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