Chapter # 7

The Role of Computer

1. The computer has the ability to control and manage a wide variety of media
and learning materials like films, filmstrips, slides, audio tapes and printed
information.
2. The computer can record analyze and react to students’ responses that are
typed on a keyboard.
3. The computer can be an object of instruction as in computer science and
computer literacy.
4. It is a tool that can be used during instruction to do complex calculations
data manipulations and word processing.
5. It allows students to learn at their own pace. It develops individualization.
6. High speed personalized responses to the learner’s actions create a high rate
of reinforcement.
7. Colours , music and graphics can add realism.
8. Computer are very common in the modern workplace. To help students in
preparation for future careers, assignments and classwork, schools often
require the use of computers; for example teachers may require that papers
be typewritten using a certain format or font that requires a specific word
processing program. Class may also require presentations to be made using
slide show programs like power print or impress. Science and math courses
may require students to use spreadsheets programs like Excel, Minitab or
Cale.
9. One of the primary roles of computers in education is to facilitate
communication between students, teachers, administration and parents.
Email can allows teachers to contact students quickly without scheduling
face to face meeting time. Assignment can also be sent out via email and
finished work can be submitted in a digital form as an email attachment
rather than turning in a paper copy. Students can check their email regularly
for class updates and assignments.
 10.Computer can increase productivity of students by making tasks such as
papers and research easier. Computer can make it easier for teachers to
collect papers, grade them and send them back to students. Computer can
also reduce the amount of use of paper necessary for education because
materials can be sent and viewed digitally.
11.Computers and internet also create the potential for E-learning. E-learning is
learning using educational materials that are the available on the internet.
Many schools offer courses that take place online, with texts, assignments,
quizzes and exams; all are accessible through a website. This pattern is
useful for those who do full time jobs or have odd schedules because it
allows the students to study at times that are convenient for them.
12.Computers also play an important role in the admission process in higher
education. Many colleges and universities offer online applications and
down loadable information and forms. In some cases, students may be
required to apply using computers. Some institutions require that future
students apply online using a service that collects students’ information such
as test scores, transcripts and letters of information.

Internet concept
The internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that uses the
standard internet protocol suit (IP). It is a network of networks that consist of
millions of private, public, academic, business and government networks of local
to global scope that are linked by broad array of electronic, wireless and optical
networking technologies. By connecting millions of computers, the internet makes
it possible for a computer user anywhere in the world to exchange text, pictures,
movies, songs and computer programs.

 The internet carries a vast range of information resources and services such
as the inter-linked hypertext documents of the World Wide Web (WWW)
and infrastructure to support electronic mail (E-Mail).
 Internet is a short form of the technical term internetwork, the result of
interconnecting computer networks with special gateway or routers.

Hyperlink is a reference to data that the reader can follow directly by clicking
.
  The internet and WWW are not the same.
 Internet is a global data communications system.
 It is a hardware and software infrastructure that provides connectivity
between computers.
 In contrast, the Web is one of the services communicated via the internet.
 It is a collection of interconnected documents and other resources, linked by
hyperlinks and URLs (universally accessible code) / address.
 The idea of email was presented by Ray Tomlinson. The 1 st message were
sent in late 1971. He came up with SNDMSG command. SNDMSG sent
mail files to the recipient’s computers. It was the first networked messaging
program.
 He also decided to use the @symbol to designate a user from its host.
 Hyperlink is alternatively referred to as a link, is an icon, graphic or text in a
document that links to another file or object. WWW is comprised of
hyperlinks linking trillions of pages and files to one another.

HISTORY
U.S.A. created Advanced Research Project Agency in February 1958.

ARPA created the Information Processing Technology Office (IPTO).J.C.R,

Licklider, a promoter of universal networking was selected to head the IPTO.

At the IPTO, Licklider’s successor Ivan Sutherland in 1965 got Lawrence Roberts
to start a Project to make a network. In 1969 the ARPA of the U.S Department of
Defense began connecting computers of different universities. This early system
was called ARPANET. This network spread across the Atlantic to Norway and
England in 1973. Use of the term internet originated in December 1974. In the mid
1980 (1985) another federal agency National Science Foundation got into the act
after the Defence Department dropped its funding of internet.

In 1985 , NSF commissioned the construction of NSFNET a university net

work of 56 kilobit. The following year, NSF sponsored the conversion to a higher
speed 1.5 megabit network that became operational in 1988.
In fact NSF established five supercomputing centers that were available to anyone
who wanted to use them for academic research purposes but this existing network
could not handle the load. That’s why NSFNEt a higher capacity network was
established. It overloaded ARPANET. The link between ARPANET, NSF NET
and other networks was called the internet.

The web was invented by British Scientist Tim Burners-Lee in 1989

can be implemented by hardware, softly or a combination of two.

“Internet is a globally distributed Network comprising many

voluntarily interconnected autonomous networks”

It is operated without a central governing body. However to maintain

interoperability all technical and policy aspects are administered by the internet
Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). Its headquarter is in
Marina del Rey, California (U.S.A). ICANN is the authority that coordinates the
assignment of unique identifiers for use on internet. ICANN is governed by
international board of directors. On 16th November 2005 Internet Governance
Forum was established to discuss internet related issues.

“IP is the protocol on which the internet is built is also called TCP. It is set of
network protocols.

A protocol is a mutually agreed-upon format for during something with

regards to computers.It refers to set of rules (i.e a standard) that enables computers
to connect and transmit data to one another.

Computer Assisted Instruction

Concept:

A self-learning technique, usually offline / online, involving interaction of

the student with programmed instructional material. It is computer interactive
instructional technique in which computer is used to present the instructional
material and monitor the learning that takes place.CAI uses a combination of text,
graphics, sound and video in enhancing the learning process. It refers to the use of
computer as a tool to facilitate and improve instruction. CAI programs use tutorial,
drill and practice, simulation and problem solving approaches to present topics and
they test the student’s understanding.

Computer system can deliver instruction directly to students by allowing

them interact with lessons which are programmed into the system. This is referred
to as CAI.

Typical CAI provides:

1. Text or multimedia content.

2. Mcqs
3. Problems.
4. Immediate feedback.
5. Notes on incorrect responses.
6. Summarize students’ performance.
7. Exercise for practice.
8. Worksheet and tests.

Advantages:
 One to one interaction.
 Great motivator.
 Freedom to experiment with different options.
 Immediate response immediate feedback to student’s answers.
 Self-pacing students proceed at their own pace.
 Helps teachers to devote more time to individual students.
 Privacy helps the shy and slow learner to learn.
 Individual attention.
 Learn more and more rapidly.
 Multimedia helps to understand difficult concepts.
 Self-direct learning, students can decide when, where and what to learn.

Limitations:
 Students may feel overwhelmed by the information and resources
available.
 Over use of multimedia may divert the attention from the content.
  Learning becomes too mechanical.
 Non availability of good CAI packages.
 Lack of infrastructure.
Modes / Types of CAI
1. Drill and practice mode:-
This mode provides opportunities to students to repeatedly
practice the skills that have previously been presented, because
this mode assumes that a concept, rule or procedure has already
been taught to the learner and that further practice is necessary
for mastery. It is generally used as worksheet or flashcard The
program leads the learner through a series of examples to
increase mastery and fluency in skills.

Drill and practice is used for math, foreign language translation practice and
vocabulary building exercises, typing. Other drill and practice programs such as
sentences helps the learners in practicing sentence constructions.

Drill and practice programs provide a variety of questions. The trainee (student) is
usually given several tries before the computer presents the correct answer. It is
used or deals with lower order thinking skill.

2. Tutorial Mode:
Tutorial activity includes both the presentation of information and its
extension into different forms of work, including drill and practice,
games and simulation.
In it information is presented in small units followed by a small
question. The student’s responses are analyzed by the computer. If the
students gives correct answer, the computer gives further
information. If he gives a wrong answer, the computer gives
alternative supplementary information. If the student now gives the
right answer, the computer advances on the main program and gives
further information and puts questions. Here the computer is used as
tutor. It provides direct teaching especially in science and medical.
Gaming Mode:
Game mode / Game software often creates a contest to achieve the highest
score and beat or others or beat the computer. There are some recreational games
of computer which we play on our personal computers like space Invadors,
Battleship and Blackjack. They can be used for computer literacy in an enjoyable
manner. Computer plays role of competitor, judge and score keeper. Student can
use counting games and spelling games. It sharpens the intellectual abilities
because at a time you use different types of keys. For securing highest score you
use your all intellectual abilities.

Simulation:
This software can provide approximation of reality that does not require the
expense of real life or its risks. In this mode the learner faces a scales down real
life situation through artificial environment. It allows realistic practice.

Business management problems, medical sciences and laboratory

experiments are popular computer simulation. Major airlines and military also use
computer based simulator to reduce the amount of actual flying time required for
training. It can be used in nuclear power plants, weapons (Arms) factories.

Discovery Mode:
It provides a large database of information specifies to a course or content
area and challenges to learner to analyze, compare, infer and evaluate, based on
their explorations of data. The student uses an information retrieval strategy to get
information from a database. “A database is used to organize information so that it
can be easily stored, calculated and sorted out”.

Problem Solving Mode:

This approach helps children to develop specific problem solving skills and
strategies.

There are two categories of problem solving program. Programs that are written by
learner and programs that are written by someone else to help the learner solve the
problem.
 In learner written programs the student define a problem logically and writes
a computer program to solve it. The computer will do the necessary calculations to
provide the answer. In this case the computer helps the learner in attaining problem
solving skills by doing computer calculations.

In the 2nd category the computer is the problem solver. The computer makes the
calculations while the student manipulates.

Telecommunication / Telecom
The word telecommunication was adapted (derived ) from the French word
telecommunication. It is a combination of the Greek word tele (far off) and the
Latin word communicare (to share). “Telecommunication is the
transmission of signs, messages, writing, images, sounds or
intelligence of any nature by wire, radio, optical or electromagnetic
systems. Telecommunication occurs when the exchange of
information between communication participants includes the use of
technology”.

Infact telecommunication is assisted transmission of signals over a distance

for the purpose of communication. Telecommunication involves the use of
electronic signal A signal is electric current or electromagnetic field used
to convey data from one place to another.

Transmitters like telephone, television, radio, computer, mobile phone.

Early inventors in the field of telecommunication include Antonio Meucci,

Alexander Graham Bell, Guglielmo Marconi and John Logie Baird.

Elements of Telecommunication

1. Transmitter.
2. Transmission.
3. Receiver.
4. Signals.
5. Network.
 6. Channels.
7. Modulation.
1. Transmitter: Broadcast Tower

It takes information and converts it into a signal.

2. Transmission:

It is a medium that carries the signals.

3. Receiver:

It receives the signal and converts it back into usable information.

For example:

In a radio broadcast the station’s large power amplifier is the

transmitter, free space is the transmission medium and the radio is the receiver and
destination of radio signal where it is converted from electricity to sound for
people to listen.

4. Signals:

Two types of signals;

1. Analogue
2. Digital

Analogue: Digital:
Low frequency Powerful
Less powerful Not effected by noise
Degraded by noise

5. Network:

It is a collection of transmitters, receivers that communicate with each other.

Two types of network

Digital , Analogue
 6. Channels:

A channel is a sub-division in a transmission medium so that it can be used

to send multiple streams of information.

7. Modulation:
It is the shaping of signal to convey information. Modulation can be
used to represent a digital message as an analogue waveform.
Modulation can also be used to transmit the information of low
frequency analogue signals at higher frequencies. This is helpful
because low frequency analogue signals cannot be effectively
transmitted over free space. But the information from a low frequency
analogue signals must be superimposed on a higher frequency signal
(carrier wave) before transmission.
Two types / scheme of Modulation:

I. Amplitude Modulation.
II. Frequency Modulation.

Early Telecommunications were Smoke Signals

Drums
Beacon houses on hilltops
Homing pigeons

Telegraph (1st Commercial)

Electronic telegraph was constructed by Sir Charles Wheatstone & Sir William
Fothergill Cooke and opened on 9th April 1839.

Telephone
Invented by

Alexander Graham Bell & Elisha Gray in 1876, commercial phone service was set
up in 1878 and 1879 in cities of New Haven and London.

Radio
December 1901 by Marconi.
Established wireless communication between Canada and England.

Television
On March 25, 1925, John Logie Baird demonstrated the transmission of moving
pictures at the London Department Stone Selfridges. Baird device was known as
mechanical device. It formed the basis of experimental broadcasts done by the
British Broadcasting Corporation beginning September 30, 1929.

“Telecommunication is the transmission of signs, messages, writing,

images, sounds or intelligence of any nature by wire, radio, optical
or electromagnetic systems. Telecommunication occurs when the
exchange of information between communication participants
includes the use of technology”.

Satellite System:
Any object that revolves around a large object in space is called a
Satellite.

A satellite travels in a special path, called its orbit.

Types
Natural Satellite

Artificial Satellite

All the planets that revolve around the sun are Natural Satellites.

Moon is the only Natural Satellite of Earth.

1st Artificial Satellite is the Sputnik 1 was launched by the Soviet Union on
October 4, 1957.

Its primary purpose was to send back temperatures of space.

Types
1. Astronomy Satellite:
 It is a big telescope floating in space for space observation.
2. Atmospheric Studies Satellite:
Used to study the earth’s atmosphere.
3. Communication Satellite:
It allows radio, television and telephone transmission to be sent live
anywhere in the world.
4. Navigation Satellite:
Used to determine location to any object.

The GPs system is its example.

5. Weather Satellite:
Used to find out the weather anywhere in the world anytime of the
day.

Used for weather Forecast.