Web Quest – The History of Computers &
Usability of Systems Operations
• DO NOT COPY & PASTE or plagiarize. This all needs to be in your own words to
receive credit.
• You do not want a zero on this assignment for cheating, plagiarism, etc. It is a minor
grade.
Evaluation - Total Points = 100 = 1 Minor grade
List of Inventions = 10 points
Trading Cards = 25 points
Conclusion = 25 points
Timeline = 15 points
Computer System = 25 points
List of Inventions
• Brainstorm and think of inventions that you think have changed society. Make a
numbered list of the inventions in the order of importance (in your opinion) with # 1
being the most important.
Timeline - http://library.thinkquest.org/C0113882/history.shtml
• Create a timeline of important dates in the history of computers in a Word document
(use at least ten dates that you think are the most important).
• You can use a timeline template or create your own.
***Please note that you need to physically click on the links when visiting the timeline
website. It will not be acceptable to say things like, “[1975] The first real
microcomputer.” My question to you will be “The first real microcomputer did
what...was invented, was created, had a mental breakdown and started throwing
marshmallows at puppies in flea markets…?” You need to give a summary of what
happened on the dates in your own words. Clicking on the hyperlinks from the website
will help with that.
***You can use items not found on this website as long as they were significant to the
evolution of the computer.
Trading Cards
• Create a Trading Card (see Microsoft Word template from teacher) for two of the
following people or someone else whom you believe was very important to technology
today. You should have two trading cards completed when you are finished:
• Andy Grove
• Bill Gates
• Steve Jobs
• Robert Metcalfe
• Someone you believe has been very important to technology today
• In addition to putting their name and photo on the front of the card, include the
following information on the back:
•
•
•
Date of Birth and current age of person (or date of death)
Place of birth
Educational summary – *This should be more than just a list of places they
went to school.
• Why is this person important? What are their greatest accomplishments? Why
is it important?
Example Card (you cannot receive credit for creating a card for Steve Wozniak due to
this being the example):
Computer System
Using the knowledge you gained during the scavenger hunt, complete the following:
Scenario:
You work for Uncommon Goods (http://www.uncommongoods.com/), an online
gift store that sells unique gifts. You work in the I.S. Department where you are
tasked with inventory and stocking duties.
Daily you come in and run a computer analysis report to see which items were
purchased the day before. You must print a sales report for every customer, print a
shipping label for every customer, pull the items ordered from the inventory supply,
check for damages, and bring the items with the correct shipping label to the
shipping department.
If the item is damaged, you are not allowed to sell it. You must put it into the
damage area and mark the inventory appropriately in the computer system.
You are also responsible for handling any customer service phone calls that come in
about questions on shipment status or returns. Your company has also started
allowing customers to contact via Skype or web conference calls instead of just
using the telephone.
•
Draw with pen/paper or use clipart to assemble the office or cubicle you would
need to do your job effectively. You need to make sure that it is created complete
with a computer system and other items (i.e. desk, phone, etc.) as you see needed.
• Your computer system needs to have at least six peripheral devices. You are to
label both the names of the item and whether they functions as an input or output
device.
• Create list of all supplies needed for your job (software, paper, pens, ink, etc.) and
how often you anticipate needing to replenish those supplies.
***This is not to be graded on your artistic skills. This will be graded on how well you
can identify the management information requirements and business needs of this
organization and employee.***
Conclusion
Thinking of the job you had to complete above…
• What kind of information must managers evaluate whenever developing a workstation
for their employees?
• What other business needs do you think an internet gift company might have?
• What issues might occur when designing and developing the workstation above?
• How might your workstation have changed if you were working in the Shipping
Department? How might it have changed if you were the manager?