Topic outline

  • COURSE INTRODUCTION, OVERVIEW AND WELCOME MESSAGE

    Welcome to Introduction to Computer Science Level 1 (CS1). 

    My name is Professor Francisca Oladipo and I am the Course Lead of this Course

    This Course is an introductory course that covers beginners aspects or topics in CS specialization. 

    The specific objectives of this course is:

    • To impart knowledge on basic computer concepts such as classification, architectures, Operating System, Cloud Computing, Cyber Security, Social Media, Electronic Mails and other simple technology tools used everyday
    • To equip participants with basic IT skills useful for offline and remote activities. To familiarize them with the probable tools used and the guides towards effective usage of such tools
    • To train participants with how to set up computer networks and other essential methods involved in the process. 
    • To produce a competent, committed, knowledgeable and skilled IT personnel equipped with the basic IT skills that can serve as a beginner knowledge towards the acquisition of remote jobs and assists in their transition to more advanced IT knowledge
    • To prepare participants for the next level of the Data Stewardship Specialization Courses – CS2 and CS3 which are far more advanced than CS1

    Kindly watch this video for other details about this course.

     

     

    I hope you enjoy the topics, the interactive and engaging activities, as well as the diverse forms of assessments. 

    Thank you.

  • This topic

    SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AND PREPARATORY COURSES

    In the first week of this course, you will offer some short modules for skills development and preparation. This includes short courses on Life Skills, Introducing Peace and Conflict Resolution, Basics in Health, Hygiene and COVID-19 prevention, and community resilience. These preparatory courses were made to give you an introduction into the essentials of life skills to help you forward in your life and your job.

    In Life Skills, you will learn to think about who you are and where you want to go, and what skills you will need to develop in order to get there. In introduction to Peace and Conflict Resolution, you will do exercises with your fellow students in order to learn about conflict, how to recognize and respond to conflict, and how to mediate it. In the Basics of Health, Hygiene and COVID-19, you will be introduced to health principles that are important for you and your community. In community resilience, you will learn to recognize how experiences you have may have impacted or continue to impact you, and how you can deal with this, so that you can fully concentrate on your professional career.

    Please enjoy these introductory courses in your first week, and continue to work with and reflect on this first week as you move through the full course.
  • STUDY UNIT 1: INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY

    Even though it is probably true that most literate people have at one time or the other used or encountered a computer in their everyday tasks, a lot of these users still misconstrue what exactly a computer is. Most times, people do imply or perceive that a computer is just a laptop or desktop, but a computer is much more than this. In this Study Session, you will get to know what exactly a computer is and what it entails.

    With the increasing use of computers and new technologies emerging every day. Computers come with a bunch of digital tools and applications and it is expected that every user should be able to use these tools proficiently. This study unit covers the basic knowledge and skills expected of a beginner that is just starting to use computers for their everyday tasks.

     
     
  • STUDY UNIT 2 - DIGITAL LITERACY: OFFLINE TOOLS AND SKILLS NEEDED

    Increased usage and access to the Internet coupled with affordability of digital devices has paved way for the development of a digital economy across the world. However, there are major shortcomings to the usage efficiency due to the inadequacies of digital skills in both developed and developing countries. With new and emerging technologies such as Data Science and Artificial Intelligence taking over mundane jobs, acquiring digital skills has become imperative.

    In this Study Unit, you will be availed the meaning of digital literacy as well as the importance of being digitally literate. You will then be exposed to the digital skills every digitally literate person must-have, beginning with the offline tools that you should be proficient in using such as the MS Office Packages - MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint etc. You will also be introduced to how to create multimedia and the tools that can be used in making short videos, animations and skits.


  • STUDY UNIT 3 - DIGITAL LITERACY: ONLINE TOOLS AND SKILLS NEEDED

    Embracement of new technologies, affordability of internet subscription and advancement in the speed of the internet, amongst others have ushered in an era of remote or online activities. While the acceptance of new technologies is usually slow, the pandemic Covid19 served as a catalyst which sped the acceptance and usage of several remote or online digital tools. 

    In this Study Session, you will be introduced to the popular remote work digital tools and their categories. You will also get to know how to use basic online tools such as Google Apps – G.Drive, G.Doc, G.Sheet, G.Sheet and G.Slide. While remote work in good and becoming more acceptable to employers, it comes with a couple of challenges. You will get to know about some of these challenges and how to overcome them to achieve high work efficiency and good time productivity.

  • STUDY UNIT 4: INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER NETWORKS

    The internet is here to stay, no doubt about that. Therefore, computer networking skills will remain relevant as you embark on the journey in the world of computing. 

    In this study unit, learners will understand the building blocks of a computer network, explore the various types of computer network and  layer architectures that are recognized in computer networking.

  • STUDY UNIT 5: NETWORK HARDWARE, SOFTWARE, AND STANDARDIZATION

    For a computer network to function properly, there are various component that must work together. The network software and hardware must interact with each other properly, the network standard and protocols need to align properly. Every data transmitted should follow a guided or unguided media to reach it destination. 


  • STUDY UNIT 6: IP ADDRESSING

    Every data packet transmitted over a computer network must have an address. Every device connected to a network must have an IP address to transmit data successfully. Assigning IP address is an important aspect of network management.

    This Study Unit introduces the various classes and versions of the IP addressing. It also carefully presents examples of IP address division known as subnets. A flash of binary number conversion is intended to be treated.


  • STUDY UNIT 8: INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) SUPPORT

    This Study Unit will introduce you to the concept of Information Technology Support. You will be able to clearly define and identify computer software and hardware, as well as Explain Personal Computer Performance Maintenance and diagnostics. Further, the essential skills of an IT Support Specialist, managing installation and uninstalling software application and backup and restoring in windows 10, will be explored.

     

     


  • STUDY UNIT 9 - TROUBLESHOOTING AND MAINTENANCE

    Troubleshooting and documentation are necessary skills for a sustainable IT Support Specialist. 

    You need to understand how to troubleshoot in order to identify IT problems correctly. In addition to IT support, customer service and clear understanding of the ITSM service operation are key in running a good IT service company.

  • STUDY UNIT 10 - IT PROJECT MANAGEMENT

    This study unit introduces projects and project management, explains how projects fit into programs and portfolio management, discusses the role of the project manager, and provides important background information on this growing profession. 

    Although project management applies to many different industries and types of projects, this unit focuses on applying project management to IT projects.