KEMENTERIAN PELAJARAN MALAYSIA

Self Access Learning Module

ICT Literacy for

Secondary School
Programm
e
Computer Hardware
Computer System

PUSAT PERKEMBANGAN KURIKULUM

KEMENTERIAN PELAJARAN MALAYSIA
 ICTL For Secondary School - HARDWARE Module

MODULE 2

Overview of the Computer System

Curriculum Development Centre

Ministry of Education Malaysia

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1. Name of Module : Computer Parts and Components

– Overview of the Computer System

2. Learning Outcomes:The students should be able to:

1. Identify main components in the computer system

2. State the functions of the main components in the computer system
3. Explain briefly the data processing cycle of a computer system

3. Knowledge and Skills:

1. What a computer is
2. The different types of computer

4. Module Summary: At the end of the module, student should be able to identify and
state the functions of the main components in the computer system as well as explain
briefly the data processing cycle of a computer system.

This module contains 3 activities:

Activity 1: Identify the main components in the computer system and

their functions
Activity 2: Brief explanation on data processing cycle of the computer
System
Activity 3: Worksheets

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Activity 1

MAIN COMPUTER SYSTEM

monitor

system Unit
speaker

keyboard
mouse

Monitor

A monitor (also called display, CRT - Cathode Ray Tube or screen) is a computer display that is
separate from other parts of the computer. Like a TV monitor, a computer monitor image is
made up of pixels (dots). In general, the higher the resolution, the better the image. The smaller
the dots pitch (typically from 0.25 mm to 0.31 mm), the crisper the image. Faster refresh rates
are easier on the eyes and allow the user to sit in front of the computer for longer periods of
time. The different types of display screens are:

• Standard television set

An ordinary home television can be used for computer

output.

• Standard computer monitors

These monitors have better resolution than TV monitors. Some are

flat screens.

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• Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD)

These are screens made up of two glass plates with liquid in

between

Keyboard

Multimedia keyboard Wireless keyboard

A keyboard is the main input device for text and commands. The computer keyboard uses the
same key arrangement as typewriters but also contains standard function keys, such as the
escape, cursor movement, and control keys.

Keyboards come with three (3) different types of port such as Serial port,
PS/2 port and USB port.

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Speakers

Speakers give out information in the form of sound. Computer speakers range widely in quality
and in price. The computer speakers typically packaged with computer systems are small
plastic boxes with mediocre sound quality. Some of the slightly better computer speakers have
equalization features such as bass and treble controls, improving their sound quality somewhat.

The internal amplifiers require an external power source, known as a 'wall-wart'. More
sophisticated computer speakers may have a 'subwoofer' unit, to enhance bass output, and
these units usually include the power amplifiers both for the bass speaker, and the small
'satellite' speakers.

Mouse

A mouse is an input device that sits on thePS/2

workport mouse
surface beside the computer. It is a small object
that the user can roll along a hard or flat surface that controls the movement of the cursor or
pointer on a display screen. The user can right click, left click and double click using a mouse.

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USBuses
An optical mouse port optical
cameramouse Cordless optical
technology and digital processing mouse and track the
to compare
position of the mouse, rather than a ball and rollers used on older mice. A small LED (light-
emitting diode) provides light underneath the mouse, helping to highlight slight differences in the
surface underneath the mouse. It does not require maintenance or regular cleaning.

Another benefit is that digital processing often results in smoother, more accurate performance
than prior technologies. In addition, it does not require a mouse pad and can be used on many
surfaces, including those that are not entirely flat.

(source : http://images.search.yahoo.com)

System Unit

A system unit, also known as a base unit, is the main body of a desktop computer typically
consisting of a metal or (rarely) plastic enclosure containing the motherboard, power supply,
cooling fans, internal disk drives, and the memory modules and expansion cards that are
plugged into the motherboard, such as video and network cards.

(source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_unit)

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Printer

A computer printer or commonly known as printer is a device that produces a hard copy
(permanent human readable text and/ or graphics) of documents stored in electronic form that
prints texts or illustrations on paper.

Many printers are primarily used as computer peripherals and are attached by a printer cable to
a computer which serves as a document source.

There are many types of computer printers.

Dot-Matrix printer

The dot matrix printer is an impact printer. It works like an automatic typewriter. It is a low-cost
printer with low quality output. Because it is an impact printer, it may be used when carbon
copies of a document are required.

Ink-Jet printer

The ink jet printer is a non-impact printer. The ink jet sprays ink from an ink cartridge at very
close range to the paper as it rolls by. This is a low-cost printer with a mid-quality output. This
type of printer is the most economical for color output.

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Laser printer

The laser printer uses a laser beam reflected from a mirror to attract ink (called toner) to
selected paper areas as a sheet rolls over a drum. A laser printer is the most expensive type of
printer with the best output. The speed of a laser printer is typically about 8 ppm (page per
minute).

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Activity 2

Data Processing Cycle

The computer system process data into information goes through four operations; input,
process, storage and output.

Input Process Output

Storage

User will enter the data by input device (such as keyboard, mouse) electronically and is
processed by the processor. In the processing operation, the data is manipulated to process or
transform it into information

The storage (such as Hard disk, compact disc (CD), diskettes) holds data, information and
programs. The output devices (such as monitor, printer) present the processed data as useful
information products for the user

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Activity 3

Task A

Label the pictures below . Write your answers in the boxes given.

1.

2.
5.

3.
4.

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Task B

Look at the pictures given in Column A. Then, name the components of the computer and state
their functions.

COLUMN A COLUMN B
(Component name and function)

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Task C

Complete the data processing cycle of a computer system below.

Input

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Reference

Cashman, S. (2006) Discovering Computers 2006. USA : Thomson Course Technology.

Ibrahim Ahmad, Mohd Hafiz et al (2007) Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
Based on SPM Syllabus. Selangor: Venton Publishing (M) Sdn Bhd.

NCC Education (2002) Computer Studies, Computer Ace. Sri Lanka : Computer Pioneers.

Basic Computing (2003) by TMEdu Tech (M) Sdn Bhd

http://www.wikipedia.org

http://images.search.yahoo.com

http://www.google.com.my

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