HARDWARE/SOFTWARE ASSIGNMENT
Overview
You are a graphic designer/writer for a computer magazine. Using Word, design a one-page, two or threecolumn layout for one of the hardware/software topics listed on the following page.
Click for MS Word HELP Instructions for this assignment
Instructions
Part One
1.
Each student will be assigned one of the topics described on the second page.
2. Research your topic and write a short report that will help describe either the
hardware or software concept to “readers.”
3. Incorporate your research report into an 8 ½ by 11 layout utilizing the column
feature of Word. (Set columns to either two or three.)
4. The following graphic items must be included in your layout:
a) Three graphic images including one imported from the internet;
b) One textbox (horizontal);
c) One textbox turned vertically;
d) Bullets and/or the symbol feature;
e) One horizontal line.
5. Include references and your name somewhere on the page.
Part Two - POSTER
You will also hand in a Poster of based on your research of your topic. Be sure to
include lots of pictures and use a font that is large enough to read when it is posted
in the classroom.
Evaluation
Learning Skill
Item
 displays a good sense of design
and
Thinking
Mark
/10
information organized
attractively
 all required graphical elements
present
-
three graphic images (one
imported from the
internet)
-
one horizontal textbox
-
one vertical textbox
-
bullets/symbol feature
Application
/10
horizontal line
 uses appropriate reporting
language
Communication
 few spelling/grammar errors
 references cited
 concepts pertaining to topic
are
Knowledge
/10
clearly explained in report
 Poster
Total
/10
/30
/70
Topics
1.
Operating Systems – its functions, popular types including MS-DOS,
Windows 3.1, ’95, ’98, ME, NT, Macintosh OS, Linux etc.
2. Types of Computers – supercomputers, mainframe, minicomputers,
workstations, personal computers
3. Variants of the Mouse – trackball, trackpad and TrackPoint
4. The PC as an Entertainment Centre – Music on CD, DVD, RealPlayer and
LiquidAudio
5. Computer Bus Systems – the data bus, the address bus, Industry
Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, VESA Local Bus (VL-Bus), Peripheral
Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, Universal Serial Bus (USB)
6. Digital Cameras – how do they work, types and price-points
7. Scanners – types and price-points, Optical Character Recognition (OCR)
Software
8. Memory Cache – internal and external cache, SRAM chips, its uses
9. Graphic Files – types of file extensions and their uses/limitations i.e.
GIF, TIFF, BMP, JPG etc.
10. Programming Languages – its evolution, categories of languages, i.e.
Fortran, Cobol, Basic, Pascal, C++, Java etc.
11. Microphones and Speech Recognition Software – how is this done, what is
available for the home user etc.
12. PC Video Camera – videoconferencing technology, what is available for
the home user, live-cams etc.
13. PC Projectors – LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) technology versus DLP
(Digital Light Processing), price-points, popular brands etc.
14. Macintosh Computers – what is a Mac? Mac advantages/disadvantages,
operating system etc.
15. Microprocessors – how chips are made, “the clean room”, evolution of the
mircochip
16. Laptop/Notebook Computers – advantages/disadvantages, brands,
features and price-points
17. Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) – their uses, brands, features and
price-points
18. Cellular Phone and Wireless Technology – e-mail capabilities, Web access,
features etc.
19. Web Site Creation Software – look at various types of software and rate
the software.
20.Color Printers – Compare and contrast quality, speed and price.
21. Black and White Color Printers - Compare and contrast quality, speed
and price.
22.Educational Video Games for Young children – Compare two on quality and
effectiveness
23.Violent Video Games – Compare two and give advantages and
disadvantages.
24.Web Cameras – their uses brands, advantages/disadvantages, features
and price-points
25.History of Computers - brief description of computers from the
beginning to now.
26.Evolution of the Internet – brief description of the Internet beginnings
to now.
Assignment Due Date: _______________________
Quiz Date: _______________________________
HARDWARE/SOFTWARE UNIT ASSIGNMENT ACHIEVEMENT CHART
Categories
50-59%
60-69%
70-79%
80-100%
(Level 1)
(Level 2)
(Level 3)
(Level 4)
Thinking
(10 Marks)
demonstrates
a limited
sense of
design
demonstrates
a moderate
sense of
design
- uses
technology
with limited
effectiveness
- uses
technology
with
moderate
effectiveness
- displays
some of the
required
graphical
elements
communicates
information
and ideas
with limited
clarity
- displays
most of the
required
graphical
elements
communicates
information
and ideas
with some
clarity
- uses
language with
limited
accuracy and
effectiveness
demonstrates
limited
knowledge of
facts and
terms
Application
(10 Marks)
Communication
(10 Marks)
Knowledge
(40 Marks)
demonstrates
a
considerable
sense of
design
- uses
technology
with
considerable
effectiveness
demonstrates
an excellent
sense of
design
- displays all
the required
graphical
elements
- uses
language with
some
accuracy and
effectiveness
- displays all
but one of
the required
graphical
elements
communicates
information
and ideas
with
considerable
clarity
- uses
language with
considerable
accuracy and
effectiveness
demonstrates
some
knowledge of
facts and
terms
demonstrates
considerable
knowledge of
facts and
terms
- uses
technology
with a high
degree of
effectiveness
communicates
information
and ideas
with a high
degree of
clarity
- uses
language with
a high degree
of accuracy
and
effectiveness
demonstrates
thorough
knowledge of
facts and
terms
demonstrates
limited
understanding
of concepts
demonstrates
some
understanding
of concepts
demonstrates
considerable
understanding
of concepts
demonstrates
thorough and
insightful
understanding
of concepts