Grade 11 — Study by Term Grade 11
Based on the 2026 IT CAPS. Grade 11 introduces 1D arrays, text files, user-defined methods and databases. Note: SQL, OOP and 2D Arrays are Grade 12 topics.
T1
Term 1 • January – March
1D arrays, nested loops, date methods; hardware depth, processing & networks
🔬 Practical (Paper 1)
- 1D arrays: concept, declaration, population
- Nested FOR loops with arrays
- Array calculations (sum, average, min, max)
- Linear search
- Binary search (sorted array)
- Bubble sort & selection sort
- Parallel arrays
- Extend string methods from Grade 10
- Date methods: DateToStr, TimeToStr, IsLeapYear
- Binary number ↔ decimal conversions in code
📘 Theory (Paper 2)
- Motherboard: components, slots, buses
- BIOS/UEFI & POST
- Cache memory (L1/L2/L3) & caching
- RAM vs ROM in depth; HDD vs SSD
- Computer performance factors
- OS types (stand-alone, embedded, network)
- Compilers vs interpreters
- Multitasking, multithreading, multiprocessing
- Virtual memory & virtualisation/VMs
- Network topology (star), NIC, modem, switch, router
- VoIP, Intranet/Extranet, VPN, location-based computing
- Social: LBC implications, AUP, capabilities & limitations
- Computer management: threats, malware, remedies, backups
T2
Term 2 • April – June (incl. mid-year exam)
Text files & user-defined methods; e-communications, digitalisation & databases intro
🔬 Practical (Paper 1)
- Text files: physical vs logical file names
- AssignFile, Reset, Rewrite, Append, CloseFile
- ReadLn, WriteLn, EOF
- FileExists check & exception handling
- Reading multiple lines; populating arrays from file
- Writing/appending; generating text reports
- User-defined procedures (no parameters)
- Procedures with value parameters
- User-defined functions (return values)
- Functions with parameters
- Input validation using methods
📘 Theory (Paper 2)
- Microblogging, SMS, instant messaging, social media
- Video casting, podcasting, VoIP, video conferencing
- Mobile devices, browsers, apps
- GPS, 4G/5G, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, access points
- Shaping, throttling, protocols (POP3, SMTP, IMAP, VoIP)
- Data security: passwords, encryption, multi-layer verification
- Blockchain: definition & purpose
- Digitalisation effects, gig economy
- Online services, video conferencing, social media & influencing
- Future careers: digital forensics, 3D printing, privacy consultant
- Remote work, office automation, robotics, AI overview
- DBMS: definition, functions, examples
- Database types (desktop, server, distributed)
- Database careers (DBA, programmer, analyst)
T3
Term 3 • July – September
Databases in Delphi (NO SQL yet); database design & data integrity
🔬 Practical (Paper 1)
- Connect to a database by path in code
- TADOConnection, TADOTable, DataSource, DBGrid
- Navigate records (First, Next, Eof)
- Access field values with code
- Insert, Edit, Delete, Post records
- Search/filter records using code (no SQL)
- Multi-form GUI design
Note
SQL is Grade 12 work. Gr11 uses TADOTable + code only.📘 Theory (Paper 2)
- Data quality: accuracy, correctness, currency, completeness
- Data validation: format, type, range, check digit
- Records, fields & field types
- Tables & relationships (1:1, 1:M, M:M)
- Referential integrity & ERDs
- Creating a simple database (design, maintain, query)
- Effects of computer & human error on data
- Effects of cybercrime (identity theft, ransomware, SQL injection)
T4
Term 4 • October – November (PAT due + exams)
Internet/IoT/Big Data theory; PAT finalization
🔬 Practical (Paper 1)
- PAT finalization
- Revision of all T1–T3 practical
📘 Theory (Paper 2)
- Evolution of internet (IoT characteristics & uses, 4IR & 5IR)
- Big Data (Volume, Variety, Velocity, Value)
- Download vs streaming, live broadcasts, VOD, IPTV
- Compression: lossy vs lossless (MP3, JPEG, MPEG-4)
- Static vs dynamic websites
- Location-based services, HTTP vs HTTPS
- MFA, OTP, security tokens
- Internet careers (web designer, developer, multimedia designer)
- Social implications of Big Data, IoT & globalisation
- 4IR & 5IR: effects on employment & society
- Protecting online identity & digital footprint