L1 - Wk 10 - Know basic engineering information technology requirements - 2850
Basic IT Requirements
Lesson duration is: 95 minItems in this lesson
Basic IT Requirements
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Learning goal
I can identify basic computer hardware and explain how to use, store and manage IT equipment safely.
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What words do you link with safe computer use?
Use this to surface prior knowledge such as hardware, cables, screen, posture, files, backup, tidy, safe and check.
What is computer hardware?
Computer hardware is the physical equipment you can see and touch.
Examples include the CPU, monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer and scanner.
Keep the distinction simple: hardware means physical parts, not files or programs.
Main hardware for a workstation
CPU - processes information and runs tasks
Monitor - shows text and images
Keyboard - enters text and commands
Mouse - moves the pointer and selects items
Students may think CPU means the whole computer. Clarify that it is the processing unit, often inside the system box or built into the device.
Other useful hardware
Printer - produces a paper copy
Scanner - changes paper information into a digital file
Different tasks need different hardware
Link this to workplace use in engineering: printed drawings, scanned forms, records and instructions.
Choosing the right equipment
A computer system must have the hardware needed for the job.
For example, typing needs a keyboard, viewing work needs a monitor, and printing needs a printer.
This lands the idea of 'requirements' without going into technical specifications beyond the user prompt.
Which item shows text and images?
Mouse
Monitor
Keyboard
Scanner
Checks core hardware vocabulary from slides 2 to 5.
Hardware for the job
Computer hardware means the parts you can see and touch. A keyboard is used for typing, a monitor shows work on the screen, and a printer makes a paper copy.
The blanks use functions directly taught in the hardware slides.
Check equipment before use
Before using equipment, carry out a visual off-load check.
Look for damage, loose parts or anything that does not seem safe.
Treat 'off-load' as a simple visual check before use. Do not add technical testing procedures.
What to look for
Damaged cables or plugs
Cracks in screens or equipment cases
Loose connections
Signs of overheating or dirt
Equipment placed in an unsafe position
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Correct set-up matters
Equipment should be set up correctly before work starts.
The monitor, keyboard and mouse should be placed so they are easy and safe to use, with cables kept under control.
Emphasise that safety is not only about broken equipment; correct positioning is also part of safe use.
Safe to use, ready to use
A quick check helps to prevent accidents, damage and delays.
Safe equipment is more reliable and more comfortable to use.
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What should you do before using equipment?
Start printing
Do a visual check
Move all files
Clean the screen
The correct answer matches the visual off-load check idea without adding technical procedures.
Check before use
Before work starts, carry out a visual off-load check. Look for damaged cables, loose connections and equipment in an unsafe position. This helps prevent accidents and delays.
Echoes slides 6 to 9 closely so learners practise the exact safety language.
Health and safety at a workstation
Workstations and VDU equipment must be used safely.
Important areas are lighting, seating, posture, equipment position, leads, tidy space and screen filters.
VDU means visual display unit, such as a monitor or screen.
Lighting and screens
Good lighting helps you see clearly
Light should not cause glare on the screen
A screen filter can reduce glare
Clear viewing helps reduce eye strain
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Seating and posture
Sit in a stable, supportive chair
Sit comfortably with good posture
Place the screen, keyboard and mouse in a suitable position
Good positioning helps reduce strain
Keep this general and practical for A2 learners. Avoid detailed ergonomic measurements not given in the prompt.
Leads and tidy work areas
Trailing leads can cause trips and falls
Keep the area around the workstation tidy
Put equipment where it does not block movement
A safe space helps prevent accidents
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Why safe set-up is important
Safe workstations protect people and equipment.
They also help workers stay comfortable and work more effectively.
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What can trailing leads cause?
Trips and falls
Clear viewing
Paper copies
File backups
Checks a key hazard from the workstation safety block.
Safe workstation
Good lighting helps you see clearly. A supportive chair and good posture reduce strain. Keep leads under control and the work area tidy to help prevent accidents.
Focuses on the most important health and safety terms from slides 10 to 14.
Why safe file storage is needed
Files may contain important or private information.
Safe storage helps make sure that only authorised personnel can view the information.
Authorised personnel means people who are allowed to access the information.
Where files can be stored
Files can be stored on:
Hard disk drive
CD ROM
DVD ROM
USB removable storage
The Internet
Keep 'the Internet' as listed in the prompt, while you may verbally explain that this often means online storage.
Removable storage
Removable storage can be moved from one place to another.
A USB flash drive is one example. It should be kept safely so information does not reach the wrong person.
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Safe storage protects work
Safe storage helps to:
protect information
limit access
reduce loss
keep work organised
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Why is safe file storage needed?
To print faster
To limit access
To move the mouse
To brighten screens
Targets the idea that only authorised personnel should view some information.
Store files safely
Some files contain private information. Safe storage helps only authorised personnel view the information. A USB flash drive is one type of removable storage.
Uses the exact key terms from slides 15 to 18.
Why make back-up copies?
A back-up copy is an extra copy of a file.
If the first copy is lost or deleted by accident, the back-up copy can still be used.
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Keeping a backup
Save the main file
Make another copy
Keep the back-up copy in a safe place
A USB flash drive can be used for backup
Stress that a backup is useful only if it is kept and can be found when needed.
What backups prevent
Backups help when work is:
deleted by mistake
lost from damaged storage
missing from the main location
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Backups save time and work
Without a backup, work may need to be done again.
With a backup, important files can be recovered more easily.
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Why do we keep a back-up copy?
To stop glare
To replace a chair
To recover lost work
To scan paper
Checks understanding of the purpose of backups, not just the definition.
When can a back-up copy help?
Expected answer elements: if the main file is lost, deleted by accident, damaged or missing, the backup can still be used. Accept simple phrasing.
What is good housekeeping?
In IT, good housekeeping means keeping files, storage and equipment in good order.
It helps people work safely and find what they need.
Make clear this is about organised working practices, not cleaning only.
Organising files
Put files into clear folders
Store related work together
Use storage carefully and neatly
Good organisation makes files easier to find
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Storing items properly
Storage may include:
paper
hard disk drive
CD ROM
DVD ROM
USB removable storage
the Internet
This slide links housekeeping to both physical and digital storage named in the prompt.
Closing down equipment correctly
Equipment should be closed down correctly after use.
This helps protect files, reduce damage and leave the workstation ready for the next use.
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Good housekeeping supports safety
A tidy system and tidy workspace help to prevent mistakes, protect equipment and support safe working.
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What is part of good housekeeping in IT?
Trailing leads
Organised folders
Cracked screens
Loose plugs
Checks that students understand housekeeping as organised working practice.
Good housekeeping
Good housekeeping means keeping files and equipment in good order. Put related files into clear folders and close down equipment correctly after use. This helps protect files and keeps the workstation ready for the next user.
Draws on slides 23 to 27 and keeps the language concrete for A2 learners.
What is one thing you learned today?
Reflection prompt. Invite short personal answers about the learning, for example hardware names, safety checks, backups or housekeeping.
Which part felt hardest for you?
Reflection prompt. Encourage students to name one difficult area such as hardware words, safety rules or file storage.
Glossary
hardware - the physical parts of a computer system
CPU - the part of a computer that processes information
monitor - the screen that shows text and images
keyboard - a device used to type text and commands
mouse - a device used to move the pointer and select items
printer - a device that produces paper copies
scanner - a device that changes paper information into a digital file
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Glossary
visual off-load check - a simple check by looking for damage or unsafe set-up
VDU equipment - screen equipment such as a monitor
screen filter - a screen covering that helps reduce glare
authorised personnel - people who are allowed to see or use information
removable storage - storage that can be moved, such as a USB flash drive
back-up copy - an extra copy of a file kept in case the first one is lost
good housekeeping - keeping files, storage and equipment organised and in good order
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