COMPUTER LABORATORY

 A computer laboratory (lab) is a special room set aside and prepared specifically for installation and
use of computers. In schools, a computer laboratory provides a safe and conducive environment for
teaching and learning computer studies.
 The following factors should be considered when setting up a computer lab:
i. Security of computer hardware and software.
ii. Reliability of the source of power.
iii. The floor, space and number of computers to be set up.
iv. Maximum number of users.

Safety precautions and practices

The computer lab, just like any other laboratory, should be set up with safety precautions in mind. Safety
precautions can be divided into:
A. Measures to protect computers and
B. Measures to protect computer users.

Measures that protect the computers

1. Burglar proofing the room: To protect computers from physical theft, secure the computer lab
with strong doors, windows and roofing.
2. Installing fire prevention and control equipment: Install firefighting equipment like smoke
detectors, non-liquid based and non-powder-based fire extinguishers.
The recommended extinguishers are the gaseous type because liquid-based extinguishers may cause
rusting and corrosion of computer components. On the other hand, powder particles may increase
friction and wear of movable computer parts.
3. The room should be well laid out: Computers should be placed on well laid out stable, spacious desk
to avoid accidentally knocking the components down.
Wires and power cables should be laid out in trunks away from user paths to avoid people stumbling
on them.
4. Stable power supply: power from the mains supply is not always stable and may sometimes
experience power surges or under voltage sometimes referred to as brownout. To protect the
computer from power related damage, connect it to a backup device known as
Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS).
5. Dust and dump control: Dust can be controlled by fitting window curtains and an air conditioning
system that filters dust particles from the air entering into the room .Computers should also be
covered with dust covers when not in use.
6. Dampness or humidity: Can be controlled by using dehumidifiers. High humidity leads to
rusting of the computer metallic parts.
7. Cables and power sockets should be well insulated and of the correct power rating to avoid short
circuits that can cause damage to computer components.
8. Ensuring no food or drinks in the computer lab. Food particles may fall in moving parts like the
keyboard and clog them while liquids may poor into electrical circuits and cause short circuits.

Functions of the UPS

1) It regulates power from an unstable power source to the required clean stable voltage.
2) It prevents power surges and brownouts that might destroy the computer.

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 3) It temporarily provides power to the computer in case of the main power failure. This allows the user
to save his/her work and shutdown the computer using the correct procedure.
4) Alerts the user of any power loss (by beeping).

Note: To ensure that work continues even in the absence of main power, organizations that give
important services such as banks, schools, & hospitals usually install devices that provide alternative
sources of power such as standby generators, solar panels, rechargeable batteries, etc., that
automatically comes on in case of a power failure. Such devices are referred to as Power backups.
However, note that, power from a generator must pass through a UPS before being fed to the computer,
because it is also not stable.

Measures that protect the user

1. Power cables should be insulated: This is to avoid the danger of electric shock to users.
2. Providing standard furniture: Poor sitting position may lead to health risks like backache and
strains. The table should be of right height relative to the seat to provide comfortable hand and leg
positioning. The seat should have an upright backrest and high enough to ensure same level of user’s
eyes and the screen.
3. Ventilation: The room should be properly ventilated to avoid dizziness caused by lack of enough
oxygen.
4. Painting and wall reflections: The walls of the computer room should not be painted with over
bright reflective oil paints and the screen should face away from the window to avoid glare caused
by bright backgrounds.
5. Overcrowding: Incase the computer lab is not enough to accommodate all the students; use shifts to
avoid overcrowding that may cause suffocation.

Assessment Exercise 1.3

1. What is the name given to alternative sources of power?
2. Which three of the following will ensure proper ventilation in a room?
a) Adequate windows and doors
b) Overcrowding
c) Installing f
d) Air conditioning system
3. Three of the following are dangerous to a computer except. Which are they?
a) Water
b) Smoke
c) Proper ventilation
d) Dust
4. Why must foods and beverages be kept out of the computer lab?
5. Why are liquid-based fire extinguishers not suitable for use in the computer lab?
6. State five functions of the UPS.
7. Give four reasons that are likely to cause eye strain in the computer room.
8. State three proper sitting postures while using a computer.
9. What can be done to deter illegal access to a computer room by unauthorized persons?
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Hands-on skills
Booting a computer

Computer booting refers to the process of starting a computer and loading the operating system.
Computer booting can be classified into two:
a) Cold booting: Refers to the process of starting a computer from a powered off state.
b) Warm booting: Refers to the process of restarting a computer that was already on.
Description of computer booting process
The computer booting process can be described in three stages as follows:

a) Power-On-Self-Test (POST):
 Once you turn on a computer, you may hear the sound of the cooler fan running after
which lines of text starts scrolling up on the screen. This process is referred to as Power-
On-Self- Test (POST).
 POST checks on the basic input and output devices such as the keyboard, monitor and the
mouse. If a problem is encountered, the process is halted and an error message is
displayed on the screen.
 The POST process is accomplished by a special firmware program called the Basic Input
/Output System (BIOS) chip that is mounted on the motherboard.
b) Execution of CMOS instruction:
 After POST, the computer reads some instructions such as the current date and time from a
special memory known as the Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS). CMOS
is powered by a battery cell that resembles that of a digital watch. If the battery is worn out,
the computer prompts the user to enter the current date and time every time the computer
starts.
c) Loading of the operating system: Finally the operating system loads, the desktop is
displayed indicating that the computer is ready for use.

Shutting down a computer

 The user should always follow the correct procedure whenever shutting down the computer
to avoid loss of data. To shut down a computer running Microsoft Windows 10, proceed as
follows:
1. Close all programs that may be running.
2. Click the start button to display the start menu.
3. Click the power button, and then shut down. Note that the computer will undergo shut
down process before turning off.

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Keyboarding skills
QWERTY Keyboard layout
 The most common keyboards have the typing keys Q, W, E, R, T and Yon the upper row hence they are
known as QERTY keyboard.
 Keys on a QWERTY keyboard may be classified into five categories namely:
a) Alphanumeric (typing) keys
b) Function keys
c) Cursor movement and editing keys
d) Special PC keys
e) Numeric keypad keys

Typing keys
 They are labeled with alphabetic letters A to Z, numeric characters 0 to 9 and special symbols such
as?, ], and %.
 Typing keys also include the following keys: caps lock, return (enter) key, tab, space bar and
backspace keys.
a) Caps lock key: Pressing this key lets the user to type in uppercase letters (capital letters). To
switch back to lower case letters simply press the same key again.
b) Return key (Enter key): Pressing this key forces the cursor to move to the beginning of the next
line. A cursor is a blinking underscore (_) or a blinking vertical beam (I) that indicates where the
next character to be typed will appear. The return key is also used to instruct the computer to
execute a command that has been entered/typed by the user.
c) Tab key: This key is used to move the cursor at set horizontal intervals on the same line such as
0.5 inch, 1.0 inch etc.
d) Space bar: This key located on the lower part of the keyboard is used to insert space between
characters or words when typing.
e) Backspace key: This key deletes typed characters or words from right to left on the same line.

Function Keys
 They are located along the top row of the keyboard and they are labeled F1 to F12.
 Function keys are used for tasks that occur frequently in various programs. For example, pressing F1
key in most programs starts the help menu. While a combination of Alt and F4 is used to exit from a
program or shut down the computer.

Cursor movement and editing keys

 Cursor movement keys are used to move the cursor while editing keys are used to make changes to a
document. The cursor movement keys include:
a) Arrow keys: Pressing the right or left arrow key moves the cursor one character to the right or left
respectively. Pressing the upward or downward arrow key moves the text cursor one line up or
down respectively.
b) Page up and page down keys: Pressing page up key moves the cursor up one page in case the
document has many pages. Pressing page down key moves the cursor down one page in case
the document has many pages.
c) Home and End keys: Pressing home key moves the cursor to the beginning of the current
line. Pressing end key moves the cursor to the end of the current line.
 The editing keys such as Delete (Del) and Insert (Ins) are used to erase and insert characters in a
document respectively.
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Special purpose keys
 They are used in combination with other keys to issue specific commands to a computer.
 They include SHIFT, CONTROL (ctrl), Altmode (Alt) and Escape (Esc). For example a combination
of Ctrl and Esc written in short as Ctrl + Esc is used to display the Start menu.

Numeric Keypad keys

 The numeric keypad consists of numbers 0 to 9 and the arithmetic signs like + (addition), - (minus),
* (multiplication) and / (division).
 They are located on the right hand side of the standard QWERTY keyboard.

NB: The numbers on the numeric keypad can only be used when the Num Lock key is turned on.

Keyboarding skills using typing tutor

 There are various application programs you can use to increase your typing speed and accuracy.
Some of these come in form of games to make them more exciting and motivating.
 When learning typing skills using a typing tutor program, observe the following guidelines:
1. Sit upright with both feet firm on the ground maintaining a straight upward posture.
2. Place the material to be typed on your left hand side, in a position you can easily read
without eyestrain.
3. Rest both hands on the keyboard with fingers resting on the home keys. The home keys are keys on
which fingers rest in readiness. The right hand fingers rest on J, K, L, and the semicolon (;) while
the left hand fingers rest on A, S, D and F. Note that the thumbs of your hands are placed on the
spacebar.
4. During typing always revert to the home keys after striking other keys.
5. Start typing slowly without looking at your fingers. If you do so, you will never learn how to
type quickly and accurately. The ultimate goal should be to gain typing speed of at least 30
words per minute.

Practical activity 1.1

Instructions:
i. Do not write this activity in your exercise book; it’s to be done using either a desktop or
a laptop computer
ii. You may skip this practical activity to first finish with the notes and come back to it later.

After practicing on how to use the keyboard, open an application such as Microsoft Word installed on
Microsoft Windows and type the following:
In our minds, in our memory, in our concentration. In our retaining power and in our intelligence.
Right from the crown of our head to the very soles of our feet.
God, Keep us FREE today from evil, sin, temptations, attacks and afflictions, Fear of men, sickness, disease,
doubts, anger, all calamities and from all that is not of thy Kingdom. Feel us with the gifts of wisdom,
knowledge, faith, understanding, and discernment.

Mouse skills
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  Moving a mouse on a flat surface makes the pointer on the screen to move in the same direction as
the mouse itself.
 To make a selection, the pointer must be on the graphical object icon that is to be selected. The user
can then manipulate the object by pressing a mouse button.
 When using a mouse, follow the following guidelines:
1. Place the mouse on a flat smooth surface.
2. Hold the mouse using the thumb and the two fingers.
3. The index finger should rest on the left button while the middle finger rests on the right button.
4. The small finger should hold or rest on the right side part of the mouse.
 The four common mouse operations are: clicking, double clicking and right clicking,
dragging and dropping.
a) Clicking: Means pressing and releasing the left mouse button once. A click
often selects an icon or menu.
b) Double clicking: This means pressing the left button twice in rapid succession.
Double clicking an icon opens a file or starts an application.
c) Right clicking: Pressing the right mouse button once. This displays a shortcut menu
(context sensitive menu) with commands from which the user can make a selection.
d) Drag and drop: This is whereby the user drags an icon or item from one location
on the screen to another. To perform drag and drop operations, proceed as follows:
1. Point to the item you want to drag.
2. Press the left hand mouse button and hold it down.
3. Slide the mouse until the pointer reaches the desired location on the screen.
4. Release the mouse button and the item will be dropped in the new location.

Assessment Exercise 1.4

1. Define the term booting as used in computing.
2. Differentiate between cold booting and warm booting.
3. Differentiate between function and special PC keys.
4. Explain the various categories of keys found on a standard keyboard.
5. Define the following terms:
a) Double clicking
b) Clicking
c) Drag and drop
d) Right clicking
e) Mouse pointer
f) Drag and drop
6. Explain how you would make a mouse pointer move on the screen.
7. Explain the correct procedure for shutting down one of the computers in the computer laboratory.

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AREAS WHERE COMPUTERS ARE USED
The following are some of the areas where computers are used:

1. Supermarkets
 Supermarkets and other retail stores use computers for stock control, i.e., to help them manage their
daily activities.
 The stock control system keeps record of what is in store, what has been sold, and what is out of
stock. The Management is automatically alerted when a particular item or items are running out of
stock and need to be reordered.
 For calculating customer’s Balance.

 For production of receipts.

 It can be used as a barcode reader.

2. Offices

 For receiving & sending of messages through e-mails, fax, etc.

 Production of documents.
 Keeping of records.
3. Banks/Insurance industries

Computers are used by Banks & Insurance industries:

 To manage financial transactions. They use special cash dispensing machines called Automated
Teller Machines (ATMs) to enable them provide cash deposit & withdrawal services.
 For processing of Cheques.

 For preparation of Payrolls.

 For better record keeping and processing of documents.

 To provide electronic money transfer facilities.

4. Industries

The use of computers has made Industries more productive & efficient. They are used:

 To monitor and control industrial processes. The industries use remote controlled devices called
Robots. A Robot is a machine that works like a human being, but performs tasks that are unpleasant,
dangerous, and tedious to be done by human beings.
 For management control, i.e. to keep track of orders, bills and transactions.

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  By companies as a competitive tool. E.g., they are used to assist in defining new products & services.
They also help industries form new relationships with suppliers and therefore, enable the producers
maintain a competitive edge against their competitors.
 For advertisement purposes, which enable an industry to attract more customers.
5. Hospitals

Computers are used in hospitals:

 To keep & retrieve patient’s medical records.

 For automatic diagnosis of diseases like Cancer, electro-cardiogram screening & monitoring.
They are used to get a cross-sectional view of the patient’s body that enables physicians to properly
diagnose the affected part of the body with high levels of accuracy.
 In medical equipments, e.g. blood pressure monitors, blood analyzers, etc.

 To control life-supporting machines in the Intensive Care Units (ICU).

 To enable medical experts in different countries to share their expertise or labour, thus reducing the
transportation of patients & professionals.

6. Transport

Computers are used in:

 Automobile traffic control, e.g., to monitor vehicle traffic in a busy town.

 Railway corporations to co-ordinate the movement of their goods & wagons.

 Shipping control. The computers are used for efficient management of fleets & communication.

 Airports (Airline industry). The computers are used;

 To control the movement of aircrafts, take off & landing through the use of radar equipment.
 Making reservations (booking purposes).
 Storing flight information.

7. Communication

The integration of computers & telecommunication facilities has made the transmission and reception of
messages very fast and efficient.
 They are used in telephone exchanges to switch incoming & outgoing calls.

 For sending & receiving electronic messages, e.g. fax and e-mails, if connected to a computer network.

8. Law enforcement
 Computers are widely used in fighting crime. The Police use computers to keep databases on
fingerprints and also analysed them.
 The Police also use computers for face recognition, scene monitoring & analysis, which help them to

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 arrest traffic offenders and criminals.
The information held in computers such as fingerprints, photographs and other identification details helps
law enforcers to carry out criminal investigations speedily.

9. Education

Computers are widely used in the teaching & learning process. Learning and teaching using computers is
referred to as Computer Aided Learning (CAL) and Computer Aided Teaching (CAT).
 Computers are used in learning institutions (schools & colleges) as teaching aids, i.e. to help in
teaching various subjects.
E.g., they are used to demonstrate experiments in subjects like Chemistry or Physics using a special
program that can illustrate them on the screen through a process called Simulation.
 To assist the Long distance learning in universities usually referred to as the Open University Concept.

 To analyze academic data.

 Computers are used in Aviation for training of pilots. Flight simulators are used to monitor the
control movements made by the pilot while the computer is used to physically change the environment
so that the pilot feels as if he were controlling an actual aircraft.

10. Domestic and Entertainment

Computers are used at homes:

 For watching movies, playing music and computer games.

 For storing personal information.
 For calculating and keeping home budgets.
 For shopping purposes. They provide people with lists of shopping items as well as their prices. They
also provide electronic money transfer facilities.
 In household items, such as, Microwave ovens, Televisions, etc.

11. Library services

Computers can be used in a library:

- To enable the library personnel to easily access & keep updated records of books and other library
materials.
- To search for book titles instead of using the manual card catalogue.

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Revision Exercise 1

1. Explain why smoke and dust particles are harmful to a computer.

2. Explain the emerging trends in microcomputer technology in relation to size.
3. Describe the ideal environment for a computer to work properly.
4. Explain the term system unit and name some of the components housed inside the unit.
5. Explain what happens in the computer during the booting process.
6. State one reason why a computer needs to be connected to a stable power source.
7. Give two examples of special purpose computers.
8. Why would it not be good to install water based fire extinguishers in the computer room?
9. Explain the following terms:
a) Clicking the mouse
b) Right clicking the mouse
c) Double clicking the mouse.
10. What precaution would you take in the computer room in case of the following:
a) The humidity falls below normal for prolonged periods due to weather change.
b) Users complain of backache after long periods of using computers.
11. Classify the following keyboard keys into typing, function, special, cursor movement and editing
keys:
a) A, B, C,………Z
b) 0, 1, 2,………9
c) F1, F2,…......F12
d) Del, Insert
e) Home, End, Page up, arrow key
f) Ctrl, Shift, Alt

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