UR-CE

CSC1141-Introduction to Information Technology

(10CU).

Lecturer: Gerard NIZEYIMANA

Office No: ……………….
Mobile: +250 788 420 399
Email: [email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
 CSC1141: Introduction to Information
Technology

"The advance of technology is based on making it fit in so

that you don't really even notice it, so it's part of everyday
life.".” ― Bill Gates
"Information Technology is at the heart of every modern
innovation. Learning IT is not just about understanding
technology; it’s about unlocking potential, solving problems,
and creating the future."
UR-CE, Academic Year: 2024
Facilitators

■Marie Claire Uwera, 0788745194

■Mr. EVARISTE MWUMVANEZA,

0788630986
■Albert Ngiruwonsanga, 0788471881

■Gerard Nizeyimana, 0788420399

■Kayitaba Rwirangira, 0788860274

3
4 Module description

Total 100 hours

 56hours (Face to face/ contact hours)

12 hours of theoretical Part (6 groups)

38 hours of practical parts (21 groups)
6 hours of structured exercises
 44 hours (Online UR Moodle+ Reading+ Examination)

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024
Indicative Content
 Unit 1: Introduction to computing and its
key concept
 Unit 2: Data representation and Storage
 Unit 3: Word processing
 Unit 4: Spreadsheets
 Unit 4: Spreadsheets
 Unit 5: Power point Presentation
 Unit 6: MS access
 Unit 7: Introduction to Internet.
 Indicative Content
6
This module is designed to form the foundation for continuous
learning with introduction to emerging trends such as mobile
applications, digital money, social media etc:
 Introduction to computers,
 Operating Systems for Desktops and Laptops
 Windows Systems for Portable Devices, Tablets and Smartphones-
Android, iPhone Operating System (IoS),
 Word Processing: case, Operating of Microsoft Word,
 Spreadsheet Management: case of Microsoft Excel,
 Presentation Software: Case of Microsoft PowerPoint,
 Internet applications,
 One Laptop Per Child (OLPC),
 Collaborative tools (Social Media, cloud services)
 Knowledge and Understanding
7
Having successfully completed the module, students will be
able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
The concepts and fundamentals of Computer hardware
and software,
Ms-Windows Operating System and application software
like MS-Word, MS-Excel, MS-Power point and Internet
Explorer,
Operating System for Smartphones such as Android, IoS,
Social Media, Facebook. Whatsapp, Twitter

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024
8 Cognitive/Intellectual & Practical skills/Application of
Knowledge/Numeracy/Analytic Techniques

Having successfully completed the module, students should be able to:

 Describe various input and output devices and their role in computer.
 Apply the knowledge of learnt application software in daily life
activities by using word processing, worksheets, presentations, and
Internet tools.
 Demonstrate theoretical and Practical skills in Computer Science.
 Solve minor computer problems related to both hardware and
software.
 Use computer in numerical and financial calculations of day-to-day
life.
Computer Science December 28, 2
024
 Generic competencies (attitude, values, attributes)
9
Having successfully completed the module, students should be
able to:
 Search study material using computers and internet.
 Be self-contained to perform their assigned responsibility
independently or with little guidance..
 Use ICT in social life for collaboration, team work and peace
building.

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024
 Examination process
10
 In-course assessment composed of written and practical
test, assignment or homework and handled practical
assignment must be organized.
 Students have to receive comments on their works and
results where it is needed.
 In-course assessment counts for 50% of the whole course
marks while the final examination will count for 50% and
cover the whole content.

Computer Science December 28, 2

024
 Unit 1
Introduction to computing and
its key concept
 Activity#1: Write and explain any possible words related to ICT(30 minutes)
12 (Open document/Internet/…)

“Information Technology”

Example:

Computer Science December 28, 2

024
 Activity#2- Explain the following terms
( Plenary Discussion-Most of them may be from activity #1)

Emphasise on examples (150 minutes)

i. Hardware, and software,
ii. Internet, and Intranet,
iii. Web page, Website, and Web browser,
iv. WWW, HTTPS, and TCP/IP,
v. Internet Service Provider (ISP), Data bundle, Broadband,
vi. Fibre Optics, Satellite, Antenna, Cables,
vii. Wireless, WiFi, Hotspot & tethering,
viii. Social Media,
ix. E-Learning, and Online learning, (UR Moodle platform)
x. E-Government, (e.g: IREMBO)
xi. Clients and Server machine,
EVOLUTION OF COMPUTER
What is Computing?

•Main Points:
 Definition of computing.
 Core functions by using basic units (Input, Processing, Output, Storage,
Communication).
 Applications of computing in various fields.
DEFINITION

Definition of a computer
 A computer is an electronic device capable of executing instructions, developed
based on algorithms stored in its memory, to process data fed to it and produce
the required results faster than human beings.

COMPUTER SCIENCE December 28, 2024 16

  Electronic device: material which recognize the presence of
electric signal.
 Instructions: (order/request/ )
 Algorithms: A set of instructions given step by step to
accomplish a task,
 Memory: storage devices used to keep trace of data,
 Data : Raw fact of object

COMPUTER SCIENCE
 Information : processed data gives information December 28, 2024 17
 Characteristics of Computer
Speed: the computer can process data faster than any other machine with its
speed of 1/1M of a sec
Accuracy: a computer's high-speed processing gives 99.99% error free results
Diligence : not afflicted to tiredness, monotony, lack of concentration like
human beings.
Reliability: the computer can make decisions based on alternative course of
action.
Versatility: can work with different types of data like sound, graphics, audio.
Memory :computers can store information in the memory and use them when
needed. 18

COMPUTER SCIENCE December 28, 2024

THE ROLE OF COMPUTERS IN MODERN SOCIETY

Activity Discussion: Role of computer in

Education, Business, Healthcare, and
entertainment
Main Points:

o Education: E-learning, research tools.

o Business: Automation, data analysis.
o Healthcare: Patient records, telemedicine.
o Entertainment: Gaming, streaming
services.
 ACTIVITY#
NAME THE FOLLOWING PARTS OF COMPUTER AND THEIR
FUNCTION, IN GROUP OF 3 STUDENTS (5 MINUTES)
SUGGESTED ANSWER, OPEN THE LINK BELOW

https://computerinfobits.com/parts-o
f-computer-and-their-functions/
Power Supplies

COMPUTER SCIENCE December 28, 2024 22

 December 28, 2024

Firmware
FIRMWARE IS LIKE PREWRITTEN PROGRAM THAT IS PERMANENTLY STORED IN READ-
ONLY MEMORY.
BIOS (BASIC INPUT OUTPUT SYSTEM) INSTRUCTIONS ARE AN EXAMPLE OF FIRMWARE.

Liveware
It is the term generally used for the people associated with and
benefited from the computer system.
 CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS
 On the basis of Technology
 Generations of computers
 On the basis of Purpose
 General Purpose, special Purpose computers
 On The basis of size & Speed
 Micro, Mini , mainframe & Super Computers
 On the basis of how it functions (Data handled)
 Analog, Digital & Hybrid Computers

COMPUTER SCIENCE December 28, 2024 24

 Technology Based Classification of Computer
Systems

Each generation of
computer is characterized
by a major technological
development that
fundamentally changed
the
•smaller, way computers
operate, •more efficientin
resulting
•cheaper,
increasingly:and
COMPUTER SCIENCE
•more •reliable December 28, 2024 25

powerful devices.
 Second Generation Computers
(2nd Generation)
TIME PERIOD : 1950's-
1960's
TECHNOLOGY USED: Transistors
Transistors
SIZE AND SPEED : Lesser size
and increased speed UNIVAC 1108

LANGUAGE USED: Assembly

language and languages like
COBOL and FORTRAN
COST: Cost decreased
COMPUTER SCIENCE December 28, 2024 26

IBM 1401
 OTHER FEATURES : More efficient
and reliable.
Though the transistors still
generated a great deal of heat that
subjected the computer to damage,
it was a vast improvement over the
vacuum tube.
Second-generation computers still
relied on punched cards for input
COMPUTER SCIENCE
and printouts for output. December 28, 2024 27

EXAMPLE : UNIVAC 1108, IBM

 Third Generation Computers
(3
TIME
rd
Generation)
PERIOD: late 1960's-1970's

TECHNOLOGY USED : IntegratedIBMCircuit

360/50

SIZE AND SPEED: Size Lesser and

speed further increased

LANGUAGE USED: Operating System

was developed.

COMPUTER SCIENCE
COST : Cost decreased further December 28, 2024 28
 OTHER FEATURES: Instead of punched cards and printouts,
users interacted with third generation computers through
keyboards and monitors and interfaced with an operating system,
which allowed the device to run many different applications at one
time with a central program that monitored the memory.

Computers for the first time became accessible to a mass

audience because they were smaller and cheaper than their
predecessors.

EXAMPLE : IBM-360 series, Honeywell Model 316, Honeywell

– 6000
COMPUTER SCIENCE December 28, 2024 29
 Fourth Generation
Computers (4th Generation)
TIME PERIOD : 1970's-today

TECHNOLOGY USED :
Microprocessor The Macintosh 128K,
the first Macintosh,
was the first
SIZE AND SPEED : Reduced size commercially
successful personal
and tremendous speed computer to use
images, rather than
text, to communicate.
LANGUAGE USED: High Level
Languages like PASCAL, COBOL,
C, C++, JAVA
COMPUTER SCIENCE Intel 4004D
December 28, 2024 30

Microproce
COST: Reduced Cost ssor
 •OTHER FEATURES: Microprocessors also moved out of the
realm of desktop computers and into many areas of life as
more and more everyday products began to use
microprocessors.

•As these small computers became more powerful, they could

be linked together to form networks, which eventually led to the
development of the Internet.
•Fourth generation computers also saw the development of
GUIs, the mouse and handheld devices.

EXAMPLE : Intel 4004, Apple Macintosh

COMPUTER SCIENCE December 28, 2024 31
 Fifth Generation Computers
(5th Generation)
TIME PERIOD: 1990's -today
TECHNOLOGY USED : Microprocessor
SIZE AND SPEED : Reduced size and tremendous speed
LANGUAGE USED : Based on Artificial intelligence
COST : Reduced Cost
OTHER FEATURES: Fifth generation computing devices, based on artificial
intelligence, are still in development, though there are some applications, such as
voice recognition, that are being used today.
The goal of fifth-generation computing is to develop devices that respond to natural
language input and are capable of learning and self-organization.
COMPUTER SCIENCE December 28, 2024 32
 ACCORDING TO PURPOSE

 General purpose- a machine that can be used to process

many types of applications. Ex microcomputers
 Special purpose- a machine that can be used for a specific
application or just ONE application.
Ex: Weather Forecasting and Airlines Reservation

COMPUTER SCIENCE December 28, 2024 33

 ACCORDING TO DATA HANDLED

 Analog computers- a computer that manipulates

continuous or approximate types of data
 Digital computers - a computer that manipulates
discrete types of data
 Hybrid computers- a computer that can manipulate
both analog or digital types of data

COMPUTER SCIENCE December 28, 2024 34

 ACCORDING TO SIZE OR CAPACITY
 Microcomputer – smallest in size and the cheapest. It can
handle thousands of records.
 Minicomputer – the medium size computer, bigger and more
expensive than the microcomputer
 Mainframe – a large computer that can handle millions of data,
Support multiple user, does server tasks
 Supercomputer – is a very large computer that manipulates
billions of data

COMPUTER SCIENCE December 28, 2024 35

COMPUTER SCIENCE December 28, 2024 36
 BASIC UNITS

A computer is designed using four basic units:

1)Input Unit
2)Central Processing Unit (CPU
3)Memory Unit
4)Output Unit

COMPUTER SCIENCE December 28, 2024 37

 THE BLOCK DIAGRAM OF A COMPUTER

COMPUTER SCIENCE December 28, 2024 38

1. INPUT DEVICES
Plenary Activity: List all I/0 devices your know, in Group of 2
students
Accept data or commands and convert them to
electronic form
Getting data into the computer
 Typing on a keyboard
 Pointing with a mouse
 Scanning with a wand reader or bar-code reader
 Terminal 39

COMPUTER SCIENCE December 28, 2024

 EXAMPLES:

 Keyboard
 Mouse
 Speech Input
 Unit Microphone
 Scanner
 Digital Camera

COMPUTER SCIENCE December 28, 2024 40

 2. OUTPUT DEVICES
• Convert from electronic form to some other forms
• May display the processed results
• Usable information

Monitor or screen
 Text Printer
 Numbers  Black and white
 Symbols
 Color
 Art
 Photographs
 Video

COMPUTER SCIENCE December 28, 2024 41

EXAMPLES:

 Monitor or Video Display Unit or screen,

 Printer
 Microfilm and Microfiche
 Graphic Display device (Digitizing Tablet)
 Speech Output Unit or loud speaker
 Projector
COMPUTER SCIENCE December 28, 2024 42
 3.THE CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU)

 Converts data to useful information

 Interpret and execute instructions

 Communicate with input, output and storage

Three parts
 Control Unit (CU)
 Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
 (Registers)
 Internal communication & Cache memory (L1, L2 & L3 cache)
COMPUTER SCIENCE December 28, 2024 43
 3.1 ARITHMETIC / LOGIC UNIT ---- ALU
Performs arithmetic operations, And logical operations

ARITHMETIC OPERATIONS LOGICAL OPERATIONS

Evaluates conditions
Addition Makes comparisons
Subtraction Can compare
Multiplication
Numbers
Division
Letters
Special characters 44

COMPUTER SCIENCE
December 28, 2024
LOGICAL OPERATIONS CONT’D

X Y X OR Y
X Y X AND Y
0 0 0
0 0 0
0 1 1
0 1 0
1 0 1
1 0 0
1 1 1
1 1 1
COMPUTER SCIENCE December 28, 2024 45
 3.2 CONTROL UNIT ------ CU

CU is a part of the hardware that is in-charge

Directs the computer system to execute stored program
instructions
Communicates with other parts of the hardware

COMPUTER SCIENCE December 28, 2024 46

 Special-purpose, High-speed-Temporary storage,
3.3 REGISTERS:
Located inside CPU

Instruction register Data register

Holds data waiting to be

Holds instruction currently processed
being executed
Holds results from processing
COMPUTER SCIENCE December 28, 2024 47
 4 Memory

Computer data storage, often called storage or

memory, refers to computer components,
devices, and recording media that retain digital
data used for computing for some interval of
time.

COMPUTER SCIENCE December 28, 2024 48

 TYPES OF MEMORY

M e m o ry

P r im a r y S e c o n d a ry

ROM RAM

ROM PROM EPROM EEPROM SRAM DRAM

COMPUTER SCIENCE December 28, 2024 49

 RAM ( RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY )
Also called: Primary storage or memory or Primary
memory or Main storage or Internal storage or Main
memory or temporary storage. It is also known as the
Read and Write memory.
• RAM - Temporary storage,
• Holds input to be processed,
• Holds results of processing,
• Contains the programs to control the computer and
manipulate input into output,
• This memory is volatile: Whatever information you store
is temporary in nature and when you switch off the
COMPUTER SCIENCE computer everything is erased. December 28, 2024 50
 ROM (READ
ROM (READ ONLY
ONLY MEMORY
MEMORY ))

 It is a memory unit that performs the Read operation only and does not have a write
capability.
 Non-volatile
 Instructions for booting the computer
 Data and instructions can be read, but not modified
 Instructions are typically recorded at factory

COMPUTER SCIENCE December 28, 2024 51

 An optical drive is a storage device that uses lasers to read
data on the optical media. The two types are CD and DVD
(Digital Versatile/Video Disc).

A flash drive is a removable storage device that connects to a

USB port. A flash drive uses a type
of memory that requires no power to maintain the
data.

COMPUTER SCIENCE December 28, 2024 52

 SECONDARY STORAGE

 Long-term storage
 Non-volatile
 For safekeeping and later re-use

COMPUTER SCIENCE December 28, 2024 53

 SECONDARY STORAGE EXAMPLES

 Magnetic disks – read and written by magnetic disk drive

 Hard disk
 Diskette(floppy Disk)

 Optical disks – read and written by optical disk drives

 CD-ROM
 DVD-ROM

 Magnetic tape – read and written by magnetic tape drives

 Primarily used for back-up

COMPUTER SCIENCE December 28, 2024 54

COMPUTER SCIENCE December 28, 2024 55
COMPUTER SCIENCE December 28, 2024 56
 The principal characteristics of a memory.
 Capacity: representing the total volume of information (out of bits) that the
memory can store;
 The access time: corresponding to the interval of time enters
the request for read/write and the availability of the data;
 Cycle time: representing the interval of minimum time between two successive
accesses;
 Flow: defining the volume of information exchanged per unit of time, expressed
out of bits a second;
 Nonvolatility: characterizing the aptitude of a memory to preserve the data
when it is not fed any more electrically.

COMPUTER SCIENCE December 28, 2024 57

 Extension Card

COMPUTER SCIENCE
 Video Graphics Array (VGA) December 28, 2024 58

 Digital Visual Interface (DVI)

COMPUTER SCIENCE December 28, 2024 59
 Motherboards(cont)

The main printed circuit board. It contains the buses, or electrical

pathways found in a computer.
•Buses allow data to travel among the various components.
•Also known as the system board, the backplane, mobo, or the
main board.
•Accommodates CPU, RAM, expansion slots, heat sink/fan
assembly, BIOS chip, chip set, internal and external connectors,
various ports, and the embedded wires that interconnect the
motherboard components.
COMPUTER SCIENCE December 28, 2024 60
 Internal Cables
•Data cables connect drives to the drive controller, which is
located on an adapter card or on the motherboard.
Example: Floppy disk drive (FDD) data cable

COMPUTER SCIENCE December 28, 2024 61

COMPUTER PORTS

To be added
 USB Ports and Cables

 USB is a standard interface for connecting peripheral devices to a computer.

 USB devices are hot-swappable.
 USB ports are found on computers, cameras, printers, scanners, storage
devices, and many other electronic devices.
 A single USB port in a computer can support up to 127 separate devices with
the use of multiple USB hubs.
 Some devices can also be powered through the USB port, eliminating the
need for an external power source.

COMPUTER SCIENCE December 28, 2024 63

 Parallel Ports and Cables

COMPUTER SCIENCE December 28, 2024 64

 Parallel Ports and Cables
Parallel ports can transmit 8 bits of data at one time.
To connect a parallel device, such as a printer, a parallel
cable must be used.
A parallel cable has a maximum length of 15 feet (4.5 m).

COMPUTER SCIENCE December 28, 2024 65

  To access a printer, a computer must have an interface with
it. The following are common interface types:
 Serial data transfer is the movement of single bits of
information in a single cycle.
 Parallel data transfer is the movement of multiple bits of
information in a single cycle.
 Parallel data transfer is faster than serial data transfer
 Small Computer System Interface (SCSI), uses parallel
communication to achieve high data-transfer rates.
 Universal Serial Bus (USB) is a common interface for printers
and other devices.
COMPUTER SCIENCE December 28, 2024 66
 Power Supplies

COMPUTER SCIENCE December 28, 2024 67

MAJOR COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM

Hardware vs. Software.

Key hardware components (CPU, RAM,
Storage, Input/Output devices).
Types of software (System software,
Application software).
 SOFTWARE COMPONENTS

 Main Points:
oSystem software: Operating systems (e.g.,
Windows, macOS).
oApplication software: Word processors, games,
and specialized programs.
 END
UNIT One UNIT
ASSESSMENT
  There are two types of computer
ports discussed below:
• Internal port -Internal ports are
Types of used to connect internal devices like
Computer disk drives, CD drives, and other
Ports internal devices with the
motherboard.
• External port-External ports are
used to connect external devices
modem, mouse, printer, flash drives,
etc with the motherboard.
 •Serial Port
Let us •Parallel Port
now
discuss a •USB Port
few •PS/2 Port
important •VGA Port
types of •Modem Port
ports: •Digital Video Interface(DVI)
Port
Serial Port(COM Port)
A serial port is also
called a communication
port and they are used
for connection of
external devices like a
modem, mouse, or
keyboard (basically in
older PCs).
 Parallel ports are generally
used for connecting scanners
and printers. It can send
Parallel several bits at the same time
Port as it uses parallel
communication.
USB (Universal Serial
Bus)
In 1997 USB was first
introduced. This can
connect all kinds of
external USB devices, like
external hard disk,
printer, scanner, mouse,
keyboard,
PS/2 Port
PS/2 ports are special ports
used for connecting old
computer keyboard and mouse.
It was invented by IBM. In old
computers, there are a
minimum of two PS/2 Ports,
each for the keyboard and the
mouse. It is a 6-pin mini Din
connector.
 VGA Port
 VGA ports also known as
Video Graphic Array
connectors are those which
connect the monitor to a
computer’s video card. VGA
port has 15 holes and it is
similar to the serial port
connector.
Ethernet Port
Ethernet Port helps to
connect to a network and
high-speed
Internet(provided by LAN
or other sources). It
connects the network cable
to a computer and resides
in an Ethernet card.
 DVI Port is used to connect
an LCD(flat panel) monitor
Digital to the computer’s high-
Video end video graphic cards
Interface(D and it is very popular
VI) Port among video card
manufacturers.
FILL THE MISSING IN THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS

A) ------------ is often referred to as the brain of the computer. It is

responsible for executing instructions from programs and
performing calculations.
B) ------------ interprets data from input devices, processes it, and
then sends it to output devices.
C) ------------ It provides the electrical connections through which
the other parts of the system communicate
Read more about the parts of a motherboard and their functions
if you’d like.
 Cont.’ ……
E) ------------ It allows the CPU to access data quickly,
speeding up processing times.
F) More ------------ enables a computer to handle
more tasks at once and run more complex
applications without slowing down.
H. ------------ are where data is permanently stored.
 Cont.’ ……
I. ------------ are additional circuit boards that can be
inserted into the motherboard’s expansion slots to
add extra functionality to a computer.
J. ------------, houses all the computer components. It
protects the internal parts from dust, debris, and
physical damage.
K. ------------ allow data to travel among the various components.
END UNIT ONE