What is the Online World?
The online world unit provides a foundation of knowledge for the online services and technologies accessible through the world wide web. In this unit we learned about a wide variety of online services and technologies such as cloud storage, email, collaborative software, online advertising, online communication platforms, database structures, file compression and data transmission methods. We also looked at the concerns surrounding security and privacy protection, and how users can protect themselves online.
How Was This Unit Assessed?
This unit was an exam based unit, covering the online world, including social networking, online services, advertising, methods of exchanging and storing data and the security risks associated with the online world. I was assessed by an onscreen exam which lasted 1 hour and was monitored by external verifiers.
What I Have learnt
To help study for the unit, we were given the official Pearson BTEC First Information and Creative Technology textbooks which are split into the individual units for the course. Each unit is then sectioned into learning aims for the assessment criteria, which for this unit were learning aims A, B and C.
In learning aim A we covered:
- Online services
- Online advertising
- Online Documents
- Online Communication
- Cloud Computing and Ubiquitous Computing Systems
In learning aim B we covered:
- The Internet
- The World Wide Web
- Data Exchange and Transmission Methods
- Data Storage and Database Structures
In learning aim C we covered:
- Data and Security Threats
- Identity Theft and Preventative Measures
- Legislation
Reflection of How I Worked
I found it difficult, to sit down and study, as there was a lot to cover in a very short time frame (a few months) and it felt quite daunting. Although I enjoyed taking mock exams to gauge my progress, I did not enjoy the hours I spent studying each topic, whist trying to complete other assignments (for unit 13 and unit 17), I found it difficult to juggle because the majority of the studying was supposed to be completed outside of college, and I was using that time to complete my assignments.
I did really enjoy taking the test, and I remember on the paper I received there was an 8 mark question on databases that I specifically spent the last 20 minutes of the paper on, to ensure I covered all points within the question.
What I need to further develop
I feel I need to develop my knowledge of data exchange and transmission methods as I cannot recall much on the topic and I think it would improve my understanding of how data is passed between user devices across a network. I feel this is an important part of understanding networks and if I were to say what my weakest area is, it would be networks.
My Overall grade
My final grade for this unit was a Level 2 Pass.
Work I Produced During this Unit:
Work Completed during this unit:
Malware Research Document
Online Communications Academic Poster
Digital Portfolio 