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TABLE OF CONTENTS
A Computer CONCISE COMPUTER
Identification of Non computer related objects
Identification of computer related objects
Identification of the computer
Uses of Computer I SCIENCE TEXTBOOK
Uses of Computer II
Uses of Computer in Daily Life
Computers in Workplaces
Definition of computer
FOR CHILDREN
Information Technology
Types of Computers
Functions of Computer BOOK ONE
Introduction to Data and Information
Types of Data and Information
Main Parts of Computer
Computer Accessories & Peripherals
Branches of Computer
Test
Basic Concept of computer Unit
Input Unit
Processing unit
Storage Unit
Output Unit
Computer Software By:
Computer Hardware
What is Booting?
Various Types of Computers and Their Functions Wole Adedoyin
Terminologies/ Glossaries
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 
A COMPUTER

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES

Pupils should be able to:


i. Identify a computer machine;
ii. Identify computer related objects
iii. Identify non computer related objects
iv. Distinguish a computer from other computer
related devices e.g Television, Global


System for Mobile Communications (G.S.M),
Calculator, and Typewriter etc.

IDENTIFICATION OF NON-COMPUTER
RELATED OBJECTS

Computer Is an electronic machine which input

data, process data and display data (output) in a
desired form.

Non computer related objects are those objects


that have no similarity with the computer system or
having nothing to do with the computer system.
Examples: House, Pencil, Box, Book, Basket, Car
etc.
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 Definition of Computer Information Technology
Computer is a machine that processes data into useful Information Technology allows the user to extract, save and
information. exchange information with the help of computers.
A typewriter, a calculator, thermometer, speedometer or I.T is the short form for Information Technology.
even voltage meter can be called a computer. It also enables the user to access, retrieve, manipulates and
What distinguishes a computer from other information perform numerous operations by using the computer system.
processing machines are 3 basic functions :
1. A computer is an electronic machine – all its activities
are carried out with current (light)
2. A computer has memory to hold information for future
use
3. A computer is programmable Computer machine can
be coded or programmed to do any operation we tell it
to do.

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 IDENTIFICATION OF COMPUTER RELATED
OBJECTS

These objects are similar and related to the

computer system. Some are also performing the
functions of the computer system, like typing letters,
sending and receiving information and performing
calculations. Examples of computer related objects
are:

Calculator:
Calculator is a computing machine used for solving
both simple and complex calculations e.g addition,
subtraction, multiplication, square root and division.
GSM:
G.S.M stands for Global System for Mobile
Communications. For sending and receiving calls
and messages. Also used for uploading (sending)
files and downloading (receiving) files. Some GSM
also allows the user to browse the internet.

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 Stereo System

Typewriter:

It is a computer keyboard like machine used for

typing documents like letters. Typewriter got
different keys on it like a computer keyboard.

Ipod digital Media players

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A Manual Typewriter

Washing Machine

IDENTIFICATION OF THE COMPUTER

1. C.P.U
This is the brain of the computer system. It
processes raw data into a useful information.

An Electric Typewriter

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2. Keyboard
For typing data into the computer system.
4. Monitor
It displays information on the television like screen

3. Mouse
For clicking and dragging objects and text

Test
1. Mention 3 non computer related objects
2. Mention 2 computer related objects
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 3. What is the function of the keyboard. ii. Colour Monitor
Displays colour objects on the screen.
PARTS OF COMPUTER
At the end of the topic, pupils should be able to: The monitor looks like a television screen. The information
i. Name the parts of a computer received through the screen is called soft copy.
ii. Recognize computer parts
Keyboard:
PARTS OF A COMPUTER For typing data into the computer system. Keyboard looks like
Monitor: a typewriter. It got different keys on it. The first five letters on
Is an output device which display information on the screen. the first section of the keyboard reads QWERTY.
Another name for monitor is VDU – Visual Display Unit. Keyboard is an input unit.

There are two types of monitors – System Unit:

i. Monochrome Monitor This is the brain of the computer system. It transforms data
Displays white and black objects on the screen into useful information. It looks like a video machine. It got

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buttons like power button, restart button and other device Printer:
connectors. System unit is a processing device. It displays the results on printed sheets. The information
received through the printer is called Hardcopy.

There are two types of printers

i. White and black printer
ii. Color printer

Mouse:
Mouse is an input device used for clicking and dragging text White and black Printer
and objects. The singular of mouse is mouse while the plural i. White and black printer
is mice. Mouse also got different buttons on it e.g left clicking Prints only white and black objects.
button and right clicking button. ii. Colour Printer
Prints only colour objects

Speaker:

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It bring out sound from the computer system. When watching films, b. Keyboard
movies or listening to music always connect your computer speakers c. Printer
to the system unit. The result received through the speaker is called d. Monitor
Voice copy. e. System Unit

USES OF COMPUTER I
At the end of this topic
Pupils should be able to state the uses of a computer
Uses of Computer II
At the end of the lesson pupils should be able to mention additional
uses.
Use of computer III
Pupils should be able to mention more uses of the computer in daily
Speakers life.

USES OF A COMPUTER
Test 1. Drawing Objects
i. Draw and colour the pictures of the following Computer can be used to draw shapes and objects of different
parts – pictures of mouse, keyboard and the shapes and sizes. A good artist can use computer to draw a human
monitor. being, houses, cars, trees, logos and other artistic drawings. Mouse
ii. Write out the functions of the following is used for drawing while keyboard is sued for labeling on what you
computer parts: draw.
a. Mouse

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2. Playing Games Computer is now a modern tool for some notable musicians.
There are numerous games in the computer – games like car race, Users are now using their computers to play music, listen to
ludo, dice, mortal combat, Mario, soccer and play station can all be music and watch different movies.
played in the computer system. Users are to make use of either the
keyboard or mouse to control their players and set games options. 5. Watching Educational Movies
Some educational films or documentaries which are meant to
educate, entertain and inform users on some subjects or topic
they are hearing for the first time can be played on the
computer system. Some difficult school subjects like Maths,
English etc. are now stored in the CD ROM to be played in the
computer system.

USES OF COMPUTER II
1. Saving typed works
Computer now allow the users to continue working where they
left off. Typesetted works like letters, memo and curriculum
vitae can all be saved in the computer system after typing.
3. Typing of Text
Saving such work means the user is making the work
Keyboard is used for typing text into the computer system.
permanently stored in the computer system.
Any letter, be it formal, informal or semi-formal letter can be
typed into the computer system through the keyboard. When
2. Opening saved work
typing, computer sometimes proof read or automatically
A saved work can also be re-opened if the user want to
corrects wrong spelling and vocabularies.
continue where he or she left off.

4. Playing Music
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3. Learning People from far distance can be talking at the same time. For
This is similar to watching educational films and example a person in Nigeria can talk to another person in
documentaries. There are much to learn through the computer Brazil without leaving their individual countries. Internet and
system. People learn everyday and the quest for learning is Webcam makes this possible.
rising everyday. Computer is an instrument of great learning.
Test
4. Sending and Receiving Messages Mention 6 uses of computer.
Computers are now used for sending and receiving
information and messages. Messages send through computer COMPUTER IN WORKPLACES
are always fast, reliable and secured. At the end of the topic pupils should be able to:
i. Name some places where computers are used e.g
USES OF COMPUTER IN DAILY LIFE home, in the school, in hospital etc.
i. Calculation ii. Identify the uses of computers in the school and
People are now using the computer to perform, solve and home.
simplify simple calculations like addition, subtraction, iii. Play simple computer games
multiplication, division and square root. There is an inbuilt
calculator in the computer system used for solving PLACES WHERE COMPUTERS ARE FOUND
mathematical problems. AT HOME FOR CHILDREN TO:
ii. Shopping
Buyers can now buy things they like on the computer through
the internet.

iii. Chatting/Online Communication

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 IN THE SCHOOL FOR:
i. Keeping records of both teachers and pupils:
The man function of computer in the school is for keeping the bio-
i. Play Games data, educational data, marks scored by pupils, the schools’ facts
Hundred of games from Arcade to Zega are all in the computer and other vital information concerning the school, the teachers and
system. Game playing is an entertainment segment in the system. pupils.
Some games are also educative and some teaches morals to children.
ii. Keeping Records
Important records and files are always kept for future uses in the
computer system.

iii. Learn
Latest things are always present in computer through the internet.
Latest information and facts can be search for and stored into the
computer system. ii. Making Time-Table
Computer is the fastest tool for making timetable. There are other
iv. Computer can be used for household accounts, filling and as a numerous gridlines, tables which can be customized and formatted
diary for appointments and birthday reminders. to suit the taste of the user.
v. It can catalogue records, books and photographs.
vi. With electronic mail, letters and messages can be entered into iii. Processing Texts
your computer and then sent instantly to the receiver’s computer. Computer has the ability to process text into a useful document.
vii. With computer, it is possible to sit at home and select library Text typed into the computer can be sort, retrieve, save and open
books.

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iv. Learning will be divided into different departments e.g
Programs like Britannica and Encarta Junior Series makes learning jewelry department, hardware department, books
easy and comprehensible. department – where various books are sold.
Information on each department and list of
IN SUPERMARKET FOR: products in each department with information on
i. Entering the sale of goods into a computer each products will be stored into the computer
ii. Stock taking system.
iii. Controlling Stock levels
iv. Recording stock
v. Providing the prices of good: In the Supermarket
prices of goods are always stored in the
computer system. To know the price of a product,
the only thing the user need is to type the name of
the product into the computer and the price will
come out.
vi. Updating Account: Money are sometime stored in
the computer. Money realized during the day, can
be stored into the system. When expenditure is
deducted from income in the computer, computer
will automatically give out the remaining A point of sale terminal used in Supermarket
balance.
vii. Providing information on the goods in stock –
Major supermarkets in towns and cities today are
using departmental layout, whereby their shops

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A dedicated keyboard is useful when limited number of items is sold

An infant Incubator

Gathering data using a hand-held device in a supermarket

IN HOSPITALS
i. Patient admissions and discharge (including which
beds are available)
ii. Appointments of outpatients
iii. A booking system for scarce resources such as
operating theatres
iv. Purchasing and stock control
v. Keeping record of patients
vi. Carrying out diagnosis

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 IN BANKS
i. Computers are used to process cheques
IN OFFICE ii. Computers are used to calculate interests
i. To produce written letter and documents (text iii. Computers are used to keep customers’
productions). accounts
ii. To copy or duplicate text iv. Providing customer’s statement of accounts.
iii. To file the written materials, so that it can be retrieved v. Making it possible for a customer for
when required. withdraw money from his/her bank account
iv. To communicate information, both within the office and at any location of his/her bank in the country.
to those outside the office.

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Questions
i. Mention 4 places where computers are found
ii. Mention 4 uses of computers in school.

FUNCTIONS OF COMPUTER
1. For processing data
2. For playing games
3. For sending information
4. For listening to music
5. For typing
6. For watching videos
7. For designing
8. For Calculation Asimo Robot
9. For organizing and sorting data
10. For drawing and painting General Purpose:
These are generally programmed to handle various kinds of
CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS BY PURPOSE work or for solving day to day transactions or operations e.g
Special Purpose: Micro-computer (desktop, Laptop and Palmtop or Notebook).
They perform specific functions. They are permanently programmed
to do a specific job. E.g traffic light controller, Robots. Test
i. Mention 5 places where computers are used.
ii. List 5 functions of the computer system.

INTRODUCTION TO DATA AND INFORMATION

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Information coded for a computer is called data. Data is an sentences and the combination of sentences which form
unprocessed information or raw fact. It is coded or paragraphs. Combination of paragraphs form pages.
programmed in form of curved and straight lines called letters. 2. Graphical Information –
Information on the other hand is a processed data. Data This consist of graphical object or image e.g Postals,
transformed or reshape in a readable and understandable certificates, bill boards, handbills etc. are all often used to
form is called an Information. convey and send information from one person to another.
3. Oral Information:
Information is often shortened or compressed when coded or When playing music or watching video cds in your
programmed as computer data to occupy small memory computers at home, always connects your external
space. speaker to the back panel (the speaker’s port) where you
connect your speaker at the back of the C.P.U. In case of
TYPES OF DATA Laptop, you don’t need to connect your external speaker
1. Alphabetic Data : A-Z – Yes , O.K, No because every laptop computers always come with an in-
2. Numeric Data : 0-9 – 100,500 built sound. Information conveyed through the sound is
3. Alpha-numeric Data – Combination of letters and the called oral information.
figures e.g A-Z and 0-9 – Number 30
Softcopy
Types of information Information displayed through the monitor
Written information Hardcopy
Graphical information Information printed out through the printer.
Oral information
1. Written information: Features of computer data
Consist of the typesetted documents. Combinations of 1. Computer can be shared
letters which form word, combination of words which form 2. Computer data can be stored and erased

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 3. computer data can be stored and edited
4. Computer data can be retrieved
5. Computer data occupies less space.
Features of computer information
i. Information is a processed data These four parts are the essential parts of a computer system.
ii. Information must be transformed as data before it A computer having this four parts is called A Complete
can be processed by computers. Computer System. Because it has CPU (the brain), for
iii. Information processing and data processing both transforming data into a useful information, the keyboard for
involve input-process-output and might also involve typing, the mouse for clicking and dragging of text and object
storage. and lastly monitor for viewing the result on the screen. These
four parts are also called the fixed parts or essential parts of a
MAIN PARTS OF A COMPUTER computer system. They are also known and referred to as
There are 4 main parts of the computer system which permanent parts.
include the followings:
1. CPU or System Unit
2. Monitor VDU Other parts of computer which are not essential like, the
3. Mouse mouse, keyboard, monitor and the system unit are printers,
4. Keyboard scanners, digital cameral, joystick, lightpen, OCR (optical
Character Reader), MCR (Magnetic character Reader),
Modem etc.
COMPUTER ACCESSORIES AND PERIPHERALS
Computer Accessories are computer components or parts that
are attached to the system unit.

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They are attached to the C.P.U to haste its fastness and 2. List the type of data that we have
increase its speed and accuracy. Examples of computer 3. ___________ , ___________ , ___________ and
accessories etc. ________ are the four main parts of the computer
system.
Computer peripherals are optionally used with the C.P.U e.g 4. What are Computer Accessories and Computer
U.P.S which stands for Uninterrupted Power Supply, Digital Peripherals.
Camera etc. All the devices that are not in the CPU are called 5. Mention 3 applications of computer that you know.
Peripherals.
BASIC CONCEPTS OF COMPUTER UNITS
APPLICATION OF COMPUTERS
- Word processing – For typing and creating Before any data can be transformed into an information. It
document must pass through the following units;
- Spreadsheet – For performing calculation 1. Input Unit
- Graphics – For designing 2. Processing Unit
- Data Processing – For sorting , arranging and 3. Output Unit
adding data. 4. Storage Unit
- Communication – For sending message though
the Internet and Network. All computers use the same methods for carrying out the
- Desktop Publishing – typesetting and graphics tasks given to them. The computer takes in Data through input
devices, it manipulates the data according to its instructions, it
outputs the result of its processing and it stores data for later
use. These four processes together are known as the
Test Computing Cycle.
1. What is data and information Input :

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Input is the process of entering data into the computer. The
most common device used for input on Micro-computers is the
keyboard. Computer keyboard include many special keys and
function keys used in performing specialized input tasks as
well as the usual typewriter layout and other input devices
include: a mouse, which manipulates a pointer on the
computer screen for giving commands and entering data; a
scanner, which reads graphic images and pages of text and
sends them to the computer; a modem which receives data
over phone lines and several other devices like joystick for A Microwriter
playing games, light pen , OCR, MCR, Microwriter, Scanner,
keyboard, touch screen, roller balls, digitisers, MICR
(Magnetic Ink Character Recognition), Microphone etc.

Light Pen

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 Touch screen

Roller Ball

A Digitizer
Joystick

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An Optical Character Reader Hand held numeric key pad

Output:
Getting processed out of the computer is the job of output
devices. The computer can display the data on a monitor
screen of which there are several types:
1. Monochrome or White and Black
2. Color
3. Flat Screen or Panel/LCD (Liquid Crystal Display ) in
the case of both the desktop and the laptop computers.
4. CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) In the case of Desktop
Bar Code Reader Computer.

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 Processing:
This part transforms data into a useful information. Once the
data is in a computer, it is processed by the processor and its
associated integrated circuit chips. Processors perform all
calculations and manipulations necessary to transform data
into meaningful information. Also with the processor is the
memory, which is used for storing data and programs while
they are being used by the processor.

You have already seen that computers can receive data,

process it and display the results. However, computer can
also store data for future use. The processing is carried out in
the central processing unit (C.P.U) which is the heart and the
You can also send data to a printer or plotter to make a paper brain of any computer.
copy, use the modem to send the data over a phone line to The C.P.U is made up of:
another computer or use any number of specialized output 1. The Control Unit
devices like speaker, digital camera, projector e.t.c. 2. The Memory

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 3. The Arithmetic and Logic Unit (A.L.U)

Storage:
This is the process of saving inside and outside the computer
system. The computer system needs stored programs and
data to carry out the processing. Small amounts of data are
stored on Flash Disk, CDROM. These are called Backing
Stores. Test
1. Mention 4 computer units you know
2. List 5 examples of input devices
3. List 4 examples of output devices
4. Differentiate between input and output units
5. CPU is divided into __________, _______ and
_________
Where do you go if you want to keep the data into a
permanent place? That’s what the storage devices are for. COMPUTER SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE
Storage devices hold date permanently in the computer, so Hardware:
that you can save it and retrieve it later . All computers use These are the physical, touchable and the moveable part of
disks to store data magnetically. Each type of disk is used by the computer. You will often hear people refer to ……. A piece
its corresponding disk drive to read and write information. of hardware ….. or say, that’s a good piece of software!
Floppy disks are used for easy, portable storage and built in
Hard Disks are used for more permanent storage of large Hardware is a term used to describe the actual equipment.
amounts of data and programs for fast access. The computer is hardware. Look at your school computer

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system. The keyboard, mouse, CPU, joystick, UPS, monitor,
printer, scanner and disk drives are all pieces of hardware.

All computers consist of hardware. They include the computer

itself and all other related physical devices.

COMPUTER SOFTWARE
Software are the instructions that tell the computer what tasks
to perform; data, the information the computer works on and
you, the user, who tell the computer what to do, and for whom
the computer does all. Computer Software
BOOTING
A program is a group of instructions that tells the processing Booting is the process of getting your computer ready for a
device what to do. particular task or operation.

Software can be a single program or a set of programs that Types of Booting

work together. Because their meanings are very similar. They 1. Cold Booting
are programmed for solving day to day activities e.g Ms Word, 2. Warm Booting
Ms Excel, Ms paints, Notepad, WordPad, Marvis Beacon etc.

COLD BOOTING :
Is the process of getting your computer ready by the power on
button

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 Terminologies/Glossaries
WARM BOOTING: Booting – The process of getting your computer ready for a
It is the process of restarting your computer system. Or by particular task
using Ctrl + Alt + Del to restart your restart your system. Software – Programs installed in the computer system
Hardware – The physical part of the computer system
Various types of computer Information – It is a processed data
1. Thermometer – For measuring temperature Data – unprocessed information
2. Barometer – For measuring Pressure CPU – stands for Central Processing Unit – It is the heart and
3. Meter – For measuring voltage the brain of the computer system.
4. Speedometer – For measuring the speed of a car Output – Result gotten from the computer system
5. Rain Gauge – For measuring amount of rainfall. Softcopy – The result display on the monitor.
Hardcopy – Result printed out through the printer
Test: Input – Process of sending data into the computer
i. Differentiate between computer hardware and Storage – Process of saving inside and outside the computer
software. system.
ii. Define Booting Processing – Process of transforming data into a useful
information.

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ACCESSORIES OF COMPUTER UPS
Mouse
Keyboard SOFTWARE
Scanner Ms Word
Joystick Corel Draw
Light pen Adobe PageMaker
Printer NotePad
CPU WordPad
Monitor Ms Paint
Peripherals of Computer
Plotter OUTPUT
Digital Camera Plotter
UPS Printer
HARDWARE Digital Camera
Mouse Webcam
Keyboard Monitor
Scanner Speaker
Joystick INPUT
Lightpen Mouse
Printer Keyboard
CPU Scanner
Monitor Joystick
Plotter MICR
Digital Camera MCR

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OCR
Light pen
PROCESSING
CPU
STORAGE
Hard Disk
CD ROM
Floppy Disk
Zip Disk
Flash Disk
CD Writer

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