Year 10 · ICT · Spring 1

Effects of IT and ICT applications; databases · Lesson 2 of 5

ICT applications, part 1

Theory6.2 Computer modelling6.6 Banking applications6.7 Computers in medicine

Year 10 · ICT · Effects of IT and ICT applications; databases · Lesson 2 of 5

You will learn to

  • Explain what a computer model is and what 'what if' means.
  • Describe how ATMs, electronic funds transfer and card payments work.
  • Describe what patient records hold, and how 3D printers are used in medicine.
  • Answer past-paper 'describe' questions on ICT applications.

Year 10 · ICT · Effects of IT and ICT applications; databases · Lesson 2 of 5

Success criteria

You have got it when you can say:

  • I can give two advantages and one disadvantage of using a model to forecast the weather.
  • I can list the checks the bank's computer makes when I use an ATM.
  • I can describe two uses of 3D printing in medicine.

Year 10 · ICT · Effects of IT and ICT applications; databases · Lesson 2 of 5

Retrieval starter

Questions from before. Write your answers, then show them.

  1. Last lesson

    RSI is reduced by…

    A A brighter screenB Breaks and an ergonomic keyboardC A bigger hard disk

    B. Breaks and an ergonomic keyboard

  2. Last unit

    A .pdf is used because…

    A It looks the same on every computerB Anyone can edit itC It is the smallest file

    A. It looks the same on every computer

  3. Earlier this year

    Which is application software?

    A The operating systemB A spreadsheetC A device driver

    B. A spreadsheet

Year 10 · ICT · Effects of IT and ICT applications; databases · Lesson 2 of 5

Key words (1 of 2)

Computer model
A program that uses rules and formulas to act like a real system.
What if
Changing a model's inputs to see what would happen.
ATM
Automated teller machine: a cash machine.
EFT
Electronic funds transfer: moving money between accounts electronically.

Year 10 · ICT · Effects of IT and ICT applications; databases · Lesson 2 of 5

Key words (2 of 2)

Cheque clearing
The process that moves money from the payer's bank to the payee's bank.
Expert system
Software that copies the knowledge and decisions of a human expert.
Rules base
The IF … THEN rules in an expert system.

6.2 Computer modelling · The explanation · step 1 of 9 · part 1 of 2

What a computer model is

A computer model is a program, often a spreadsheet, that uses rules and formulas to act like a real system.

You change the inputs and the model calculates what would happen. This is called asking "what if?" questions.

Change the inputs in the model below. It models the cost of a school trip. Try 51 students and watch one extra coach turn a profit into a loss.

6.2 Computer modelling · The explanation · step 1 of 9 · part 2 of 2

What a computer model is (continued)

e.g.Example
Personal finance model: 1000 euros saved at 3% interest a year. Year 1: 1000 × 1.03 = 1030.00 Year 2: 1030.00 × 1.03 = 1060.90 Year 5: 1159.27 What if the rate is 5%? Year 5 becomes 1276.28. The saver sees the effect at once, without waiting five years.

There is something to try for this step in the IGCSE library.

6.2 Computer modelling · The explanation · step 2 of 9

Uses of computer models

Each model uses data, formulas and rules to predict what will happen.

UseWhat is modelledWhy a model helps
Personal financeIncome, spending, savings, loans, interestPlan a budget; see if a loan is affordable before signing
Bridge and building designLoads, wind, earthquakes, materialsFind weak points and test designs safely before anything is built
Flood water managementRainfall, river levels, tides, ground typePredict which streets will flood; test where to build barriers; plan evacuations
Traffic managementNumber of cars, traffic light timings, new roadsTest new light timings or a new roundabout without causing real jams
Weather forecastingTemperature, air pressure, wind, humidity readings from sensors and satellitesPredict weather days ahead; warn about storms; uses supercomputers because of the huge amount of data

6.2 Computer modelling · The explanation · step 3 of 9 · part 1 of 2

Advantages and disadvantages of models

A model is not reality. It is a simplified version, so its results are predictions, not facts.

AdvantagesDisadvantages
Cheaper than building the real thing or a physical prototypeOnly as good as the data and rules used; wrong data gives wrong results
Safer: dangerous situations (floods, earthquakes, crashes) can be tested with no riskReal life has factors the model may leave out, so predictions can be wrong
Faster: years can be simulated in secondsComplex models are expensive to build and need experts
Many "what if" scenarios can be tried and comparedPeople may trust the output too much without checking

6.2 Computer modelling · The explanation · step 3 of 9 · part 2 of 2

Advantages and disadvantages of models (continued)

!Watch out

"It is safer" needs a reason: "safer because engineers can test an earthquake on the bridge without putting anyone in danger."

6.6 Banking applications · The explanation · step 4 of 9 · part 1 of 2

Automated teller machines (ATMs)

An ATM (cash machine) lets customers take out cash, check their balance, change their PIN, pay bills and print a mini statement without going into a bank.

AdvantagesDisadvantages
Cash available 24 hours a day, in many placesShoulder surfing and card cloning (skimmers) are risks
No queues inside the bank; quickerFees when using another bank's ATM
Can use cards abroadDaily withdrawal limit; machine can run out of cash or break

6.6 Banking applications · The explanation · step 4 of 9 · part 2 of 2

Automated teller machines (ATMs) (continued)

e.g.Example
Withdrawing 50 euros: 1. Customer inserts card. The chip is read. 2. Customer types their PIN. It is checked against the PIN on the chip. 3. Customer chooses "withdraw cash" and types 50. 4. The bank's computer checks the account has enough money and is not over the daily limit. 5. If yes, cash is dispensed and the account is debited by 50. 6. Card is returned before the cash, so it is not left behind.

6.6 Banking applications · The explanation · step 5 of 9 · part 1 of 2

Electronic funds transfer and card payments

Electronic funds transfer (EFT) moves money from one bank account to another electronically. No cash or paper changes hands. Employers pay salaries this way.

A debit card takes money straight from the customer's bank account. A credit card borrows money from the card company, which the customer pays back later, often with interest.

Card payments use chip and PIN, or contactless for small amounts. The card details are sent securely to the bank, which approves or declines.

6.6 Banking applications · The explanation · step 5 of 9 · part 2 of 2

Electronic funds transfer and card payments (continued)

Debit cardCredit card
Whose moneyCustomer's own money, taken at onceBorrowed from the card company, paid back later
AdvantageCannot spend money you do not have, so no debtSpread payments; extra protection if goods do not arrive
DisadvantageLess protection for online purchasesHigh interest if not paid back in full; easy to build up debt

6.6 Banking applications · The explanation · step 6 of 9 · part 1 of 3

Cheques and how they are cleared

A cheque is a paper instruction from an account holder telling their bank to pay a named person a sum of money. They are rarely used now, but are still in the syllabus.

Clearing is the process that moves the money from the payer's bank to the payee's bank. Today, in many countries, banks scan the cheque and send an image instead of the paper.

6.6 Banking applications · The explanation · step 6 of 9 · part 2 of 3

Cheques and how they are cleared (continued)

e.g.Example
Clearing a cheque (image clearing): 1. Payee pays the cheque into their bank (B), in a branch or by photographing it in the bank's app. 2. Bank B scans the cheque. The account number, sort code and cheque number are read automatically. 3. The image and data are sent to a central clearing centre. 4. The clearing centre sends them to the payer's bank (A). 5. Bank A checks the cheque is valid, the signature, and that there is enough money. 6. If yes, bank A debits the payer's account and sends a payment message back. 7. Bank B credits the payee's account, usually by the next working day.

6.6 Banking applications · The explanation · step 6 of 9 · part 3 of 3

Cheques and how they are cleared (continued)

!Watch out

Describe the steps in order and name both banks. Examiners give one mark per correct step.

The explanation · 3 more steps

More on the lesson page

The lesson page has the rest of the explanation, step by step:

  • Internet banking
  • Patient and pharmacy records
  • 3D printing in medicine

Open the lesson page

Year 10 · ICT · Effects of IT and ICT applications; databases · Lesson 2 of 5

Quick quiz · 1 of 3

In automatic stock control, the stock level drops when…

  1. A The barcode is scanned at the till
  2. B The manager counts
  3. C The shop closes

A. The barcode is scanned at the till

When stock reaches the reorder level the system orders more.

Year 10 · ICT · Effects of IT and ICT applications; databases · Lesson 2 of 5

Quick quiz · 2 of 3

A spreadsheet weather model is used because…

  1. A It is always exactly right
  2. B It is cheaper and safer than real experiments
  3. C It needs no data

B. It is cheaper and safer than real experiments

Models predict; they are only as good as their data and rules.

Year 10 · ICT · Effects of IT and ICT applications; databases · Lesson 2 of 5

Quick quiz · 3 of 3

EFTPOS means…

  1. A Sending an email
  2. B Posting a cheque
  3. C Paying by card at the till

C. Paying by card at the till

Electronic funds transfer at point of sale.

Year 10 · ICT · Effects of IT and ICT applications; databases · Lesson 2 of 5

Exit ticket

Answer on paper before you go. Then check.

  1. A foreign key…

    A Is a passwordB Is always uniqueC Links a record to a record in another table

    C. Links a record to a record in another table It holds the other table's primary key.

  2. A query with Year = 8 AND Score > 60 shows…

    A All Year 8 pupilsB Year 8 pupils with more than 60C Everyone with more than 60

    B. Year 8 pupils with more than 60 AND needs both to be true.