Computer Literacy I

Computer Technology
I
Mercy Vicentia Adu
Gyamfi (Mrs.)

Contact: 0246131514

E-mail: [email protected]
Introduction To Computers
Objectives Overview

Define the term

Explain why computer computer, and describe Describe the
literacy is vital to the relationship components of a
success in today’s world between data and computer
information

Discuss the advantages

Define the term
and disadvantages that Discuss the uses of the
network, and identify
users experience when Internet and World
benefits of sharing
working with Wide Web
resources on a network
computers
Objectives Overview

Distinguish between system Differentiate among types, Describe the role of each
software and application sizes, and functions of element in an information
software computers in each category system

Explain how home users,

Discuss how society uses
small office/home office
computers in education,
users, mobile users, power
finance, government, health
users, and enterprise users
care, science, publishing,
each interact with
travel, and manufacturing
computers

5
A World of Computers

• Computers are everywhere

6
Computers are everywhere: at work, at
school, and at home.

People use all types and sizes of computers

for a variety of reasons.

Computers are useful: they help us write

letters, find information on the Internet, and
even create our own music CDs.
In the workplace, employees use computers
to create correspondence such as e-mail
messages, memos, and letters; manage
calendars; calculate payroll; track inventory;
and generate invoices.

At school, teachers use computers to assist

with classroom instruction.

Students complete assignments and conduct

research.
Banks place ATMs (automated teller
machines) all over the world, so that
customers can deposit and withdraw funds
anywhere at anytime.

At the grocery store, a computer tracks

purchases, calculates the amount of money
due.

Vehicles include on-board navigation systems

that provide directions, call for emergency
services.
The 20th century brought us the dawn of the
digital information age and unprecedented
changes in information technology.

As we begin the 21st century, computer

literacy is undoubtedly becoming a
prerequisite in whatever career you choose.
Computer literacy, also known as digital
literacy, involves having a current knowledge
and understanding of computers and their
uses.

Because the requirements that determine

computer literacy change as technology
changes, you must keep up with these
changes to remain computer literate.
Today it is easy for nearly everybody to use a
computer because:

• Microcomputers are common tools in all

areas of life.

• New forms of learning have developed.

• New ways to communicate

To be competent with computer technology,
you need to know the five parts of an
information system:

people, procedures, software, hardware, and

data.

You also need to understand connectivity, the

wireless revolution, the Internet, and the
Web.
What Is a Computer?

• A computer is an electronic device, operating

under the control of instructions stored in its own
memory that can accept input (data), processes
the data according to specified rules, produces
information (output) that is useful to the recipient
and stores the results for future use.
People make decisions daily using all types of
information such as receipts, bank statements,
transcripts, production processes, audit reports,
student’s grade report, etc. Information must
have value to be useful in decision making.
Information Processing Cycle
Figure: A computer processes data into information.
The Components of a Computer

• A computer contains many electric, electronic, and

mechanical components known as hardware
Input Device • Allows you to enter data and instructions into a computer

Output Device • Hardware component that conveys information to one or more people

• Case that contains the electronic components of the computer that

System Unit are used to process data

• Records (writes) and/or retrieves (reads) items to and from storage

Storage Device media

Communications • Enables a computer to send and receive data, instructions, and

Device information to and from one or more computers or mobile devices

18
The Components of a Computer

19
Advantages and Disadvantages
of Using Computers
Advantages of Disadvantages of
Using Computers Using Computers

Speed Health Risks

Reliability Violation of Privacy

Consistency Public Safety

Storage Impact on Labour Force

Communications Impact on Environment

 Categories of Computers
Personal computers Servers

Mobile computers Mainframes

and mobile devices
Supercomputers
Game consoles

Embedded computers
Microcomputers
Personal Computers

• A personal computer can perform all of its input,

processing, output, and storage activities by itself
• Two popular architectures are the PC and the
Apple
– Desktop computer
Figure: Microcomputer System
Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices

Mobile Mobile
Computer Device
Personal computer you Computing device small
can carry from place to enough to hold in your
place hand

Examples include smart

Examples include
phones and PDAs, e-
notebook computers,
book readers, handheld
laptop computers,
computers, portable
netbooks, ultra-thins,
media players, and
and Tablet PCs
digital cameras
Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices

Notebook computer

Tablet PC

Smart phones and PDAs

E-book reader
Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices

Handheld computer

Portable media player

Digital camera
Game Consoles

• A game console is a
mobile computing
device designed for
single-player or
multiplayer video
games
Minicomputers (Servers)

• A server controls access to the hardware, software,

and other resources on a network
– Provides a centralized storage area for programs, data, and
information
Mainframes

• A mainframe is a large, expensive, powerful

(not as supercomputers) computer that can
handle hundreds or thousands of connected
users simultaneously.

• Mainframes process more than 83 percent of

transactions around the world
Supercomputers
• A supercomputer is the fastest, most powerful
computer
– Fastest supercomputers are capable of processing
more than one quadrillion instructions in a single
second
– Applications requiring complex, sophisticated
mathematical calculations use supercomputers.
– Applications in medicine, aerospace, automotive
design, online banking, weather forecasting, nuclear
energy research, and petroleum exploration use
supercomputers
Embedded Computers

• An embedded computer is a special-purpose

computer that functions as a component in a
larger product
Consumer Home Automation Process Controllers Computer Devices
Automobiles
Electronics Devices and Robotics and Office Machines
• Mobile and digital • Thermostats • Antilock brakes • Remote monitoring • Keyboards
telephones • Sprinkling systems • Engine control systems • Printers
• Digital televisions • Security modules • Power monitors • Faxes
• Cameras monitoring systems • Airbag controller • Machine • Copiers
• Video recorders • Appliances • Cruise control controllers
• DVD players and • Lights • Medical devices
recorders
• Answering
machines
Embedded Computers
Examples of Computer Usage

Home User Small Office/Home Mobile User

• Personal financial Office User • Connect to other computers
management • Look up information on a network or the Internet
• Web access • Send and receive e-mail • Transfer information
• Communications messages • Play video games
• Entertainment • Make telephone calls • Listen to music
• Watch movies
Examples of Computer Usage

Power User Enterprise User

• Work with multimedia • Communicate among
• Use industry-specific employees
software • Process high volumes
of transactions
• Blog
Computer Applications in Society

Education
Finance
Government
Health Care
Computer Applications in Society

Science
Publishing
Travel
Manufacturing
Computer Software

• Software, also called a program, tells the

computer what tasks to perform and how to
perform them
System Software
• Operating system
• Utility program

Application Software
Computer Software

• Installing is the process of setting up software to

work with the computer, printer, and other
hardware
Computer Software

• A programmer develops
software or writes the
instructions that direct
the computer to
process data into
information
Networks and the Internet

• A network is a
collection of computers
and devices connected
together, often
wirelessly, via
communications
devices and
transmission media
Networks and the Internet

• The Internet is a worldwide collection of networks that

connects millions of businesses, government agencies,
educational institutions, and individuals
Networks and the Internet

• People use the Internet for a variety of reasons:

Communicate Research and Shop Bank and Invest Online Trading

Access Information

Entertainment Download Videos Share Information Web Application

Networks and the Internet

• A social networking Web site encourages

members to share their interests, ideas, stories,
photos, music, and videos with other registered
users
Summary

Basic computer Components of a

concepts computer

Many different
categories of
Networks, the Internet,
computers, computer
and computer software
users, and computer
applications in society
Chapter 1 Complete