Information Systems Technology

Competencies for Part I – Concepts in Computer Information Systems

• Define the term computer
• Identify the components of a computer
• Explain why a computer is a powerful tool
• Differentiate among various categories of software
• Explain the purpose of a network
• Discuss the uses of the Internet and the World Wide Web
• Describe the categories of computers and their uses
• Identify the components in the system unit and explain their functions
• Explain how the CPU functions
• Differentiate between various types of memory
• Describe and identify types of input devices
• Describe and identify types of output devices
• Differentiate between storage and memory
• Identify various types of storage media and storage devices
• Describe how the Internet works
• Recognize how graphics, animation, audio, video, and virtual reality are used on the World Wide Web
• Describe the uses of electronic commerce (e-commerce)
• Identify the various types of system software
• Differentiate between an operating system, utility program, and application software
• Describe the features and functions of various operating systems
• Describe uses of communications
• Define network, LAN, MAN, WAN, and WLAN
• Define intranets and extranets
• Discuss the difference between data and information
• Discuss the advantages of using a database management system (DBMS)
• Discuss information system and describe the various types
• Describe the characteristics of a good systems analyst
• List and describe the five generations of computer languages
• List examples of programming languages
• List and describe information systems careers
• Define multimedia
• Describe types of media used in multimedia applications
• List and describe the various uses of multimedia applications
• Identify the various types of security risks that can threaten computers
• Describe how a computer virus works and the steps individuals can take to prevent viruses
• Explain why computer backup is important and how it is accomplished
• Examine the issues relating to the information age
• Examine ethical issues relating to the use of computers
• Identify and explain Internet-related security and privacy issues

Competencies for Part II – Microsoft Office Applications

• Be able to use the basics of the Windows Vista operating environment
• Use WORD 2007 to create, edit, format, and print documents.  More specifically including:
  • Formatting fonts in various ways
  • Formatting reports with headers and/or footers, footnotes, and heading styles
  • Changing line spacing, margins, tabs, and other paragraph formats
  • Copying or cutting and pasting text within and between documents
  • Using desktop publishing features such as graphics, text wrapping, word art, etc.
  • Creating and manipulating tables within a document
  • Using Word tools to check for errors or make improvements in the document
• Be able to use basic EXCEL 2007 to create, edit, format, print and perform calculations within an electronic spreadsheet.  More specifically including:
  • Changing the appearance of cells using fonts, styles, colors, and borders
  • Designating the format of a cell to accommodate different kinds of data
  • Moving, copying, or otherwise changing the appearance of the worksheet
  • Entering and editing formulas both manually and by use of functions
  • Distinguishing between relative and absolute cells
  • Creating and editing a chart to be displayed either within the worksheet or as a separate sheet
• Be able to use basic ACCESS 2007 to build databases, modify data, and create simple queries.
  • Creating a new database and new tables
  • Entering and editing records in tables
  • Changing field properties
  • Finding and querying data within a database
  • Establishing relationships in a database
• Be able to create a simple POWERPOINT 2007presentation.  More specifically including:
  • Making changes to presentations including changing slide layout, applying design templates or backgrounds, and adding transitions or animations
  • Making changes to slides including adding text, inserting clipart, changing bullets, and other font or color changes