Lesson Element

Unit 1: Fundamentals of IT

LO2: Understand computer software

Application software, utility software, and operating systems

Instructions and answers for tutors

These instructions cover the learner activity section which can be found on page 12. This Lesson Element supports Cambridge Technicals Level 3 in IT.

When distributing the activity section to the learners either as a printed copy or as a Word file you will need to remove the tutor instructions section.

The activityIn this lesson element learners will identify the different types of application software, utility software and operating systems. They will also consider their use, benefits and limitations.

Learners will need access to the PowerPoint presentation: LE1_U01_tutor_resource.pptx

Suggested timingsActivities 1 and 2: 50 minutes

Activity 3: 10 minutes

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WORK – This activity offers an opportunity for work experience.

ABC – This activity offers an opportunity for English skills development.

Activity 1The tutor should introduce the term ‘application software’ using slides 4 to 8 from the PowerPoint presentation (LE1_U01_tutor_resource.pptx, based on the assumption that learners have some prior knowledge from Key Stage 4.

Application Software Definition: ‘A complete, self-contained program that performs a specific function directly for the user’ as on slide 4 of LE1_U01_tutor_resource.pptx.

Activity 2The tutor should print out the cards below (A4: colour or black and white on relevant colour paper) and give one set to each group.

Tutors should use slides 9 to 12 from the PowerPoint presentation LE1_U01_tutor_resource.pptx to guide learners in how to play the game. Tutors could divide the learners into five groups and assign one of the software categories to each group.

Learner activity instructions

• Place blank cards to one side. • Turn blue software cards face down and spread out. • Divide up yellow software type cards amongst group. • Youngest player to start, then play to their right.• Player picks up a blue software card, looks at the card and decides if it belongs to

their group’s software category.• The table below states what to do when asked “Does the software card belong to

your software category?”

Does the software card belong to your software category?YES NO

Keep the card move to next player • State a characteristic of the software to rest of group.

• If group member identifies software they can choose to keep it or return it to the pile.

• Otherwise return to pile.

• Game continues until all cards have been assigned a category.• The group share results and decide if they have the correct answers.

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Yellow cards – software categories

The blank is a spare card for learners to add their own software category.

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Business Software

Development Tools

Productivity Software

Utility Software

Operating System

Blue cards – software

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Backup software Expert Systems

Publishing Software CAD Software

MISManufacturing

Software

Multimedia Software

Project Management

Software

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Integrated Design Environment Translator

Debugger Compiler

Graphics Email

Database

SoftwarePresentation

Software

Spreadsheet Word processor

The blanks are spare cards for learners to add their own software.

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Linux Windows 10

Compression Software

Anti-virus

Software

Green cards – benefitsLearners write one benefit for one piece of software.

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Red cards – limitationsLearners write one limitation for one piece of software.

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Activity 3Tutors should use slide 12 from the PowerPoint presentation LE1_U01_tutor_resource.pptx to emphasise the requirement for learners to record their work.

Evidence:

Learners to gather photographic evidence of their work.

Learners are to produce a study guide which includes the benefits and limitations of each software program.

Answers to Activity 2Productivity software

Word processorSpreadsheetPresentation softwareDatabase softwareEmailGraphics

Development tools

CompilerDebuggerTranslatorIntegrated design environment

Business software

MISCAD softwareMultimedia Project managementPublishing softwareExpert systemsManufacturing software

Utility software

Backup softwareAnti-virus softwareCompression software

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Operating system

LinuxWindows 10

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Lesson Element

Unit 1: Fundamentals of IT

LO2: Understand computer software

Learner ActivityApplication software, utility software, and operating systemsIn this lesson element you will identify the different types of application software, utility software and operating systems. You will also consider their use, benefits and limitations.

Activity 1Write a definition for the term ‘application software’. In groups, discuss and refine this definition until you are happy that you have correctly defined application software. You should then identify two other types of software.

Activity 2Your tutor will give each group of learners a number of A4 sheets that will need to be cut into individual cards. Your tutor will divide you into five groups and assign one of the yellow software categories to each group. Set up the cards as follows:

• Place all the blank cards to one side (use these to add software programs of your own).

• Turn the blue software cards (with text on them) face down and spread them out.

The game will proceed as follows:

• The youngest player starts, then play moves to their right.• Each player on their turn picks up a blue software card, looks at the card and decides

if it belongs to their group’s software category. • The table below states what to when asked “Does the software card belong to your

software category?”

Does the software card belong to your software category?YES NO

Keep the card move to next player • State a characteristic of the software to rest of group.

• If group member identifies software they can choose to keep it

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or return it to the pile.• Otherwise return to pile.

• The game continues until all cards have been assigned a category and there are no blue software cards left.

• Each group shares their results and decides if they have the correct answers.• On the green cards write the advantages of one piece of software.• On the red cards write the disadvantages of one piece of software.

Activity 3You should gather photographic evidence of your work by use of a digital camera (check first with your tutor if using your smartphone).

Produce a study guide that includes the benefits and limitations of each software program.

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