1. Classroom Technologies Module 102 By: Kimberly Squires

2. Computer Workstations  Most classroom computers are classified into one of the following: desktop, laptop, or tablet. These are all used using the same architecture.  A large panel of integrated circuits is called the “motherboard”. It is attached to smaller specialized circuit boards.  Printers, scanners, and document cameras are all connected by a device called a universal serial bus (USB).  Computers also have something called the “brain” of the computer. It is called central processing unit which is also known as (CPU).  Above the CPU it has a cooling device because it generates a lot of heat.  (SSD) Solid-state disk- is a multilayered disk that spins like a record under a read/write head.  terabyte= 1,000,000 gigabytes or 1 billion megabytes  Petabytes= 1,000 terabytes  Cloud Computing- includes SkyDrive, icloud, Goolge, Drive, and Dropbox. This offers more storage.

3. Display Devices  (CRT) Cathode ray tube: was used for many decades but has recently been replaced with (LCD)liquid crystal display and (LED)light emitting diode. These technologies require less power and provide more accurate color reproduction.  The electronic whiteboard has also recently been adopted in the classrooms in the US because it allows users ti control computer screen operations with a stylus or a finger. These boards are also known as Smart boards and Promethean boards.  Video graphics array (VGA) or Digital video interconnect(DVI) adapters and High definition multimedia interface (HDMI) or DisplayPort support faster throughput, better color fidelity, and also carry an audio signal.

4. Continued…  Pixels are the smallest units of color that can display and represent onscreen.  Older projectors were only capable of display resolutions that used only 4:3 aspect ratio, but in newer models they can display 16:9 HD. This now allows teachers to be able to play high definition movies in the classroom and open different windows side by side.  Mirrored display is where the workstation screen is duplicated on every connected display.  Extended display is a desktop applications, where the instructor positions a different content window on each screen, which makes it easier to multitask.

5. Software  In an installed software there is normally 3 different categories caommonly found on instructional workstations.  Operating System (OS)- coordinates the various functions of the hardware and software components to work in concert.  Productivity software- computer programs that teachers use in their daily workflows.  App stores/freeware/trialware- Online sharing sites