Unit 2: Technology Systems

Unit introduction

Technology systems are involved in many of the objects we use every day, from a laptop computer and routers relaying internet traffic, to logging in to a social networking site.  This unit provides a first look at how the main building blocks of technology systems work.  You will explore the common hardware components of technology systems, such as a touch screen or a printer, and the internal building blocks of a computer like the processor, buses and memory.

This unit also covers the purpose of networks, which allow different devices within a technology system to communicate. 

No technology system is complete without the software that brings it to life.  You will explore different types of software.  These will include the operating system (OS) that supports the communication and management of resources, and utility programs that provide functionality to maintain the system.  You will also learn about the role of applications software, such as office programs, graphics packages, accounting software and CAD/CAM, that supports many aspects of everyday business life.

This unit is particularly useful if you are considering a career in the IT sector, as it includes key concepts and processes which form the basis of any technology system and is relevant for many roles in the industry.

Learning aims

In this unit you will:

 

• Understand how the components of technology systems work together

• Understand how data flows between internal components of a computer and is processed to provide information

• Understand different types of software.