Middle School Curriculum
Unit 16: Technology in Agriculture
Lesson 5: Introduction to Computers in Agriculture
STUDENT OBJECTIVES
1. Explain the difference between hardware and soft ware.
2. Identify the main components of a computer system.
Agriculture QCC: ..................................................................................................... 2, 4, 6, 42
Language Arts QCC:………………………………………………………...… 6-69, 74, 80
7-64, 70, 76
8-64, 70, 75
REFERENCES
Gookin, Dan. PCs for Dummies. New York, NY. For Dummies
Kraynak, Joe. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to PC’s.New York, NY. Alpha Books
Lee, Jasper S.; Patrick, Amanda R.; Vaughn, Rosco; Vaughn-Randel, Shelly; and Murphy,
Erin. AgriScience Discovery. Danville, IL: Interstate Publishers, Inc.
Morgan, Elizabeth M.; Lee, Jasper S.; and Wilson, Elizabeth. AgriScience Explorations.
Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall Interstate.
EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES, MATERIALS
CPU
Monitor
Keyboard
Mouse
Modem
Overhead projector
Printer
Scanner
Transparency 16.5.1
Transparency 16.5.2
Teaching Procedure
Introduction and Mental Set
This is the age of high technology. Computers are everywhere. Computers do most of the
things we readily take for granted. They allow information and data to be processed much
faster than even 2 years ago. This first lesson on computers will be used to familiarize us
with the basic components of a computer.
Georgia Middle School Agricultural Education Curriculum, Unit 16 Lesson 5
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1. Divide the class equally into teams of three or four. Have them list 5 things that are done
everyday in agriculture with the aid of computers. Once the list is compiled have students
list how the task was originally done. Allow about 5 minutes to complete the exercise.
2. Ask the students to try to come up with 5 things in Agriculture that are not in some way
affected by computers.
3. Pre-test computer component knowledge by having a parts identification quiz. Award the
student who gets the most correct answers with a free homework coupon or some other
prize.
Discussion
1. Question: What is the difference between hardware and software?
Answer: Hardware is the term used for the main equipment that makes up the
computer, such as keyboard, monitor, and mouse. Software is the programs and
instructions that make the hardware work.
2. Question:
Answer:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
What are the main hardware parts of a computer system?
Refer to computer or transparency 16.5.1.
CPU
Monitor
Keyboard
Printer
Mouse
Scanner
3. Question: What are the functions of each of these parts?
Answer:
A. CPU----The main part of the computer. (Four parts make up the CPU)
1. Power Supply----main power
2. Motherboard----processor
3. Disk Drives----floppies, CD-Rom, and hard disk
4. Ports----connects for printers, mouse, modem
B. Monitor----Screen that shows the results.
C. Keyboard----Device used to put data into the computer. Similar to a
typewriter keypad.
D. Printer----Device used to receive a hard copy of the information.
E. Mouse----Small hand device that is used to move the pointer on the
screen.
F. Scanner----Device used to convert photographs to digital images.
4. Question: What is storage media?
Answer: Storage media is used to store data either magnetically or as tiny holes
that are read by a laser. A floppy disk is a type of storage media that stores the data
magnetically. Some other types of storage media include Zip Disks which store the
data magnetically and CDs that store the data as tiny holes which are read by a laser.
Which storage media you use, depends on how much data you need to store. A
floppy disk holds 1.44 megabytes, a Zip Disk holds either 100 megabytes or 250
megabytes, and a CD-Rom holds 700 megabytes.
Georgia Middle School Agricultural Education Curriculum, Unit 16 Lesson 5
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5. Question: Are there any special precautions to take when handling storage
media?
Answer: Yes, special care must be taken not to damage the media. The following
rules should be followed:
A. Keep media away from magnets (magnets however do not affect CD’s or
DVD’s)
B. Media should never be left inside a car or truck to be exposed to direct
sunlight or high temperatures.
C. Never touch the disk surface of a floppy or Zip disk
D. Keep food and drink away from the floppy or Zip disk
E. Do not store media in a backpack or your pocket without being kept in its
case or disk storage box.
6. Question:
Answer:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
How is software used?
Software is used several ways:
To operate the computer
To write letters, papers, reports, etc.
To keep records
To develop charts and graphs
To communicate with other people
Assignment
1. Using a computer with a word processor, and the overhead 16.5.2, have your
students write a letter to the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
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ACADEMIC CONNECTIONS
Language Arts
Middle School Connections in Agriculture Education
Language Arts QCC: Grade 6-69, 74, 80
7-64, 70, 76
8-64, 70, 75
Name____________________________________ Period____ Date______________
Write a rough draft letter to the Department of Agriculture. Include any questions that you may
have for them and a thank you for all they have done. You may want to share some of the things
you are learning in class with them. When you are finished, type a formal, final draft of your letter
as outlined before in class.
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Georgia Middle School Agricultural Education Curriculum, Unit 16 Lesson 5
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Summary
Conclusion
In this lesson we learned about the main parts of a computer. In the next lesson we will
look at what computers can be used for in agriculture.
Evaluation
Develop a quiz from materials presented in the lesson.
Georgia Middle School Agricultural Education Curriculum, Unit 16 Lesson 5
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16.5.1
COMPUTER HARDWARE
Printer
Monitor
CPU
Scanner
Keyboard
Mouse
Georgia Middle School Agricultural Education Curriculum, Unit 16 Lesson 5
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16.5.2
Use the tab key to line up the
senders address. Your address
Name of Receiver
Georgia Department of Agriculture
19 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, S.W.
Atlanta, GA 30334
Dear Mr. or Mrs.
School’s Address
City, State zip
Date letter was written
Receiver’s address. The address the letter
is being sent to.
Greeting. Dear “Mr.” “Mrs.” or “Dr.”
Followed by a colon.
:
The body of the letter goes here.
The body of the letter goes here. Do Not
indent paragraphs.
Sincerely,
Closing. Use “Sincerely” followed by a
comma.
Sender’s Name
Sender’s Title
Your signature goes here.
Enclosure Notation
Your name with your title underneath it.
Double-space. Hit
enter twice.
Enclosure. If you have enclosed anything in the
envelope (check, money order, application form
etc.) you need to have an enclosure notation.
Quadruple space. Hit enter four
times here.
Georgia Middle School Agricultural Education Curriculum, Unit 16 Lesson 5
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