Chapter 1 Introduction to

Computers

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 Chapter 1 Objectives
1. Recognize the importance of
computer literacy
2. Define the computer and identify the major
components of a computer
3. Discuss the uses of the Internet and World Wide
Web
4. Identify the categories of software

5. Identify and describe the categories of

computers

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 A World of Computers
• What is computer literacy?
– Knowledge and understanding
of computers and their uses
– Computers are everywhere

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p. 2 - 3 Fig. 1-1
 What Is a Computer?
•How is a computer defined?

Before answering this question ask yourself what you use a

computer for? List why you use a computer.
1. __________ 2. __________ 3.__________ 4. _________

Regardless of what you have in your list you should notice that you
are asking the computer to produce __________ for you by firstly
providing it with __________.

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 What Is a Computer?
•Pick from below
•By providing the computer with ________ the
computer will __________ it into __________ and
__________ for future use.
1. Information – Data which has been processed, is meaningful and useful.

2. Storage – Location in which data, instructions are held for future use e.g. usb flash drive

3. Processing – Manipulate, change or organise data to be useful or add more meaning then the
data itself

4. Data – Raw facts, figures, symbols. Data by itself has very little meaning.

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 What Is a Computer?
•How is a computer defined?
•Now by understanding what a computer does it should make
sense that a computer can be defined as:

•Answer:

•Now that we understand and have the correct definition of what

a computer is lets look at what makes up a computer.

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 The Components of a Computer
• What is an input device?
 Hardware used
to enter data
and instructions
• Can you identify
the input devices?
(hint : 6 input
devices)

Click to view Web Link,

click Chapter 1, Click Web Link
from left navigation,
then click Input Devices
below Chapter 1
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p. 6 Fig. 1-3
 The Components of a Computer
• What is an output device?
 Hardware that
conveys
information
to one or more
people

• Can you identify

the output
devices?
(hint: 3 output
Click to view Web Link,

from left navigation,devices)

click Chapter 1, Click Web Link

then click Output Devices

below Chapter 1
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p. 7 Fig. 1-3
•
The Components of a Computer
What are two main components on the motherboard and what do they do?
1. __________

2. __________

• To find out what a motherboard is click on the following link motherboard

• Once you understand what a motherboard is open a browser and look for a
picture of the motherboard.

• Answer the above question

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 The Components of a Computer
• What is storage?
– Holds data, instructions, and information
for future use

What is the difference between

1. storage device

2. storage media

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 The Components of a Computer
• What is the system unit?
 Box-like case
containing
electronic
components
used to process

All the components

discussed so far can be
contained within this box
like case

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 What Is a Computer?
•What is the information processing cycle?
•The information system is how a computer works, now we understand
inputs, outputs processing, storage and communication.

•Draw a diagram to show how it all fits together – once the computer
receives the input where does it go from there… and so on

•The diagram could look something like:

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 Networks and the Internet
 Computers are very useful by themselves but when you connect with other computers
they become even more useful.

 A network is termed as a collection of computers and devices connected together

 They become more useful in this way because they save time and money by:
 Sharing resources such as:
 Explain why the following is useful

 Hardware devices

 Software programs

 Data / information

 Provide communication

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 Networks and the Internet
• What is the Internet?
– Worldwide collection of networks that connects
millions of businesses, government agencies, educational institutions,
and individuals

If you are
connected to
the internet,
your
computer is
part of the
internet
Click to view Web Link,
click Chapter 1, Click Web Link
from left navigation,
then click Internet
below Chapter 1
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p. 8 Fig. 1-6
 Networks
•Answer the following
and the Internet
questions about the web
•What is the Web?

•What is a website?

•What is a web page?

•What is a blog?

•What is a podcast?

•Photo sharing
community?

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 Computer Software
• What is software? • Another Name for software?

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•
Computer Software
There are 3 main types of software

1. __________ Program that coordinates all activities among computer

hardware devices and allows users to run application software

2. __________ Allows the users to perform maintenance-type tasks usually

related to managing a computer, its devices or its programs

3. __________ Programs that perform specific tasks / real world tasks for
users

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 Computer Software
•Identify the type of program / software the following are

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 Computer Software
•A group of software that works together is given special
name, it is called system software
– System software is programs that control or maintain the operations
of the computer and its devices

System software is a group of software which includes __________ and

__________

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 Computer Software
• There are two general types of computer users.

1. __________ Writes the instructions or programs that

tell the computer what to do

2. __________ Use the computer programs

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 Advantages and Disadvantages
of Using Computers
• Discussion Questions
• In this lecture we have discussed various components and
uses of a computer.
1. List and explain some advantages for using a computer?
Be sure to provide examples for each

2. List and explain some disadvantages for using a computer?

Be sure to provide examples for each

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