IGCSE Computer Science
Self Study on Data Storage
Individual Activities
1. Identify the Best Storage Solution /15 points/
Objective:
Students will analyze real-life scenarios to recommend appropriate storage solutions
based on factors like capacity, speed, portability, durability, and cost.
Instructions:
1. Scenario Analysis:
o Read the scenarios carefully.
o Identify the key requirements (e.g., large capacity, portability, durability).
o Recommend the best storage device (e.g., SSD, HDD, cloud storage, USB
drive, etc.) and justify your choice.
2. Present Recommendations:
o Write a short explanation (3-5 sentences) for each scenario.
3. Evaluation Criteria:
o Understanding of storage characteristics.
o Logical reasoning and clear justification.
So, memory stick is a good idea
Scenario 1: The Traveling Photographer Reasons: Small size => portable, can save lots of files for a long
time
You are a professional photographer traveling internationally for a month-long project.
You need to store thousands of high-resolution photos and videos safely. The storage
must be portable, durable, and have a large capacity.
• Hint: Consider size, reliability, and ease of transport.
Scenario 2: The Budget-Conscious Student
You are a high school student who needs to store homework, school projects, and
personal files. You use multiple devices, including a laptop and a tablet. You want
something portable and affordable to carry between school and home.
Portable hard drive
Portable, easy to carry and can store lots of files
IGCSE Computer Science
• Hint: Consider affordability and ease of use for small to medium storage needs.
Scenario 3: The Startup Data Analyst
You run a small startup and handle large datasets daily. You need a fast and reliable
storage solution for data analysis and frequent access. Cost is a concern, but speed
and reliability are top priorities.
• Hint: Think about the trade-off between speed, cost, and reliability for business
needs.
SSD
Most reliable, high speed, average cost
2. Diagram Drawing – Storage Hierarchy /12 points/
Objective: Students will understand the hierarchy of computer storage devices by
creating a labeled diagram that shows the relationship between different storage levels
and annotates speed, cost, and capacity.
Instructions:
You will draw a diagram showing the hierarchy of computer storage devices, from the
fastest (e.g., CPU Cache) to the slowest (e.g., Cloud Storage).
1. What to Include
• Levels of Storage: CPU Cache, RAM, SSD, HDD, Cloud Storage.
• Annotations for each level:
o Speed (e.g., Very Fast, Fast, Moderate, Slow).
o Cost (e.g., High, Medium, Low).
o Capacity (e.g., KB, GB, TB, Unlimited).
• Use arrows or a pyramid layout to show how speed decreases as capacity
increases.
2. Be Creative
o Use colors, symbols, or drawings to make your diagram clear and engaging.
3. Work Independently
o Spend 20 minutes creating your diagram.
4. Present Your Work
o Be ready to explain your diagram to the class and justify your annotations.
