Introduction to Personal Computers in the Classroom

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Introduction to Personal Computers in the
Classroom
Teaching and Learning with Technology

• Chapter 3

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How Computers Work

• A computer is made up of hardware and software
  that makes the computing cycle possible.
• Hardware includes all the physical components of
  a computer
• Software includes all the programs (set of
  computer instructions) that instruct the computer
  how to perform operations or tasks

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How Computers Work

• The computing cycle consists of
• Input
• Processing
• Storage
• Output
• Each stage of the cycle has specific hardware
  devices associated with it

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How Computers Work The Cycle

• Input includes any data or programs that are
  entered into the machine by the user
• Input is directed to the CPU for processing
• The CPU chip control data flowing through the
  computer and executes all necessary tasks to
  complete the requested process
• The CPU may use temporary memory (RAM) to store
  data during processing

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How Computers Work The Cycle

• Or, if the data needs to be stored more
  permanently, the CPU may direct data to be placed
  on a storage media (disk)
• When processing is completed, the CPU moves data
  to the user as output
• This cycle is continuous as long as the machine
  is on

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Software

• Once the BIOS program is read, the next program
  starts
• This program is the Power On Self Test (POST)
• The POST checks the computers hardware to make
  sure all parts are functional
• If any problems exist, it writes an error message
  to the user on the monitor

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Software

• If the POST completes successfully, the next
  program to load is the Operating System (O/S)
• The O/S operates all the hardware and provides
  the user interface, the method for user and
  computer interaction
• Windows (PC) and Mac O/S are the operating
  systems for PCs and Macs respectively

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Software

• Both Windows and Mac O/S use a Graphical User
  Interface (GUI)
• A GUI uses icons to represent objects and
  programs and a pointer to select and/or start
  them
• Menus are also available in a GUI operating
  systems to give users lists of command options
  from which to choose

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Software

• The O/S prepares the machine to run other
  programs
• Some programs are called Applications because
  they apply the machine to a specific task
• Other programs may be Utility programs because
  they help maintain the machine and its operations

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Software

• Academic Applications are programs that help
  teachers or learners in the teaching/learning
  process
• Administrative Applications are programs that
  help teachers perform the administrative tasks
  required in their work
• Application programs are sometimes sold as a
  bundle of related software called an Application
  Suite

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Software

• Integrated software are mini versions of
  applications that condensed into a single
  software package
• All software is written to run on specific
  machines so it is important to check machine
  specifications before making software purchases

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Hardware

• The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the chip
  that controls all machine processes
• CPU performance is measured in terms of the speed
  at which it can process instructions
• The higher the speed, the faster the CPU, the
  more responsive the computer will seem
• Speed is measured in Megahertz (MHz)

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Hardware

• The CPU uses a special temporary storage location
  for programs and user input
• This temporary storage is Random Access Memory
  (RAM)
• RAM size is measure in Megabytes (Mb)
• The larger the RAM the more the CPU can store for
  easy, fast access

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Hardware

• The CPU can store data in RAM more permanently in
  storage devices
• Storage devices include floppy disk, hard disk,
  CDs, and DVDs
• Users can issue a SAVE command which instructs
  the CPU to move data from RAM to disk

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Hardware

• Input Devices
• Include all devices used to put data or programs
  into the machine
• The most common devices are the keyboard and
  mouse
• Other input devices include alternative pointing
  devices such as track balls, joy stick or glide
  points

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Hardware

• Output Devices
• Include all devices that move processed data from
  the computer to the user
• Monitors display data in the form of soft-copy
  output
• Monitors vary in the clarity (resolution) of
  their display as well as their size (measure
  diagonally across the screen)
• LCD monitors using a different display technology
  offer flat, smaller hardware

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Hardware

• Output Devices
• Printers display data in hard-copy output
• Laser printer use heat to affix toner to paper to
  create clear, permanent images
• Most laser printers are black and white
• Ink Jet printers blow small bubbles of ink on
  paper to create images
• Most Ink Jet printers print in color and black

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Disk Storage

• Hard Disks
• Are typically permanently fixed inside the
  computer
• Offer the largest storage capacity of all disks
• When installing programs, most of the program is
  stored on the hard disk for quick access
• Hard disks can crash so it is important to
  backup data on removable media

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Disk Storage

• Floppy Disks
• Are portable storage with a limited capacity of
  1.44 megabytes
• Are usually used to store smaller files for back
  up or for transportability
• Hard disks can crash so it is important to
  backup data on removable media
• Like hard disks, can store both electronic files
  and the electronic folders that organize them

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Disk Storage

• Floppy Disks
• Are useful in the classroom when each student is
  given their own disk on which to store work
• Floppy disks may inadvertently transport viruses
  as well as files
• It is important to use a virus checker program to
  protect classroom machines from possible
  infection via floppy disks

The 21st Century Classroom Technology in
Teaching and Learning
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Disk Storage

• Removable Hard Disks
• Some hard disks are designed to be removable
  cartridges that work with a special external
  drive
• Removable hard disks vary in capacity from 100
  megabytes to 1 gigabyte
• These disks are good for backup and classroom
  storage of files too large for floppy disk

The 21st Century Classroom Technology in
Teaching and Learning
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Disk Storage

• CD-ROM
• Compact Disks (CD) that are read only (ROM) can
  be used only to read programs
• CD-ROMs cannot be used to store files
• CD-ROMs use a laser technology to store
  approximately 600 megabytes of data
• These optical discs are typically used by
  software manufacturers to store programs for user
  installation

The 21st Century Classroom Technology in
Teaching and Learning
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Disk Storage

• CD-R
• Compact Disks (CD) that can be read many times
  AND recorded on ONCE are Recordables
• CD-Rs are useful to archive (back up) large
  amounts of data
• CD-Rs require a specially designed disc (CD-R
  disc) and drive to record data
• Once recorded, data can be read on a CD-ROM drive

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Disk Storage

• CD-RW
• Compact Disks that can be read and recorded on
  many times are Compact Disc-ReWriteable (CD-RWs)
• CD-RWs can be used like a portable hard disk with
  up to 600 megabytes of space
• CD-RWs require a specially designed disc (CD-RW
  disc) and drive to record data
• Once recorded, data can be read by most newer CD
  drives

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Disk Storage

• DVD
• Digital Versatile Discs are optical discs that
  can store up to 17 gigabytes of data
• DVDs are typically used to store digital video
  since video files require large amounts of
  storage space
• DVDs require a DVD drive, but DVD drives can
  also play back CD technology
• DVD-Rs, recordable DVDs, are an emerging
  technology just becoming available

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Computers in Education

• Teachers need to be sufficiently aware of
  computer hardware and software to use both
  effectively in their classroom
• While teachers need not be technical experts,
  they do need to know enough to
• Use the technology appropriately
• Handle minor computer problem
• Help students use computers
• Recognize when technical support is needed