Selecting cloud platforms and services exam questions

7 Pearson BTEC Digital Information Technology Component 3 exam-style questions on Selecting cloud platforms and services (A1 Modern Technologies), 24 marks in all. Answer them on paper or print them, then open the mark schemes and example answers to see how each is marked.

1Explain one2 marks

Wroxham Beekeepers Association is a group that runs events for local beekeepers. It stores membership records and event plans in a cloud service. The association is deciding whether to use the free or paid version of the service.

Explain one reason why the association might choose the paid version of the cloud service.

[2 marks]

Mark scheme

Award one mark for a correct reason and one mark for a justification for that reason, up to a maximum of two marks.

It has more features/functionality (1) because the free version has limited features (1)
It has no adverts (1) so the interface is not cluttered or distracting for volunteers (1)
It provides technical support (1) so the association can get help if there is a problem (1)
It includes backups (1) so membership records can be restored if data is lost (1)
It receives regular updates (1) which can keep the service secure and working properly (1)
It provides more storage (1) so all membership records and event plans can be kept (1)

Allow mix and match if it makes sense

Do not accept: 'it is free'/'it costs nothing', as these describe the free version

Accept any other appropriate wording/phrasing

Example answers and how they were marked

Full marks2/2

It includes backups, so membership records can be restored if they are lost.

Why: Backups (1) and a justification for backups (1).

Some marks1/2

It has more features.

Why: Names extra features (1); there is no justification for why this makes the paid version worth choosing, so one mark.

No marks0/2

It is free, so the association does not have to pay.

Why: Describes the free version, not a reason to choose the paid version; no credit.

2Explain one3 marks

Waldridge Tool Hire is a company that rents power tools to builders. Staff use a cloud-based system to record which tools have been hired out and returned. The company is choosing a new cloud platform. One platform has many complex features. The other has a small number of simple features.

Explain one drawback to the company of choosing the platform with many complex features.

[3 marks]

Mark scheme

Award one mark for a correct drawback, one mark for a justification for that drawback and one mark for an expansion of the justification, up to a maximum of three marks.

The company may pay for features it will never use (1) because the platform includes tools it does not need (1) which wastes money (1)
Staff will need training (1) because there are lots of features they have not used before (1) which takes time away from their work (1)
It will cost more (1) as platforms with more features usually charge a higher subscription (1) which is expensive for a small company (1)
Staff may find it harder to use (1) because there are more options on the screen than they need (1) so they take longer to record a hire/make mistakes (1)
It will take longer to set up (1) as there are more settings to configure (1) which uses up the manager's time (1)

Allow mix and match if the whole response makes sense.

Do not accept 'expensive' on its own.

Accept any other appropriate wording/phrasing.

Example answers and how they were marked

Full marks3/3

The company may pay for features it will never use because the platform includes tools it does not need, which wastes money.

Why: Point (paying for features it will never use), justification (the platform includes tools it does not need) and an expansion giving the effect on the company (wastes money).

Some marks2/3

Staff may find it harder to use because there are more options on the screen than they need.

Why: Point (harder to use) and a separate justification (more options on the screen than they need); no third expansion, so 2 marks.

No marks0/3

It will be expensive.

Why: A vague one-word drawback, which the mark scheme does not accept on its own, and no justification or expansion.

3Describe3 marks

Ninepin Recording Studio records and produces music for local bands. The studio is choosing a cloud-based system for staff to plan and book recording sessions. At the moment, sessions are planned in a paper diary kept at the front desk.

Describe how the number and complexity of features can affect the studio's choice of platform.

[3 marks]

Mark scheme

A description of the impact of the number and complexity of features. To include three from

A platform with more features is more complex/harder for staff to use
Staff may need training to use the features (which takes time/costs the studio money)
The studio may only need/use a few of the features
The studio may be paying for features it does not need
A complex platform may need a more powerful device/more RAM, or it may run slowly on older devices
More features may need a faster internet connection/more data to work properly
Too many features can make the screen cluttered/harder for staff to find the tools they need
A simpler platform with fewer features is quicker for staff to learn and use

Allow both the complexity point and the training point where a learner says a platform with more features is harder to use so staff will need training.

Do not accept: benefits of a platform with more features, e.g. 'the studio can do everything in one place' or 'it will cost less'.

Accept any other appropriate wording/phrasing

Example answers and how they were marked

Full marks3/3

A platform with a lot of features is more complex for staff to use, so they may need training before they can book any sessions. The studio might also need more powerful computers with more memory, as a complex platform could run slowly on the old office PCs.

Why: Complex to use (1), training needed (1) and needs a more powerful device/may run slowly on older devices (1).

Some marks2/3

A platform with a lot of features is more complex to use, so staff may need training to learn how to use it.

Why: Complex to use (1) and training needed (1); these are separate points, but no third point is given.

No marks0/3

A complex platform will be better for the studio because staff can do everything in one place and it will not cost as much as a simple one.

Why: Gives benefits of a platform with more features and cost, which the mark scheme does not accept, so nothing is credited.

4Describe3 marks

Nettleby Wedding Barn is a wedding venue. Staff use a cloud-based system on desktop computers and tablets to manage bookings. One member of staff has limited hand movement.

Describe how the interface layout should be designed for this member of staff.

[3 marks]

Mark scheme

A description of how the interface layout should be designed for a staff member with limited hand movement. To include three from

Large buttons/icons
Space between buttons/icons so the wrong one is not pressed
Main/frequent actions in a prominent position/within easy reach
A simple/consistent layout with few steps to complete a task
No need for precise actions such as dragging or small drop-down menus
The layout adapts to the screen size/device so controls stay large enough to use

Do not accept: colours or fonts on their own as these are not layout/accessibility features

Accept any other appropriate response

Example answers and how they were marked

Full marks3/3

The buttons should be large so they are easy to tap. They should be spaced out so the member of staff does not hit the wrong one. The main booking options should be at the top of the screen so they do not have to scroll to reach them.

Why: Large buttons (1), space between buttons (1) and main actions in a prominent position (1).

Some marks2/3

The layout should be simple and the buttons should be big.

Why: Simple layout (1) and large buttons (1); no third layout point given.

No marks0/3

The interface should use bright colours and a large font so it is easy to see.

Why: Colours and fonts on their own are not credited as layout/accessibility features for limited hand movement.

5Describe3 marks

Hazelbank Heritage Railway runs steam trains for visitors. Its ticket staff sell tickets to passengers on the platforms, using a cloud-based ticketing system on their mobile phones.

Describe how the ticketing system interface should be designed for mobile phone users.

[3 marks]

Mark scheme

A description of interface design features for a mobile phone screen. To include three from

Buttons/icons large enough to be tapped with a finger (on a small touch screen)
Objects on the screen rearranged/hidden so they fit the smaller screen
Text large enough to read on a small screen
Accessibility features such as a screen reader/high contrast colours/voice input for staff with visual or mobility needs, and touch-screen input such as an on-screen keyboard instead of a mouse
A consistent layout on every screen, with important information/buttons in a prominent position, so staff know where to find things

Accept any other appropriate wording/phrasing

Example answers and how they were marked

Full marks3/3

The buttons should be large enough to tap with a finger on a small screen, and anything that is not needed should be hidden so the screen is not cluttered. The same layout should be on every screen, with the main buttons in a prominent position, so staff know where to find things.

Why: Buttons large enough to tap (1), objects rearranged/hidden to fit the smaller screen (1) and a consistent layout with important buttons in a prominent position (1).

Some marks2/3

The buttons should be big enough to press with a finger and the text should be large enough to read on a small phone screen.

Why: Buttons large enough to tap (1) and text large enough to read (1); no third point given.

No marks0/3

The interface just needs to be user friendly and look nice so that staff can use it.

Why: Vague statement with no interface design point from the mark scheme, so nothing is credited.

6Explain two4 marks

Overdale Hotel is a small hotel with 20 rooms. Its staff use a cloud-based platform to manage room bookings and guest details. The hotel is choosing between a free platform and one it has to pay for.

Explain two reasons why the hotel should choose the paid cloud platform.

[4 marks]

Mark scheme

Award one mark for each correct reason and one mark for a justification of each reason, up to a maximum of four marks.

No adverts are shown (1) so guests are not distracted by adverts for other companies when they book / the hotel's booking page looks more professional to guests (1)
Technical support is included (1) so staff can get problems with bookings fixed quickly / do not have to solve them themselves (1)
The data is backed up (1) so guest details would not be lost if the system failed (1)
It has more features/functionality (1) so the hotel can do more, such as take payments online / send automatic booking confirmations (1)
It has more storage (1) so the hotel can keep all of its guest records and photographs of its rooms (1)
It is updated regularly (1) so the platform keeps working properly / has the latest features (1)

Allow mix and match if the response makes sense

Do not accept: answers about the design of the interface, such as the layout or colours, as these are not about paying for the platform

Accept any other appropriate wording/phrasing

Example answers and how they were marked

Full marks4/4

The paid platform does not show any adverts, so guests are not distracted by adverts for other companies when they book a room. It also includes technical support, so if the booking system stops working the hotel's staff can get it fixed quickly instead of losing bookings.

Why: No adverts identified (1) and justified by guests not being distracted when they book (1); technical support identified (1) and justified by problems being fixed quickly (1).

Some marks3/4

The paid platform does not show adverts, which makes the hotel look more professional to guests. It also has more features than the free one.

Why: No adverts identified (1) with a justification that it looks more professional (1). More features identified (1) but not justified, so the fourth mark is not awarded.

No marks0/4

The hotel should pay for the platform so that it owns the software and can install it on the computers at reception.

Why: Misconception: a paid cloud platform is not bought or installed on the hotel's own computers, so nothing in the answer matches a reason in the mark scheme.

7Discuss6 marks

Foxhill Gymnastics Club runs classes for children and adults. Coaches take registers and book members on tablets while they are on the gym floor. The office administrator uses a desktop computer to manage the system. The club is choosing a new cloud-based system.

Discuss the interface design features the club should consider when choosing the cloud system.

[6 marks]

Mark scheme

Responses will be credited according to the learner's demonstration of knowledge and understanding of the material, using the indicative content and level descriptors below.

The indicative content that follows is not prescriptive. Responses may cover some or all indicative content, but learners should be rewarded for other responses.

Discussion may consider

Layout

Consistent layout on every screen – coaches always know where the register and the save button are, even when a class is about to start
Simple, uncluttered screen – the important information is easy to find on a tablet held on the gym floor
Important items in obvious positions – a new coach could take a register without needing training

Accessibility

Adjustable text size and high contrast – a coach with poor eyesight could still read the register on the tablet
Keyboard or switch access as well as touch – a coach with a hand injury or mobility problem could still use the system

Mobile versus desktop

Responsive design that rearranges to fit the screen – coaches could see the whole register on a tablet without scrolling sideways
Large, touch-friendly buttons on the tablet version – coaches could tap quickly while standing in the gym
Full features kept on the desktop version – the administrator could still run reports and manage memberships

Levels

Level 0 (0 marks): No rewardable content
Level 1 (1–2 marks): Demonstrates isolated elements of knowledge and understanding; there will be major gaps or omissions; Few of the points made will be relevant to the context in the question; Limited discussion which contains generic assertions rather than considering different aspects and the relationship between them
Level 2 (3–4 marks): Demonstrates some accurate knowledge and understanding; with only minor gaps or omissions; Some of the points made will be relevant to the context in the question, but the link will not always be clear; Displays a partially developed discussion which considers some different aspects and some consideration of how they interrelate, but not always in a sustained way
Level 3 (5–6 marks): Demonstrates mostly accurate and thorough/detailed knowledge and understanding; Most of the points made will be relevant to the context in the question, and there will be clear links; Displays a well-developed and logical discussion which clearly considers a range of different aspects and considers how they interrelate, in a sustained way

Example answers and how they were marked

Full marks6/6

The layout should be the same on every screen so a coach always knows where the register and the save button are, even when a class is about to start and they are in a hurry. It should also be uncluttered, with only the important information on screen, because a busy layout is hard to read on a small tablet held on the gym floor. For accessibility, the club should choose a system where the text size and contrast can be changed so a coach with poor eyesight can still read the register, and one that can be used with a keyboard as well as touch so a coach with a hand injury can still work. Because coaches use tablets and the administrator uses a desktop, the interface should be responsive so the register rearranges to fit the tablet screen and coaches do not have to scroll sideways, while the desktop version keeps features such as reports for the administrator. Having the same layout on both means staff only need to learn the system once.

Why: Level 3: considers layout, accessibility and mobile versus desktop, with most points clearly linked to the coaches on the gym floor and the administrator on the desktop, and links between them, such as the same layout on both devices reducing training.

Some marks4/6

The club should choose a system with a clear layout so coaches can find the register quickly on the tablet. The layout should be the same on the desktop so the administrator knows where things are. It should also be accessible, for example staff should be able to make the text bigger. The buttons should be big enough to tap on a tablet.

Why: Level 2: some accurate and relevant points about layout, accessibility and the tablet, but the links are not always clear and each point is stated rather than developed, so the discussion is only partly developed.

Some marks1/6

The interface should be nice to look at. The layout should fit on the tablet screen so coaches do not have to scroll. The colours should be bright and there should be a big picture of the club logo on each page so it looks professional for the club.

Why: Level 1: one isolated relevant point (a layout that fits the tablet screen), with the rest generic assertions about colours and a logo rather than interface design features, so aspects are not considered or linked.

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