Assessor Resource

ICAICT101A
Operate a personal computer

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit applies to workers who require the IT literacy skills to operate a personal computer in a small office environment, such as hospitality industry, real estate office, medical centre and school office.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to operate a personal computer (PC) in a home or small office environment.

This entry level unit provides the learner with information technology (IT) literacy skills in setting up a personal computer, accessing files with application programs, sending and retrieving emails, using the internet, using peripheral devices, such as printers, scanners, webcams and data projectors, applying basic security procedures and power-management settings, and backing up and shutting down a personal computer.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.




Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the ability to:

use hardware and software

navigate around the desktop

use system features to perform tasks

save results of work.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to:

appropriate learning and assessment support when required

personal computer, including printer, mouse, keyboard and monitor

use of basic software currently used in industry.

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with special needs.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

verbal or written questioning to assess candidate’s knowledge of PC operations

direct observation of candidate performing basic PC operations

direct observation of candidate performing a sequence of routine tasks following clear directions.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, where appropriate.

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and suitable to the communication skill level, language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

Indigenous people and other people from a non-English speaking background may need additional support.

In cases where practical assessment is used it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge.


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

communication skills to:

communicate with peers and supervisors

read and write basic workplace documents

seek assistance and expert advice

literacy skills to interpret user manuals and help functions

technical skills to:

apply basic keyboarding skills

apply power-management settings

back up and save information

input user-access details for accessing a PC

install and remove software

manage mouse for different applications

save and retrieve files to and from various locations

send and retrieve emails

use peripheral and storage devices

use the internet.

Required knowledge

basic parts of a computer and various hardware components

basic software operation and application packages

basic computer functions, including security functions

peripheral devices

storage devices.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Physical components may include:

keyboard

monitor

mouse

processor.

Peripheral devices may include:

AV device

external memory device

multicard reader and writer

network element:

broadband router

digital subscriber line (DSL) and cable modem

hub

wireless device

personal digital assistant (PDA) and MP3 player

printer

scanner

smartphone

tablet

uninterruptible power supply (UPS)

universal serial bus (USB) dongle, such as:

Bluetooth

flash memory

wireless device.

Personal computer may include:

communications system

desktop

laptop

server

workstation.

Connectivity may include:

AV connection

cable, wireless, infra-red or Bluetooth connection

internal connection or USB dongle

network or stand-alone computer

ports:

firewire

high definition multimedia interface (HDMI)

printer

USB.

Procedures may include:

fingerscan

smartcard

user name and password.

Settings may include:

monitor settings:

brightness

colour

contrast

mouse settings:

buttons

speed.

Power-management settings after a period of non-use may include:

automatic power off

hibernation settings

monitor power-saver settings.

Operating system may include:

open source

proprietary:

Mac

Unix or Linux

Windows.

Application programs may include:

email

instant messaging

internet or web browsers

internet protocol (IP) voice applications, such as Skype

media players

office applications

power-management software

search engines

Windows Explorer.

Basic office applications may include:

media files

PowerPoint

spreadsheets

word processor.

Minor changes may include:

altering basic text

renaming documents.

Security risks and threats may include:

security threats:

cookies media used for backup

pop-ups

screen visibility

spam

trojan horses

unauthorised access:

adware

hackers

identity fraud

malware

phishing

spyware

viruses

web browser risks

worms.

Storage devices may include:

disks:

CD

DVD

blu-ray

flash drives

server

solid state hard drives

virtual devices.

Printer settings may include:

cartridge type

layout

number of copies

orientation

paper size

paper tray.

Audiovisual devices may include:

data projector

external monitor

headset

microphone

speakers

webcam or digital camera.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Identify physical components and associated peripheral devices of the personal computer to become familiar with the available network 
Check physical connectivity of devices to ensure correct operation and performance 
Boot up and follow procedures to activate the computer 
Alter the computer settings to best suit the user 
Configure power-management settings to minimise power consumption as an environmentally sustainable measure 
Identify operating system and the application programs loaded on the computer to determine computer capability 
Conduct basic software installation and removal to improve computer capability 
Navigate and manipulate desktop environment to create and customise desktop icons and access application programs 
Open a folder with file documents containing basic office applications, make minor changes and save in a different folder 
Send and retrieve a simple email message using the desktop icon to communicate with other parties 
Access the internet using the web browser to view and conduct basic web information search 
Use firewall and antivirus and malware scans to reduce security risks and threats in the system 
Access external storage devices to retrieve, copy, move and save information in different mediums and locations 
Use printer settings on an installed printer to print a document 
Access audiovisual (AV) devices to view and play a multimedia file 
Back up important documents and programs to minimise risk of data loss 
Save any work to be retained and close open application programs 
Shut down computer and switch off any unused peripheral devices 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

ICAICT101A - Operate a personal computer
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

ICAICT101A - Operate a personal computer

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: