Grade 8 Pre - Technical Notes
Grade 8 Pre - Technical Notes
Grade 8 Pre - Technical Notes
LESSON NOTES
1
Performing First Aid for smoke choking.
✓ Remove casuality from smoke or toxic exposure to a safe and more ventilated open space.
✓ Sit casuality upright and loosen clothing around the neck and airways.
✓ If the casuality has breathing difficulties, call for assistance to take him or her to the hospital.
Smothering method.
2
This is where the supply of oxygen to the burning object is cut out to slow down the
burning process.
An example is covering a burning object with a fire blanket or sand.
Starving method.
This method involves the following activities:
Removing combustible items from the vicinity of the fire.
Removing the parts of the burning material from the mass of burning material. For
example, removing a burning piece of wood from a large pile.
Interrupting method.
This is the use of chemical sprays that stops burning.
An example is the use of foam and carbon dioxide fire extinguishers
3
Specific measures are designed to deal with specific data threats when using electronic
devices such as computer.
5
Functions of Computer hardware
Input are used to enter data and instructions into the computer.
devices
They include; mouse, keyboard, touchpad, joystick, scanner, camera, microphone and
stylus.
CPU-it processes the data entered into the computer according to the instruction given by
the computer user. It is the brain of the computer and it is also called the processor.
It is made up of Arithmetic Logic Unit. (ALU), Control Unit and the registers.
It retrieves and executes instructions by coordinating and processing all the functions of a
computer.
• Output device-they are used to give out information from the computer.
Examples of output devices include monitor, speakers, plotter, headphones, projectors
and printer.
• Storage devices-they are used to store data and information. They save data, information,
computer softwares and running operations.
Examples of storage devices include hard disk, memory card, flash disk and external hard
disks.
✓ Keying input devices- they help in entering data by pressing the keys on them. They
include keyboard, keypads, and television remotes.
✓ Scanning input device- they capture data directly from the source and convert it into a
form a computer can understand.
They include barcode readers, optical character readers, optical mask readers, magnetic
stripe reader and magnetic ink character readers.
✓ Voice input devices-they enter data and instructions into a computer in form of speech.
The microphone is an example of a voice input device.
✓ Touch screen input devices -they enter data into a device by touching the screens that
have electronic keyboards such as touch screen keypads.
✓ Digitizers – they are also called graphic tables or drawing tablets. They convert analog
touch input into digital signals that the device’s processor can understand. This allows
users to interact with the device through touch, tapping, swiping and pinching.
✓ They are devices that allows you to input drawings, sketches and handwritten notes into
a computer.
✓ They consist of a flat surface and a stylus or pen-like instrument that you use to draw or
write on the surface.
Others Input devices categories
✓ Gaming controller-they are used when playing computer games. Example includes
joystick and steering wheel.
✓ Visual and imaging devices-They include digital camera, image scanner and video
recorders.
Category Input device Picture
a. Pointing devices 1 Mouse
Control pointer or cursor
on the screen
2 Touch pad
3 Joystick
4 Light pen
5 Trackball
2 Keypads
3 Touch screen key
pads
4 Television remote
2 Optical character
reader
5 Magnetic stripe
reader
▪ Input devices that are in good condition can be reused to minimize waste.
▪ Computers keyboards can be used to make: book covers, pencil holders, key holders,
rings and fridge notes.
▪ A computer mouse can be used to make toys, soap dishes, toothbrush holders and
Christmas tree decorations.
▪ Obsolete and dysfunctional input devices can be sent to recycling facility where they will
be recycled to make new products.
Output Devices.
Processed data can be given out in form of audio, text, pictures, graphics or videos. Output
devices are used to give out information from the computer.
Plotters.
- Produces digital created graphics and drawings. A plotter uses a pen to draw lines
on paper.
Actuators.
- A part of a device or machine that helps to create physical movement using signals
from a computer.
Braille embosser.
- A device that presses dots onto paper for people with visual impairment to read
using their fingers.
Storage Devices.
Storage devices are used to store data and information.
They save data, information, computer softwares and running operations.
Examples of storage devices include hard disk, memory card, flash disk and external
hard disks.
Fixed storage devices.
Fixed storage devices are secondary storage devices housed inside the computer.
They help the primary storage devices by storing data permanently for a longer period of
time.
Examples of fixed storage devices found inside a computer.
Hard drive disk (HDD)
Solid state drive (SSD)
Internal Flash drive.
Hard disk drive Solid state drive Internal flash drive
They have a large storage capacity allowing Data stored requires back up in another
storage of large amounts of data. device because the disks are fragile and can
fail.
They allow reading and writing of data. The hard disk consumes more power during
read and write activities.
They are cheaper in price compared to Some are expensive like the solid-state drive.
primary memory.
They are durable. They have a long lifespan They have a slower read and write speed
and can handle many read and write cycles. compared to primary storage devices.
They can be used to back up data for long Fixed storage devices are not portable and do
periods of time. not allow easy transfer of files to another
computer.
STRAND 2-COMMUNICATION.
2.1-Business Communication.
Communication is the process of sharing information through a channel from the sender to
the receiver.
Business communication is the exchange of information between a business organization and
its customers or between people within and outside a company.
When business communication is done correctly, everyone can do their job, all of which
increases productivity and even creativity.
A communication channel is a medium or method that is used to deliver a message to an
intended audience.
Steps to follow.
Step 1
Step 2.
Calculate the Representative fraction, R.F
R.F = measurement on the map divided by measurement on the ground. R.F =1cm/1.5m
R.F =1/150.
R.F =1:150.
Step 3.
Calculate the maximum length of the scale to read 30 metres length.
Measurement on map =R. F x measurement on the ground. Measurement on map =1/150
x3000 Measurement on map =20.
Step 4
Draw a straight line 20cm long and divide it into 6 equal parts.
To show length 27m, draw a line AB above the scale with and B at 25 m mark on the main
scale. Extend the line for point A to be at point 2m on the smaller scale. Complete the
drawing with all details.
Example 2:
On a scale 1:150, determine the length of line PQ as shown in the figure.
Give your answer in metres.
Steps to follow.
Determine where line begins on the main scale. In this example, point Q is at the 15m mark.
Determine the point on the smaller scale where the line reaches. From the diagram above,
point P is between 2 and 3 on the smaller scale. Therefore, this point represents 2.5m from 0.
Combine the two values such that 15 is the value on main scale, while 2.5 is the value from
smaller scale.
Therefore, length of the line PQ is 15 + 2.5= 17.5 m.
Example 3
On a drawing of scale 1.5, the length of a line is a s shown in the diagram. The unit of the
scale is decimeters. Determine the length of the line in centimetres.
a) Determine where the line begins on the main scale. In this came point is at 9cm mark.
b) Determine the point on the smaller scale where the line reaches. From this case it is 8 mark
representing a length of 8cm.
c) Combine the two values such that: 90cm (9dm) is the value rom main scale and 8cm is the
value from smaller scale, 90 cm + 8cm =98cm.
d) Hence the length of the line = 98cm.
2.3 Visual Programming.
Introduction.
Visual programming is developing applications using graphical components and figures.
These graphical components and figures mostly include images and video clips.
Scratch is a visual programming language that can be used to create interactive stories,
games and animations. Features of scratch include:
❖ The menu bar-it contains the fie menu used to save and load projects and the view menu
which displays rulers, grid lines, status, zoom in and out options.
❖ The black palette-it contains a coloured set of code blocks that are used to program and
give instructions to the sprite.
❖ The stage-it is the main working area where the sprite moves and performs according to
the given code of instruction.
❖ Backdrops pane-it is the part used to add a back ground to the project. Functions of
the features of Scratch.
Feature Function
Sprite It is also called the coding area. it is where codes (scripts) area created for a
sprite to do a specific action.
Sprite area Are blocks shaped differently and are used to create codes in Scratch.
Code blocks A small graphic character that performs actions such as moving around the
stage.
Sprite pane Shows information about the size of each sprite.
Sprite info Displays all the sprites in a project
A sprite is a small graphic character that performs actions such as moving around the
stage.
The script area is also called the coding area; it is where codes (scripts) are created for a
sprite to do a specific action. Codes are dragged and dropped here then snapped together to
create a program.
Code blocks are blocks shaped differently and are used to create codes in Scratch. The
codes connect to each other vertically like a jigsaw.
The sprite info shows information about the size of each sprite.
The sprite pane displays all the sprites in a project. A selected sprite has a blue border
around it.
NB
To move the sprite, add a move block from the motion category.
To add sound, click on sound category and choose a sound block.
To move the sprite back, use a negative value on the move back block. The block can be
repeatedly severally to generate the desired animation.
A backdrop is the background for the stage. Backdrops can be changed from the gallery
or photo in the computer.
The sensing category helps one to enable input from the mouse, keyboard and other input
devices. ’IF’ is used to choose between two output. For example, it can be used to perform
mathematical calculations and state whether the answer given is correct or not
NOTE:
✓ Artificial body parts are also called prosthetics.
✓ Prosthetics limbs are given to substitute missing body parts.
✓ These body parts may have been lost in an accident or through amputation.
✓ The prosthetic body parts help people with missing limbs to function properly and with
ease despite the missing body parts
Scissors-it is a tool that has to blades joined together at the middle so that the sharp edges
can slide each other.
They are of different types such as tailors’ scissors, barber’s scissors, paper scissors and
surgical scissors.
They are used for cutting cloth, foil and paper, among others
Scissors are used in fields like textile, medicine, beauty and leisure industry.
Shears-a tool that has two blades joined together at the middle so that the sharp blades
slide against each other,
They are of different types.
They are used to cut tough materials like leather, canvas and rubber.
Shears are used by workers in leather industry, furniture industry and interior design.
Snips-they are hand tools used to cut sheet metals and other tough materials.
They come in different sizes.
Mainly used in area such as construction, sheet metal work and leather industry.
Hack saw-it is a cutting tool made of thin blade held across a –frame.
Used to cut through thin materials such as plastic or metal pipes in the fields of plumbing,
steel fixing, electrical installations and metal work
Plane- a general purpose woodwork tool for smothering the surface of timber by removing
excess material.
It is used for shaving wood to provide uniformity to the wooden surface. Mainly used in
carpentry and woodwork.
Chisel-a hand tool with a characteristic shaped cutting edge of blade on its ends.
Comes in different types.
Used for carving, cutting and shaping hard materials such as wood, stone or metal. Used
in fields like woodwork, metal work, masonry and stone carving.
Bolt cutter-it is a tool with two handles and two short blades.
It is used to cut bolts, chains, padlocks and wire mesh.
Mainly used in mechanical engineering and metal work.
Pipe cutter-also called tube cutter, a pipe cutter us a type of tool used by plumbers to cut
pipes.
Pipe cutters come in different shapes and designs.
It is used to cut pipes and tubes.
Pipe cutters come in different shapes and sizes.
Mainly used by plumbers and other tradespeople.
Scrapper- it is a hand tool that has a small handle and a metallic or plastic blade, Used
to remove a wide range of materials from various surfaces such as walls and floors.
Care for cutting tools.
Caring for cutting tools is the process of keeping them in good condition even when they are
not being used.
Some of the ways of caring for cutting tools in the work environment are:
Inspect tools regularly as some manufacturers have specific instructions for how to use
cutting tools that are the right size and type for the job.
Follow the correct procedure for using every cutting tool.
Keep your cutting tools, sharp and in good condition.
Always carry pointed tools with the points and heavy ends facing down.
Never carry cutting tools in your pocket.
Keep your punches and chisels in good conditions because mushroomed heads can slip and
cause injuries.
Don’t use a cutting tool without a handle.
Clean the cutting tool after use and return it to its proper storage place.
Never place cutting tools where they hang on the edge of a bench.
Store cutting tools vertically, with the points and heavy end facing down.
Frequently clean and oil your scissors, snips and shears.
Fit protective guards to sharp edges to prevent injury to you and damage to the tool.
STRAND 5- ENTERPRENEURSHIP.
5.1 – Bookkeeping.
Book keeping -This is the practice of recording and tracking on a regular basis the financial
transactions of a business.
It is done to keep records of a business which can be used anytime in decision making.
What is a liability?
Liabilities are debts you owe other business and other people.
Main examples of liabilities are:
Creditors (money owed by the business to supplier) Bank loans.
Bank overdrafts.
What is Capital?
Capital is the amount of investment the business owner put or used to start a certain business.
Importance of budgeting.
Helps one to have a clear picture of the amount of income that one had and how to spend it.
Helps to control spending, therefore enables people to live within their means.
Helps one to make and implement a saving plan.
Helps to identify and avoid unnecessary expenses.
Example.
Mr. Gitau’s Family budget for January, 2023.
Income Amount (Ksh.)
Sale of dairy products 15,300.
Sale of poultry products 15,000.
Sale of vegetables 5,500.