Introduction to computing and information technology 1
In this introductory module, you’ll explore the fundamentals of computing and information technology: programming, networking and the digital world. You’ll gain practical experience using programming to solve problems, build webpages, and learn to test, debug and innovate your programmes like an IT professional. You’ll also explore big questions around ethics and the social challenges certain technologies pose. By the end, you’ll have built a robust toolkit of knowledge and technical skillsto take forward to your career and future study.
What you will study
This module is presented in three blocks:
The digital world – the digital technologies that pervade our home, work and social lives
Creating solutions – programming skills for developing solutions to simple problems
Connecting people, places and things – the computer networks that allow us to interact with others.
Block 1: The digital world
You’ll start with your experience of using computing and IT systems, covering various topics. You’ll explore how computers and networks developed, how analogue images and sounds are converted into digital formats, and how databases store and manage data. You’ll also gain practical experience constructing webpages and consider how interfaces help us interact with computers successfully.
Block 2: Creating solutions
You’ll develop programming and problem-solving skills as you work within a graphical programming environment to create programs involving animation, sounds, numbers and text. Since programs don’t always work the first time they are run, or don’t work as expected, you’ll also develop skills in testing and debugging your programs.
Block 3: Connecting people, places and things
You’ll be introduced to communication networks, including the structure and operation of the Internet and wired and wireless systems. You’ll also discover how these technologies are combined with connected devices in the Internet of Things (IoT). The block ends with a discussion of how people interact with each other online and how computing and IT systems relate to modern society.
Throughout the module, you will develop your study skills, digital and information literacy skills and employability skills.
Entry requirements
You’ll need to be able to use a word-processor, save and locate files, follow instructions for basic computing tasks, access websites, and download and install software. No previous programming experience is required, but you'll need to be interested in using a computer for problem solving and have a desire to learn how to create programs.
You should also be able to perform simple calculations, and read, understand and write clearly in English.
Are you ready for TM111?
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
marking your assignments and offering detailed feedback to help you improve
providing individual guidance, whether that’s for general study skills or specific module content
guiding you to additional learning resources
facilitating online discussions between your fellow students in the dedicated forums.
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
Assessment
Course work includes:
3 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs)
3 Interactive computer-marked assignments (iCMAs)
What's included
You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:
a week-by-week study planner
course-specific module materials
audio and video content
assessment details and submission section
online tutorial access
access to student forums.
Additionally, the website includes:
software resources
interactive online activities
practice quizzes.
We also provide physical:
module books.
Computing requirements
Primary device – A desktop or laptop computer with at least 8 GB of RAM and a quad-core processor (2.4 GHz minimum speed). It’s possible to access some materials on a mobile phone, tablet or Chromebook; however, they will not be suitable as your primary device.
Peripheral device – Headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone for online tutorials.
Operating systems – Windows 11 or the latest supported macOS.
Internet access – Broadband or mobile connection.
Browser – Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge are recommended; Mozilla Firefox and Safari may be suitable.
Our OU Study app operates on supported versions of Android and iOS.
Software – Any additional software will be provided or is generally available for free.
If you have a disability
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying TM111 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our Disability support website.
Future availability
Introduction to computing and information technology 1 (TM111) starts twice a year – in October and April.
It will next start, for the final time, in October 2026.
It will be replaced with Computing fundamentals 1: concepts and Python programming (TM110) from April 2027.