ICT APPLICATIONS FOR TEACHING



COMPUTER

• a machine that performs tasks, such as calculations or electronic communication, under the control of a set of instructions called a program. Programs usually reside within the computer and are retrieved and processed by the computer's electronics.

• it is a machine that can accept data and process it through a series of commands into a meaningful information for reproduction and storage

Data: a collection of independent raw facts

Examples: text, numbers, audio, video, etc.

Information: processed data made meaningful based on the needs of the user

The Data Processing Cycle

Source USER

DATA INFORMATION

FEEDBACK/CONTROL

ELEMENTS OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM

I. DATAWARE – Source of data

II. HARDWARE

- refers to the physical component of the computer system.

It consists of the following parts:

1. Input Devices – devices that can accept data and translate it into digital signals understandable by the computers

Examples:

a) Keyboard – it has alphabetic, numeric and function keys for the entry of data

b) Mouse – a handheld pointing device. It controls the pointer on the screen

c) Trackball – similar to mouse but the ball is the one directly moved to control the movement of the pointer

d) Joystick – a pointing device with a base and a vertical handle that pivots in all directions. Usually used in playing computer games

e) Touch Screen – is a display screen that allows users to interact with the system by touching specific areas on the screen.

f) Light Pen – is a sensitive stylus or pen device that is used by engineers, illustrators and graphics designers. it serves as a virtual pen that allows freehand drawing.

g) Graphics Tablet or digitizing tablet – connected by a wire to a light pen through which the user can sketch images.

h) Scanning Device – translates images of text, photo and other graphics into digital form.

i) Handheld Scanner- translates bar code symbols into digital form.

j) Digital Camera – capture images in electronic form for immediate viewing on a computer screen or TV.

k) Video converters – transform video or films into digital form

l) Sensor – collects specific kinds of data from the environment and converts these into computer readable data.

m) Microphone – inputs sounds/audio

2. System Case & processing components – where all computer processing takes place.

Basic Components:

• Motherboard

• Interface cards

• CPU – central processing unit

• ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)

• Control Unit – directs and coordinates the operations of the entire computer

• Buses – are bundles of tiny wires that serve as the communication path between components of the CPU.

• Registers – it function as fast-accessed temporary memory locations

3. Storage Devices

• Primary Storage where instructions and data are stored while processing is done.

ROM - Read-Only Memory

RAM - Random Access Memory

• Secondary Storage - where data are stored permanently. It is outside the primary storage and serves just like a filing cabinet

Examples:

• Floppy Disks

• Optical Disks

• Thumb Drive

4. Output Devices – produces the result of the processed data. Output date represented by bits inside the computer's memory is translated into a form readable to the user.

Examples:

a) Monitor – display images using grids of dots called pixels.

b) Printer – The digital equivalent of the information displayed on the monitor are transferred or printed on paper.

c) Plotter – large printers; used to produce high quality drawings

d) Speakers – produce sound output from the computer

e) Picture Phone – the newer version of a telephone with a TV-like screen and a built-in camera that allows you to see the person you are exchanging messages with.

III. SOFTWARE – the set of instructions or programs that are used to run the computer hardware.

a) Systems Software – refers to the programs supplied by computer manufacturers that contribute to the efficiency and ease of operating the computer.

It includes:

• Language Processors/ Translators – are programs that translate high-level language programs into object code.

• Utility Programs – are system software service programs that help the operating system efficiently manage files and do housekeeping functions.

• Operating Systems – a set of programs which controls and coordinates the whole operation of the computer system. It acts as the computers internal government, controller and resource manager. It is the first program loaded in memory to ensure the convenience of the user and the efficiency of the computer system. Examples: Windows family, Edubuntu, Fedora, etc.

b) Application Software – programs that help solve and meet users problems and needs directly. They are programmed to perform specific functions which make daily activities easier and facilitate the performance of work efficiently and effectively.

Examples:

• Word Processors

• Electronic Spreadsheets

• Slide Presentations

• Database Mgt Systems

• Multimedia and Image Editing Systems

• Entertainment SW

• Engineering Tools

• Network and Communications SW

IV. PEOPLEWARE – the people who uses computers

• Administration

• Project Manager

• Systems Analyst/Designer

• Network Engineer

• Network Administrator

• Database Administrator

• Computer Engineer

• Computer Programmer

• Computer Operator/ User/ Data Encoder

• and others

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INPUT

PROCESS

OUTPUT

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