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Computer Literacy

James P. Sampson, Jr.

Florida State University

Copyright 2001 by

James P. Sampson, Jr.

All Rights Reserved

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Evolution of Computing

Mainframe era Minicomputer era Personal computer era Internet era

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Computing Misconceptions

Math ability required Technical ability required Gender and age issues

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Computing Success Factors

Good verbal skills Good communication skills

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Key Elements of Literacy

Knowledge Attitude Skills

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Knowledge Factors

Hardware functioning Software functioning

– Operating system software(e.g., Windows)

– General application software(e.g., word processing, e-mail)

– Counseling application software(e.g., testing, CAI, career guidance)

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Knowledge Factors

Internet functioning(e.g., searching, browsing)

Implementation process(e.g., evaluation, integration, training)

Ethical issues Professional standards

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Attitude Factors

Positive attitude (e.g., I can either figure it out or I know who I can get to help me)

Willingness to try new things Willingness to learn on my own Willingness to get help when

needed

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Skill Factors

Software use Implementation within an

organization

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Computing Components

Hardware Software

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Hardware Super Computers Mainframe Computers Mini Computers Personal Computers

– Desktops– Notebooks and Sub-Notebooks– Internet server

Hand Held Computers Appliances (e.g. Web TV)

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Computer Functioning

Systems Model

Input Processing Output

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Input Keyboard Mouse Trackball Pointing Device Scanners Floppy Drive Hard Drive CD-ROM Drive DVD Drive

Modem Network Card Voice Joystick Pen Point-Handwriting Light Pen Touch Screen MIDI Interface

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Processing CPU (Central Processing Unit)

– Size– Clock Speed– Bits (0 or 1)– Bytes (1 byte = 1 character)

Internal Bus Memory

– RAM (Random Access Memory)– ROM (Read only Memory)

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Processing

Measures– K = 210 or approximately 1,000– M = approximately 1,000,000 – G = approximately 1,000,000,000

Video Card (memory) Sound Card Communications Card

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Output Display Laser Printer Bubble Jet Printer Ink Jet Printer Audio Speakers Floppy Drive

Hard Drive Modem Network Card MIDI Interface CD-RW

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Computer Functioning

Systems Model

Input Processing Output

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Software

Systems Software Applications Software

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Systems Software

Operating Systems– Graphic User Interface

(e.g., Windows) Compilers Authoring Systems

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Applications Software Word Processing Presentation Software Desktop Publishing Electronic Spread Sheets Data Base Managers Communications, Networking, FAX Internet Web Browser Web Site Development Tool

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Applications Software

Expert Systems Statistical Software Educational Software Games Music Software Imaging Software

For Additional Information

www.career.fsu.edu/techcenter/

Thank You

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