Technology Skills Benchmarks

Erin Kelly

Benchmark 1a. – Demonstrate an

understanding of the basic function of

computer hardware and software components

such as the CPU, monitor, keyboard, file

storage, memory, and operating system.

Tutorial #1 !   Tutorial #1 – Use a digital camera to take a

picture of your computer’s CPU, monitor, keyboard, printer, external hard drive, wireless router, cable modem (or DSL modem) and any other peripherals that you may have. Define each one on a different slide. Do not use pictures from the Internet since your tutorial will be posted on the Internet and can be viewed by the legal owners of those pictures. Using pictures from other websites is a violation of the copyright laws.

Keyboard !   A keyboard that is a data input

device for computers; arrangement

of keys is modeled after the

typewriter keyboard.

Printer !   In computers, a printer is a device that accepts text and graphic output from a

computer and transfers the information to paper, usually to standard size sheets of paper. Printers are sometimes sold with computers, but more frequently are purchased separately. Printers vary in size, speed, sophistication, and cost. In general, more expensive printers are used for higher-resolution color printing.

Monitor !   A device that displays signals on a computer screen

Router !   A router is a device that forwards data packets between computer networks,

creating an overlay internetwork. A router is connected to two or more data lines from different networks.

Modem !   A modem is a device or program that enables a computer to transmit data over, for

example, telephone or cable lines. Computer information is stored digitally, whereas information transmitted over telephone lines is transmitted in the form of analog

waves. A modem converts between these two forms.