SAMAR COLLEGE

G.E. 10
Living in the IT Era
Self-Learning Module 2

2021-2022
2nd Semester
 Self-Learning Module 2
GE 10 l Living in the IT Era

SAMAR COLLEGE

Learning Module in

GE 10: Living in the

IT Era

Course Description

This is a three (3) unit course which aims to strike a balance between conceptual
instruction and socially- and culturally-oriented discussions as it not only explains the
basic concepts or key terms in IT but also features the major IT trends along with the
issues and challenges these developments bring. Moreover, it uses the outcomes-
based approach with assessment tests and tasks to effectively measure student
learning.

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Chapter 2: Computers in Our Daily Life

2.0 Intended Learning Outcomes

a. Examine how a computer’s system bus works;
b. Identify the different computer network systems and the wired and wireless
connection;
c. Distinguish between system software and application software; and
d. Compare and contrast a desktop app and a mobile app in terms of content, layout,
and design.

2.1 Introduction
This chapter highlights the types of networks, wired and wireless connections
used in a computer system, as well as the desktop applications and mobile
applications and their relevance to day-to-day activities.

2.2 Topics/Discussion

2.2.1 How Computers Work?

The basic parts of the computer are the central processing unit (CPU), memory,
keyboard or other input devices, and a screen or other device. A computer does not
have a human brain inside but acts in many ways as though it does have a real one.

However, while we understand human language, the computer can understand

machine language. When a person types on the computer’s keyboard, the human brain
identifies the letters, numbers, and characters combined to create words and
sentences. But the computer does not recognize letters as letters of the alphabet; it
sees the letters as a series of 0’s and 1’s called the binary language.

Computer Number Systems

Humans use the decimal number system – to count, measure, and compute. The
decimal number system has ten digits. A computer, on the other hand, can only
understand two digits – a 0 and a 1. These two numbers play an important role in the
way computers communicate with one another. This type of number system is called
the binary number system, with the prefix bi, means 2.

There are other types of number systems, such as the octal number system (uses 8
digits) and the hexadecimal number system (meaning it uses 16 digits to represent its
values). However, these special number systems are merely a way to bridge the
computer’s binary language to a somewhat understandable human (decimal)
language since computer data can be complicated.

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2.2.2 How Computers Interpret Data

Depending on the standard used, computer systems convert characters from the
keyboard and later display them on the monitor. Refer to the following steps:

1. From the keyboard, pressure pads are typically found underneath each
key. Upon typing a letter, the pressure pad sends information to the CPU
for processing.
2. The information is then transmitted in the form of 0’s and 1’s using the
ASCII code.
3. The CPU determines what character has been typed and sends the
information to the computer monitor, again in 0’s and 1’s.
4. The monitor displays the information in its equivalent character, this time
readable and understandable by humans.

Majority of computer system use the American Standard Code for Information
Interchange (ASCII) for converting characters into 0’s and 1’s. The ASCII code is a 7-
bit code used to represent letters, numbers, and basic special characters.

2.2.3 How Computers Communicate with One Another

Computer uses different ways to connect to certain devices. The computer

monitor uses wire to connect to the computer unit while the mouse wirelessly

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connects to laptop, etc. Depending on the situation, computers use different

connection methods to do their tasks.

System Bus

A computer system, on its own, communicates what is called a system bus. A

system bus is pathway composed of cables and connectors used to carry data from a
computer’s peripheral devices – monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc. – to the CPU and the
main memory. There are three types of buses: Data bus, Address bus, Control bus.

Figure 2.1 Simplified diagram of a computer system implemented with a single bus.

 Data bus. A data bus can transfer data to and from the memory of a computer,
or into or out of the CPU. Examples of pieces of information that traverse the
data bus include files transferred from a flash drive to the computer’s hard
drive and a document sent to a printer for printing.
 Address bus. The address bus us used by the CPU to specify a physical address
for instruction, files, and other devices within the computers system. For
example, in a given computer unit, there are typically 6 to 8 USB ports. The
address bus is responsible for checking which USB ports has a printer
connected to it, along with the mouse, keyboard, speakers, and sometimes
even external drives.
 Control bus. A control bus is used by the CPU to communicate with other
devices within the computer system. For example, if one tries to save a file to
a flash drive that is already removed from the computer, the computer will
notify the user with an error message saying that the folder or drive where the
file is intended to be saved is no longer existing.

2.2.4 How Computers Connect to Other Computers

The next step is knowing how a computer is able to connect to other devices is to
understand how a computer connects to another computer. Earlier, computer
peripherals using wired or wireless connections are mentioned. It is also similar
when a computer wants to connect to another computer—with or without wires.

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Computer Networks System

Computers are able to communicate with one another over networks. A computer
network is an interconnection of two or more computers. Below are some of the
computer network systems:

 Personal area network (PAN) – is a type of connection

which is often limited to an individual person and
his or her personal device. Normally, these devices
must be within the range of 10 meters with each
other.

 Local area network (LAN) – is a connection in which a

group of computers and other devices, such as
network printers, share a common communications
line within a certain area such as a building or a small
campus. This is done through a computer server in
which user’s access may be restricted to avoid
unwanted users.

 Wide area network (WAN) – may be less restrictive than

LAN as rules and policies may differ within its
coverage. A WAN may be made of several LANs and
PANs. A WAN can also be made up of several more
WANs. This is why WAN is considered synonymous
to the internet.

Methods of Communication

Connections are often categorized generally into two – wired communication and
wireless communication.

 Wired communication
Different types of cables are used to connect to a given network. There are
coaxial cables, fiber-optic cables, Ethernet cables, and traditional telephone
lines.

Computer systems have different connections which usually depend on

the motherboards from factor. Popular wired connections nowadays include
the following.

USB Universal Serial Bus (USB) is a connection or

interface that allows the computer to
communicate with system peripherals such as
keyboard, mouse, printer, etc. as well as other
devices like digital cameras and portable fans

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FireWire It is type of connector that can transmit data to

and from devices which have typical high data
rates, such as external hard drives. The transfer
speed of a FireWire is faster than that of a USB.

Ethernet An Ethernet cable transmits signals between a

cable computer and network devices such as a router,
switch, or other computers.

HDMI High-definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)

is a connector for transmitting audio/video
data which are compatible to computers,
projectors, and digital televisions.

Older computer units have connections that include the following:

VGA The 15-pin Video Graphics Array (VGA)

connector has been provided on many video
cards, computer monitors, laptop computers,
and projectors. It is now slowly being phased
out in favor of the faster and more compact
HDMI connector.

Serial An RS-232 serial connection was once a

standard feature of a personal computer used
for connections to modem, printer, mouse,
and other peripheral devices. Now, it has
been replaced by USB connections.

Parallel Similar to the serial connection, parallel

connections were used before to connect other
computer peripherals such as printers. It has
also been replaced since then by the USB
connections.

PS/2 The PS/2 is a 6-pin connector used to connect

the mouse and keyboard to a computer. It is
color-coded to identify which peripheral will
be connected to which port. Purple is for
keyboard and green is for the mouse.

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The audio jacks are the 3.5 mm jacks used for

Audio microphones (as inputs), and speakers (as
jacks out). It uses color codes as well to indicate the
type of input and output lines.

Pink: Mic in
Blue: Line in
Green: Front speakers out
Black (or dark blue in some older boards):
Rear speakers out
Orange: Center/subwoofer out
Gray: Middle speakers out

These connections are now being replaced by

USB and HDMI connections

 Wireless communication
Wireless communication includes microwave transmission, satellite
communication, cellular transmission, and radio transmission such as WiFi
connectivity.
a. Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi uses radio waves to wirelessly transmit information across a
network. Wi-Fi’s signals are transmitted in frequencies of between 2.5
and 5 gigahertz (GHz), which are higher than radio and TV signals to
avoid interference.
b. Bluetooth
Bluetooth uses radio waves to connect to other devices. The
connection via Bluetooth is called pairing. Once paired, devices are able
to send and receive information provided they are within a given range
which is typically 10 meters.

2.2.5 How Humans Communicate with Computers

Reading a long strip of 0’s and 1’s can be very confusing and taxing. As such,
people who invented the computer identified two areas in computer systems –
computer hardware and computer software. Through computer software, humans are
able to “communicate” with the computer.

Computer Software

The computer software is a combination of instructions, data, and programs that

the computer needs in order to do a specific task. Another term used for computer
software is computer programs. Programs are set of codes or instructions which are
usually designed or written by computer programmers using a specific
programming language.

Programmers have developed two types of computer software – the system

software and the application software.
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a. Application software (e.g. typing an assignment using Microsoft Word, editing a

photo using Adobe Photoshop).
b. System software is also called an operating system (OS). It is the most important
software running on a computer since it manages the computer’s memory and
instructions and has the ability to control all the connected hardware and
installed software applications. Two of the most popular desktop system
software or OS nowadays are Microsoft’s Windows and Apple’s macOS.

System Platforms

Desktop systems differ from mobile systems in terms of how each platforms treats
the application software installed in the system. A desktop or a laptop computer
usually needs an application program to run a certain application on it, or possibly,
multiple ones at the same time. A typical example is that of a web browser capable
of running multiple web sites with different ‘applications” all at the same time. A
web browser is considered to be an application software. However, this scenario is
typically played within a desktop platform.

Using a smartphone in accessing the same websites is a different experience.

Instead of using a web browser to access all three websites, mobile applications are
used. Mobile applications have the capacity to run directly on top of the operating
system without using web browsers. Facebook, YouTube, and Gmail are typical
examples of desktop applications that have mobile counterparts.

2.3 References

Caoili-Tayuan, R., Eleazar, M., (2019). Living in the Information Technology Era. C & E
Publishing, Inc.

2.4 Assessment/Activities

See assessment/activities below.

Note: If you have queries regarding the module, feel free to send your message thru the
following:

Instructor: Carla Mae C. Pomentil, LPT

Messenger: Carla Criz Pomentil
Gmail: carlacrizpomentil@gmail.com

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Name: Course/Year/Sec:

Subject Title: Subject Code:

 Unit 2: Activity 1

Directions: Identify the application program type of the following software below by
choosing from the box and writing the letter of your choice on the space provided before
the number.

A. Word Processing Software F. Enterprise Software

B. Database Software G. Information Worker Software
C. Spreadsheet Software H. Educational Software
D. Multimedia Software I. Simulation Software
E. Presentation Software J. Application Suites

_______ 1. Microsoft Word _______ 11. Keynote

_______ 2. Microsoft Office _______ 12. Apple Number

_______ 3. Media Player _______ 13. Documentation tools

_______ 4. Microsoft Excel _______ 14. Google Classroom

_______ 5. Oracle _______ 15. Prezi

_______ 6. WordPad _______ 16. SimScale

_______ 7. PowerPoint _______ 17. Microsoft 365

_______ 8. OpenOffice _______ 18. CRM software

_______ 9. Google Earth _______ 19. Zoom

_______ 10. Merriam Webster Dictionary _______ 20. CapCut

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Name: Course/Year/Sec:

Subject Title: Subject Code:

 Unit 2: Activity 2

Directions: Search online for an application that has both a web version and a mobile
version. Compare and contrast the versions in terms of content, layout, and design.
Create an infographics highlighting the differences between the two. Use the space
below.

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