For the award of a certificate, candidates must successfully complete the assessments for one core unit plus two optional units within the Level 1 - Certificate for IT Users
Core units
001 IT principles (Core)
Optional units
002 Word Processing
003 Spreadsheets
004 Database
City & Guilds Unit 001 IT principles Level 1(Core)
Rationale
The aim of this unit is to provide candidates with a basic awareness of IT together with its uses in the workplace. Candidates develop an understanding of the basic concepts of the operation of computers, the operating environment and applications software.

There are 6 outcomes to this unit. The candidate will be able to
1. describe and use hardware
2. describe and use software
3. use files and directories
4. use the operating environment
5. describe information networks
6. identify health and safety requirements

Assessment
Assessment will be by means of a set assignment covering practical activities and a multiple choice test covering underpinning knowledge.

Outcome 1: describe and use hardware
Practical activities - the candidate will be able to
1. identify necessary hardware for use e.g. mouse/pointer device, keyboard, VDU, scanner.
2. identify necessary consumables and media for use of printer paper, cartridges, toner, and floppy disks.
3. replenish printer paper when necessary.
4. initiate a self-test for a printer.
5. select printer settings to accommodate different media transparencies, card, and envelopes.
6. recognise and report problems.
Underpinning knowledge - the candidate will be able to
1. identify the main components of a computer and their uses
2. identify and describe input devices
3. identify and describe output devices
4. identify different types of printers: laser, colour laser, inkjet, dot matrix
5. identify different sizes of: paper, envelopes and labels
6. identify the use of a modem
7. state the purpose of 'volatile' and 'non-volatile' memory
Outcome 2: describe and use software
Practical activities - the candidate will be able to
1. power up and access the operating environment
2. select and access application software
3. set the software to automatically save
4. use basic functions: create a new document, open an existing document,
save, save as, close and exit
5. use a spell checker facility
6. use help files to find print information
7. respond to error messages and screen prompts
8. use print view
9. exit an application software program and return to the operating system environment
10. shut down the computer system and switch power off.
Underpinning knowledge - the candidate will be able to
1. identify types of software package
2. describe the differences between applications software and systems software
3. describe the purpose of a virus checker
4. identify an application software package which would be used to produce the following:
* Letters and memos
* Slide shows
* Records of customers
* Financial accounts

Outcome 3: use files and directories
Practical activities - the candidate will be able to
1. search for named files
2. copy and move files between directories
3. copy and move files to a floppy disk
4. make backup copies of files to a disk
5. create, delete and re-name files and subdirectories
6. save data to a hard disk
Underpinning knowledge - the candidate will be able to
1. describe a basic directory and folders structure on the computer
2. state the difference between directories and files
3. identify ways to prevent the loss of data: write protection, virus checking, back up procedures
4. describe the importance of: data protection, confidentiality and copyright
5. describe the importance of careful handling and data storage for each of the following
* magnetic disks
* optical disks
* magnetic tape
6. identify measurements of data storage:
* bit
* byte
* kilobyte
* megabyte
* gigabyte
7. identify data storage media: floppy disk, CD ROM, DVD tape cartridge
8. describe the importance of backing up data
Outcome 4: use the operating environment
Practical activities - the candidate will be able to
1. identify the computer's basic system information: operating system, RAM, processor type.
2. modify the computer's desktop configuration and desktop display options
3. cancel a print job
4. use different parts of the desktop window: title bar, tool bar, menu bar, status bar, scroll bar
5. use the following functions of the desktop window:
* maximise , minimise a window
* restore a window from the task bar
* make a desktop window taller , shorter narrower and wider
* move windows on the desktop
* keyboard functions
* switch between programs
Underpinning knowledge - the candidate will be able to
1. identify basic desktop icons and shortcuts
Outcome 5: describe information net work
Practical activities - the candidate will be able to
1. log-on to a network.
2. display files to which access is provided
3. select, open, edit and save a shared file on a network
4. use a printer attached to a network to print a file
5. use e-mail to communicate with other users on a computer network
6. log-of a network
Underpinning knowledge - the candidate will be able to
1. describe the purpose of a network operating system
2. describe the purpose of the following and identify their uses:
* video
* e-mail
* internet browser
3. describe the mail functions of a typical e-mail package
4. describe "E-Commerce" and identify its uses
Outcome 6: Identify health and safety environment
Practical activities - the candidate will be able to
1. maintain a safe working environment for self and others
2. use safe working practice at all time
3. operate equipment according to suppliers, manufactures and/or work
place requirements.
4. use and maintain equipment, materials and accessories to a safe
standard.
5. use reporting procedure to report any hazard.
Underpinning knowledge - the candidate will be able to
1. describe what elements and practice create a good working environment
* frequent breaks away from the computer
* correct positioning of screens/chairs/keyboards
* adequate lighting and ventilation
2. identify the health and safety precautions to adopt when using a computer
* ensuring that power cables are safely secured
* ensuring that power points are not overloaded
3. identify injuries common in a bad working environment
* repetitive strain injury
* eye strain
* bad posture
4. identify cleaning procedures related to IT equipment
5. explain the importance of keeping fire doors and exits clear and unblocked

City & Guilds Unit 002 Word-processing (Optional)
Outcome 1: plan and prepare to produce new document
1. produce draft layouts for different type of document {e.g.: business letters, memos, short reports, flyer}
2. check the required data is available (e.g.: graphics, text, numerical data)
3. sketch suitable positioning and appearance of the required text and graphic.

Outcome 2: produce new document
1. start the word processing software with a new blank document.
2. set up the page layout for a planned document, i.e. paper size, orientation, margin.
3. input the required text with suitable formatting:
* different alignments (left, right, centre, justified).
* Enhancement (bold, underline, italic).
* Tabulation (tabs, simple tables).
* Font size and style.
* Photographs and indentation.
* Bulleted and numbered lists
4. copy and past text from an existing document into a new document.
5. insert simple graphic in a suitable position.
6. insert page brake as required .
7. insert automatic page numbering.

Outcome 3: edit existing document.
1. open existing document from
* hard disks.
* Floppy disks
2. check the existing page layout and change as required (e.g.: paper size orientation, margins)
3. edit existing documents by:
* selecting (highlighting)
* inserting and deleting
* copying and pasting
* cutting and pasting characters, texts blocks or graphic.
4. checking the existing text formats and change as required (i.e. alignment, enhancement, tabulation, font size and type, paragraphs and indentation, bulleted or numbered as required.
5. modify page break as required.
6. check page numbering and page totals, and modify as required.
Outcome 4: Check-produced document.
1. use a spell checker on part and whole document and change the text as required.
2. proof read document to check.
* accuracy (e.g. original data has been input accurately)
* correctness (e.g. spelling, names, valid dates).
* Meaning (e.g. the sense of original data has not been changed by editing; the correct form of words have been used {there/their}etc) and change as required.
3. use search and replace to make correction to whole document.
4. use print preview to check the layout if the finished document and change as required.
Outcome 5: save and print document.
1. save document in suitable filenames in specified location on:
* hard disk.
* Floppy disk.
2. make a copy of the document , giving it a different name use 'save as'.
3. check the printed output for accuracy and layout.
4. print check and previewed documents
5. close the finished document and the word processing software.
City & Guilds Unit 003 Spreadsheets Level 1 (Optional)
Rationale
A candidate who successfully completes this unit will be able to access spreadsheet software, create and modify spreadsheets, maintain data and to produce hardcopy.

There are 5 outcomes to this unit. The candidate will be able to:
1. use a spreadsheet software package in its operating 3 environment
2. design a simple spreadsheet
3. create simple spreadsheets and enter data
4. edit spreadsheets and modify cells and ranges of cells
5. save, retrieve and print the contents of spreadsheet files.
Assessment
Assessment will be by means of a set assignment covering both practical activities and underpinning knowledge

Outcome 1: Use a spreadsheet package in its operating environment.
Practical activities
The candidate will be able to do:
1. load spreadsheet software.
2. open previously prepared spreadsheets.
3. navigate around spreadsheet using the keyboard and/or a pointing device.
4. select shell in spreadsheet using the keyboard and/or a pointing device.
5. save spreadsheet in the correct format.
6. print on an appropriate output device.
7. close the spreadsheet software.
Underpinning knowledge
The candidate will be able to:
1. identify the hardware requirements for efficient use of a spreadsheet software package
1. monitor size and resolution
2. data input devices: keyboard & pointing device
2. identify typical filenames and extensions for spreadsheets
3. identify appropriate printing facilities for providing different forms of hard copy of a spreadsheet
Outcome 2: design a simple spreadsheet.
Practical Activities
The candidate will be able to:
1. plan a spreadsheet layout for a given specification.
2. choose suitable layout and formats for data.
3. choose suitable titles and labels.
4. construct suitable formulas for calculated cell, e.g.
* = A4+B4-C4
* =A4*(B4+C4)
* =SUM (A1..A7)
5. identify the printout required for a given spreadsheets
Underpinning knowledge
The candidate will be able to:
1. identify text/label and numeric data
2. identify the difference between the contents of a cell and its appearance:
formulas/outcomes, justification of numeric/text
3. identify the need for the clear titles: data rows, columns
4. describe how formulas are constructed
Outcome 3: create simple spreadsheet and enter data
Practical activities
The candidate will be able to:
1. create spreadsheet according to a given design
* .insert text into spreadsheet cell .
* insert number into spreadsheet cell.
* insert simple formulas and function into spreadsheet cell using: buttons, menus, pointing device and keyboard.
2. align cell content: right, left, centre.
3. modify cell width and height.
4. modify number formats: general, fixed decimal place, percentage.
5. modify text attributes: font, size, and enhancement.
Outcome 4: edit spreadsheet and modify cells and range of cells
Practical activities
The candidate will be able to:
1. insert rows and columns in the spreadsheet.
2. delete rows and columns from the spreadsheet.
3. move and copy range of cells.
4. replicate formulas.
5. edit the content of each individual cell.
6. use the undo feature.
Outcome 5: save, retrieve and print the content of the spreadsheet files.
Practical activities
The candidate will be able to:
1. use saving process to prevent loss of work: frequent, automatic.
2. use systematic filenames and extension to save edited spreadsheet.
3. produce hardcopy of spreadsheet files
4. produce hardcopy showing formulas.
Underpinning knowledge
The candidate will be able to:
1. describe the problems provided by software where all the datat is held in volatile memory
2. identify the importance of using suitable filenames for developing versions of spreadsheets
City & Guilds Unit 004 Databases Level 1 (Optional)
Rationale
The aim of this unit is to equip candidates with the basic principles needed to access database software, create and modify a simple database, carry out single condition searches, sort numerically and alphabetically on single fields and produce hard copy.

There are 5 outcomes to this unit. The candidate will be able to
1. create and maintain database storage locations
2. create a simple database
3. maintain a simple database
4. carry out single condition searches on a database
5. produce hard copy output

Assessment
Assessment will be by means of a set assignment covering both practical activities and underpinning knowledge.

Outcome 1: create and maintain database storage location
Practical activities - the candidate will be able to
1. create a suitably named directory in which to store the data files/tables.
2. create a suitably named directory to be used as a location for backup copies of the data file/tables.
3. access the database software from an operating system environment.
4. identify and access existing data file/table.
5. make backup copies of the data files/table using filenames, which identify them as backup copies, storing them in a suitably identified location.
6. exit the database software ensuring all data files/tables have been saved to an appropriate location.

Outcome 2: create a simple database
Practical activities - the candidate will be able to
1. identify common database terms:
a. database
b. table
c. field
d. record
2. identify data types:
a. character or text
b. numeric
c. date
d. currency
3. for a given database, identify the structure in terms of field names and data types
4. for a draft table of data, define the database structure in terms of field names and data types
5. create a new database from a defined database structure.
6. save the database

Outcome 3: maintain a simple data base
Practical activities - the candidate will be able to
1. open an existing database and display the records and fields for editing.
2. add a new record to an existing database.
3. add new data to a record
4. edit data
5. delete a record
6. store the records in the files/tables in ascending or descending order
a) alphabetical
b) numerical
7. save the modified database.

Outcome 4: carry out a single condition searches on a database
Practical activities - the candidate will be able to
1. identify relational operators;
a. equals =
b. less than
c. greater than >
d. less than or equal to <=
e. greater than or equal to >=
f. not equal to <>
2. using relational operators, execute searches on fields:
a. text/character
b. numeric
c. date
d. currency

Outcome 5: produce hard copy output
Practical activities - the candidate will be able to
1. print all the records in a table/files including all the fields.
2. print a stored list of all the records in a table/files including all the fields.
3. print a list of all records in a tables/files matched by a single condition search.
4. print only selected fields from the records in a table /file.
5. print a list of all the records in a table/files matched by a single condition search, but include only selected fields from the records.