Grade 10 CAT PAT 2026 Phase 1 Part 1 Sirantwi Education

SIRANTWI EDUCATION

6 chapters7 takeaways11 key terms5 questions

Overview

This video provides a comprehensive guide for Grade 10 learners on completing their Computer Applications Technology (CAT) Practical Assessment Task (PAT) for 2026. It breaks down the PAT into two phases: Phase 1 (research planning document in Word, 50 marks) and Phase 2 (presentation in PowerPoint, 50 marks). The video covers essential steps like setting up a folder structure, creating a professional cover page, applying heading styles, generating a table of contents, and using SmartArt for diagrams. The central topic for the PAT is "Digital Well-being: Managing Technology in a Connected World," and learners must choose one specific focus area, such as screen time and mental health or cyberbullying, to investigate. The guide emphasizes the compulsory nature of the PAT for passing Grade 10.

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Chapters

The PAT is divided into two phases: Phase 1 (research planning document) and Phase 2 (presentation).
Each phase is worth 50 marks, totaling 100 marks for the PAT.
The PAT is a compulsory requirement for passing Grade 10.
The overall topic is 'Digital Well-being: Managing Technology in a Connected World'.

Understanding the structure, weight, and compulsory nature of the PAT is crucial for learners to prioritize their work and ensure they meet all requirements for successful completion of Grade 10.

Learners must select one specific focus area from a provided list (e.g., screen time and mental health, cyberbullying, online privacy, digital footprints, social media).
A focus question must be formulated, directly linked to the chosen focus area.
The focus question should be simple, clear, and guide the research.
An example focus question template is provided: 'What are the practical strategies when focusing on [Your Focus Area] to promote responsible digital well-being among teenagers in a highly connected world?'

Selecting a focused area and crafting a precise research question narrows the scope of the investigation, making the research process more manageable and ensuring the final PAT is relevant and targeted.

For the focus area 'screen time and mental health,' the focus question would be: 'What are the practical strategies when focusing on screen time and mental health to promote responsible digital well-being among teenagers in a highly connected world?'

Create a main folder named 'CAT PAT 2026 Grade 10' followed by your name and surname.
Inside the main folder, create two subfolders: 'Phase 1' and 'Phase 2'.
Within the 'Phase 1' folder, create a 'Research' subfolder to store provided research documents.
Also within 'Phase 1', create a Microsoft Word document named 'Planning Document'.

An organized folder structure is essential for managing project files efficiently, ensuring easy access to documents and preventing loss of work throughout the PAT process.

The main folder is named 'CAT PAT 2026 Grade 10_YourName_YourSurname'. Inside, there are folders 'Phase 1' and 'Phase 2'. Inside 'Phase 1', there are folders 'Research' and a Word document named 'Planning Document'.

The 'Planning Document' (Word) requires a professional cover page.
The cover page should include school name, learner's name and surname, subject (Computer Applications Technology, Grade 10), and the PAT topic/focus area.
An appropriate image relevant to the chosen focus area should be included.
Learners can use Word's built-in cover page feature or design their own, ensuring a professional and uncluttered appearance.

A well-designed cover page provides essential identification for the document and sets a professional tone for the entire PAT submission.

A cover page designed from scratch includes the title 'Computer Applications Technology: Practical Assessment Task', the learner's name, school name, subject, grade, focus area (e.g., 'Screen Time and Mental Health'), and a relevant image.

Apply 'Heading 1' style to all major section headings in the planning document (e.g., Table of Contents, Folder Structure, Focus Question, Task Definition, Research Questions, Sources Used, Bibliographical Information, Annexure A, Annexure B).
Use page breaks to ensure each major heading starts on a new page.
Generate an automatic Table of Contents using the 'References' tab in Word, which will populate based on the applied heading styles.
Ensure the Table of Contents accurately reflects all headings and their order.

Using heading styles and generating an automatic table of contents ensures consistency, professionalism, and easy navigation within the planning document, demonstrating proficiency in using Word features.

After typing 'Folder Structure' and applying 'Heading 1' style, a page break is inserted, and then 'Focus Question' is typed and styled. Later, the 'References' tab is used to insert a table of contents that automatically lists 'Folder Structure' and 'Focus Question' with their page numbers.

Task 5 requires creating a diagram of the folder structure using SmartArt.
The diagram should visually represent the main folder ('CAT PAT 2026 Grade 10'), its subfolders ('Phase 1', 'Phase 2'), and the contents within 'Phase 1' ('Research', 'Planning Document').
Hierarchy or process SmartArt layouts are suitable for this task.
Customize the SmartArt with colors and styles to make it visually appealing and clear.

Using SmartArt to illustrate the folder structure demonstrates the learner's ability to visually organize information and effectively communicate the project's file management system.

A SmartArt hierarchy diagram is created showing 'CAT PAT 2026 Grade 10' at the top, with branches leading to 'Phase 1' and 'Phase 2'. 'Phase 1' then branches to 'Research' and 'Planning Document'.

Key takeaways

1The Grade 10 CAT PAT is a significant, compulsory component of the curriculum, requiring careful planning and execution across two phases.
2Choosing a specific focus area within the broad topic of digital well-being is essential for a targeted and manageable research project.
3A well-organized folder structure and a professional planning document are foundational for a successful PAT.
4Properly applying Word's formatting features, such as heading styles and automatic table of contents, is crucial for demonstrating technical proficiency.
5Visual aids like SmartArt diagrams can effectively communicate complex information, such as the project's folder structure.
6The PAT assesses both research and presentation skills, requiring learners to master tools like Microsoft Word and PowerPoint.
7Adhering to the specific tasks and requirements outlined in the PAT guideline is critical for achieving a good mark.

Key terms

Practical Assessment Task (PAT)Digital Well-beingFocus AreaFocus QuestionPlanning DocumentFolder StructurePhase 1Phase 2Heading StylesTable of ContentsSmartArt

Test your understanding

1What are the two main phases of the Grade 10 CAT PAT, and what type of document is created in each phase?
2Why is it important to choose a specific focus area within the broader topic of digital well-being?
3How should a learner organize their files for the CAT PAT, and what are the essential subfolders and documents required in Phase 1?
4What are the key elements that must be included on the cover page of the planning document?
5Explain the process of applying heading styles and generating an automatic table of contents in Microsoft Word for the PAT planning document.