NATIONAL EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL (NECO)
DATA PROCESSING
INTRODUCTION
The recognition of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as an important tool for the tremendous changes in our world and culture has made Data processing one of the Trade/Entrepreneurship subjects in the newly revised Senior Secondary School Curriculum.
OBJECTIVES
This syllabus is designed to text the extent to which students can:
i.acquire basic skills for data base management;
ii.use the computer to facilitate business transaction; and
iii.develop reasonable level of competence in ICT applications which will, in turn, engender entrepreneurial skills.
STRUCTURE OF THE EXAMINATION
There shall be two compulsory papers: I and II.
PAPER IIt shall consist of Three (3) practical questions on software applications out of which candidates are required to answer two. It will last for 3 hours. It carries 60 marks.
PAPER IIIt shall have two (2) Sections: A and B.
Section A consists of sixty (60) multiple-choice items while Section B consists of six (6) essay questions out of which candidates shall answer any four. These questions shall require short notes and short programming writing solutions. This paper will also last for three (3) hours. It carries 100 marks.
DETAILED SYLLABUS
| S/N | TOPIC | CONTENT | REMARKS |
|---|---|---|---|
1.History of Computing | i.Devices in computing like slide rule, coms, tally stick, rope charts etc. ii.Number system. | Students should be able to: a.Identify concrete devices used in computing. b.Explain the concept of number System. | |
2.Digitalization of Data | i.Definition of digitalization of data. ii.Explain the history of computer development. iii.State the components of computer: Input/Output devices. iv.State types of computer | Students should be able to: a.Define digitalization of data. b.State the types of computer. c.The components of computer. |
| Topic | Content | Students should be able to | |
|---|---|---|---|
1.Data and Information | i.Definition of data. ii.Meaning of Information. iii.Different types of data. iv.State two ways of handling data. | Students should be able to define and distinguish between: a.Data b.Information | |
4.History of Computer | Generation of computer; 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th generations | Students should be able to list the five generations of computers and their features or characteristics. | |
5.Classification of Computers | Classification of computers by: -types -sizes -functionalities. | Students should be able to: a.Classify computers by types, sizes and functionalities with examples. b.They should state characteristics of each type. | |
6.ICT application in everyday life | Uses of ICT ICT and the society | Students should be able to: a.State the uses of ICT, b.Identify the importance of ICT in the society. | |
7.The Art of Information processing. | Definition of Information processing. Procedures for information processing: i.Collation of information ii.Organisation of information iii.Interpretation of information | Students should be able to: a.Define the art of information processing. b.Explain the procedures for information processing. | |
8.Process of Information Transmission | i.Definition of information transmission. ii.Methods of transmitting information. | Students should be able to: a.Define information transmission. b.Identify methods of transmitting information using examples like radio, television, newspapers etc. | |
9.Medium of Information Transmission | Classification of means of transmitting information: Electronics and Non electronics. Types of information transmission, like satellite, wireless and cable | Students should be able to: a.Classify information by means of transmission mode of receiving information. b.Group the means of transmitting information as electronic and non-electronic. | |
10.Operating System | Definition of operating system State the types of operating system. Give examples of operating system. Outline functions of operating system. | Students should be able to: a.Define operating system with examples. b.State the types and functions of operating system. |
| Topic | Content | Students should be able to: | |
|---|---|---|---|
11.Word processing | i.Definition of word processing ii.Uses of word processing iii.Examples of Ms-office software. iv.Loading and exiting Ms-Word. v.Creating, saving and Retrieving files. | a.Define word processing and state the uses of word processor. b.Demonstrate the following practical skills like: i.Creating, loading and exiting Ms-word. i.Creating, saving and retrieving files. | |
12.Spreadsheet | i.Definition of spreadsheet ii.Uses of spreadsheet iii.Examples of spreadsheet iv.Loading and exiting Ms-Excel. v.Creating, Saving and Retrieving files. | a.Define spreadsheet with examples. b.Mention the uses of spreadsheet. c.Demonstrate skills like: (i)loading and exiting Ms-Excel (ii)creating, saving and Retrieving files. | |
13.Database Management System | i.Definition of Database Management. ii.Uses of spreadsheet and Ms-Access for Database Management iii.Loading and Exiting Ms-Access. iv.Creating, saving and Retrieving files. | Students are expected to be able to: a.Define Database and list examples of a database system. bState the uses of database system. c.Demonstrate the practical skills of: i.Creating, saving and Retrieving files. ii.Loading and exiting the Ms-Access software. | |
14.Computer Ethics | i.Computer Room Management Ethics. ii.Laboratory rules and regulations | Students should be able to: a.Mention the responsible ways of using the computer. b.Identify ways of misusing the computer. | |
15.Safety measures | i.The sitting arrangement. ii.Positioning of monitor base iii.Illuminating the computer room. iv.Maintaining dust free environment. v.Keep liquid away from the computers. | Students should be able tomention safety measures to be taken when using computers. |
| 16. | Types of Data models | i. Definition of Data model ii. Types of Data models | Students should be able to define data model and state the types of data model |
|---|---|---|---|
16.Types of Data models | i.Definition of Data model ii.Types of Data models | Students should be able to define data model and state the types of data model | |
17.Data modelling | i.Creating Tables, Forms, Queries and Reports ii.Significance of data model. iii.Examples of standard data models. | Students are expected to: a.Demonstrate practical skills of creating tables, Reports, queries etc. b.Explain the significance of data model. c.State component of standard model.. | |
18.Normal Forms | i.Example of tables in First normal forms. ii.Tables in second and third normal forms. iii.Problems of table in first normal form. iv.Determinant of normal forms. v.Foreign keys | Students be able to: a.State the concept of foreign key, b.Explain the term normal form. | |
19.Internet | i.Definition of Internet ii.Internet Browser iii.Benefit of Internet iv.Internet security v.Abuses of Internet | Students should be able to: a.Define Internet b.Identify Internet browser and examples of internet browsers c.Explain internet security and mention the abuses of internet. | |
20.Presentation Package | i.Meaning of Presentation Package. ii.Uses of presentation package | Students are expected to: a.Explain the meaning of presentation package b.Mention the uses of presentation package a.Demonstrate the use of presentation package. | |
21.Web Design Packages. | i.Meaning of Web design package ii.Uses of web design packages iii.Components of web design packages. iv.Examples of web design packages. | Students are expected to: a.Explain the meaning of web design packages with examples. b.Mention the uses of web design. c.State the components of web design packages. |
22. | Graphic Packages | i.Meaning of Graphic software package. ii.Uses of Graphic software package iii.Components of Corel Draw iv.Example of Graphic Packages. | Students should be able to: a.Define graphic software package. b.Mention types and uses of graphic package c.State the component of graphic package. |
23. | Maintenance of Computer I | i.General cleaning ii.Battery charging and replacement iii.DVD drive lens cleaning. | Students should be able to explain and carry out computer maintenance procedures. |
24. | Indexes | i.Clutter versus uncluttered indexes. ii.Dense versus sparse. iii.Primary and secondary indexes. iv.Indexes using composite search indexes. | Students are expected to a.Define indexes b.Explain different types of indexes. |
25. | Database Security | i.Introduction to database security ii.Access control iii.Role of the database administrator in security. iv.Encryption | Students are expected to: a.Explain data security. b.State the importance of data security c.Define the roles of database administrator in security d.Define encryption. |
26. | Crash Recovery | i.Introduction to Aries (analysis, redo and undo). ii.Other recovery related data structure. iii.The write-Ahead log protocol iv.Check pointing v.Media recovery. | Students should be able to: a.Define write Ahead log protocol. b.Explain check pointing. |
27. | Parallel and Distributed databases. | i.Architecture for parallel databases. ii.Introduction to distributed databases. iii.Distributed DBMS Architecture. iv.Strong data in a distributed DBMS. | Students should be able to: a.Explain distributed and parallel databases. b.State the importance of distributed and parallel databases. |
28. | Networking | i.Meaning of Networking of (Internet and Intranet). ii.Types of Networking | Students should be able to: a.Define networking. b.Mention the types of Networking. |
29. | Computer Virus | i.Meaning of computer virus. ii.Types of virus with examples of virus. iii.Virus warning signs iv.Virus detection/prevention. | Students should be able to: a.Define computer virus. b.State the types with examples. c.State the sources through which a computer can be infected with virus. |
30. | Maintenance of Computer II | i.Details of Hardware maintenance. ii.Details of Software maintenance. | Students should be able to: a.Carryout simple computer maintenance (Hardware). b.Carryout simple software maintenance. |
31. | Career Options in Data Processing | i.Professions in computer ii.Qualities of a good professional. | Students should be able to: a.Draw a list of career opportunities associated with computer usage. b.State the functions of each of the professionals. c.List the qualities of a good professional. d.List the computer professional bodies. |