Technology Design 6, 7, & 8

Basics of Computer Hardware,

Software, Peripherals,
& Information Processing
Mr. King
Fall 2015
Slide 1

Applying Computer Basics

Computer: a machine that follows a set
of instructions and makes calculations
Computers can: guide telescopes,
control lighting, air conditioning, security
systems, make calls, store phone
numbers, sent text messages, share
music & video, play games, run
programs, animate movies
Lesson 1

Slide 2

Sizing up Hardware
Hardware: all parts of a computer you can
touch with your hands
Microprocessors: a
small circuit board
inside a computer that
controls all the work a
computer does; the
brains of the computer
Digital: microprocessors calculate with 0s
& 1s called binary code. (01011101)
Lesson 1

Slide 3

DigiTools
Short for "digital communication tools"
Computers of all types are called DigiTools
Also called digital devices, electronic devices,
and consumer electronics

Personal Computers
Personal Computer (PC): designed for
individual use multimedia desktop, laptop,
tablet

CPU: Central Processing Unit

microprocessor
Lesson 1

Slide 5

Hardware

Motherboard - the main electronic board

that connects the parts of the computer
including the CPU, the RAM, the disk drives
(CD, DVD, or hard disk) as well as any
peripherals via expansion card slots.

Hardware

RAM - Random-access memory is a

form of data storage memory directly
usable by a CPU.
Expansion cards - a circuit board that
can be inserted into a motherboard to
connect peripherals.
Slide 7

Hardware
Optical disc drive - a storage device
that uses laser light such as with CD
players, DVD players and DVD
recorders.
Hard disk drive - a data storage
device used for storing and retrieving
digital information using rapidly rotating
fixed disks.
Slide 8

Peripherals

Peripherals: devices that work with a

computer
Printers, video cameras, overhead
projector, scanners, and headsets (speech
recognition)
Slide 9

Hardware & Peripherals

Monitor - an electronic visual display
for a computer.
Mouse - a pointing device that controls
the motion of cursor on computer
monitor.
Keyboard - a typewriter-style letter,
number and symbol input device for
computer.
Slide 10

Software
Software: Instructions computers need to
work properly. Three types:
1. Operating system (OS)
Controls communication with hardware.
Controls interaction with user.
Examples: Windows XP, NT, RT, Windows 7,
Windows 10, Windows Vista, Mac iOS 6, Mac
OS X Mountain Lion
Lesson 1

Slide 11

Software
Software continued:
2. Application
Allows you to complete a specific task
Generally installed on a local computer
Examples: Word, Excel, PowerPoint

3. Online web-based
Also lets you complete specific tasks
Runs over the Internet inside a web browser
Examples: Google Sites, AlfaTyping, Survey
Monkey, Edmodo, Prezi
Lesson 1

Slide 12

Information Processing
Information Processing: interaction
with computers using a 5-step process
Putting data into forms we can use &
understand.
Steps: Input, Processing, Output,
Distribution, Storage.

Data: words, pictures, numbers

Lesson 1

Slide 13

5 Steps of Information Processing

Lesson 1

Slide 14