Author: vkunge

...talking about ICT

Video Series: Using Powerpoint presentation Software

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These videos cover the main topics used for NCSE ICT for Presentation software.

Please watch these videos before attempting your assignments.

01 – Intro, Layout and Adding Slides – Presentation software

02 – Adding text and Viewing the Slideshow – Presentation software

03 – Inserting Shapes – Presentation software

04 – Inserting pictures – Presentation software

05 – Inserting Charts- Presentation software

06 – Animations – Presentation software

07 – Transitions and Conclusion – Presentation software

© 2020  Vedesh Kungebeharry. All rights reserved. 

Creating a website and choosing a design using wordpress.com

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I created a video on creating a website using wordpress.com

Creating a wordpress site

These were the steps that were shown in the video:

  • Visit http://wordpress.com
  • Create an account OR login if you have an account already
  • Choose a free web domain
  • Choose and apply theme for your site
  • update your site’s name using the word press control panel
  • ensure that you verify your wordpress account.

© 2020  Vedesh Kungebeharry. All rights reserved. 

Presentation Software.

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Presentation software is used to display information one slide at a time. The term “slide” can be thought of as a single poster used to display a small number of points or a single idea.  

Presentation software was made to mimic the behaviour of a traditional slide projector.

Many slides are displayed one at a time by the presenter. The presenter can include the following items on slides:

  • Text – including short points on the topic being presented.  Text is usually held within a Textbox.
  • Shapes – including pre defined  shapes e.g circle, square etc.
  • Images: users can insert downloaded images, or provided clip art.
  • Charts: the presentation software provides facilities for creating and inserting various chart types including bar, line, pie charts etc.
  • Animations – Objects can be set in motion on any slide. Objects include images, shapes, text boxes etc.
  • Transitions – Slides transform from one to the next in one smooth animation.

Example of presentation software are Microsoft Powerpoint  and Prezi.

Required reading :

 Students to study Presentations in a full context: http://www.teach-ict.com/gcse_new/software/presentation/miniweb/index.htm

© 2020 Vedesh Kungebeharry. All rights reserved

Linear search

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Introduction

In a linear search, each element of the array is traversed by using iteration.  Each element in the traversal is compared against a search key. If the key is found, the location of the array index is returned.  If the entire array is traversed without finding the key, dummy value is returned (e.g. -1)

Linear search Algorithm and Implementation

Given a list of items of a finite size and a Key we traverse the list to find the key and output the location of the key(s) found in the list.

Consider the scenario where we have a list with unique items (in an array) and we wish to find a key.

Demonstration in flowgorithm:

(Download the Demonstration file here)

We set up an Real array of size 10  named “list” and initialized with the following values:

array named “list” of size 10 with data values

We could implement a function as shown below:

Linear search function

Below is an example of how the function can be used:

Using linear search on the array “list” with data.

Exercises

  1. Identify the sentinel variables in the LinearSearch function.

  2. Show the trace table for all variables found within linear search when the following function calls are made using the array “list” initialized in the figure 1 above:

    a) LinearSearch(10,list,300)
    b) LinearSearch(10,list,19)
    c) LinearSearch(2,list,19)

Hint:
Use the following trace table format:

StepsizekeySearchResulti
1    
2    
3    
4    
5    
  • Note that an optional column, called “step” is used to keep track of each variable change such that a step is considered to be any time  time a variable is initialized or changed.  
  • You do not need to show the list array.
  • Assume that no value is assigned during a variable declaration.
    E.g


will not be shown as a step in the trace table.

As an example, this table has been filled to the 4th step for part a) above.

StepsizekeySearchResulti
110   
2 300  
3  -1 
4   0
 5    
Example trace table

Updates

2022/02/03 –

Added introductory paragraph: “In a linear search, each …… is returned (e.g. -1)”

Added heading “linear search algorithm…..”

© 2020  Vedesh Kungebeharry. All rights reserved. 

Repetition (Iteration) Constructs

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Consider the following example:

Find the sum of 10 numbers provided by the user.

This can be accomplished as follows:

The above solution is very long as well as difficult to understand , manipulate and communicate .

Observe that there were many repeated steps in obtaining input from the user.

The solution can be simplified by looping.

A general looping construct is shown below:

The solution can be simply implemented using looping:

Class Discussion: walk-through of solution is discussed.

This files used in this post can be downloaded here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1KjNcPQATyqh8quxnRjUDbJOgdzGvUY1P?usp=sharing

Homework:

Create an algorithm which uses repetition to output  the 12 times table from 1 to 12.

Updates

2022-10-6: Added files used in this post.

© 2020  Vedesh Kungebeharry. All rights reserved. 

The Selection Construct

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Sometimes we wish to change the order of processing based on certain conditions.

This can be accomplished by using a selection construct pictured below:

We will examine this in the following example:

Jim is a salesman for an auto car company. If his total sales for the week exceeds $10000 he is rewarded a sales commission of 8 percent of the sale, if not he is awarded no commission.

Create a flowchart algorithm which accepts the total sales and outputs the commission.

Exercise:

The problem is modified such that  if the total sales were less than $10000 he would receive a commission of 4 percent. See changes below:

Jim is a salesman for an auto car company. If his total sales for the week exceeds $10000 he is rewarded a sales commission of 8 percent of the total sales, if not he is awarded a commission of 4 percent.

Create a flowchart algorithm which accepts the total sales and outputs the commission.

Draw a flowchart for the modified scenario.

© 2020  Vedesh Kungebeharry. All rights reserved. 

Algorithms In Narrative Form

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An algorithm in narrative form is not written in discrete steps.   It is expressed as directions in paragraph form and instructions on how rules should be followed.

An algorithm in narrative form can be considered a precursor to pseudocode or a flowchart

Example

An example is given below for the given problem statement

Problem Definition: A solution is needed which finds the circumference of a circle.

Algorithm in narrative form: Prompt the user to enter a non-negative value for the radius and store it. If the radius entered is negative or is not a number, keep on prompting the user and accept values until a suitable value is entered.  Use the formula C=2*3.14* r to calculate and store the circumference. Output the circumference to the user and stop processing.

In class exercise

Write an algorithm in narrative form which gives instructions/directions on how to follow the rules in order to play “Snakes and ladders”.

© 2020  Vedesh Kungebeharry. All rights reserved. 

Threats to Computer and Data Security

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Recall that Software is a set of instructions that can be executed by a computer system. System software is used to maintain hardware resources, while application software solves end user problems.

There are, however, other categories of software which are meant to be malicious and disruptive to the computer system.

Homework

Research and make brief notes on the following terms:

Viruses, malware, spam, antivirus, firewall, worms, Trojan horses, spyware, ransomware, adware.

UPDATES TO THIS POST

2023-09-05 – changed homework components from (Computer viruses, malware, spam, anti- virus, firewall) to (Viruses, malware, spam, antivirus, firewall, worms, Trojan horses, spyware, ransomware, adware.)

© 2020  Vedesh Kungebeharry. All rights reserved. 

INFORMATION PROTECTION AND MISUSE

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Copyright

Copyright is a legal right created by the law of a country that grants the creator of an original work exclusive rights for its use and distribution. This is usually only for a limited time.

Plagiarism


Plagiarism the practice of taking someone else’s work or ideas and passing them off as one’s own.

Consequences

Discussion:

What are some of the consequences of

  1. Copyright infringement.
  2. Plagiarism

Answers:
Copyright:

  • The infringer pays a dollar amount in damages and profits
  • A court can impound the illegal works
  • The infringer can go to jail

Plagiarism:

  • If copyright infringement occurs, dollar amounts in damages may be charged and possible jail time.
  • The plagiarized work can be destroyed.
  • If you are in school  you may get expelled or barred from writing exams.
  • Awards and grades due to plagiarized work may be revoked.
  • Can result in being fired from your job.
  • You may gain a reputation of being untrustworthy.

Homework and Portfolio Work:

Create a list of legal and ethical consequences for

  1. Copyright infringement
  2. Plagiarism


Complete the homework in your ICT Notebook.
Create a hand written copy of your homework for insertion into your IT portfolio.

This assignment will be marked.

Required reading:

http://www.plagiarism.org/plagiarism-101/what-is-plagiarism/

Hacking

Hacking is gaining unauthorized access to a computer system, network or an ICT device.

Piracy

Piracy is the unauthorized distribution, reproduction, use or sale  of software that are protected by proprietary or free licenses. 

Updates to this post:

1st June 2023 – Added Hacking and piracy to the end of the note.

© 2020  Vedesh Kungebeharry. All rights reserved.