overview understanding computers exploring computer concepts
TRANSCRIPT
Overview Understanding Computers
Exploring Computer Concepts
There are 4 Basic Functions of a computer: The computing system includes
several devices that perform the four basic functions of computing:
Input – accepts data Processing – processes data Output – produces output Storage – stores operating
system and results
Some Basic Terms Hardware - the physical parts of the
computer. Software - the programs (instructions) that
tell the computer what to do. Data - individual facts like first name, price,
quantity ordered. Information - data which has been
massaged into a useful form, like a complete mailing address.
Default - the original settings; what will happen if you don't change anything.
What makes a computer powerfuland determines its cost? Speed - A computer can do billions of
actions per second. Reliability - Failures are usually due
to human error, one way or another. Storage - A computer can keep huge
amounts of data.
What is a computer?
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What is a computer – computer basics video
Hardware
Hardware: The physical parts of the computer.
Buttons and Ports on the Computer Hardware
What is on the front of the computer?
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Buttons and Ports on the Desktop Computer video
Back of the computer
Interactive
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Other Types of Ports
Interactive demonstration – Practice connecting the different cables
http://www.gcflearnfree.org/computerbasics/6.3
1. Input – goes into the computerOne Function of a computer is:Input – accepts data
Types of Input Data - raw facts given to the computer. Programs are the sets of instructions that
direct the computer. Commands are special codes or key
words that the user inputs to perform a task, like RUN "ACCOUNTS." These can be selected from a menu of commands like "Open" on the File menu. They may also be chosen by clicking on a command button.
User response is the user's answer to the computer's question, such as choosing OK, YES, or NO or by typing in text, like the name of a file.
Ways to Input (Input Devices) Keyboard
Text and Commands
Mouse Scanner Microphone
Sound Trackball Joystick
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Inside the Computer
What goes on inside of your computer?
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Play the video “Inside a desktop computer”
2. Process – Thinking
One Function of a computer is:Process – processes data
Processing
Processing is the thinking that the computer does - the calculations, comparisons, and decisions.
Machines have to think the hard way. They do one thing at a time, one step at a time. Complex procedures must be broken down into VERY simple steps. Then these steps can be repeated hundreds, thousands or millions of times.
Processing Devices CPU
The CPU is a chip inside the computer that receives data from input devices and changes it into a form that you can use. RAM
Random Access Memory. It is temporary memory and is lost when the computer is turned off. (READS AND WRITES)
ROM ROM is Read Only Memory. ROM contains the
instructions that start the computer when it is turned on. ROM is permanent memory.
The instruction for devices.
Difference between ROM and RAM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJ4dAFI7xLw#t=101
Inside the Computer
Data travels from one device to another through the computer’s motherboard.
The motherboard is covered with electronic circuits and switches and connects vital pieces of hardware, such as the CPU and memory.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPRHiQ_vSv4
Software Software - the programs (instructions) that
tell the computer what to do.
Computer Applications or APPS
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Applications
An application is another word for a program running on the computer. Whether or not it is a good application depends on how well it performs the tasks it is designed to do and how easy it is for the user to use. That involves the user interface - the way the user tells the software what to do and how the computer displays information and options to the user.
Common applications
Word Processing – Word Doc
Spreadsheets - ExcelDatabase - AccessPresentations - PowerPoint
3. OUTPUT -produces somethingOne function of the computerOutput: produces some type of output from the computer
Output
Text documents including reports, letters, etc.
Graphicscharts, graphs, pictures
Multimediacombination of text, graphics, video, audio
Output Devices
MonitorPrinterHeadphonesSpeakers
TOUCH SCREEN
Input & output device
Touch-sensitive display screen on which a user can make choices by pressing button images
4. Storage – saving
One Function of a computer is:Storage – stores operating system and results
Storage
Storage refers to the media and methods used to keep information available for later use. Some things will be needed right away, while other won't be needed for extended periods of time. So different methods are appropriate for different uses.
Main Memory = Primary Storage
Storage Devices Magnetic media
Hard Drive Zip drives Floppy drives
Optical media CD-ROM DVD drives
Flash Media USB Drives Flash Drives
Auxiliary Storage Devices
Jump or Flash Drive External Hard Drive CD DVD Tape
Primary and Secondary StoragePrimaryRAM: Very fast, but loses data when computer is turned off.ROM: Starts the computer when it is turned on. Does not change after being placed on the Motherboard.
SecondaryMagnetic Media – Hard Drive: Large, not easily moved from one machine to another.
Floppy Disk: Easy to move, but cannot hold much data.
Zip, SuperDisk, Jazz: Both large and portable.Optical Media– CD-ROM and DVD: Large, portable, but not all drives can write data to disc.
System Software
System software is a catch-all term for the programs that handle the running of your computer's hardware. The two main categories are:
Operating Systems
Utility Programs
Operating System Between the hardware and the
application software lies the operating system.
The operating system tells a computer how to do its work.
The operating system is a program that conducts the communication between the various pieces of hardware like the video card, sound card, printer, the motherboard and the applications.
Operating System
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Operating Systems
Most popular operating systemsMicrosoft WindowsMacintosh OSLinux
Computer Programs
What is a computer program? Simply put, a computer program is a
set of detailed directions telling the computer exactly what to do, one step at a time. A program can be as short as one line of code, or as long as several millions lines of code.
The instructions that a programmer writes is called source code.
Computer Programs Most computers are not just digital,
but binary, too. That is, they recognize two possible values – on and off. Binary data is represented by 0’s and 1’s.
Programmers write the software needed to tell the computer how to carry out instructions. Programmers use a special language called programming language.
Some Examples of Programming Languages ABAP BASIC COBOL C++ FORTRAN Java / JavaScript Lisp Pascal Visual Basic
The Cloud – storage
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Computer Communication Computer communication is the
transmission of data and information over a communications channel between two computers, which can be several different things.
Communications between computers can be as simple as cabling two computers to the same printer. It can be as complex as a computer at NASA sending messages through an elaborate system of relays and satellites to tell a computer on Mars how to drive around without hitting the rocks.
WIRELESS & MOBILE DEVICES
Laptop Small, mobile personal computer that runs on a single battery or AC/DC adapter
PDAPersonal Digital Assistant; used for calculations, clocks, calendars, games, Internet, email, radio, etc.; characterized by touch screens
TabletNotebook- or Slate-shaped mobile computer; touch screen operated with a stylus or digital pen
Smartphone
Integrates the functionality of a mobile phone with a PDA
What are the 4 functions of a computer?
4 Basic Functions
The computing system includes several devices that perform the four basic functions of computing:
Input – accepts data Processing – processes data Output – produces output Storage – stores operating
system and results
Basic Networking Terms
Basic Networking Components Server – a computer program that
provides services to other computer programs.
Network interface card (NIC) – it makes the connection between the computer and the network cable.
Basic Networking ComponentsRouter – a device that forwards
data packets between computer networks.
Switch – an electrical component that interrupts current.
Firewall – software or hardware controls incoming and outgoing network traffic.
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