TLE – CSS 10

Name: __________________________________ Date: _____________

Grade Level & Section:_____________________ Score: ____________

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET # 1

TITLE: Assemble Computer Hardware

WHAT IS A COMPUTER? A computer is a machine that changes information from one form into
another by performing four basic actions. Those actions are input, processing, output, and storage. Together,
these actions make up the information processing cycle. By following a set of instructions, called a program,
the computer turns raw data into organized information that people can use. Creation of usable information is
the primary benefit of computer technology. There are three kinds of computers:

Analog computers are almost extinct today. These are different from a digital computer because an
analog computer can perform several mathematical operations simultaneously. It uses continuous variables
for mathematical operations and utilizes mechanical or electrical energy. Think of the scales on a mercury
thermometer or on the gas gauge of a car.

Digital computers work with data that has a fixed value. They use data in digital, or number, form.
The computers that run programs for playing games or searching the internet are digital computers.

Hybrid Computers are a combination of both digital and analog computers. In this type of
computers, the digital segments perform process control by conversion of analog signals to digital ones.

Most computers are not just digital but binary, too. That is, they only recognize two possible values.
Think of a television’s power switch. It, too, is binary: The switch is either on or off. There are no other
possibilities. Computers break data into pieces called bits and give each bit a value of either 0 or 1. A byte is
a group of bits—usually 8. Using 8 bits in different combinations, each byte can represent a different value.
For example, one byte might be 00000000, another might be 01010101, and another might be 00110011.
There are 256 possible combinations!

CLASSIFICATIONS OF COMPUTER

Mainframe Computers Large organizations use mainframes for highly critical applications such as
bulk data processing and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). Most of the mainframe computers have the
capacities to host multiple operating systems and operate as a few virtual machines and can substitute for
several small servers.

Minicomputers In terms of size and processing capacity, minicomputers lie in between mainframes
and microcomputers. Minicomputers are also called mid-range systems or workstations. The term began to
be popularly used in the 1960s to refer to relatively smaller third generation computers.

Servers They are computers designed to provide services to client machines in a computer network.
They have larger storage capacities and powerful processors. Running on them are programs that serve
client requests and allocate resources like memory and time to client machines. Usually they are very large
in size, as they have large processors and many hard drives. They are designed to be fail-safe and resistant
to crash.

Supercomputers The highly calculation-intensive tasks can be effectively performed by means of

supercomputers. Quantum physics, mechanics, weather forecasting, molecular theory are best studied by
means of supercomputers. Their ability of parallel processing and their well-designed memory hierarchy give
the supercomputers, large transaction processing powers.

Microcomputers A computer with a microprocessor and its central processing unit it is known as a
microcomputer. They do not occupy space as much as mainframes do. When supplemented with a keyboard
and a mouse, microcomputers can be called personal computers. A monitor, a keyboard and other similar
input output devices, computer memory in the form of RAM and a power supply unit come packaged in a
microcomputer. These computers can fit on desks or tables and prove to be the best choice for single-user
tasks.
 COMPUTER HARDWARE

HARDWARE- physical, touchable, electronic and mechanical parts of a computer system.

A. System Unit- The main part of a microcomputer,

sometimes called the chassis. It includes the following parts:
Motherboard Microprocessor Memory Chips Buses Ports
Expansion Slots and Cards.

Motherboard / Mainboard / System Board - The main circuit board of a

computer. It contains all the circuits and components that run the computer.

CPU (Central Processing Unit) - The processor is the main “brain” or

“heart” of a computer system. It performs all the instructions and calculations
that are needed and manages the flow of information through a computer.

Primary storage (internal storage, main memory, or memory) is the

computer's working storage space that holds data, instructions for processing and processed data
(information) waiting to be sent to secondary storage. Physically, primary storage is a collection of RAM
chips.

Two (2) Types of Memory

ROM – (Read Only Memory) ROM is non-volatile, meaning it holds data

even when the power is ON or OFF.

RAM – (Random Access Memory) RAM is volatile, meaning it holds

data only when the power is on. When the power is off, RAM's contents are
lost.

Expansion Bus A bus is a data pathway between several hardware

components inside or outside a computer. It does not only connect the parts of
the CPU to each other, but also links the CPU with other important hardware.

Adapters Printed-circuit boards (also called interface cards) that

enable the computer to use a peripheral device for which it does not have the
necessary connections or circuit boards. They are often used to permit
upgrading to a new different hardware.

Power Supply Unit (PSU) Installed in the back corner of the PC

case, next to the motherboard. It converts 120vac (standard house power)
into DC voltages that are used by other components in the PC.

Hard Disk Drive (HDD) Also known as hard

drive, is a magnetic storage device that is installed inside the computer. The hard
drive is used as permanent storage for data. In a Windows computer, the hard drive is usually configured as
the C: drive and contains the operating system and applications.

Optical Drive An optical drive is a storage device that uses lasers to read
data on the optical media. There are three types of optical d rives: Compact Disc
(CD), Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) and Blu-ray Disc (BD) .

B. Input Devices - Accepts data and instructions from the user or from another computer system.

Keyboard - The first input device developed for the PC.

Data is transferred to the PC over a short cable with a circular 6-
pin Mini-din connector that plugs into the back of the motherboard.

Pointing Devices Mouse- The most

common 'pointing device' used in PCs. Every mouse has two buttons and most
have one or two scroll wheel s.

Touch screen - A display screen that is sensitive to the touch of a

finger or stylus. Used in myriad applications, including ATM machines, retail
point-of-sale terminals, car navigation and industrial controls. The touch
screen became wildly popular for smart phones and tablets.

Light Pen - A light-sensitive stylus wired to a video terminal used to draw

pictures or select menu options. The user brings the pen to the desired point on
screen and presses the pen button to make contact.

Digitizer Tablet -A graphics drawing tablet used for sketching new

images or tracing old ones. Also called a "graphics tablet," the user contacts
the surface of the device with a wired or wireless pen or puck. Often
mistakenly called a mouse, the puck is officially the "tablet cursor."

Scanning Devices - A device that can read text or illustrations printed on

paper and translates the information into a form the computer can use.

Voice- Input Devices - Audio input devices also

known as speech or voice recognition systems that allow a user to send audio signals to
a computer for processing, recording, or carrying out commands. Audio input devices
such as microphones allow users to speak to the computer in order to record a voice
message or navigate software.

C. Output Devices -Any piece of computer hardware that displays results after the computer has
processed the input data that has been entered.

Computer Display Monitor - It displays information in visual form, using text and graphics. The
portion of the monitor that displays the information is called the screen or video display terminal.

Types of Monitor
 1. CRT Monitor Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT) were the only type of displays for use with desktop PCs.
They are relatively big (14" to 16" deep) and heavy (over 15 lbs.).

2. LCD Monitor Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) technology has been used in laptops for some time. It
has recently been made commercially available as monitors for desktop PCs.

3. LED Monitor (Light Emitting Diode) - A display and lighting technology used in almost every
electrical and electronic product on the market, from a tiny on/off light to digital readouts, flashlights, traffic
lights and perimeter lighting.

LCD Projectors - utilize two sheets of polarizing material with a liquid

crystal solution between them. An electric current passed through the liquid
causes the crystals to align so that light cannot pass through them. Each crystal,
therefore, is like a shutter, either allowing light to pass through or blocking the
light.

Smart Board - A type of display screen that has a touch sensitive

transparent panel covering the screen, which is like a touch screen.

Printer - A device that prints text or illustrations on paper.

D. STORAGE DEVICE - any apparatus for recording computer data in a permanent or semi-
permanent form.

Types of storage devices

1. Floppy diskette

2. Compact disc (CD)

3. Digital Versatile Disc (DVD)

4. Jump drive and USB flash drive

5. Hard drive

6. LS-120

7. Zip drive

Learning Competencies: 1. Plan unit assembly to ensure OHS policies and procedures are followed in
accordance with systems requirements.
2. Prepare unit assembly to ensure OHS policies and procedures are followed in
accordance with systems requirements

EXERCISES
A. COMPONENT OF COMPUTER SYSTEM
Directions: Draw and label the different hardware of a computer. After drawing and labeling the hardware
components, group them into Input Devices, Output Devices and Storage Devices.
B. Directions: Complete each sentence with information from the chapter
1. A(n)____________________is a machine that changes information from one form into another.
2. ____________________ is a basic operation of computers.
3. Data and instructions in computers are coded with a(n) _______________ because computers only
understand two values.
4. The CPU uses ___________________ to hold data it is working on.
5. Data in RAM is __________________ when the computer is turned off.

C. Directions: Look at a real desktop computer. Create a five-column chart. In the first column, list all the
hardware that you can identify. In the remaining columns, put check whether each item is used for inputting,
processing, outputting, or storage.
LIST OF ALL INPUT PROCESSING OUTPUT STORAGE
HARDWARE

D. Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of paper.
1. Which of the following best describes the hard disk drive?
a. most expensive form of memory. c. volatile storage space in the computer system.
b. a stack of optical platters. d. sealed in a protective case.
2. How many types of memory are present in a computer?
a. ONE c. TWO
b. THREE d. FOUR
3.Which unit is responsible for accepting data and instructions from the user into computer understandable
format?
a. Memory c. Input device
b. CPU d. Output device
4. SD Card is a memory cards used in electronic equipment including digital cameras and cell phones. What
does SD stand for?
a. Secure Digital c. Scan Disk
b. Short Drive d. Slot Disk
5. When you buy a new computer, which of the following is most likely preinstalled on your computer?
a. operating system c. accounting program
b. database program d. spreadsheet program
6. All the statements below are true except one. Which one is false?
a. RAM keeps the programs and data that the CPU need to work with.
b. RAM is made of microchips.
c. RAM keeps its contents when the computer is off.
d. RAM stands for Random Access Memory.
7. What is the name of the circuit board that contained within the processor of computer?
a. CPU c. Chipboard
b. Microprocessor d. Motherboard
8. What drive usually represents the main hard drive?
a. A c. H
b. C d. F
9. ABC Inc. has a large science and research facility. They hope to improve their systems performance and
simulations, the types of computers they are using is _____.
a. Mainframe c. Supercomputer
b. Minicomputer d. Servers
10. The power supply provides power for_________.
a. both the parts in the computer and other c. computer peripherals.
peripherals. d. only motherboard
b. only parts in the computer.
11. Also known as the main circuit board where all the electronic parts of the computer are attached. What part
of system unit is being described?
a. CPU c. Motherboard
b. Graphics card d. RAM
12. When an application is opened on a computer it is loaded into what?
a. Hard drive c. RAM
b. CPU d. Motherboard
13. You were asked by your professor to burn the compilation of your hands-on activities. Which storage
device should you use?
a. Flash Drive c. Floppy Disk
b. Hard Disk d. Compact Disk
14. Hardware is a set of instructions called programs the computer uses to carry out tasks while Software are
all the parts of the computer you can see and touch and is also known as peripherals.
a. True
b. False.
c. Maybe
d. None
15. While working on your document, the mouse suddenly malfunctioned and you cannot select any
commands. What is the fastest way for you to be able to save file?
a. Click the File menu and select the SAVE command
b. Press ALT + F4 and discard the information
c. Press CTRL + S and troubleshoot problem
d. Reboot computer and rely on the auto-recovery feature of the Word

Reflection:

Today, something new that I learned was ________________________________.

I need to work on ___________________________________________________.

I need help with ____________________________________________________.

References:

TLE ICT CHS – LM pp. 37 - 53

Prepared by:

IAN SHIGERU B. YASUNAGA

TLE – ICT Teacher