Computer Skills For

Preparatory Programs

CS 041

Computer Skills Department

Al-Imam university

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 Chapter 1
Why Computers Matter to You:
Becoming Computer Literate

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 2

 Chapter Topics
• Computer literacy
• Computers and careers
• Technology challenges

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 Chapter Objectives
After reading this chapter, you should be able to answer the
following questions:
1. What does it mean to be “computer literate”?

2. How does being computer literate make you a savvy computer user
and consumer?

3. How can becoming computer literate help you in a career?

4. How can becoming computer literate help you understand and take
advantage of newly emerging careers?

5. How does becoming computer literate help you deal with the
challenges associated with technology?

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 What is Computer Fluency?
What is Computer Literacy?
• To be computer fluent you must:
– Understand a computer’s capabilities and
limitations
– Know how to use a computer
 Why Become Computer Literate?
• Benefits of learning about computers
include:
– Being a knowledgeable consumer
– Using current and future technology
– Increasing your career options
– Understanding ethical and legal
implications

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 Be a Savvy Computer User
and Consumer
• Avoid hackers and viruses
• Protect your privacy
• Understand the real privacy and
security risks
• Use the Internet wisely

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 Be a Savvy Computer User
and Consumer
• Avoid online annoyances
• Maintain your computer
• Make good purchase decisions
• Integrate the latest technology

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 Computers in the Workplace
• Information technology (IT) involves:
– Information handling
– Information retrieval
– Computers
– Telecommunications
– Software deployment
• The seven fastest-growing occupations
are computer related.

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 Computers in Your Career?
• Computers are used in:
– Business –Law enforcement
– Retail –Agriculture
– Delivery –Automotive technology
– Arts –Medicine
– Computer gaming –Sciences
– Education –Military

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 Computers in
Business, Retail, and Delivery
• Data mining
• Package tracking

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 Computers in the Arts

• Create Web sites

• Digitize dance movements
• Produce computer-
generated art

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 Computers in Gaming
• Get a job doing:
– Design
– Programming
– 3D animation

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 Computers in Education
• Instructional software
• Distance education
• Computerized research
• The Internet
• PDA-guided tours

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 Computers in Law Enforcement
• Search databases
• Predict criminal activity
• Employ computer forensics

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 Computers in military
• Soldiers are trained computer specialists
in areas such as:
• 1-sattellite transmissions.
• 2-radio controller .
• 3-computer networking.
• Whether the job is in electronic aviation
support or logistic or supply…

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 Computers in Agriculture
• Programs manage complex farming
business and information systems
• RFID tags track and record animals in
case of diseases
• Computerized sensors monitor conditions
and activate equipment to protect crops

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 Computers in
Automotive Technology
• Environmental trends
and government
regulations
• Computerized
sensors and CPU
systems in vehicles
• Consumer demand
for computerized
subsystems
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 Computers in Medicine
• Patient simulators and surgical robots
• Digital modeling of human anatomy

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 Biomedical Implants
• Technological
solutions to
physical problems
• Identity chips

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 Computers in the Sciences
• Supercomputers create simulations in
– Astronomy
– Meteorology
– Archaeology

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 Computers in Sports
• Improved training
• Timing
• Data storage and
statistics
• Smart balls sense
when soccer goals
are scored

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 Digital Home
• You can control home systems from your
computer and via the Internet:
– Entertainment
– Security
– Lights
– Heating and
cooling
– Appliances

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 Digital Home: Components
• Media computer with:
– TV tuner
– Radio tuner
– Media software
– Blu-ray, DVD, and/or CD
– Network adapter

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 Nanotechnology
• Nano: Prefix stands for one-billionth
• Nanoscience: Study of molecules and
nanostructures
• Nanostructures: Range in size from 1 to
100 nanometers
• Nanotechnology: Science of the use of
nanostructures

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 Challenges Facing a
Digital Society
• Privacy risks
• Personal data collection
• E-mail monitoring
• Copyright infringement (breacking)
• Reliance(trust) on computers for
security
• Digital divide

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 Chapter Summary
1. What does it mean to be “computer literate”?

2. How does being computer literate make you a savvy

computer user and consumer?

3. How can becoming computer literate help you in a

career?

4. How can becoming computer literate help you understand

and take advantage of newly emerging careers?

5. How does becoming computer literate help you deal with

the challenges associated with technology?
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 The End
Next :
Chapter 2: Looking at Computers: Understanding the
Parts

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