Specification points

Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) Information and Communication Technology 4IT1

184 points in 6 topics, with Edexcel's codes and titles.

Codes and titles are read by a script from Edexcel's published specification and have not been checked by a person. What each point covers is in the specification itself: Edexcel’s specification.

1 Digital Devices

1.1 Types of digital devices
1.1.1 Mainframes and embedded microprocessors
1.1.2 Laptop and desktop personal computers
1.1.3 Types of mobile phone and network connection
1.1.4 Tablet devices
1.1.5 Other digital devices and their uses
1.1.6 Navigation aids
1.1.7 Multifunctional devices and convergence
1.2 Features of digital devices
1.2.1 Portability, performance, storage and other device features
1.2.2 Discussing features of identified devices
1.3 Software
1.3.1 Systems software and applications software
1.3.2 Operating systems and utilities
1.3.3 Role and functions of the operating system
1.3.4 Software applications
1.3.5 Software licensing types
1.3.6 Communication software
1.3.7 Software updates and their risks
1.4 Types of peripheral devices – input and output
1.4.1 Output peripherals
1.4.2 Input peripherals
1.5 Types of peripheral devices – storage
1.5.1 Storage devices and storage media
1.5.2 Characteristics of hard disk, solid state and optical drives
1.5.3 Internal and external storage devices
1.5.4 Types of storage media
1.5.5 Recordable and rewritable media
1.5.6 Units of storage capacity
1.6 Memory
1.6.1 RAM and ROM
1.6.2 Characteristics and differences of RAM and ROM
1.6.3 Flash memory
1.7 Processors
1.7.1 Function of the CPU
1.7.2 Measuring processor speed
1.8 ICT systems to meet specified needs
1.8.1 Choosing devices and peripherals to meet needs
1.8.2 Choosing software to meet needs
1.8.3 Configuring ICT systems for accessibility
1.8.4 Justifying hardware and software choices

2 Connectivity

2.1 Types of digital communications
2.1.1 Ways digital devices communicate
2.1.2 Device-to-device communication and networks
2.1.3 Types of wireless communication
2.1.4 Wi-Fi and Bluetooth compared
2.2 Factors influencing the choice of digital communication in a network
2.2.1 Factors affecting speed and volume of data transfer
2.2.2 Wired and wireless local networks compared
2.2.3 Bandwidth, latency and user experience
2.2.4 Broadband, mobile broadband and cellular networks
2.3 Requirements for connecting to a network, including the internet
2.3.1 Network operating systems and device identification
2.3.2 Components of wired and wireless systems
2.3.3 Browsers, ISPs, search engines and filter software
2.4 Benefits of using a LAN/home network
2.4.1 Peer-to-peer and client-server networks
2.4.2 Role of servers in client-server networks
2.4.3 Benefits of local area networks
2.4.4 Benefits of client-server networks
2.5 Securing data on a network, including the internet
2.5.1 Methods of network and data security
2.5.2 Selecting methods of securing data

3 Operating Online

3.1 Risks to data and personal information stored digitally
3.1.1 Risks to data and information
3.1.2 Securing data and personal information online
3.1.3 Online payment systems and their protection
3.2 Impact of the internet on individuals
3.2.1 Impact of ICT on employment
3.2.2 Impact of ICT on working practices
3.2.3 Access to information, learning and entertainment
3.2.4 Social impacts of ICT
3.2.5 Staying safe online
3.3 Online working from home
3.3.1 Working from home with digital technology
3.3.2 Benefits and drawbacks of working from home
3.4 Impact of the internet on organisations
3.4.1 Positive impacts of ICT on organisations
3.4.2 Negative impacts of ICT on organisations
3.5 Impact of the internet on society
3.5.1 Impact of unrestricted access to networks
3.5.2 The information rich and information poor
3.5.3 Causes and implications of unequal access to ICT
3.5.4 Impact of limited access to digital technology
3.5.5 Changes in ways of socialising
3.6 Types of online communities
3.6.1 Key features of online communities
3.7 Use of online communities
3.7.1 Functions and audiences of online communities
3.7.2 Global communication and collaboration online
3.7.3 Responsible use and acceptable behaviour policies
3.7.4 Staying safe in online communities
3.8 Implications of the use of digital technologies
3.8.1 Data protection and individual rights
3.8.2 Copyright legislation and digital media
3.8.3 Monitoring of movements and communications
3.8.4 Safe and responsible use of ICT
3.8.5 Sustainability and environmental impact of devices
3.8.6 Health and safety in ICT use
3.9 Availability of information online and the use of online information
3.9.1 Wide range of information sources
3.9.2 Selecting and using information sources
3.9.3 Using search engines effectively
3.9.4 Evaluating fitness for purpose of information
3.9.5 Copyright and acknowledging sources
3.9.6 Plagiarism

4 Online Goods and Services

4.1 Types of services
4.1.1 Online services offered by organisations
4.2 Impact of online services
4.2.1 Impact of online goods and services on lifestyle
4.2.2 Impact of the internet on business
4.2.3 Collecting and using transactional data
4.2.4 Targeted marketing and personalisation
4.2.5 Online and local services compared
4.3 Online software
4.3.1 Impact of cloud-based services
4.3.2 Hosted and locally installed software compared
4.3.3 Online and local data storage compared

5 Applying Information and Communication Technology

5.1 Software applications
5.1.1 Using software applications effectively
5.1.2 Selecting software applications to meet needs
5.2 Data and information
5.2.1 Difference between data and information
5.2.2 Using text, numbers, images and animation
5.2.3 Entering, organising and formatting information
5.2.4 Combining and organising information for a purpose
5.3 Using software applications
5.3.1 Information fit for purpose and audience
5.3.2 Using styles, fonts and colour
5.3.3 Working accurately and proofreading
5.4 Reviewing outcomes
5.4.1 Reviewing a digital product against requirements
5.4.2 Strengths, weaknesses and improvements of a product
5.4.3 Modifying to improve outcomes
5.4.4 Evaluating use of ICT tools

6 Software Skills

6.1 Word processing
6.1.1 Accurate text for a given context
6.1.2 Entering, editing and formatting text
6.1.3 Columns and tables
6.1.4 Page layout
6.1.5 Integrating content in a single document
6.1.6 Document types
6.1.7 Standard document conventions
6.1.8 Mail merge
6.2 Database management
6.2.1 Data types in databases
6.2.2 Database structure
6.2.3 Validation checks
6.2.4 Sorting database records
6.2.5 Entering information into tables and forms
6.2.6 Searches and queries
6.2.7 Database outputs
6.3 Spreadsheet
6.3.1 Spreadsheet data types
6.3.2 Formatting a worksheet
6.3.3 Spreadsheet formulae
6.3.4 Spreadsheet functions
6.3.5 Multiple worksheets, sorting and filtering
6.3.6 Graphs and charts
6.3.7 Selecting and formatting graphs and charts
6.3.8 Printing from a worksheet
6.4 Web authoring
6.4.1 Web page templates
6.4.2 Inserting text, images, buttons and animation
6.4.3 Formatting a web page
6.4.4 Using HTML code
6.5 Presentation
6.5.1 Presentation templates and master slides
6.5.2 Creating slides
6.5.3 Printing presentations
6.6 Graphics
6.6.1 Bitmap and vector images
6.6.2 Creating images
6.6.3 Editing images
6.7 File management
6.7.1 Saving work and keeping information secure
6.7.2 Filenames and formats
6.7.3 Files and folder structures