Revision of SSCE Past Questions II – SS3 Digital Technologies Lesson Note (Second Term)

This revision note helps SS3 students answer SSCE Digital Technologies questions. It covers how to answer scenario questions with suitable hardware, connectivity and safety advice, the benefits of e-learning, e-banking and e-commerce, ergonomics and ethics, basic troubleshooting and maintenance, information transmission media, and the positive and negative impacts of ICT.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• answer a scenario question by identifying the problem and suggesting specific hardware, a suitable solution and safety measures;
• state at least two benefits each of e-learning, e-banking and e-commerce;
• name common health problems from computer use and give a solution to each;
• define plagiarism and software piracy;
• list basic troubleshooting checks and preventive maintenance tasks;
• give the positive and negative impacts of ICT on society.

How do I answer a scenario question in Section C?

In Section C of your exam, you will often find a story. For example: “Mr. Okon wants to start a cyber cafe in a village with no internet. What should he do?”

How to answer:

1. Identify the problem: Is it a lack of hardware, software, or connectivity?
2. Suggest the hardware: Do not just say “computer.” Be specific: “System units, monitors, a heavy-duty router, and a server.”
3. Suggest the solution: For a village, you might suggest Satellite Internet (VSAT) because cables might not reach there.

Exam tip: Always mention safety. If you are setting up a lab or office, mention a fire extinguisher (CO₂) and good ventilation or air conditioning.

How has ICT changed real-world industries (E-Everything)?

Examiners often ask how computers have changed specific industries. You need to know at least two benefits for each:

• E-learning (education):
  1. Students can learn at their own pace.
  2. Students can reach a world of information through the internet.
• E-banking (finance):
  1. No need to stand in long queues (saves time).
  2. 24/7 access to your money through an ATM or mobile apps.
• E-commerce (trade):
  1. You can buy things from Lagos while sitting in Kano.
  2. Businesses do not need a physical shop, which reduces costs.

What are the health, safety and ethical issues in computer use?

“Ergonomics” is a big word that means setting up your workspace so that you do not get hurt.

Common health issues and solutions

• Eye strain: Caused by looking at the screen too long. Solution: Use an anti-glare screen or take breaks (the 20-20-20 rule).
• Back pain: Caused by sitting badly. Solution: Use an adjustable chair that supports your lower back.
• Repetitive strain injury (RSI): Pain in the wrists from typing. Solution: Use a wrist rest or an ergonomic keyboard.

Ethical issues

Be ready to define plagiarism (copying someone’s work without credit) and software piracy (using “cracked” software without paying for it).

How do I answer maintenance and troubleshooting questions?

Sometimes the question asks: “The computer is on, but the screen is black. What are three things you should check?”

The “check the basics” strategy:

1. Power: Is the monitor plugged in and switched on?
2. Cables: Is the VGA or HDMI cable loose at the back of the CPU?
3. RAM: (Advanced) If the computer is beeping, the RAM might need cleaning or reseating.

Preventive maintenance

Tell the examiner about dusting (using a blower), software updates, and disk defragmentation (which rearranges files so the computer runs faster).

How does information move, and what is the impact of ICT?

Review how information moves from point A to point B.

Transmission media

• Wireless: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, infrared and satellite.
• Wired: Twisted pair (LAN cables), coaxial (TV cables) and fibre optics (the fastest, uses light).

The “impact” question

If asked about the impact of ICT on society, mention both sides:

• Positive: Faster communication, job creation in tech, and better healthcare.
• Negative: Job loss (machines replacing people), cybercrime, and less physical social interaction.

Exam checklist

• Practicality: Always suggest solutions that make sense for the person in the story.
• Keywords: Use words like efficiency, accuracy, automation and storage.
• Clarity: Use bullet points. Examiners have thousands of scripts to mark, so make yours easy to read.

Evaluation

1. Mr. Okon wants to open a cyber cafe in a village with no internet. Name the hardware he needs and the connection you would advise.
2. State two benefits each of e-banking and e-commerce.
3. Give one cause and one solution for eye strain.
4. Define plagiarism and software piracy.
5. A computer is on but the screen is black. State three things you should check.

Assignment

1. List two wireless and two wired media for transmitting information.
2. State two positive and two negative impacts of ICT on society.
3. Name three tasks of preventive maintenance and say what disk defragmentation does.