ICT for CPA Foundation Level

This paper is intended to equip the candidate with knowledge, skills and attitudes that will enable him/her to apply information communication technology effectively in solving business problems, decision making and in adapting to new working environments.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

A candidate who passes this paper should be able to:

Demonstrate proficiency in decision making using contemporary information communication technology tools
Use various application packages to solve business issues
Use data communication networks, the Internet and e-commerce in optimising business opportunities
Apply data security measures and procedures
Implement information systems legal, ethical and social issues.

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Revised ICT Study Notes

Course Syllabus

Introduction to information communication technology (ICT)
- Introduction to information communication technology
- Computer hardware
- Computer software
- Programming languages and tools
- Information systems personnel and hierarchy
- Role of ICT in business environments
- Information centres
- Impact of ICT in business
Overview of operating systems
- Overview of an operating system
- Functions of an operating system
- Types of operating systems
- Computer booting
- Selection and acquisition of operating systems
An overview of application packages
- Word processing
  - Features of a word processor
  - Formatting and editing text
  - Creating and formatting tables
- Spreadsheets
  - Features of a spreadsheet program
  - Formatting and editing spreadsheet
  - Formulas
  - Functions; sum, average, min, max, IPMT, NPV,PMT,PV, VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, COUNT, IF, sumif
  - Charts and graphs
  - Working with pivot tables
  - Linking formulas in different worksheets
  - What if analysis; Goal seek and solver
- Presentation software
  - Features of a presentation program
  - Typing and formatting text in slide
  - Slide show
- Computerised accounting software
  - Capturing data
  - Features of accounting software
Computer networks
- Computer networks concepts
- Computer network hardware and software
- Data transmission media
- Types of computer networks
- Advantages and limitations of networking
- Cloud computing concepts, features and models
- Internet of things (IoT)
The Internet
- Introduction to the Internet
- Applications of Internet
  - Using search engines
  - E-mails
  - Electronic communication
- Internet services - e-mails, www, instant messaging
- Internet service providers (ISPs)
- Applications of internet
- Online collaborative tools; cloud sheets and cloud documents
- Impact of internet on society
Data security
- Overview of data security
- Threats and controls
- Data backup and restoration procedures
Information systems in an enterprise
- Overview of information systems
- Components of an information system
- Types and characteristics of information systems
- Systems in a functional perspective
- Enterprise applications and the business process integration
E-Commerce
- E-commerce concepts and features
- Models of e-commerce
- Impact of the internet on business
- E-commerce enabling software
- Business opportunities in e-commerce
- E-commerce infrastructure and platforms
- E-commerce payments methods
- Challenges of e-commerce
- Securing e-commerce transactions
- M-commerce and applications
- Digital marketing methods
Mobile devices and applications
- Overview of mobile computing
- Types of mobile devices
- Uses of mobile devices
- Overview of mobile applications
- Mobile browsers
Systems analysis and design
- Elements of information systems
- Systems theory
- Types of information systems
- Personnel involved in systems analysis and design
- Systems analysis and design concepts
- Systems development life cycle (SDLC)
  - Definition of systems development life cycle
  - Phases of SDLC
  - Advantages and disadvantages of SDLC
- Requirements elicitation
  - Stakeholder analysis
  - Need for requirements gathering
  - Process for requirements gathering
  - Requirements gathering tools and techniques
  - Gap analysis
  - Prioritisation of requirements
Legal, ethical and social issues in information systems
- Information systems ethical and social concerns
- The moral dimension of information systems
- The legal issues in information systems

Sample reading and reference material

Tymann, P., & Reynolds, C. (2008). Schaum's Outline of Principles of Computer Science (Schaum's Outlines. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Rainer, R. K., & Prince, B. (2020). Introduction to Information Systems (8th Edition). New Jersey: Wiley.
Vermaat, M. E., Sebok, S. L., Freund, S. M., Campbell, J. T., & Frydenberg, M. (2017). Discovering Computers (2018): Digital Technology, Data, and Devices. Boston: Cengage Learning.
KASNEB e-learning resources (link on the KASNEB website).
KASNEB approved study packs.