1. Teaching and Learning with Technology  Allyn and Bacon 2002 Introduction to Personal Computers in the Classroom Chapter 3 Teaching and Learning with Technology

2.  Allyn and Bacon 2002 How Computers Work A computer is made up of hardware and software that makes the computing cycle possible. Hardware includes all the physical components of a computer Software includes all the programs (set of computer instructions) that instruct the computer how to perform operations or tasks

3. Teaching and Learning with Technology  Allyn and Bacon 2002 How Computers Work The computing cycle consists of Input Processing Storage Output Each stage of the cycle has specific hardware devices associated with it

4. Teaching and Learning with Technology  Allyn and Bacon 2002 How Computers Work – The Cycle Input includes any data or programs that are entered into the machine by the user Input is directed to the CPU for processing The CPU chip control data flowing through the computer and executes all necessary tasks to complete the requested process The CPU may use temporary memory (RAM) to store data during processing

5. Teaching and Learning with Technology  Allyn and Bacon 2002 How Computers Work – The Cycle Or, if the data needs to be stored more permanently, the CPU may direct data to be placed on a storage media (disk) When processing is completed, the CPU moves data to the user as output This cycle is continuous as long as the machine is on

6. Teaching and Learning with Technology  Allyn and Bacon 2002

7. Teaching and Learning with Technology  Allyn and Bacon 2002 Software Once the BIOS program is read, the next program starts This program is the Power On Self Test (POST) The POST checks the computer’s hardware to make sure all parts are functional If any problems exist, it writes an error message to the user on the monitor

8. Teaching and Learning with Technology  Allyn and Bacon 2002 Software If the POST completes successfully, the next program to load is the Operating System (O/S) The O/S operates all the hardware and provides the user interface, the method for user and computer interaction Windows (PC) and Mac O/S are the operating systems for PCs and Macs respectively

9. Teaching and Learning with Technology  Allyn and Bacon 2002 Software Both Windows and Mac O/S use a Graphical User Interface (GUI) A GUI uses icons to represent objects and programs and a pointer to select and/or start them Menus are also available in a GUI operating systems to give users lists of command options from which to choose

10. Teaching and Learning with Technology  Allyn and Bacon 2002 Software The O/S prepares the machine to run other programs Some programs are called Applications because they apply the machine to a specific task Other programs may be Utility programs because they help maintain the machine and its operations

11. Teaching and Learning with Technology  Allyn and Bacon 2002 Software Academic Applications are programs that help teachers or learners in the teaching/learning process Administrative Applications are programs that help teachers perform the administrative tasks required in their work Application programs are sometimes sold as a bundle of related software called an Application Suite

12. Teaching and Learning with Technology  Allyn and Bacon 2002 Software Integrated software are “mini” versions of applications that condensed into a single software package All software is written to run on specific machines so it is important to check machine specifications before making software purchases

13. Teaching and Learning with Technology  Allyn and Bacon 2002 Hardware The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the chip that controls all machine processes CPU performance is measured in terms of the speed at which it can process instructions The higher the speed, the faster the CPU, the more responsive the computer will seem Speed is measured in Megahertz (MHz)

14. Teaching and Learning with Technology  Allyn and Bacon 2002 Hardware The CPU uses a special temporary storage location for programs and user input This temporary storage is Random Access Memory (RAM) RAM size is measure in Megabytes (Mb) The larger the RAM the more the CPU can store for easy, fast access

15. Teaching and Learning with Technology  Allyn and Bacon 2002 Hardware The CPU can store data in RAM more permanently in storage devices Storage devices include floppy disk, hard disk, CDs, and DVDs Users can issue a SAVE command which instructs the CPU to move data from RAM to disk

16. Teaching and Learning with Technology  Allyn and Bacon 2002 Hardware Input Devices Include all devices used to put data or programs into the machine The most common devices are the keyboard and mouse Other input devices include alternative pointing devices such as track balls, joy stick or glide points

17. Teaching and Learning with Technology  Allyn and Bacon 2002 Hardware Output Devices Include all devices that move processed data from the computer to the user Monitors display data in the form of soft-copy output Monitors vary in the clarity (resolution) of their display as well as their size (measure diagonally across the screen) LCD monitors using a different display technology offer flat, smaller hardware

18. Teaching and Learning with Technology  Allyn and Bacon 2002 Hardware Output Devices Printers display data in hard-copy output Laser printer use heat to affix toner to paper to create clear, permanent images Most laser printers are black and white Ink Jet printers blow small bubbles of ink on paper to create images Most Ink Jet printers print in color and black

19. Teaching and Learning with Technology  Allyn and Bacon 2002 Disk Storage Hard Disks Are typically permanently fixed inside the computer Offer the largest storage capacity of all disks When installing programs, most of the program is stored on the hard disk for quick access Hard disks can “crash” so it is important to backup data on removable media

20. Teaching and Learning with Technology  Allyn and Bacon 2002 Disk Storage Floppy Disks Are portable storage with a limited capacity of 1.44 megabytes Are usually used to store smaller files for back up or for transportability Hard disks can “crash” so it is important to backup data on removable media Like hard disks, can store both electronic files and the electronic folders that organize them

21. Teaching and Learning with Technology  Allyn and Bacon 2002 Disk Storage Floppy Disks Are useful in the classroom when each student is given their own disk on which to store work Floppy disks may inadvertently transport viruses as well as files It is important to use a virus checker program to protect classroom machines from possible infection via floppy disks The 21 st Century Classroom: Technology in Teaching and Learning

22. Teaching and Learning with Technology  Allyn and Bacon 2002 Disk Storage Removable Hard Disks Some hard disks are designed to be removable cartridges that work with a special external drive Removable hard disks vary in capacity from 100 megabytes to 1 gigabyte These disks are good for backup and classroom storage of files too large for floppy disk The 21 st Century Classroom: Technology in Teaching and Learning

23. Teaching and Learning with Technology  Allyn and Bacon 2002 Disk Storage CD-ROM Compact Disks (CD) that are read only (ROM) can be used only to read programs CD-ROMs cannot be used to store files CD-ROMs use a laser technology to store approximately 600 megabytes of data These optical discs are typically used by software manufacturers to store programs for user installation The 21 st Century Classroom: Technology in Teaching and Learning

24. Teaching and Learning with Technology  Allyn and Bacon 2002 Disk Storage CD-R Compact Disks (CD) that can be read many times AND recorded on ONCE are Recordables CD-Rs are useful to archive (back up) large amounts of data CD-Rs require a specially designed disc (CD- R disc) and drive to record data Once recorded, data can be read on a CD- ROM drive

25. Teaching and Learning with Technology  Allyn and Bacon 2002 Disk Storage CD-RW Compact Disks that can be read and recorded on many times are Compact Disc- ReWriteable (CD-RWs) CD-RWs can be used like a portable hard disk with up to 600 megabytes of space CD-RWs require a specially designed disc (CD-RW disc) and drive to record data Once recorded, data can be read by most newer CD drives

26. Teaching and Learning with Technology  Allyn and Bacon 2002 Disk Storage DVD Digital Versatile Discs are optical discs that can store up to 17 gigabytes of data DVDs are typically used to store digital video since video files require large amounts of storage space DVDs require a DVD drive, but DVD drives can also play back CD technology DVD-Rs, recordable DVDs, are an emerging technology just becoming available

27. Teaching and Learning with Technology  Allyn and Bacon 2002 Computers in Education Teachers need to be sufficiently aware of computer hardware and software to use both effectively in their classroom While teachers need not be technical experts, they do need to know enough to Use the technology appropriately Handle minor computer problem Help students use computers Recognize when technical support is needed