COMPUTER 121 (Information and Communications Technology) Information and Communications Technology (ICT) has become, within a very

short time, one of the basic building blocks of modern society. Many countries now regard understanding ICT and mastering the basic skills and concepts of ICT as part of the core of education, along side reading, writing and numeracy. AIM: UNESCO aims to ensure that all countries, both developed and developing, have access to the best educational facilities necessary to prepare young people to play full roles in the modern society and to contribute to a knowledge nation. Information & Communications Technology , or ICT, is defined as the combination of informatics technology and other related technologies, specifically communications technology. Informatics (as defined by UNESCO) as the science dealing with the design, realization, evaluation, use and maintenance of information processing systems, including hardware, software, organizational and human aspects, and the industrial, commercial, governmental and political implications of these. The definition ICT implies the use, application and the integration of these activities of working and learning on the basis of conceptual understanding and methods of informatics. COMPUTER ETHICS & CYBER LAW Ethics in General A guideline is needed to stop the current technology products from being exploited for example replicating original CDs and selling them as pirated software, this unethical behaviour can be controlled by the code of conducts. Unethical refers to any code of conducts that are conforming to approved standards of social professional behaviour. Computer ethics is a system of moral standards or values used as guideline for computer users. Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics The United States Institute of Computer Ethics has come out with the ten commandments of computer ethics. These principles consider the effective code of conducts for the proper use of information technology. The ten commandments of computer ethics are: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. You shall not use a computer to harm other people. You shall not interfere with other peoples computer work. You shall not snoop around in other peoples computer files. You shall not use a computer to steal. You shall not use a computer to bear false witness. You shall not copy or use propriety software for which you have not paid.

7. You shall not use other peoples authorization or proper compensation.

computer

resources

without

8. You shall not appropriate other peoples intellectual output. 9. You shall not think about the social consequences of the program you are writing or the system you are designing. 10. You shall not always use a computer in ways that ensure consideration and respect for your fellow human. Unethical Computer Code of Conduct With the advancement of ICT, it is easy for anyone to retrieve your information from the Internet. You may not realize that when you fill a form on the Internet, your information maybe exposed and stolen. Examples: 1. Modifying certain information on the Internet, affecting the accuracy of the information. 2. Selling information to other parties without the owners permission. 3. Using information without authorization. 4. Involvement in stealing software. 5. Invasion of privacy. ROLE OF ICT IN EDUCATION - plays an important role in education especially in the process of empowering the technology into the educational activities. - technology (internet) can be the most effective way to increase the students knowledge. * The aim and objectives of ICT implementation in Education 1. To implement the principle of life-long learning/education. 2. To increase a variety of educational services and medium/method. 3. To promote equal opportunities to obtain education and information. 4. To develop a system of collecting and disseminating educational information. 5. To promote technology literacy of all citizens, especially for students. 6. To develop distance education with national contents. 7. To promote the culture of learning at school (development of learning skills, expansion of optional education, open source of education, etc) 8. To support schools in sharing experience and information with others. Measurements to assess the level of computer literacy: Awareness Knowledge Interaction What is COMPUTER? An electronic device that can receive a set of instructions, or program, and then carry out these instructions by performing calculations on numerical data or by compiling and correlating other forms of information.

An advanced electronic device that takes raw data as input from the user and processes these data under the control of set of instructions (called program) and gives the result (output) and saves output for the future use. It can process both numerical and non-numerical (arithmetic and logical) calculations. - An electronic device that can accept data, process these data according to a pre-stored set of instructions and produce meaningful information. Computer Functions: Input is the raw data/information entered into a computer from the input devices. It is a collection of letters, numbers, images, etc. Process is the operation of data as per given instruction. It is totally internal process of computer system. Output is the processed data given by computer after data processing. Output is also called as Result. Storage is where we are going to save our output/result for future use. Illustration: COMPUTER SYSTEM = + +

Hardware

Software

User

What a computer can do? 1. The computer has the ability to perform arithmetic operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. 2. The computer can also perform logical operations like determining which among a set of values is equal to, greater than or less than the other. 3. The computer has the ability to store and consequently retrieve information. 4. The computer can process information at very high speed. 5. It can do the same work over and over without getting tried or making any mistakes. 6. The computer can direct itself in a pre-determined manner (program) without human intervention. What a computer cannot do? 1. Computers cannot think for you. A computer merely takes instructions from the human and performs it accordingly no more no less. GIGO (garbage in garbage out) 2. The computer cannot determine for itself whether data are correct or not.

3. The computer being a machine is also vulnerable to breakdown. MODERN COMPUTERS 1. MAINFRAME the largest and the most powerful computer consisting of rows of different units performing different functions. 2. MINI COMPUTER generally used for one particular job, such as accounting or storing information for bank or library. 3. MICROCOMPUTER (PC) the smallest and the least powerful computer commonly used as stand alone in the offices or at home and the school. Small enough to fit on a desk. 4. PORTABLE COMPUTERS e.g. laptops, notebooks, and palmtops that emulate the capabilities of the micro computers. USES OF COMPUTER The uses of computers can be classified into six (6) general categories: 1. PERSONAL COMPUTING the small computers called microcomputers can be controlled by a single person, thus the term personal computing. 2. INFORMATION SYSTEM computers are used to support administrative aspects of an organization. 3. EDUCATION computers can interact with students to enhance the learning process. 4. SCIENCE AND RESEARCH engineers and scientists use computers as a tool in experimentation and design. 5. MEDICINE computers are used in medicine to monitor critical inputs, such as blood pressure and flow. Tiny computer chips are also embedded in artificial hearts to allow doctors to keep track of the patients health. 6. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE this is a general area of research where researchers are working to expand the computers capabilities to imitate human intelligence. COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER Hardware the physical components that makes up a computer. - computer components which can be touched. - designed and built by engineer. Software simply the computer programs. - the instructions given to the computer in the form of a program. - all programs used in computer to perform specific task. - developed by programmers. 3 FUNDAMENTAL ELEMENTS OF A COMPUTER

1. System Unit 2. Output Device 3. Input Device SYSTEM UNIT the core of a computer that is responsible for processing and storing and controls all computer functions. This is where data is processed into information.

System Case is a plastic and metal box that houses components such as the motherboard, disk drives and power supply unit. System Case Types a. Desktop Case is designed to sit horizontally on a surface, so that it is wider than it is long. b. Tower Case designed to sit vertically on a surface so that it is higher than it is wide. Parts of the Case 1. Cover which is removed by either undoing the screws at the back or pressing together clips that release it. 2. Front Panel provides access to the following: a. Power on/off button b. Reset switch c. Power light or LED (Light Emitting Diode) d. Floppy and CD/DVD driver/writer e. USB ports (universal serial bus) 3. Rear panel has slots through which interface card connectors appear. These slots should either be covered by an interface card or a metal strip known as a blanking plate. Power supply unit, expansion card, and external ports can be accessed through the rear panel of the case. MOTHERBOARD the most important component of your computer. - every other components connects to the motherboard. - the largest board of the computer system. - holds the computers circuitry and components. The motherboard contains the CPU (Central Processing Unit), BIOS (Basic Input Output System), memory mass storage, interfaces, serial and parallel ports, expansion slots, and all the controllers required to control standard peripheral devices such as the display screen, keyboard, mouse and disk drive. Collectively, all these chips that reside on the motherboard are known as the motherboard chipset. CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the device that interprets and executes instructions. - Has the ability to fetch, decode and execute instructions and transfer information to and from other resources over the computers main data-transfer, the bus.

Controls all internal and external devices, performs arithmetic and logic operations. Determines how fast your computer will run and is measured by MHz/GHz speed. Also called the processor. Brain of the computer.

Expansion Card is circuit board that lets you add a new feature to a computer. - Is also usually called expansion board. Types of Expansion Card Sound Card Modem Card LAN Card Video Captured Card STORAGE DEVICE 2 Fundamental Types of Memory Main memory Secondary memory Main Memory Very closely connected to the processor. The contents are quickly and easily changed. Holds the program and data that the processor is actively working with. Interacts with the processor millions of times per second. Where programs and data are kept when the processor is actively using them. Sometimes called RAM(Random Access Memory). Programs and data stored are volatile.

3 Classes of Memory Chips Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) Extended Data Out (EDO RAM) Synchronous Dynamic (SDRAM) ROM Read Only Memory - As the name suggests is a special type of memory chip that holds software that can be read but not written to. A good example is the ROM-BIOS chip, which contains readonly software. Often network cards and video cards also contain ROM chips. Secondary Memory Connected to main memory through the bus and a controller. The contents are easily changed, but this is very slow compared to main memory. Used for long term storage of programs and data. The processor only occasionally interacts with secondary memory. Where programs and data are kept on a long-term basis.

Hard Disk the primary device that a computer uses to store information, data and program files. Types of Hard Disk in PC: 1. Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE). These types of drives are also known as Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment (PATA) and Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics (EIDE) drives. The labels relate to the type of interface that is employed to connect the disk drive to the CPU board. These drives utilize either a 40 or a 80 wire cable with a broad 40-pin connector. 40 wire cables are utilized in older and slower hard disks, whereas 80 wire cables are used in faster ones. Nowadays, these types of hard disks are being substituted by SATA hard disks. 2. Serial ATA (SATA). These hard disks use a totally different connector than their PATA counterparts. Moreover, they also employ a different power adapter than IDE ones, though adapters are easily attainable. The main difference between a SATA and a PATA hard disk is that the former is thinner and purportedly have a faster data interface than the latter. Nevertheless, this speed dissimilarity is not distinguishable in PATA and SATA drives which have the same rpm rating. SATA drives are more efficient, and use less power than PATA ones.

3. Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) . These hard disks are similar to IDE hard drives. They also spin at a higher rate in comparison to IDE and SATA ones. IDE and SATA drives generally spin at 7,200 rpm, whereas SCSI ones spin at 10,000 to 15,000rpm. 4. Solid State Drives (SSD). These hard disks, unlike the other types, don't consist of moving components. Typical hard drives comprise of a spinning magnetic disk that performs the function of data storage, but SSDs use semiconductors for this purpose. Since there are no moving components, these hard disks are much faster and less likely to break down than other drives. However, their price is a bit more than other hard disks. Other Examples of Secondary Memory Floppy disks (comes in 3.5 and 5.25 inches disks) Optical disk (CDR/CDRW and DVDR/DVDRW) Zip disk Pen drive/Mobile drive/Flash drive Memory cards/sticks External hard disk How Computer Memory is Measured Bit all computers work on a binary numbering system, i.e., they process data in ones or zeros. This 1 or 0 level of storage is called a bit. Byte the smallest unit of storage which consists of eight bits. Kilobyte one thousand bytes. Megabyte one million bytes. Gigabyte one billion bytes. Terabyte one trillion bytes.

OUTPUT DEVICE is any peripheral device that presents, displays, alters and records output after it has left a computers system unit. - Data can appear in various forms such as graphics, laser light, sound or text. Examples of Output Device *Monitor the most popular output device. It receives signal from a video card inside of the computer and gives the user a graphical or textual display. Monitor size is measured in diagonal inches, modern ones commonly are 23. Types of monitor: CRT Cathode Ray Tube LCD Liquid Crystal Display TFT Thin Film Transistor *Printer create images on paper, plastic, cloth and other print materials/media using technologies like ink transfer, heat transfer, chemical reactions and physical force. Computer output tells printers what images, text or designs to print. Types of Printers 1. Laser Printers uses toner and internal laser to print. 2. Inkjet/Bubble jet Printer uses ink. 3. Dot Matrix Printer uses computer ribbon. * Plotter an output device similar to a printer, but normally allows you to print larger images. * Speaker convert output data into sound. INPUT DEVICE is any peripheral appliance that generates input for the computer and allows users to enter information into the computer to be processed. - Are the pathways through which information enters a computers system unit. Examples of Input Device *Keyboard the keys on computer keyboard are classified as follows: a. alphanumeric keys b. punctuation keys c. special keys QWERTY slow typist DVORAK speed typing *Mouse invented by Douglas Engelbart of Standford Rsearch Center in 1963. Mouse Connectors: a. Serial Mouse b. USB (Universal Serial Bus)

c. PS/2 *Scanner takes in an optical image and digitizes it into an electronic image represented as binary data. Kinds of Scanner: a. handheld scanner b. flatbed scanner c. paper feed scanner d. drum scanner * Touch Pads a device that lays on the desktop and responds to pressure. *Graphic/Digitizing Tablet this is connected by a wire to a light pen through which the user can sketch images. *Light pen used to allow users to point to areas on a screen. *Joystick- is a pointing device with a base and a vertical handle that pivots in all directions. This is usually used in playing computer games. Other Input Device Digital/web camera Track ball Bar code reader Microphone Biometric device

SOFTWARE *Subdivision by cost Freeware software which is completely costless. The producers of this software are either public institutions such as universities, or developers who do it for personal interest or advertisement or private company who do it for dumping reasons. Shareware software which is initially costless but after a certain period the user is asked to pay a fee or delete it; or software which has two versions: a free one, but incomplete or with advertisement banners, and a complete advertisement- free one, for which user must pay. The most common example is WinZip compression program. Commercial software for which the user has to pay a license to use it. Private software uniquely built, under payment, for a specific customer to fit his needs. Only the customer may use it. *Subdivision by permission Open source software may be modified by anyone, sometimes under certain restriction. The software developers at the same time legally authorize any modifications and they distribute the source of the software to put other developers in a condition to easily modify it. Open source software is also freeware. Proprietary software is distributed with the explicit legal warning not to modify it and technically locked t prevent other developers to see or modify its sources.

*Categories of Software System Software Operating system software Utility software Application Software Package software Tailored or Custom software System Software performs tasks necessary to the efficient management of the hardware. - It refers to computer programs or library files whose purpose is to help run the computer system. Operating system is a special type of program that loads automatically when you start your computer. Allows you to use the advanced features of a modern computer without having to learn all the details of how the hardware works. A set of programs which controls and coordinates the whole operation of the computer system.

List of some of the functions of the OS: 1. Boot up the computer. 2. Control the hard drives: This includes such features as formatting and defragmenting disks as well as saving files to and retrieving files from disks. 3. Control input devices. 4. Control output devices. 5. Control the external ports. Ports are the external connections that enable peripheral devices to be connected to a computer. Common types of ports are serial, parallel, USB and firewire. 6. Provide the functionality for computers to be linked in a network. 7. Provide the foundation for application software to be launched. 8. Enable application software to access and use the hardware. Utility software are system software service programs that help the operating system efficiently manage files and do housekeeping functions. These includes programs for data back-up data recovery, virus protection, data compression, data security and file fragmentation. Application Software is the type of program that you use once the operating system has been loaded. - Are programs that help solve and meet user problems and needs directly. They are designed to perform specific functions, which make daily activities easier and facilitate the performance of work efficiently and effectively. Package software is the kind of off-the-shelf program developed for sale to the general public. Examples are: MS Office (MS Word, MS Excel, MS Powerpoint), Macromedia (Dreamweaver, Flash, Freehand), Adobe (Pagemaker, PhotoShop)

Tailored or Custom software software designed for a particular customer. In this case, we need to hire a computer programmer or software creator to develop a software for the customer. Examples are : SAGE (Accounting), Galileo/Worldspan (Travel) etc. COMPUTER TERMS AND DEFINITIONS

1. FILE is a collection of text and data saved under a unique name. 2. ICONS are small graphic images that appear on your desktop or within a program. It may represent a file, folder, command, program or web page. 3. BUTTONS are 3-D control on the screen that looks like it is pushed when you click on it. 4. BOOT the process of starting up a computer. 5. RE-BOOT the process of re-starting your computer. 6. COLD BOOT turning off the computer and turning it on again or using the reset button. 7. DEFAULT an original factory setting. 8. DRIVER a software that assists your computer in using specific device, such as, printers and scanners. 9. DIALOG BOX - a window in which you provide an information to a program. 10. DOCUMENT a file you create when you save your work in a computer. 11. DISK DRIVE a hardware in which you store files, a letter was assigned in every device, the first hard disk is usually labelled drive C. 12. DESKTOP the workspace on the computer screen. Icons and shortcuts to your favorite programs, documents and printer can be added to the desktop for easy access. 13. WALLPAPER background of desktop. A graphical images that can be acquired through the use of a scanner or a digital camera.
APPLICATIONS SOFTWARE Application Word Processor Brand name Openoffice.org Writer Star Writer, Kword Microsoft Word Lotus Ami Pro Corel, WordPerfect Openoffice.org Function Create, store, format and edit documents, letters and articles. Word processor are used where the emphasis is on manipulation of text.

Spreadsheet

Create financial and numerical analysis of

Calc Star Calc, Kspread Microsoft Excel Quattro Pro Lotus 123 Presentation Openoffice.org Impress StarImpress KPresenter Microsoft Powerpoint Sybase, MySQL Microsoft Access

data, make forecasts based on numeric data. Spreadsheets are used where the emphasis is on arithmetic.

Create slide shows, lectures, seminars and other types of presentation.

Database

Store and convert data into information. Databases are particularly useful in working with large quantities of data. Send, receive, electronic mail. store and organize

Email Client

Evolution, KMail Microsoft Outlook Mozilla, Netscape Microsoft Internet Explorer Microsoft Publisher Page Maker

Web Browser

Surf the internet and view websites.

Desktop Publishing (DTP)

DTP is similar to word processing except that there is more emphasis on page layout and integration of diagrams. Store accounting information and produce reports, statements and invoices. Create web sites that can be read by a browser. Create and manipulate graphics images and store images in a variety of formats.

Accounting

GnuCash Pastel Accounting Dreamweaver Microsoft Frontpage and The GIMP Adobe Photoshop

Web Development Graphics Imaging

GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE GUI is designed to simplify the work of the user whether they are using the operating system or an application package. Advantages: 1. Less work for the user. To execute a function all you have to do is point and click on an icon instead of typing out an instruction. 2. Quicker to learn. 3. Easy access to the basic functionality of the operating system or application package. 4. Hides the underlying complexity from the user. 5. Simplifies and integrates multitasking. Multitasking refers to using several applications at the same time. Opening a new application or document

involves a couple of mouse clicks. Likewise switching between tasks also involves only a couple of mouse clicks.