Topic 3- People And Ict Systems Flashcards
Why do old users have different needs to younger users
-Younger users have grown up learning how to use ict systems therefore they would be better at using them then older users. This means that older users would need mor help. Older users may also need larger text and online help
-They also would need websites to be set out easier and less complicated software programs
You would not design a piece of multimedia software aimed at primary school children in the same way as for an adult user
4 characteristics of Ict users
- experience
- physical characteristics
- age
- environment of use
What is GUI
Main features
-interface that allows user to communicate with the computer using icons and pull-down menus. Instead of typing in commands, you enter them by pointing and clicking
Main features of a GUI: windows, menus, icons
What is a menu driven interface
When a user is presented with a list of options and they type in the letter or number of their selection
advantage of menu driven interface
-it is a simple interface which is very easy to use
disadvantage of menu driven interface
A disadvantage is that it is only when there are a few items to select from on the menu
How ict can be used to help people with physical problems e.g:
- users with a sensory impairment
- blind person
- users with a physical disability
- user may not be able to read the letters on the screen properly(use a font that is easy to read and make sure the size of the font is large enough for these users to read)
- ict can help by the use of ‘talking computer’ where words are spoken when typed in by user and can also use special Braille keyboards to enter data
- people who are unable to write because of their disability can use voice-activated systems to put data into the computer
What is the need for effective dialogue between humans and machines
- human/computer interfaces allows the user to tell the computer what to do and at the same time the computer can interact with user by giving response
- these interfaces are important as they determine how easy it is to use the ict system to do a task
Command-driven interface
User has to remember and issue commands to the ict system to get it to do something. Sometimes commands are entered using keyboard&sometimes they are entered using lists of commands
Natural language
Interfaces which allow us to issue instructions to the ict systems using everyday language that humans use with each other
How the following help users
- on-line help
- on-line help for novice users
- appropriate training
-software packages come with online help where users get help with software -help screens should explain things simply&give user examples
-users should be trained properly on new systems
>on-line tutorials: guide them through essential features of the system
>interactive multimedia training resources provided on CD-ROM or DVD
>classroom&individual tuition face to face teaching/training & one to one training& paper based instruct
How the following help users:
Existing user base
Help-desk
- if you are working in an office with more experiences users and you come across a problem with a software then you can ask someone you work with for their help
- usually managed by someone from the IT department, purpose is to give expert advice to users regarding any software or hardware with problems
Main jobs available to ICT professionals
- business analyst/systems analyst/ project manager
- software developer/programmer
- web designer
- IT trainer
- technician/engineer/network administrator
- help-desk operator
Difference between technical skills and personal skills
Technical skills are those skills that are necessary in order to complete a specific job in ict
Personal skills are those skills a person possess and which are transferable to any jobs or task
Roles of a business analyst/systems analyst/project manager
- interview business users to determine their requirements for the system
- apply the techniques of systems analysis to business problems
- be knowledgable about the technical options for a particular business problem
- work with developers and other computer professionals in teams
Business analyst/systems analyst/ project manager
Technical skills needed
- knowledge of formal techniques: to be able to apply all the techniques of systems analysis to solve business problem
- knowledge of the application of hardware/software
- good understanding of both business and ICT: so that they understand the business problem being solved and can use the best ICT solution
- project management skills: to bring together the activities of everyone involved in a project
Business analyst/systems analyst/ project manager
Personal skills needed
- communication skills: to be able to talk to users about what they want from a system and to present ideas to management
- written skills: to be able to produce clear reports to managers, software developers
- ability to work in teams
- problem solving skills: to be logical in going about solving a business problems
Software developer/programmer
Typical roles
- writing new programmes to solve business problems
- altering existing programming code to get the programs to work differently
- debugging and testing programs to remove errors
- produce program documentation
Software developer/programmer
Technical skills needed
- programming skills: need to be skilled in a programming language e.g Visual Basic
- testing skills:need to be able to test programs properly to ensure they are bug free
Software developer/programmer
Personal skills needed
- ability to work under pressure:programs are written to deadlines>pressure to complete tasks on time
- ability to work in teams: need to work with other programmers, business analysts working on the same project
- problem solving skills: need to be able to solve problems by the writing of programming code
Web designer/administrator
Typical roles
- creating websites that are functional &look good
- corporate with other business&technical staff
- make changes to an existing website to cope with the changing demands of the website
- evaluating the effectiveness of the website using user comments
Web designer/administrator
Technical skills
- skilled in web design packages: need to be able to create websites&webpages using web design packages e.g dreamweaver
- design skills: need to understand elements of design to produce webpages that are attractive, eye catching and functional
- knowledge of psychology: to understand how users interact with websites
Web designer/administrator
Personal skills needed
- creative skills: to produce eye catching designs
- communication skills: to be able to corporate with other staff
- willingness to keep up-to-date p: as the designs and expectations of websites changed over time
- listening skills: so that they understand the full purpose of the website and how it will be used
Help-desk operator
Typical roles
- helping users with their ICT problems
- answering user problems by telephone
- finding out whether a problem needs a visit by an engineer
Help-desk operator
Technical skills
- good knowledge of software/ systems being used or willingness to learn about them: to answer user/customer problems
- networking skills: so that network problems can be solves
- hardware skills: need to be able to detect hardware problems
Help-desk operator
Personal skills
- listening skills: to make sure the users problem is correctly understood
- communication skills: to be able to explain clearly to users what they need to do to solve the problem
- ability to work under pressure
- willingness to learn new skills: in order to keep up-to-date with the latest software
- approachable: so that users don’t feel intimidated when they ask for help
ICT trainer
Typical role
- designing courses to help users
- delivering courses to users on software packages, procedures, new programmes
- keeping up to date with the latest developments in ict
ICT trainer
Technical skills
- skills in the software being used
- trouble-shooting skills: to sort problems out
- business skills: in order to understand how the users are likely to use the ICT systems
ICT trainer
Personal skills
- teaching skills: being able to explain systems/software to users so they understand how to use them
- technical knowledge: good understanding of the material being taught is essential
- communication skills: needed to impart knowledge and skills during training sessions
- willingness to keep skills up-to-data:
Technician/network administrator
Typical roles
- installing hardware and software
- ensuring that all programs and data on the server are safely backed up
- upgrading software and hardware
- archiving files
- repairing hardware and correcting software faults
- setting up user accounts with user IDs&passwords
- checking that all security hardware/software is working properly and is up-to-date
Technician/network administrator
Personal skills
- good technical knowledge: need to fully understand understand the workings of hardware, software and networks
- problem solving skills: need a systematic way to solve user problems with equipment
Effective ICT teams
Advantages
- project manager can give tasks to team members with the most appropriate skills to do the task
- team members are able to share ideas
- project can be completed quickly
- if a member of the team leaves then there is someone will the same knowledge to take over
- teams able to help and motivate each other
- teams can produce work which is better quality than if it was done by one person
Effective ICT teams
Disadvantages
- project teams are harder to manage
- some people are better working on their own and don’t like being dependant on others
- if one team member doesn’t complete their task on time then it can affect other team members and cause their tasks to run late
- lots of meetings are needed to coordinate all the activities
Skills of a team leader
- leadership skills: So all team members have faith in the decisions made&ensure everyone in team works well together
- technical skills&knowledge about the area of business being developed
- management skills: able to assign tasks to team members who are most capable of doing them
- previous leader experience to understand the likely problems -motivational skills:encourage team mem
- able to work under pressure, presentation skill
Skills of team members
- problem solving skills
- strong communication skills
- ability to work in teams: team working skills
- time management skills: be able to complete tasks for their deadlines
