benefits of using a data logging system to monitor weather

conditions in a remote area.

Q3 Answer

• Systems are robust (1) so that they that can be used in unpleasant / harsh environments (1)

• They can be set up in dangerous / difficult to access locations (1) less risks to humans health and safety (1)

• Can be set up to monitor over very long periods / monitor 24 hours a day (1) because there are factors that affect humans (1)

• Readings are very accurate / more precise than human measurements / record minute detail (1) which leads to better/more accurate data analysis (1)

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(Q4) Describe how a data logging system would be used to monitor

weather conditions.

Q4 Answer

• A sensor used to take readings

• Regular intervals

• Examples of weather conditions such as temperature, precipitation, etc

• Interface box / ADC is used to convert analogue signals to digital signals that can be used by the computer

• A spreadsheet/ database is used to store the data

• An internal hard disc/memory card is used to store collected data, for future use

• Time-stamped

• Value is associated with time/date

• Future analysis

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(Q5) Until recently Maria has collected the data by visiting the weather station.

Due to improvements in communication technology, Maria no longer needs to

visit the weather station.

Explain two ways in which improvements in communication technology have

removed the need to visit the weather station.

Q5 Answer

• (More/improved data transmission systems) provide wider geographical coverage (1) enabling signals to be sent/ accessed from more remote locations (1)

• (Improvements in data transmission systems) provide greater broadband width / enable larger quantities of data to be transmitted simultaneously (1) reducing the frequency of sampling (1)

• Transmission systems are more reliable (1) ensuring that the data will be sent regularly (1)

• Hardware technologies have improved (1) devices have more functionality to receive and send data (1)

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(Q6) When Maria receives the data from the weather station she needs to:

• analyse the data

• display the results in an appropriate format

• produce a report for the other scientists working in the team.

She has decided to use spreadsheet and word processing software to complete

these tasks.

Discuss how the features of spreadsheet and word processing software would

help Maria complete these tasks.

Q6 Answer

• Spreadsheet features

  Analytics

  • stores numerical data and use formulae in table format

  • can change data values and automatically recalculate

  • produce statistics e.g. averages, standard deviation

  • incorporates a range of functions

  Display

  • basic table format can be enhanced, using a range of tools, to show data clearly

  • wide range of graphs and charts available

  • automatic updates if data changes

Q6 Answer

• Word processing features

  • simple text entry

  • formatting tools to enhance text/improve layout/text wrap

  • insertion of graphs etc

  • templates

• Using both together

Basics would allow copy & paste/ import from spreadsheet into WP. It is possible, on a range of office productivity software, to ‘link’ the software and e.g. if a change was made on a spreadsheet table, information would be updated on a table in WP

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(Q7) Edie is a student at Wigmore College. She is working with other students on a project to investigate the effects of plastics on the environment.

All students have internet access and use a wiki as their online method

of collaboration.

(a) Explain two benefits of using a wiki to collaborate with other students.

Q7 Answer

• Can limit access to the group / can set up the system to only accept invited participants (1) ensures that the group have control over contributions (1)

• Editable/ customizable/ updated/ an embed/ upload documents (e.g. spreadsheets / calendars / images / videos / web links) (1) by only the members of the group (1)

• Simultaneously sharing of documents (1) reduces time sending document to all of the group / everyone see the same document (1)

• Ease of use (1) easy to set up / don’t require advanced editing skills / knowledge of computer programming (1)

Q7 Answer (Continuation)

• Simple to navigate (1) can include section tabs / links between multiple pages (1)

• Generally unlimited size (1) group can create complex / media-rich wikis (1)

• WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) (1) all of the group see the same page (1)

• Version control (1) users can refer back to previous versions/ can recover previous edited information/ data (1)

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(Q8) Explain two drawbacks of using a wiki to collaborate with other students.

Q8 Answer

• Tracking changes can be difficult (1) may be difficult to quickly identify recently edited content / identify content to be updated (1)

• Not all edits will be agreeable/ acceptable to all of the group (1) need to establish a protocol for accepting changes (1)

• Open to spam / vandalism (1) if not managed properly (1)

• Unreliable information (1) if not verified/ validated (for accuracy) (1)

• Limited formatting options /features eg fonts/colours/styles (1) which may be detrimental to the overall output (1)

• The software may be difficult for non-technical users (1) which means all members of the groups may not be able to contribute (1)

• A wiki doesn’t provide analytic (1) which may impact on the research project (1)

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(Q9) Wigmore College should ensure that computer workstations are designed to

minimise health risks. Explain two factors the college should consider when designing computer workstations in order to minimise health risks.

Q9 Answer

• (Provision of) ergonomic furniture / adjustable chairs / ergonomic computer equipment / designed to support users (1) to minimise back/posture problems (1)

• Positioning of furniture/monitors (1) to ensure appropriate height/distance etc between elements e.g. chairs and desks/monitors (1)

  Flexibility of layout/ furniture (1) to ensure that different users can adjust the workstation to suit individual needs (1)

Q9 Answer

• Flexibility of layout/ furniture (1) to ensure that different users can adjust the workstation to suit individual needs (1)

• Ensure minimal reflected light on screens (1) position screens appropriately/provide/use window blinds (1)

• Cables/wires should be stored securely / tied up (behind PCs) (1) to avoid risk of tripping/injury by students (1)

• Adjustable height / tilting monitors (1) so that users can minimise neck problems / adjust to individual eye-level (1)

• Provision of ergonomic mice /ergonomic keyboards (1) to reduce RSI (1)