Introduction to Personal Computers in the Classroom

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Chapter 3

• Introduction to Personal Computers in the
  Classroom

Presented by Ricky Broussard ETEC 562 Spring
2004
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What we should learn from this Chapter

• Identify the key components of a computer system
• Explain the role of input devices and describe
  the features of the most common types
• Explain the role of and describe the features of
  the most common types of output devices
• Describe the relationship and function of the
  central processing unit, memory, and storage
• Describe the functions and purpose of and the
  most common types of storage devices

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How Does a Computer Work?Computing Cycle
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What Happens When I Turn it On?
Power ON
Power On Self Test A self diagnostic that
ensures all basic components on the computer
are functioning correctly A good POST results
in a Single Beep
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Components of a Computer System

• Hardware includes all the physical, touchable
  pieces or equipment
• modem, monitor, hard drive, etc.
• Software programs, or sets of computer
  instructions, that tell the Hardware how to
  perform a specific task
• Operating System, Word, Excel, Quicken, etc.

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Hardware

• Can be broken down into 5 categories
• System Components
• Memory
• Storage
• Input Devices
• Output Devices

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System Components

• Motherboard
• Houses most major internal components
• Provides arteries or buses for transmission of
  information from component to component
• CPU- Central Processing Unit
• The BRAINS of you computer
• Performs mathematical calculations
• Coordinates communications between computers
  components
• Power Supply and Case

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Memory

• ROM Read Only Memory
• BIOS (Basic Input/Output System)-
  Provides basic boot-up instructions that allow
  components to talk to CPU prior to OS (Operating
  System) loading
• Requires special equipment and
  processes to alter
• Located on motherboard

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es/bios.jpg
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Memory

• RAM Random Access Memory
• Temporary memory storage that can be accessed by
  software and hardware
• Common Types
• SRAM static
• Faster and does not need to be constantly
  refreshed
• Expensive
• Generally used as system cache in CPU
• DRAM dynamic
• Must constantly be refreshed
• Cheaper
• Most commonly used form of system memory

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Storage

• Hard Drive - Primary storage device
• Data is stored on a series of metal platters
  mounted inside housing
• Data is stored electro-magnetically
• Currently capacity is measured in Gigabytes, or
  billions of bytes
• 1 byte one alphabetic or numeric character
• Primary Drive or Bootable Drive generally holds
  your Operating System
• Floppy Drive
• Data is stored on flexible film with a
  magnetically sensitive coating
• Cheap
• Most common source of virus transmission

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Storage

• CD Drives
• Optical technology that burns pits and valleys
  onto tracks on the surface of the disk
• CD-ROM read only disk most common usage is
  application delivery and music storage
• CD-R allows User a one-time option to create
  their own CD-ROMs
• CR-RW a re-usable CD that can be rewritten,
  functioning much like a Hard Drive
• Stores up to 700 MB or 80 minutes

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How Optical Drives work
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Storage

• DVD Drives (Digital Versatile Disk)
• An emerging optical technology that stores up to
  17.5 gigabytes of data
• Disc is recordable on both sides and stores data
  in 2 layers on each side
• DVD drives can read CD, CD-R,and CD-RW
• Writeable versions with a capacity of 4.75 GBs
  are now commercially available

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Input Devices

• Most common
• Keyboard
• Mouse
• Other
• Trackball
• Joystick
• Touchpad
• Scanner

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Monitor Output Device

• CRT Cathode Ray Tube
• Most common form of monitor
• cheap
• LCD Liquid Crystal Display
• flat screen technology
• Expensive but better quality picture
• Quality
• Pixel a single colored dot
• Resolution refers to clarity and crispness of
  image
• Standard resolution is 640 x 480
• Screen Size number of inches measured
  diagonally across the screen

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Printers Output Device

• Provide hard copy
• What to look for is a printer
• Color output - black-and-white printing, or color
  printing.
• Speed - pages per minute (ppm)
• Image resolution - dpi (dots per inch) -
  resolution determines the amount of detail the
  printer can reproduce
• Output size what is largest output area?
• Printer size - the size of the printer unit

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Inkjet Printers

• Use a thermal process to eject ink via print
  mechanism onto paper ink is actually heated
  until it boils
• Electrically charged plates deflect ink onto
  paper
• 300 to 600 nozzles
• Paper moves via friction
  feed mechanism

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Laser Printers/ Copiers

• Traditionally use a photoconductive process
• Image is written on drum in printer and
  then transferred to paper by using
  opposing electrical charges
• Toner is composed of plastic particles and
  iron-oxide
• Image is fused on paper
• New versions use wax instead
  of toner

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Lets not forget Software

• Operating System interface between User and
  Hardware
• GUI Graphic User Interface uses icon and
  window based interface to allow user to more
  easily navigate and control OS
• 2 most popular
• Windows
• Apple
• Applications/Programs
• Allows user to perform task specific activities
  on the computer

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Conclusion

• A computer is merely one of many tools available
  to enhance the education process
• Familiarity will breed confidence Get to know
  your equipment
• Dont be afraid to ask for help (even from the
  kids!)

THE END!!!!!!