Prior to integrating technology in the classroom, it is necessary to have an understanding of basic computer concepts and to be comfortable using a computer.
A computer is an electronic machine made up of hardware
and software. Hardware includes the physical components
of a computer. Software comprises the different programs used by a computer. Together, hardware and software make it possible for computers to engage in a five-step information-processing cycle:
- Intake input data
- Send the input data to the central processing unit (CPU)
- Process the data
- Store the data in RAM (Random Access Memory) or ROM (Read Only Memory)
- Send the processed data to an output device
Hardware
A computer has four major hardware components.
- Input devices
- Output devices
- System unit
- Storage devices
An input device is a piece of hardware used to enter
information into the computer (e.g., data, commands, and programs). It includes
any computer peripheral that can be connected to the computer. Examples include keyboards, pointing devices (e.g., mouse or touch
pad), microphones, scanners, digital
cameras, tablets, and electronic whiteboards.
An output device is a piece of hardware that makes the data processed by a computer available to users in the form of text, graphics, audio, or video. Examples include monitors and printers.
The system unit is a box that holds the computer's "brain". It is comprised of a motherboard with chips and circuits responsible for processing the data entered into the computer. One of the chips, the central processing unit (CPU), is a micro-processor that controls all of the processing carried out by the computer and facilitates two types of memory, including RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read-Only Memory). RAM represents the temporary or working memory of a computer and ROM represents its permanent memory.
A storage device is a device used to store data into memory. Examples include hard disks, flash drives, CDs, and DVDs.
Software
The term software is synonymous with computer program. It is a
set of instructions that tell the computer what to do and how to do it. There
are two types of software programs, including system software and application
software.
System software include the operating system, as well as utility programs. The operating
system is a program that tells the computer how to perform operations
and controls all of the computer's hardware. It is either Windows-based or Macintosh-based and allows users to control the computer via a graphic user interface with images
and menus. Utility programs are the programs used for managing or tuning hardware, the operating system, and
application software (e.g., anti-virus program).
Application software is
a program that tells the computer how to produce information (e.g., MS
Word or Excel).
Learn more about basic computer concepts.
References
Perlas, H. (2020). Basic Computer Concepts - Part 1. [Video
file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/TZj5yP7KRHQ
Information from this post may be used provided credit is given to Dominique Charlotteaux
