Computer Basics

Digital Literacy

Mrs. B. Sims

History of the Computer

What is a computer?

One of the most important inventions of past history.

Electronic machine that accepts information, stores it, and processes it provided by a user’s instructions and then returns the result.

Powerful tools that help us to work, learn, and play.

Imagine a world without computers!

Computers have been around for more than 60 years.

First computers were developed in the late 1940s and early 1950s.

Massive.

Designed only for military and government. Had less processing power.

Bulky machines

Were expensive, so only major companies and government agency could afford the systems

Innovators & VisionariesSteve JobsSteve WozniakBill GatesCharles GeschkeJohn Warnock

Vocabulary

Computer – Electronic device that receives data (input), processes data, stores data, and produces result (output).

Activity

Watch Video, The History of Computers

Discussion: Computer use is almost everywhere. Name a few examples.

Parts of the Computer

A computer is a system of many parts working together.

A keyboard is used mainly for typing text into your computer.

A mouse is a small device used to point to and select items on your computer screen

A monitor displays information in visual form, using text and graphics. The portion of the monitor that displays the information is called the screen.

There are two basic types of monitors:

•CRT (cathode ray tube)

•LCD (liquid crystal display)

Central Processing Unit (CPU) acts as the "brain" of your computer. The system unit is the core of a computer system.

A printer transfers data from a computer onto paper.

The two main types of printers are inkjet printers and laser printers.

•Inkjet printers are the most popular printers for the home. They can print in black and white or in full color and can produce high-quality photographs when used with special paper.

• Laser printers are faster and generally better able to handle heavy use.

Speakers are used to play sound.

They can be built into the system unit or connected with cables.

Speakers allow you to listen to music and hear sound effects from your computer.

A modem is a device that sends and receives computer information over a telephone line or high-speed cable.

Modems are sometimes built into the system unit, but higher-speed modems are usually separate components.

Computer Ergonomics

The rules for using a computer correctly to avoid personal injury are called Computer Ergonomics.

Computer Ergonomics is using appropriate posture as well as placing and correctly using the keyboard, mouse, and monitor.

1. Screen to eye level.2. Hands and wrist

straight. 3. Back against the

chair, upper arms and elbow relaxed next to body, and head, neck, and shoulder in line with torso.

4. Feet resting flat on the floor.

Vocabulary

printermonitor

keyboardmouse

modem/routerCPU

Activity –

Label and color the parts of the computer on the worksheet.

Keyboarding

History of the Keyboard• First writing machine developed in the 1800’s

and came in various sizes and shapes.

• Early computers had “blind keys” which did not have anything printed on the keys.

• Early typists were called “typewriters”.

• Christopher Sholes invented the typewriter and the “QWERTY” keyboard.

• QWERTY is named after the first six letters on the top row of alphabetic keys on the keyboard.

QWERTY Keyboard

Vocabulary

Alphanumeric Keys Letters, numbers, and symbols

Numeric Keypad Right side numbers

Function Located across the top of keyboard & performs different taskDirectional (arrow) Four keys with arrows on them to move up, down, left, right

Escape (ESC) Close or cancel an operationTab Moves the insertion point to a preset positionCaps Lock (CAPS) Make all letters capital

Shift Makes capital letters and symbols shown at tops of number keys

Alternate (ALT) Used with other keys to do common tasksControl (CTRL) Used with other keys to do common tasksEnter (Return) Moves insertion point to next line or starts a new lineNumber Lock (NUM LOCK)

Activates/deactivates numeric keypad

Insert Activates insert or type overBackspace Removes text to backwards of insertion pointHome Moves the screen to the beginning or end of the line of textPage Up Moves the screen up one screen/pagePage Down Moves the screen down one screen/pageSpacebar Used to insert a space

Pinky - Red Ring - Yellow

Middle - GreenPointer - BlueThumb - Black

Activity – Color the keyboard worksheet as shown below.

How Computer Works

Computer Requires…

Hardware & Software to Work

Hardware – physical components of the computer (keyboard, mouse, monitor, printer, CPU)

Software – program that tells the computer what to do.

Computer ProcessingData – text, numbers, sound, images, or video.

Information – produced results.

Users – people who use computers.

Elements required by hardware devices to operate:

•Communication•Software•Electricity

Two Basic Types of Software1. Application Software

Examples: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher

2. System SoftwareExamples: Windows, Mac

Input - information entered into a computer.

Examples of Input

Computer receives data (input).

Process - information is handled by the computer’s brain, known as the CPU (Central Processing Unit).

Storage – Data is stored in the computer.

Output - information that comes out of a computer after it has been processed.

Examples of output

Computer processes data (output).

Vocabulary

hardware, software, input, output, processing, storage, data, information, user

Activity

Discussion: What are some examples of hardware?

Watch Video, The Science of Computers

Computer Devices

General Purpose ComputersPersonal Computers

• Desktop • Notebook

Mobile Devices

Supercomputer

Embedded Computers

Desktop Computer

Designed so that all components fit on or under a desk.

Notebook Computer• These are also called laptop

computers. • They are small personal

computers that contain the monitor with a built-in keyboard designed to be carried from one location to another.

Mobile DevicesCan fit into the palm of your hand. Examples are:• Smartphones• Calculators• PDAs• Electronic organizers• Handheld games

Supercomputer• Fastest type of computer.• Cost of these computers can

be several million dollars. • These computers are used by

government agencies and large corporations.

Embedded Computers

• Perform specific task and can be found in a range of devices such as a digital watch, MP3 player, or as a system controller for a nuclear plant.

Windows

WindowsOperating System

• The Windows desktop is the work area that covers your monitor’s screen after you turn on your computer and log on.

Three main elements of Windows desktop…

1.Background picture or color that covers the work area

2.Small graphic symbols, apps or icons3.Taskbar which contains the Start

button, an open area and the notifications area.

Desktop – work area that covers your monitor.

Icons – represent an electronic folder or file.

Taskbar – contains start button, open and notification area.

Start button – opens the Start menu.

Notification area – displays the current date and time as well as small icons for system software or application running in computer memory.

Files – documents created on the computer.

Folder – electronic files.

Libraries – virtual folders on computer hard drive.

Window – special area on the desktop in which files, folders, and applications are opened.

Windows 8

The Windows desktop displays different icons or apps.

Windows 8

Windows 8 has an Apps screen

Windows Explorer

Features of Windows Explorer includes title bar, menu bar, tool bar, navigation pane, content pane, and details pane.

Vocabulary

Windows, icons, files, folder, desktop, taskbar, start button, notification area, libraries

ActivityPractice using Windows 8

Network

Electronic communication

• Technology that enables computers to communicate with each other and other devices.

It is the transmission of text, numbers, voice, and video from one computer or device to another.

Networks• A group of two or

more computer systems linked together through communications devices.

• Connection enables the computers to share resources such as printers, data, information , and programs.

Internet

The World’s largest Networkthat links computers together.

Intranet and Extranet

Intranet

Network for the exclusive use of workers within an organization and contains company information.

Extranet

System that allow outside organization to access a company’s internal information system

Vocabulary

Electronic communication, intranet, extranet, internet, network

Discussion What are some internet options?

ActivityPractice using the FSD1 and Sneed Middle School internet.

Referenceswww.microsoft.com

www.google.com

Wells, D., Computer Concepts Basics, Course Technology Cengage, 2010.