Introduction to Basic Computers

Session 1: Introduction to Basic Computers

Total Session Time: 60minutes +120 minutes Practical

Prerequisites

None

Learning Tasks

By the end of this session students are expected to be able to:

Define the Term ‘Computer’

Classify Types of Computers

Explain the History of the Personal Computers

Explain the Uses of Computer

Identify Computer Parts and Connect Parts

Explain Keyboard Layout

Perform Turn on and Shut Down of Computer

Resources Needed

Flip charts, marker pens, and masking tape

Black/white board and chalk/whiteboard markers

Computer

LCD projector

SESSION OVERVIEW

Step

Time

Activity/

Method

Content

1

05 minutes

Presentation

Presentation of Session Title and Learning Tasks

2

10 minutes

Presentation, Brainstorming

Definition of Computer

3

20 minutes

Presentation

Classification of Types of Computers

4

15 minutes

Presentation

History of Personal Computers

5

10 minutes

Presentation

Buzzing

Uses of Computer

6

45 minutes

Presentation

Demonstration

Computer Parts and Connection

7

45 minutes

Presentation

Keyboard Layout

8

20 minutes

Presentation

Turn on and Shut Down Computer

9

05 minutes

Presentation

Key Points

10

05 minutes

Presentation

Evaluation

SESSION CONTENT

Step 1: Presentation of Session Title and Learning Tasks (5 minutes)

READ or ASK student to read the learning objectives and clarify.

ASK students if they have any questions before continuing.

Step 2: Definition of Computer (10 minutes)

Activity: Brainstorming (5 minutes)

Ask students to brainstorm on the following question:

What is the term ‘computer’ means?

ALLOW few students to respond

WRITE their responses on the flip chart/ board

CLARIFY and SUMMARISE by using the content below

Meaning of Computer

Computer

An electronic device that can follow instruction to accept input, process that input and produce information

It can also simply be defined as an electronic machine that takes data, stores it, processes that data and produces information. (Data can be defined as unprocessed facts and processing data gives information)

The Two Principal Characteristics of a Computer

Responds to a specific set of instructions in a well-defined manner

Can execute a pre-recorded list of instructions (a program)

Step 3: Classification of Types of Computers (20 minutes)

Computers can be classified by using Size and Power as follows:

Workstation computers

A powerful, single-user computer

A workstation is like a personal computer, but it has a more powerful microprocessor and a higher-quality monitor

Minicomputer

A multi-user computer capable of supporting from 10 to hundreds of users simultaneously

Mainframe computer

A powerful multi-user computer capable of supporting many hundreds or thousands of users simultaneously

Supercomputer

An extremely fast computer that can perform hundreds of millions of instructions per second

Personal Computer

Personal computer (PC) is a small, relatively inexpensive computer designed for an individual user

classified by size and portability

Desktop Computers

Laptops or notebooks

Personal Digital Assistants

Portable Computers

Tablet Computers

Wearable Computers

Cell Phones

All are based on the microprocessor technology that enables manufacturers to put an entire Central Processing Unit (CPU) on one chip

The principal characteristics of personal computers are that they are single-user systems and are based on microprocessors

Although personal computers are designed as single-user systems, it is common to link them together to form a network

In terms of power, there is great variety

At the high end, the distinction between personal computers and workstations has faded

High-end models of the Macintosh and PC offer the same computing power and graphics capability as low-end workstations by Sun Microsystems, Hewlett-Packard, and DEC

Step 4: History of Personal Computers (15 minutes)

Personal computers first appeared in the late 1970s

One of the first and most popular personal computers was the Apple II

During the late 1970s and early 1980s, new models and competing operating systems seemed to appear constantly

In 1981 a new standard was established in the micro-computer industry with the debut of the IBM PC

The IBM PC quickly became the personal computer of choice, and most other personal computer manufacturers fell by the wayside

In order to survive, other companies adjusted to IBM's dominance by building IBM clones, computers that were internally almost the same as the IBM PC, but that cost less

Because IBM clones used the same microprocessors as IBM PCs, they were capable of running the same software

Since then, hundreds of millions of PC-compatible systems have been sold as the original PC has grown into an enormous family of computers

More software has been written for this computer family than for any other system on the market

Apple computer did survive and to date it remains a major player in the personal computer marketplace

Today, the world of personal computers is basically divided between Apple Macintoshes and PCs

Step 5: Uses of Computer (10 minutes)

Activity: Buzzing (5 minutes)

ASK students to pair up and buzz on the following questions for 2 minutes

What types of personal computers have you used before?

What did you use it for?

ALLOW few pairs to respond and let other pairs to add on points which are not mentioned

WRITE their response on the flip chart/board

CLARIFY and SUMMARIZE by using the content below

There are two uses of computer, these are:

General purpose computer is design to solve wide variety of problems. Examples of general purpose computer are

School computers

Hospital computers

Office computers

Special purpose computer is designed for particular job only to solve problem of restricted nature. Examples of special purpose computer are

Petroleum pumps

Traffic lights

Programmable pocket calculator

Weapons guidance system

Step 6: Computer Parts and Connection (45 minutes)

Computer parts include the following:

Keyboard

Mouse

Monitor(Screen)

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

System unit

Random Access Memory(RAM)

Connecting Computer Parts

Connecting a computer includes the following steps:

Connect monitor and system unit together.

Connect keyboard.

Connect mouse

Connect computer to electrical power.

Activity: Demonstration (30 minutes)

DIVIDE students in small manageable groups.

PREPARE computer parts for demonstration

POSITION students so that everyone can see and hear

REVIEW steps of connecting a computer with students

DEMONSTRATE the procedure of connecting computer parts

ALLOW one student from each group to do a return demonstration and let others comment on it

CLARIFY and SUMMARIZE by using the content below

INFORM the students that “every student will practice in the computer laboratory under supervision until is competent”

Step 7: Keyboard Layout (45 minutes)

Activity: Demonstration (45 minutes)

DIVIDE students in small manageable groups.

PREPARE Keyboard for demonstration

POSITION students so that everyone can see and hear

REVIEW keys of the keyboard of a computer with students

DEMONSTRATE the functions of keys of a computer keyboard

ALLOW students from each group to do a return demonstration and let others comment on it

CLARIFY and SUMMARIZE by using the content below

INFORM the students that “every student will practice in the computer laboratory under supervision until is competent”

The keyboard has the following keys:

Enter or Return – Moves the cursor down one line and to the left margin. Enter also process commands such as choosing an option in a dialog (message) boxes and submitting a form

DEL or Delete – Deletes the character at cursor and/or characters to the right of the cursor and all highlighted (or selected) text

BKSP or Backspace – Deletes the character to the left of cursor and all highlighted text

Space Bar – Moves the cursor one space at a time to the right

Shift Key – Use the shift keys to type capital letters and to type the upper character on keys with two characters on them

Caps Lock – Locks the keyboard so it types capital letters (a light goes on when caps lock is on)

Tab – Moves the cursor five spaces to the right (number of spaces are usually adjustable). Tab moves to the next field in a form or table (Shift-Tab for previous field).

ESC or Escape – Cancels a menu or dialog box

Arrow Keys – Moves the cursor around document without changing text

Function Keys or F keys – Access commands by themselves or in combination with the three command keys; CTRL, SHIFT, and ALT

Figure 1: Keyboard

Source: Herniter, M.E. 2000

Command or Special Keys

Command keys normally do nothing on their own but work in combination with other keys

Each piece of software uses the command keys differently though there is a move to standardize some functions

The Control key or Ctrl is often used to access commands

The Alternative key or Alt is often used to access menus

The Shift key is used to type CAPITAL LETTERS

The command keys are all used to move through documents and edit text faster and easier

Many computers have special keys designed specifically for the particular computer

Apple computers have the Apple keys and Macs have Command keys

Many older computers also have special keys used for a variety of different functions

Some laptop keys are left out because of space limitations and they usually have a special function key which allows other keys to double for the missing ones

Step 8: Turn On and Shut Down Computer (20 minutes)

Activity Demonstration (20 minutes)

DIVIDE students in small manageable groups.

PREPARE Computer for demonstration

POSITION students so that everyone can see and hear

REVIEW steps of that skill with students using a checklist

REFER students to Computer parts and connecting activity

DEMONSTRATE the procedure of switching computer ON/OFF

ALLOW one student from each group to do a return demonstration and let others comment on it

CLARIFY and SUMMARIZE by using the content below

INFORM the students that “every student will practice in the computer laboratory under supervision until is competent”

Computer is like other electronic equipment like Television or radio. It has on/off button. When switch on computer you just press the button and it will start automatic. The process is called booting

Turning off is different from other devices because you have to follow procedures.

The figure below (2 and 3) shows the procedure of switching OFF the computer

By using computer mouse click start button as shown in figure 2

Figure 2: Start Button

Source: Screen shoot

Then window like in figure 3 will appear then use computer mouse to click on button you want.

Figure 3: Turn Off Button

Source: Screen Shoot

Step 9: Key Points (5 minutes)

Computer is an electronic device that can follow instruction to accept and process that input to produce information

Computers are classified by using size, users, portability and power

Personal computers first appeared in late 1970s and early 1980s; new models and competing operating systems appeared rapidly

Computers are used for general purpose example in School, Hospitals, or Office but can also are used in special purposes for particular job only to solve problem of restricted nature. Examples are Petroleum pumps or traffic lights

It is important to know the symbols and terms used in keyboard

Before connecting computer it’s important to make sure that all parts are available

Step 10: Evaluation (5 minutes)

What does the term ‘computer’ mean?

What is the history of personal computer

What are the computer parts?

What are the features of keyboard?

What are the procedures used in switching computer ON and OFF.

Reference

Bott, E. & Siechert, C. (2001). Microsoft Windows XP Inside Out. Microsoft Press

Herniter, M.E. (2000). Personal Computer Fundamentals for Students, Hardware Windows 2000 Application (2nd Ed). Prentice Hall.

Joos, I. Whitman, N. Smith, M. Nelson, R. et al. (2006). Introduction to Computers for Healthcare Professionals (4th Ed). Barb Mews: London.

Morris, M. & Charles, M. (2003). Logol Computer Designer Fundamentals. Prentice Hall.

Sagman, S. (1999), Microsoft Office 2000 for Windows: Visual Quick Start Guide. The Basics of the Word Window. Retrieved from www.gcflearnfree.org/computer/

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