Personalised Feedback Sheet for IGCSE Section 1 Types and Components of Computers

Name: Lauren Murray

Target grade:
Score on this assessment: 30/58
Grade for this assessment: D

General feedback/class needs:
The majority of you in this class really nailed this test. You clearly knew the main components of a
computer and most of you could give a definition for RAM and ROM.
Software and Hardware didnt seem to pose any problems for you, most students achieved the full 8
marks on question 8.
Common problems seemed to be that you didnt know the reasons why components such as RAM
and ROM are needed in a computer system and that Backing Storage is NOT backup!
Next, most of you seemed to struggle on things that an operating system does. Many of you told me
it was software that controls the whole system but we were looking for more in depth answers such
as handles any program errors or crashes to prevent the whole computer freezing.
Finally, the weakest area for you all was types of computers and their uses. It was clear that many of
you didnt know what a mainframe was, for example, nor the types of situations it would be used in.
Your personal targets:
1. To revise RAM and ROM and be able to describe clear differences between their
purposes and uses
2. To understand and be able to describe the purpose of Backing Storage, recognising
that it has nothing to do with backup.
3. To ensure I always read the question carefully and double check that my answer is
relevant to the question
4. To use key words to get higher marks on a question
Review
One question I got right was 14. Give an example of one type of user that would use a command line
interface. [1 mark]. My answer was An ICT teacher.
One question I got half right was 21.Who would use a mainframe computer? Give 2 examples. [2
marks]. I wrote A bank or a company. What I should have written was Utility companies, police or
airlines.
And one question I got totally wrong was 3.Describe the difference between RAM and ROM. [4
marks]. I should have written something like this:
RAM stands for Random Access Memory, temporarily stores the instructions that the computer is running. It is
volatile which means that if the computers power is turned off the contents of RAM disappears. ROM stands
for Read-Only Memory and is used in most computers to hold the BIOS (Basic Input Output System) which
checks the computers hardware and then loads the operating system. ROM is non-volatile storage which
means that the data it contains is never lost, even if the power is switched off. (I SHOULD HAVE INCLUDED
MORE KEY WORDS TO GET MORE MARKS)

Challenge/Extension
You will have been allocated an exam question to further your knowledge or help you to overcome a
misconception. Copy out the question here in full and answer it.

Explain the differences of CLI and GUI.
The command line interface is where you use code to control your computer. You type a usually
shortened command and press enter. You can use a mouse only keyboard to type the code.
However in a graphical user interface use can use your mouse to point and click. GUI can also be
known as WIMP. This stands for Windows, Icons, Menus and Pointers. It is more intuitive to use than
a CLI and it is better for multitasking.
Describe three drawbacks of using a CLI.
1. It can use up a lot of memory
2. It needs a reasonably powerful computer
3. It can get confusing id the screen is muddled