Computer system PDP

Operating system PDP;
One of my weaknesses in unit 2 (computer system) was knowing different operating system and i wanted to gain more knowledge in this area. Before looking in more detail in this area, i knew very little about different operating systems but now after learning more in unit 2, i can more comment on operating systems, giving positives and negatives about them and give examples of operating systems. I got help from my subject teacher and looked in books and the internet, i feel that the information has stayed in my head.

PDP- Website

Website;
One of my weakness on my PDP plan was the topic website. The concept of creating a website was very scary, because i can't create a professional website probably. 

Firstly I had to decided what colour scheme i wanted, i wanted a blue/ grey theme because these colours are professional and suitable for both genders. After i chose the colours i had to think about the layout of my pages. I wanted my layouts to be simple but eye catching. I find creating the layout's very challenging because due to past experience my layout was the weakness, so i had to think carefully about it. I overcame my weakness by creating a suitable layout that isn't complicated and will stand out from any other website that is out there at the moment.

Another weakness which i overcame in this unit was learning different techniques which were vital in creating my website. The techniques i learned were slicing, exporting my web pages on the internet and cropping images. These are skill which i needed to learn in order to create my web pages. On my PDP, i stated that i wanted to learn new skills and i feel i have achieved that. At first i found slicing and exporting my web pages very challenging however when i tried a number of times i got the hang of it and overcome one of my weaknesses. I found cropping images very easy from the start. 

Software Utilities

Software Utilities
Today I have finished my newsletter on software utilities.I looked at things such as firewalls, virus protecting, clean up tools and drive formatting. This was another weakness that I had in this unit and I addressed this on my PDP. I researched these software utilities on the Internet, which I feel I used wisely however I found that one of the software utilities were a little challenging and that was the drive formatting. I couldn't find anything about it on the Internet. So in order to complete this task I asked fellow peers in my class to see if they too understood what it mend. They too didn't understand what it mend so instead I went to ask for the teachers help. This increased the chance of me getting the question right. In completing this task I feel more comfortable and confident about software utilities. I completed the newsletter on the 6/2/13 

PDP Update Hardware And Utilities

PDP Update;

In ICT, I have been studying all about computer systems and different hardware components. I find this unit very difficult and challenging because i know nothing about hardware components and computer systems. However the targets I set for myself while doing this unit was to know the knowledge of building a computer and knowing different hardware components. I can say that i have succeed in one of these targets already. The target was to learn one new thing each lesson . I feel that each lesson I am learning something new. This is because i know a variety of different hardware components now.
However another one of my smart target was to be motivated in my work and i at the moment i am not motivated. The reason for this is because i find this unit boring, tiring. I would rather do a unit which is fun and hands on like animation. So the one target I need to improve on is to be more motivated.

01/2/13- PDP update- Hardware And Utilities

One of my main PDP target was to know different hardware components. I was very anxious in doing this task because i have never done this sort of thing before however it would be intresting to learn.

After this Friday's lesson I have achieved one of my main goals on my PDP and that is taking a computer to bits, explaining what certain parts are and then putting the computer parts back together again. I explained about the CPU and the CD ROM. Explaining what they are and what there purpose is.From doing this task I have gained more confidence in taking a computer to part and i feel that if somebody asked me to do this again i will be able to do it. 

PDP Plan

Personal Development Plan Overview

Task 1 >

You are looking for a job in the IT industry and have joined ITK with a view to them helping you to succeed in finding the perfect occupation. ITK have indicated that there has been an employment boom in the web design and computer systems industries recently and feel that one of these occupations could be the way forward to meeting your long term aspirations.

Create a personal development plan based on the ‘Key Requirements’ document that ITK has given you. Your development plan must include:

·         A breakdown of your current strengths and weaknesses in both disciplines

·         A statement of your aspirations, education and training

·         An action plan with clear goals that will help you reach your target

Grading Criteria: P7 – Produce a personal development plan

Useful Information:
The following table outlines the skills that are necessary to succeeded in the web design and computer systems industries and will be covered during the remainder of year 12.

Computer Systems (Unit 2)	Website Production (Unit 28)
Knowledge of Computer Hardware Components	Knowledge of web architecture and components which enable internet and web functionality
Knowledge of Operating Systems	Knowledge of user side and server side factors that can influence website usability
Knowledge of Software Utilities	Knowledge of security risks and protection mechanisms that can effect website performance
Knowledge of Installing Hardware/Software Components	Ability to create a consistent website that meets a client’s needs, including: 1.       Text/Images 2.       Templates 3.       Interactive Objects 4.       Importing of different media
	Ability to design a website that meets client’s needs.

Time Plan:

Unit 2	Term 2 (7/01/2013 – 28/03/2013)
Unit 28	Term 3 (25/02/2013 – 24/05/2013)

Move onto next page for P7, P8 and D2 criteria

P7 – Creating a Personal Development Plan

Activity:

Based on the Task 1 scenario (Previous page) you must now create your own PDP that will be later uploaded to a blog and followed for the remainder of the year.

A - PDP

1.       Establish Purpose/Direction

Based on the ‘useful information’ section on the previous page describe what your main strengths are and what areas you think need to be developed for each discipline. Remember that you must justify each of your strengths against your past experiences and training.

Computer Systems (Unit 2)
Strengths	Possible Areas to Develop
I have both strengths and weakness when it comes to Knowledge of Computer Hardware Components. My strengths are that I have used a variety of different operating systems such as windows and apple. I have used this software’s at school and at home.	The possible areas to develop on in computer system are that I have never taken a computer apart. Also I have never built a computer from scratch before. Another area of develop is that I don’t know the knowledge of computers for example what is the difference of RAM and processer. Another possible area to development is the knowledge of Hardware components

Website Production (Unit 28)
Strengths	Possible Areas to Develop
I have both strengths and weaknesses for website production. The strengths I have in website production are that I have created a website before. Meaning that I have experience in creating a website. Another strength I have in website production is that I have used interactive features on a website before. An example of an interactive feature is buttons. I found working with interactive features pretty easy because it is pretty straight forward to use and it is very effective on a website because you are getting the audience involved.	The possible areas of development in the website production are that when creating a website I have never used a site plan. If I use a site plan then it would be much easier to plan out a website and know where everything is going to be on a website.  Another possible area of development on website production is that I don’t know the Knowledge of user side and server side factors that can influence website usability. The final area of development I need is that I need to know the Knowledge of web architecture and components which enable internet and web functionality

2.       Identify Your Development Needs

Outline which of the highlighted development areas will be your priority (e.g. which are you main weaknesses) and justify why you have chosen them (e.g. knowledge of building a computer – never had the opportunity to build a standalone computer).

Priority 1	By the end of the term, I will know the knowledge of building a computer because I’ve never had the opportunity to build one and it would be fun and interesting to learn. I will over come this by making a computer from hardware metal.
Priority 2	By the end of the year, I will know the knowledge of user side and server side factors that can influence website usability.
Priority 3	By the end of the year, I will know different types of Hardware components
Priority 4
Priority 5
Priority 6

3.       Development Opportunities

Explain how you hope to improve the skills that you have highlighted. What resources/opportunities will be at your disposal (e.g. lesson time, online tutorials?)

When developing my weaknesses there are many resources I can use to help me achieve/develop my weaknesses. There are many resources that are available to me at my disposal for example lesson time.  I can use lesson time to improve my weaknesses. In this lesson time I can ask my subject teachers help/advice i.e. Mr Parry. Asking for the teachers help will improve my weaknesses because I will learn something new from the knowledge of the teacher. Another way I can improve my skills is that I can use online tutorials. Using online tutorial will be useful because I can improve on my skills at home. With using online tutorials you can be watch the tutorial while using your skill. Another way of how you can improve your skills is that you can go to the library and research some of the key words you don’t understand, for example you can use books and the internet. The library is useful because it is free of charge and they are local and easy to get hold of.

4.       Formulate Action Plan – Set Targets

Create a set of SMART targets based on your identified needs from the previous section.

Target 1	Specific: One specific target for this smart target is
Target 2	Measurable: Another Target is to be motivational in my IT work.
Target 3	Attainable: My target is to achieve something each lesson.
Target 4	Relevant: I would like to see results in my work throughout the weeks/term.
Target 5	Timely: Spend time on each unit ( 2 hour). Also use lesson time to do the work that is given (4 hours a week).

B - Blogger

Create a blogger account called “<<Your Name>> B-TEC Level 3 Unit 1 PDP” and enter the details below so that you don’t forget your credentials.

User Name	Armthorpeasbnicholsonbloggs
Password	********
Blogger Address

Smart Targets;

S	Specific	Significant, Stretching, Simple
M	Measurable	Motivational, Manageable, Meaningful
A	Attainable	Appropriate, Achievable, Agreed, Assignable, Actionable, Adjustable, Ambitious, Aligned, Aspirational, Acceptable, Action-focused
R	Relevant	Result-Based, Results-oriented, Resourced, Resonant, Realistic
T	Timely	Time-oriented, Time framed, Timed, Time-based, Timeboxed, Time-bound, Time-Specific, Timetabled, Time limited, Trackable, Tangible

Hardware Components and there functions

Component Monitor		Functions The Monitor or screen is a visual display unit, often called simply a monitor or display. This is a piece of electrical equipment which displays images generated from the video output of devices such as the computers.
Speaker		Computer speaker are an output device which gives the user auditory feedback regarding the state of the computer. This can be as sophisticated as an 8-channel surround-sound system for playing movies and the like, or as basic as the integrated "beeper speaker" who’s only role is indicate critical errors in the boot sequence when video output is not available. Another function of speakers is that they play sound from the outputs.
Power Supply		The power supply's main function is simple; The main function is that the power supplies takes the power input to it from the power system of your home or office, and turn it into a form that the PC can use. The PC power supply must provide several different voltages, at different strengths, and must also manage some additional signals that the motherboard uses.
Tower		A computer tower is the main part of any computer. It is the part that contains the motherboard, power supply, CD, floppy and DVD or any other drives or parts. Most computers stand vertically, instead of horizontally. This is why it is called the computer tower. Another function that the computer tower has is to put on the monitor on.
Mouse		A mouse is a device that controls the movement of the cursor or pointer on a display screen. A mouse is a small object you can roll along a hard, flat surface. As you move the mouse, the pointer on the display screen moves in the same direction.
Motherboard		The function of the motherboard is to act as the main circuit board that connects and communicates to all the devices and components attached. The motherboard also facilitates the communication of devices with each other.
Zip Drive		A zip drive is used to process information. People can share there information with others using email, online storage areas or websites.
Printer		The function of a printer is to print out  hard copy documents and pictures.
Scanner		A scanner is a device that lets you scan and edit pictures. You can also photocopy any picture you want. The pictures or crop the picture to make them smaller.
Hard Drive		The function of a hard drive is to store data that can be both written to, and read from the storage space. This data can be modified, deleted and copied to other mediums (including other drives, CD or DVD and more) as and when required as it is not permanent data.
Memory/RAM		Computer memory or RAM processes every bit of data our computer uses at almost unbelievable speeds with uncanny consistency. There are two different types of memory ram and rom
DVD Burner		The function of a DVD burner is to burn films, music, pictures and documents to a CD.
Graphics Card		A webcam is a small camera attached to a computer. They serve a variety of purposes, from taking still images to sending a live video over conference calls. Many laptops have a webcam built in to the computer screen, but external webcams are also sold.
Heatsink and Fan		The function of the heatsink and fan is to remove excessive heat from being produced by whatever the heat sink is attached to. In the case of computers, that heat is normally being generated by the CPU chip.
CPU/Processer		CPU is the physical speed of your computer. CPU means control processing unit
CD ROM		The function of a CD Drive is that They are disc drives which read Compact Discs (CDs). They are versatile and transportable and can be used to perform various tasks such as reading data from the computer and listening to audio.
Floppy Disc Drive		The function of a floppy disk drive is to read floppy disk however technology has changed and people don’t use floppy disc.
Keyboard		The function of a keyboard is that it allows a person to type on a computer. There a variety of letters, numbers and punctuation.
Windows TV		The function of a window TV is to allow a person to watch TV from their computers. A TV tuner card is a kind of television tuner that allows television signals to be received by a computer.
Network Interface Card		The functions of a Network Interface Card to provide a physical link to a computer network. This connection allows computers to communicate with servers, as well as other computers on the network. Each Network interface card has a unique serial number, which is called a MAC address.
Sound Card		The function of a sound card is to provide sound to your speakers. The sound card functions as an audio processor for your computer. The sound card is an installed, running device on your computers system, with programmed hardware properties and separate device drivers. The sound card controls all audio on the computer.
Expansion Card		An expansion card is an electronic circuit board that adds more functionality to a desktop computer. Expansion cards are installed into the expansion slot of a computer motherboard. They enhance the computer’s ability to perform additional functions not offered by the motherboard.
Notebook		A notebook is a portable personal computer. Such computers are lightweight and consist of a single piece of hardware needed to operate and perform basic functions.
Rom		ROM (read-only memory) is a computer memory on which data is stored. Once data is stored onto a ROM chip, it can’t be erased and can only be read. It even holds its contents even if the PC is switched off.
Video Camera (Webcam)		A webcam has very few functions. But the main function is that it takes pictures and you can make video with it.