Topic 1:
The Role of Computers
Objective:
Describe the role of computers
in our daily life.
The Role of Computers:
 A computer is an electronic device that you can use to
store and process information. Computers help you
perform a variety of tasks such as receiving and sending
e-mail messages to family and friends, making
presentations, and maintaining records. Computers are
used for various business and recreational activities. You
can save time, effort, and money by using computers.
 Computers play a major role in our daily lives. They are
used virtually everywhere we go, such as industries,
schools, government offices, and shops.
The following slides describe the
use of computers in various fields.
 Education
 Business & Finance
 Healthcare
 Scientific Research
 Government Affairs
 Arts & Entertainment
 Publishing
Education
 In the field of education, trainers can use computers to
perform various tasks such as deliver training through
audio-visual learning aids, maintain student records to
track performance, search for information on different
topics, and create assignments.
Business and Personal Finance
 In the field of business, you can use computers to
maintain accounts, create personnel records, track
inventory, prepare presentations and reports, manage
projects, and communicate by e-mail. You can use
computer technology to view the details of your bank
account, get instant information on stock markets, trade
stocks, and manage investments.
Healthcare
 In the field of healthcare, computers can be used to
perform various tasks such as reviewing medical records
of patients. Using computers, doctors can easily search
information about latest drugs that are available to treat
a disease. In addition, doctors use computer technology
to discuss and share information about various diseases.
Scientific Research
 Scientists use computers for research, scientific modeling,
and data analysis. For example, scientists use computers
to perform complex mathematical computations, to view
and analyze images from space, and to publish
information on their recent research. They also use
computer programs to simulate a structure, organism, or
arrangement and then evaluate how it performs under
different situations.
Government Affairs
 In government organizations, you can use computers to
organize information by storing and maintaining records.
Computers are also used for providing services to citizens.
For example, you can view information on current policies
and government issues on a computer.
Arts and Entertainment
 You can use computers to create drawings and paintings.
Photographers use computers to edit and enhance
pictures. Writers use computers to write content for their
books and to create illustrations. Using computers,
writers can make changes in the content easily and save
time.
 You can also use computers for entertainment. You can
listen to music, watch movies, store
and print photographs, send greetings,
and play games by using a computer.
Publishing
 You can use computers to design any type of publication
ranging from simple newsletters to fashion magazines,
marketing materials, books, or newspapers.
 Think It Through 
 You have seen that computers play a role in virtually
every aspect of our life.
 Create a Tree Map that describes how you and your
family interact with computers in the seven areas we
looked at: Education, Business & Finance, Healthcare,
Scientific Research, Government Affairs, Arts &
Entertainment, and Publishing.
 For each area, write a complete sentence that explains
how a computer plays a role in your or a family members
life.
Tree Map
Computers
Education
Business &
Personal
Finance
Healthcare
Scientific
Research
Government
Affairs
Arts &
Entertainment
Publishing
For each area, write a complete sentence that explains how a
computer plays a role in your or a family members life. The light
blue boxes will grow as you type.
Tree Map
TOP
SECRET
--No Peeking!—
Computers
Education
Business &
Personal
Finance
I can
conduct
research for
school
projects and
check my
grades
online.
My mom
can access
money
online or at
an ATM even
when the
bank is
closed.
Healthcare
My medical
records are
stored on
computers
at the
doctors
office.
Scientific
Research
Government
Affairs
Arts &
Entertainment
Weather
scientists
use
computers
to predict
when a
Hurricane
will hit our
area.
I can go
online to
email my
mayor,
congressma
n or senator
about things
that I want
changed.
Many films
that I watch
use 3D
effects and
digital
effects that
are not
possible
without
computers.
Publishing
I can email
pictures to
be printed
and my
favorite
magazine is
created on
computers.
(Delete or drag this box over to check your answers)
For each area, write a complete sentence that explains how a
computer plays a role in your or a family members life.
 Think It Through 
 Writing: Write a short story that describes one day in your
life without computers. Consider that virtually everything
with a digital display is a computer: from your phone to
your car. How would your life be different, better, worse
and the same?
 Remember to include a good introduction, write clearly,
use good word choice and correct grammar/ spelling.
 Strive For Success 
 Time to check your
understanding of
Topic 1: The Role of
Computers.
 Our class will take a quiz on
____(Quiz Date)_______.
 Use your Study Guide and
Think It Through Activities
to strive for success on the
quiz!
Topic 2:
The Parts of a Computer
Objective:
Identify the external and
internal parts of a computer.
Parts of a Computer
 A computer has various parts inside and out. Each part
performs a specific function.
 First, you will learn to identify the parts of the computer
visually.
 Later, you will learn the functions of these different parts.
2
External Front
1
1. Optical Drive (CD/ DVD Drive)
2
2. Empty Bays (If you want to add an
extra Optical Drive)
3
5
7
4
3. Power Button
4. Extra USB Ports
5. Sound Input Port (Microphone)
7
6. Sound Output Port (Headphones)
7. Sound Output (Speaker)
External Back
1
1. Power Supply with cooling fan
2. Keyboard and Mouse Ports (These are being
replaced with USB ports in new PCs)
Purple-Keyboard Green- Mouse
2
3
4. Video Port- For Monitor or Projection System
(Video Card)
5
5. Parallel Port- For Printers or Scanners without a
USB cord (pretty rare now)
6
7
6. Ethernet Port- To connect to Internet (NIC Card)
4
4
3. USB (Universal Serial Bus) Ports
7. Empty Bay- Allows extra room for other cards to be
added later.
8
6
8. Sound Input/Output (Sound Card)
Pink- Headphones
Green- Speakers
Blue- Microphone
Internal
6. Optical (CD) Drive 1
1. Power
Supply
Optical Drive 2 or Empty Bay
Back
Empty Bay
2. CPU
w/ Fan
CPU
9.with
RAM
Fan
7. 3.5 Floppy Drive
8. Hard Drive
Behind Wall
3. Video
Card
4. Sound
Card
5. NIC
Card
10. Motherboard
Front
Computer Part
Access From
The Front
Access From
The Back
Power Supply
X (on Button)
USB Ports
X (USB Ports) Found on the front and
back of tower for ease of use.
Video Card
(Graphics)
Sound Card
X (Power Cord)
What It Does
Provides Power to the
system
Allows devices to
connect to computer
X
Displays picture on the
monitor
(Video Port where you
plug in the monitor)
X (Sound Ports) Found on the front and
back of tower for ease of use.
Sends sound to
speakers/ headphones
X (Ethernet Port)
Allows connection to
Internet or LAN
Modem Card
(Connectivity)
Optical Drive
Access From
Operating
System
X (CD ROM)
Reads/Writes
CD-ROMs
Hard Drive
X (C Drive)
Reads/Writes files to
internal storage
CPU
X
Tells all the parts what
to do
Motherboard with
RAM Memory
X
Circuit board that CPU,
components & cards
plug into.
 Think It Through 
 Use the pictures and labels on the following slides to test
your memory. Can you drag the labels to the correct the
parts of the computer inside and out?
 Work alone, then work with a partner and help each
other check your work.
 Think It Through 
Power
Supply
Sound
Card
NIC
Card
CPU
with Fan
Motherboard
RAM
Optical Drive
Video
Card
CPU
Hard Drive
 Think It Through 
Power
Supply
TOP
SECRET
--No Peeking!—
Optical Drive
RAM
CPU
with Fan
CPU
Video
Card
Hard Drive
(Delete or drag this box over to check your answers)
Sound
Card
NIC
Card
Motherboard
 Think It Through 
1
2
3
5
6
7
4
4
8
6
Power
Supply
Keyboard &
Mouse Ports
Sound
Input/ Output
USB Ports
Video
Port
Parallel Ports
Ethernet Port
Empty Bay
Power
1Supply
2
3
 Think It Through 
TOP
SECRET
No Peeking!—
4
USB Ports
Parallel Ports
5
6
Ethernet Port
7
put
4
Bay
ag this box over toEmpty
check
your answers)
8
6
 Think It Through 
2
1
Power
Button
Optical
Drive
Sound Input
Port Microphone
USB Ports
Sound Output
Port Headphone
Sound Output
Speaker
2
3
5
7
4
Empty Bay
7
Empty Bay
2
 Think It Through 
Optical
Drive
1
TOP
SECRET
--No Peeking!—
2
Power
Button
3
5
7
Input
ophone
Sound Output
Port Headphone
4
USB Ports
or drag this box over to check your answers)
7
Sound Output
Speaker
 Strive For Success 
 Time to check your
understanding of
Topic 2: The Parts of a
Computer.
 Our class will take a quiz on
____(Quiz Date)_______.
 Use your Study Guide and
Think It Through Activities
to strive for success on the
quiz!
Topic 3:
The Functions of a Computer
Objective:
- Identify the four major
functions of a computer.
- Identify basic computer terms.
Computer Functions:
A computer has four functions:
1. To Accept dataInput
2. To Process dataProcessing
3. To Produce output- Output
4. To Store resultsStorage
……
Input
Output
Input
Everything a user “tells” a computer.
Commands are given to the computer in different ways
depending on the type of Interface being used. They can
be a typed command, selected from a menu, or clicked
with a mouse.
Running programs, software, uploading data and responding
to a computers question are also considered Input.
Input
Processing
The thinking that the computer does - the calculations,
comparisons, and decisions.
A computer’s speed is often compared to its central processing
unit (CPU), the part of the computer where all computer
processing takes place. However, speed is also affected by
the amount of RAM memory that is available.
……
Output
Data that has been processed into useful form, now called
Information. It can be described as:
Hard copy: printed on paper or other permanent media
Soft copy: displayed on the screen or by other nonpermanent means
Output
Storage
If you do not save your work to a Storage Device like the
computer’s Hard Drive, a USB Drive, a CD or a Network Drive
like the Assignment Drive, that information will be lost when
you close the program.
Memory Speed measures the time it takes to move data in or
out of memory. It is measured in megahertz (MHz).
Memory Capacity measures the amount of data that a device
can hold. It is measured in bytes. The Prefix Mega (MB), Giga
(GB) and Tera (TB) describe if the bytes are numbered in the
Millions, Billions or Trillions.
Storage Devices
 You use storage devices to keep computer information for later





use. Storage devices come in many forms. Some examples are
hard drive or disk, CD-ROM, floppy disk, and DVD-ROM.
Storage devices can be divided into two types, internal storage
devices and external storage devices. Some common storage
devices are :
Hard Disk
Floppy Disk
CD-ROM or DVD-ROM
USB Flash Drive
Cloud Storage
Hard Disk Drive & Floppy Disk
 Hard disk drive. A magnetic disk that is usually the main
storage device on most computers. It can be an external
or an internal device.
 Floppy disk. A portable storage device that allows you to
store a small amount of data. A disadvantage of this disk
is that it can be easily damaged by heat, dust, or magnetic
fields.
CD and DVD ROM
 CD-ROM. A portable storage medium that allows you to
store 400 times more data than on a floppy disk. It is less
prone to damage than a floppy disk.
 DVD-ROM. A portable storage medium that is similar to a
CD-ROM; however, it can store larger amounts of data
than a floppy disk or a CD-ROM. A DVD-ROM is commonly
used to store movies and videos.
Flash Storage
 USB flash drive. A small portable storage device that is
typically the size of a thumb. They can be plugged into
any computer with a USB drive and as such are a very
popular medium of storage.
 Flash Memory Cards. Used in digital cameras, cell phones,
video game consoles and MP3 players, flash memory
cards come in many shapes and sizes. You will need a card
reader to retrieve the information once it is removed
from the device.
Cloud Storage
 Cloud storage service. A modern, fast growing storage service
that uses the Internet and central remote servers to maintain
and store data and applications. For example, iTunes allows
you to back up your devices to Cloud Storage. There are
many free and paid cloud storage services available.
Mass Storage Capacities
Type
Extra Info
Capacity
Floppy Disk
Rarely Used Anymore
_1.44_MB
CD- ROM- Install Program
CD-R/ CD-RW (Save to)
Replaces 500 Floppies!
_650_ MB - _700_MB
USB Flash Memory Stick
(Jump Drive)
1GB= $10-$20
__52_MB -__6_GB
iPOD Shuffle= 1GB
iPOD Nano=
2-4GB
___52___MB-__1__GB
Our Computer= 100 GB
_100_ GB - _500_GB
iPOD Touch=
8-64GB
_16__GB- __1__TB
Flash Memory Card (SD Card)
The new SDHC go up to 10 GB
Hard Drive
External/ Portable Hard Drive
Cloud Storage
Unlimited
(as long as you can afford it!)
Hardware
 Hardware refers to all the physical components of a
computer. It includes all input devices, processing devices,
storage devices, and output devices. The keyboard,
mouse, motherboard, monitor, hard disk, cables, and
printer are all examples of hardware.
 You use hardware to provide input to a computer and
also to get the desired output. For example, when you
play a musical instrument, such as a piano, you provide
input by pressing the keys and get the desired output in
the form of music. Similarly, computers also need input
and output devices to perform tasks.
Software
 Software refers to instructions that tell a computer how
to perform a function. Software can also be referred to as
a program or application. Software must be downloaded
to a computer and installed before it can be used.
 The distinction between software and hardware is
sometimes confusing because they are so integrally
linked. Clearly, when you purchase a program, you are
buying software. But to buy the software, you need to
buy the disk or device (hardware) on which the software
is stored.
Networks
 You can connect your computer to other computers to
share information and hardware components. A group of
computers and associated devices that are linked
together to facilitate sharing information is called a
network. Networks can also be used to share data and
devices such as printers. You can also communicate with
other computer users on the network.
 Our entire school is connected on a network. You can
access the “Template” Drive from any computer in our
school. You can send a document from any classroom to
print in the office.
LANs & WANs
 Depending upon the area covered, a network can be
categorized as a local area network (LAN) or a wide area
network (WAN).
 LAN - A Local Area Network connects devices within a limited
area, such as a home or a small group of offices. It commonly
includes computers and shared resources such as printers and
scanners.
 WAN - A Wide Area Network is a network that connects
devices in geographically separated areas. You can use the
resources of a WAN to connect two or more LANs by using
long wires, optical cables, and satellites. Many organizations
use a WAN to connect their networks across different
countries. The Internet is an example of a WAN.
Generally, a LAN is connected by cables that physically meet
each other. Whereas a WAN uses the Internet to connect the
computers and components.
Internet
 The Internet is a worldwide collection of public networks that
are linked to each other (WAN) for information exchange. The
Internet started as a network to facilitate communication
between government and educational departments in the
United States. When other networks were connected to this
network, it became a vast medium for exchanging information
and ideas.
 Today, the Internet connects many commercial, government,
and educational networks, as well as individual computers,
which share data. You can use the Internet and its services to
send messages to other Internet users, search and apply for
jobs, watch movies, and buy and sell products.
Programs
 Programs, also called applications, use hardware and the
operating system together to perform tasks. There are
many types of programs. Some programs allow you to
perform tasks such as writing letters, doing calculations,
or sending e-mail messages. Other programs allow you to
create illustrations, play games, watch movies, or
communicate with other computer users.
 Think It Through 
Choose 4 items on the next slide. Think about how the
computer in that item works. For each device,
describe the Input, Processing, Output, and Storage.
(Some devices may not have all four functions)
Ex : ATM Machine
Input: Card swipe, type in PIN, press buttons
Processing: The machine has to “Think” as it finds the
acct #, checks if your PIN is correct and checks how
much money you have available.
Output: Display on the screen, receipt, and $$
Storage: It has to store the transaction to remove/ add
money from your acct. Some also record video.
 Think It Through 









Remote Control
MP3 Player
Digital Camera
Your Car
Calculator
Television
Cell Phone
Coke Machine
Price Scanner at
Wal-Mart
Remember:
Input- How YOU “talk” to the
computer to give a command
Processing- What the computer
does while it is completing your
command. The human just waits.
Output- How the COMPUTER
“talks” or communicates with you.
Storage- What type of memory
does the computer have?
 Strive For Success 
 Time to check your
understanding of
Topic 3: The Functions of a
Computer & Basic Terms.
 Our class will take a quiz on
____(Quiz Date)_______.
 Use your Study Guide and
Think It Through Activities
to strive for success on the
quiz!
Topic 4:
Input and Output Devices
Objective:
- Identify and define commonly
used input and output devices.
Input Devices
 You use input devices to provide information to a







computer or to give instructions to a computer for
performing a task. Some examples of input devices are:
Mouse
Keyboard
Microphone
Scanner
Webcam
Stylus
Trackball
Mouse
 Mouse. A device that you use to interact with items
displayed on the computer screen. A standard mouse has
a left and a right button. You use the left button to select
items and provide instructions by clicking an active area
on the screen. You use the right button to display
commonly used menu items on the screen.
Keyboard
 Keyboard. A set of keys that resembles a keyboard on a
typewriter. You use the keyboard to type text such as
letters or numbers into the computer.
Microphone
 Microphone. A device that you can use to talk to people
in different parts of the world. You can record sound into
a computer by using a microphone. You can also record
your speech and let the computer convert it into text.
Scanner
 Scanner. A device that is similar to a
photocopy machine. You can use this
device to transfer an exact copy of a
photograph or document into a
computer. A scanner reads a page and
translates it into a digital format that a
computer can read. For example, when
you scan photographs of your family
using a scanner, it gets converted into a
digital format that your computer can
read.
Webcam
 Webcam. A device that is similar to a video camera. It
allows you to capture and send live pictures to other
users. For example, a Webcam allows your friends and
family to see you when you are communicating with
them.
Stylus
 Stylus. A pointing device, similar to a pen, used to make
selections and enter information by tapping on a touch
sensitive surface. For example, many stores have a stylus
attached to their debit/credit card reader to make
selecting icons and signing your name easier.
Trackball
 Trackball. A pointing device that is an alternative to a
mouse. A trackball consists of a ball that is rotated to
move the pointer on a computer screen. You can use a
trackball when you have limited desk space.
Output Devices
 You use output devices to get feedback from a computer
after it performs a task. Some examples of output devices
are.
 Monitor
 Printer
 Speaker/Headphone
Monitor
 Monitor. A device that is similar to a television. It is used
to display information in the form of text and graphics.
Printer
 Printer. A device that you use to transfer text and images
from a computer to a paper or to another medium, such
as a transparency film. You can use a printer to create a
paper copy of whatever you see on your monitor.
Speaker/ Headphones
 Speaker/Headphone. A device that allows you to hear
sounds. Speakers may either be external or built into the
computer.
 Think It Through 
• Drag the pictures to the correct square
Input
Output
 Think It Through 
TOP
Input SECRETOutput
--No Peeking!—
• Drag the pictures to the correct square
(Delete or drag this box over to check your answers)
 Think It Through 
• Create an advertisement for an Input or Output Device.
• Use Persuasive Writing to describe your device in a way
•
-
that makes a customer want to purchase your product.
Include:
The devices name
A price
3-4 Sentences that describe and persuade someone to
buy your product
An illustration.
 Strive For Success 
 Time to check your
understanding of
Topic 4: Input & Output
Devices.
 Our class will take a quiz on
____(Quiz Date)_______.
 Use your Study Guide and
Think It Through Activities
to strive for success on the
quiz!
Topic 5:
The Motherboard
Objective:
- Identify and define the
components attached to a
Motherboard that run a
computer.
CPU & Motherboard
 Apart from input and output devices, a computer uses
processing devices to work on the input data and generate the
desired output. The most important processing device is the
CPU. It is the brain of the computer that processes the input
to generate the output.
 A motherboard is a large circuit board that connects input,
output, and processing devices. The motherboard circuits
provide pathways that allow data to pass through these
various components. It also contains chips that determine
how, when, and where data can flow through the computer.
CPU & Memory
 The CPU is a device that
interprets and runs the
commands that you give to a
computer. It is the control unit of
a computer. The CPU is also
referred to as the processor.
 Memory is where information is
stored and retrieved by the CPU.
There are two main types of
memory.
CPU is located
under this fan
Memory Type 1: RAM
 Random access memory (RAM). It is the type memory a
computer uses for processing and can affect how fast the
computer can complete tasks. This short term memory
allows the computer to temporarily store commands and
data. The CPU reads data and commands from RAM to
perform specific tasks. RAM is volatile, which means it is
available only while the computer is turned on. The
contents of RAM must be copied to a storage device if
you want to save the data.
Memory Type 2: ROM
 Read only memory (ROM). It is the memory that retains its
contents even after the computer is turned off. ROM is
nonvolatile, or permanent, memory that is commonly contains
the minimum instructions that the computer needs to turn on,
boot up, find files and read information.
Motherboard
 The motherboard is the main circuit board inside a
computer. It has tiny electronic circuits and other
components on it. The motherboard connects input,
output, and processing devices together and tells the CPU
how to run. Other components on the motherboard are
the video card, sound card, and circuits that allow a
computer to communicate with devices like a printer.
Motherboard
Expansion Cards
 An expansion card is a circuit board that can be attached
to a motherboard to add features such as video display
and audio capability to your computer. An expansion card
improves the performance of your computer and
enhances its features. Expansion cards are also called
expansion boards. Some types of expansion cards are:
 Video Card
 Network Interface Card
 Sound Card
Video Card
 Video card. It is connected to a computer monitor and is
used to display information on the monitor.
Network Interface Card
 Network Interface Card (NIC). It allows a computer to be
connected to other computers so that information can be
exchanged between them. (On a network connected
through the internet)
Sound Card
 Sound card. It converts audio signals from a microphone,
audio tape, or some other source to digital signals, which
can be stored as a computer audio file. Sound cards also
convert computer audio files to electrical signals, which
you can play through a speaker or a headphone. You
connect microphone and speakers to a sound card.
Ports and Connections
 A port is a channel through which data is transferred





between input/output devices and the processor. There
are several types of ports that you can use to connect a
computer to external devices and networks. Some types
of ports are:
Universal Serial Bus (USB)
Network Port
Parallel or Serial Port
Display Adaptor
Power
USB
 Universal serial bus (USB) port. You use this to connect
input and output devices such as a mouse, modem,
keyboard, or printer to a computer.
Network Port & Parallel Port
 Network port. You use this to connect a computer to
other computers to exchange information between the
computers.
 Parallel port and serial port. You use these ports to
connect printers and other devices to a personal
computer. However, the USB port is now preferred to
connect peripheral devices because it is faster and easier
to use.
Display & Power
 Display adapter. You connect a monitor to a display adapter on
your computer. The display adapter generates the video signal
received from a computer, and sends it to a monitor through a
cable. The display adapter may be on the motherboard, or on an
expansion card.
 Power Supply. A motherboard and other components inside a
computer use direct current (DC). A power
supply takes alternating current (AC) from a wall
outlet and converts it into DC power.
 Think It Through 
 Complete the Brace Map on the following slide that lists
the parts of a computer attached to the motherboard.
Drag the labels and examples into the correct positions.
 Remember that a Brace Map shows parts of a whole, so
all of these parts are needed for a computer to function.
 Hint: Zoom out on the next slide to more easily see all the
labels. Blue labels go in the left column. Green go in the
right column.
Storage
RAM, ROM
Ports &
Connections
C
ophone, Webcam
ay, Power
CPU what to do
Monitor, Printer, Speakers, Lights, Motion
Expansion
Input
Mouse, Keyboard, Microphone, Webcam
Output
Monitor, Printer, Speakers, Lights, Motion
TOP
SECRET
--No Peeking!—
CPU
Central Processing Unit
Memory
RAM, ROM
Motherboard
Circuits and components that tell the CPU what to do
Expansion
Cards
Sound, Video, Network
(Delete or drag
this box over to Hard
check
your
Storage
Disk, CD,
Flash,answers)
Cloud
Ports &
Connections
USB, Parallel, Network, Display, Power
 Think It Through 
• Read the examples on the next slide and decide if the
situation is describing RAM, ROM or a computer’s Mass
Storage.
Remember:
• ROM is only used when the computer is starting up.
• RAM helps increase processing speed and is temporary
memory.
• Mass Storage is where you store files and programs on
the computer that you want to keep for a long time.
RAM, ROM or Mass Storage?
1. I can transfer a newly downloaded MP3 to my iPOD
2. It takes my computer about 15 seconds to download a song from
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
iTunes
My computer shut down overnight after it installed Windows updates
and this morning I had to restart it. It took so long, I didn’t get to check
my Facebook before school :(
I received a new iPOD for my birthday and when I plugged it into the
computer, it installed iTunes onto the Hard Drive.
You watch the blue bar move across the screen as a computer loads an
internet page
Internet Explorer is stored in the “Programs” Folder of the Hard Drive
I hate using mom’s computer- its old and takes forever to boot.
If you want to move your Internet bookmarks from one computer to
another, you can save them to a USB Drive and install them on another
computer.
RAM, ROM or Mass Storage?
1. I can transfer a newly downloaded MP3 to my iPOD
2. It takes my computer about 15 seconds to download a song from
iTunes. RAM
3. My computer shut down overnight after it installed Windows updates
and this morning I had to restart it. It took so long, I didn’t get to check
my Facebook before school :( ROM or RAM
4. I received a new iPOD for my birthday and when I plugged it into the
computer, it installed iTunes onto the Hard Drive. Storage
5. You watch the blue bar move across the screen as a computer loads an
internet page. RAM
6. Internet Explorer is stored in the “Programs” Folder of the Hard Drive
7. I hate using mom’s computer- its old and takes forever to boot. ROM
(Delete
or drag this box over to check your answers)
or RAM
8. If you want to move your Internet bookmarks from one computer to
another, you can save them to a USB Drive and install them on another
computer. Storage
TOP
SECRET
--No Peeking!—
 Strive For Success 
 Time to check your
understanding of
Topic 5: The Motherboard.
 Our class will take a quiz on
____(Quiz Date)_______.
 Use your Study Guide and
Think It Through Activities
to strive for success on the
quiz!
Topic 6:
Computer Functions & Performance
Objective:
- Explain the different types and
functions of computers available for use
today.
- Explain the factors that limit &
improve the performance capabilities of
computers.
Computing Devices
 Different types of computers are available in the market today.
The most common computer is the Personal Computer (PC),
typically used by individuals and business organizations. A
personal computer is used in the workplace to create
documents, manage business records, and communicate with
others. It is used in schools to teach lessons, research over the
Internet, and work on assignments. You can also use a
personal computer to play games, view videos, and listen to
music.
 Depending on the size and the purpose of a personal
computer, it can be categorized into different types: desktop,
laptop, netbook, handheld, or tablet.
Desktop
 Desktop computers are made up of individual
components such as a monitor, a keyboard, a
system unit, and a printer. These computers are
generally placed on the surface of a desk or a
table and are not easily portable. The
components of desktop computers can easily be
replaced or upgraded.
 Desktop computers usually have more memory,
a larger hard drive, more ports, and a bigger
display than other personal computer types.
Desktop computers run on electricity and can be
used continuously for long periods of time.
Laptop & Netbook
 Laptop computers are portable lightweight personal
computers. They are smaller in size as compared to a desktop
computer and are designed for travel. Laptop computers are
also called notebook computers.
 The main feature of laptop computers is that they are small
and portable. Laptop computers run on electricity or on
batteries that can be recharged. They consume more power
than desktop computers with an almost similar hardware
setup. Laptop computers perform the same tasks as desktop
computers, but laptop computers generally cost more than
desktop computers.
 Netbook computers are smaller, less powerful and less
expensive than laptop computers.
Tablet
 Tablet computers are fully functional tablet-sized portable
computers that allow you to write directly on the screen
by using your finger or a pen called stylus. You can also
use the stylus to perform mouse functions. Tablet
computers, therefore, do not need a keyboard and a
mouse.
Handheld
 Handheld computers are computing devices that are
small enough to fit in your hand. You can input data by
writing directly on the screen using a stylus or by touch
commands. Handheld computers help you perform basic
word-processing activities, accessing the Internet, e-mail,
and taking pictures or video. Personal digital assistants
(PDAs) and Smart Phones are examples of handheld
computers.
Smartphone
 Smartphones are handheld computers that have
telephone capabilities. They have a range of applications
such as calendar, phonebook, and organizers that can be
personalized. Smartphones can be synchronized with
other devices such as a personal computer or laptop to
keep files updated.
Category
Desktop Computer
Laptop Computer
Netbook Computer
Tablet Computer
Handheld Computer
Size
Portability
Full-sized.
Low portability.
Notebook sized.
Easy to carry around.
Mini-laptop.
Lightweight and easy
to carry around.
Tablet-sized.
Easy to carry around.
Pocket-sized.
Easy to carry around.
Performance
Best performance
among the different
computing devices.
High upgrade
capabilities.
Limited multimedia,
games, and graphic
capabilities as
compared to laptops.
Limited upgrade
capabilities.
Graphic and
multimedia
capabilities are better
than a netbook
computer.
Limited upgrade
capabilities.
Limited multimedia
and graphic
capabilities.
Limited upgrade
capabilities.
Hardware
components
A larger hard drive,
more memory, more
ports, and a bigger
display.
Performs better than
all the other portable
computing devices,
but rarely as well as
equivalently-priced
desktops.
Limited upgrade
capabilities in
comparison to a
desktop computer.
Smaller hard drive,
lesser memory, lesser
ports, and a smaller
display in comparison
to a desktop
computer.
No media drives.
Smaller hard drive,
lesser memory, lesser
ports, and a smaller
display in comparison
to a laptop computer.
Memory card slots are
available for memory
upgrade.
No media drives.
Memory card slots are
available for memory
upgrade.
Input device
Keyboard, Mouse,
Microphone, Scanner,
Webcam.
Keyboard, Mouse,
Microphone, Scanner,
Webcam.
Keyboard, Mouse,
Microphone,
Webcam, Scanner.
Stylus, Fingers.
Stylus, Microphone,
optional Keyboard.
Power supply
Electricity.
Electricity or
rechargeable
batteries.
Electricity or
rechargeable
batteries.
Rechargeable
batteries.
Rechargeable
batteries.
Factors that affect performance
 Amount of memory –
Computers depend on RAM to run processes and applications; When
a computer with too little RAM is attempting to run several processes,
each one may not have access to as much RAM as it requires to run
optimally, so they will slow down, taking noticeably more loading time to
complete any commands.
• Speed of the processor-
The CPU is the primary driver of how fast a computer works. All user input
is processed by the CPU once every cycle. The CPU does everything in its
power to perform more than one instruction per cycle. Cycles are what
most processors are measured in. A "Ghz," means one billion hertz, or
cycles per second. The higher the number, the more often a processor can
process.
Factors that affect performance
 Type of Video Card-
A top-of-the-line graphics card will have its own memory and
processor built into the card. By having a CPU and memory dedicated
solely to graphics, it frees up those components to help the computer
run smoothly. Having a lower grade video card will slow down
computer performance when playing video games or working in
graphic design programs like Photoshop.
 Type of Internet Connection-
When surfing the Internet, streaming videos or downloading files from
the internet, your internet connection speed will affect the
performance of the computer. The faster connection you have, the
faster pages and files will load, download and play.
You can find out what Operating System, Processor and amount of RAM your
computer is running by going to Start> Computer> System Properties
You can find out what Video Card your computer at home has by going to
Start> Control Panel> Personalization> Adjust Screen Resolution> Advanced
Settings>Adaptor Tab. However, access to these features have been blocked
on our school computers.
 Think It Through 
 Create a Double Bubble Map or Venn Diagram to
compare and contrast two of the devices that were
described in this lesson.
 Choose one of the five devices that were described and
write a Persuasive Letter to a parent or relative asking
them for one of the devices as a gift. Think about the
advantages of the device you have chosen. Which
features of that device would convince them that it would
be a good investment for you?
Double Bubble
Venn Diagram
 Strive For Success 
 Time to check your
understanding of
Topic 6: Computer
Functions & Performance.
 Our class will take a quiz on
____(Quiz Date)_______.
 Use your Study Guide and
Think It Through Activities
to strive for success on the
quiz!
Topic 7:
Computer Operation
Objective:
- Explain the steps necessary for
computer operation at school.
(Start Up, Logging in, Use of Keyboard
and Mouse, Logging Off)
Start-Up
 To turn on a computer, press the power button on the system unit.
When you turn on the computer, lights on the keyboard may blink
briefly, and you may also hear a beep. This is an indication that the
power-on self test (POST) has started. The computer performs a
sequence of quick tests to check whether the motherboard,
memory, hard drive, and other components are working. If you
hear a series of beeps, the monitor may display a message
indicating that a component is not functioning.
 After POST, the computer starts the operating system. The
operating system controls the computer’s hardware and manages
the different operations of the computer, such as logging on,
logging off, and shutting down.
Logging In
 When the computer starts a Welcome screen appears.
This screen displays the links to existing user accounts.
 To log on, type in your TPSS username & password in the
boxes and click the arrow or press enter on the keyboard.
If another student’s name is listed, click “Switch User”.
 After you log on to your computer, wait a few seconds
before clicking the “Start” Button. If you do not give the
computer enough time, it will not load the Templates or
Assignments Drive correctly and they will not work.
TANGI
 Your desktop should look like this:
 After you click the “Start Button”,
you should see your name listed in the menu.
STUDENT NAME
Mouse
 Most mouse devices have at least two buttons, left and
right. Most of the actions are performed by clicking the
left button. The right button is used for specific functions.
 Most mouse devices also have a wheel that helps you to
scroll through documents or pages. To scroll, place your
finger on the wheel and roll it back and forth. This action
moves the document up and down.
Mouse Functions
• Click- Press a mouse button and release it. Usually the left
•
•
•
•
•
button. (Single Click)
Double-click- Press a mouse button twice quickly
Right click- Press the right mouse button and release it.
Drag- Hold a mouse button down while moving the mouse.
Usually what the mouse pointer was over on the screen will
move or be highlighted when you drag.
Scroll- Rolling the wheel between the L and R button will move
the screen up and down
Drop- To Release the mouse button so it will deselect an item
(often to move it into a new location).
Keyboard
 The keyboard is an input device that you can use to type
commands or text into a computer. Different keyboards have
different key layouts. In addition, the functions of some keys
may vary from program to program.
 Most keyboards have keys labeled from F1 to F12. These keys
are the function keys, which differ from program to program.
The function of the F1 key in most programs is to access the
help file associated with a program.
 Most keyboards include a special key called the Windows logo
key. This key is used to open the Start menu, or is used in
combination with a second key to perform common Windows
tasks.
 If for some reason your mouse does not work, you can still
access all menus using the Windows Logo, TAB , Directional
(arrow) and Enter Keys.
Keyboard Cont
 The Insert, Number Lock and Caps Lock keys are toggle keys.
This type of key is switched on or off each time it is pressed. A
light will appear on the keyboard when they are on.
 Navigation Keys are the arrow keys, HOME, END, PAGE UP, and
PAGE DOWN . Use Navigation Keys to move through lines and
sections of text in a document or presentation.
 Most keyboards have a numeric keypad that is located on the
right side. It has a set of 17 keys with numbers from 0 to 9, the
decimal point, mathematical symbols, and navigation symbols.
 The NUM LOCK key on this keypad allows you to switch
between the numeric and the navigation keys. If you are
having trouble typing in your password when you log in, it is
probably because NUM LOCK is off.
Logging Off and Shutting Down
 You can end your computer session by saving your work
and logging off. Only shut down if your teacher has asked
you to.
 When you install new software on your home computer
or encounter problems while using the computer, you can
use the Restart option to restart the computer. (You
should never install any programs on a school computer)
 You should never use the actual power button on the
front of the system unit to turn off the computer. Use the
log off or shut down menu unless the computer has
stopped responding.
End your computer session by logging off. To log off, click the “Shut
Down” button in the Start Menu and choose “Log off”. Only shut down
if your teacher has asked you to.
STUDENT NAME
 Think It Through 
 Create a computer user-guide for new students at our
school. Explain to them in simple steps how to login to a
TPSS computer, access the start menu and log off.
 You may write your user-guide using a Flow Map, a list or
a multi-step paragraph.
Flow Map
 Strive For Success 
 Time to check your
understanding of
Topic 7: Computer
Operation.
 Our class will take a quiz on
____(Quiz Date)_______.
 Use your Study Guide and
Think It Through Activities
to strive for success on the
quiz!
This file was created the summer of 2014 for the Tangipahoa Parish School System to teach
7th Grade Computer Literacy.
Information found within this presentation was collected from Microsoft Digital Literacy &
Support websites or created by the author.
Digital Literacy:
https://www.microsoft.com/about/corporatecitizenship/citizenship/giving/programs/up/digit
alliteracy/default.mspx
Support:
http://support.microsoft.com/
Images included in the presentation were found using a Google Image Search, specifically
images tagged “Labeled for Reuse”.
Screen Captures were taken from the TANGI Windows 7 Operating System or a program
within the Microsoft Office 2013 Suite.
Only Tangipahoa Parish School System teachers may copy, edit and reproduce this file and
others within the series. Please email any questions regarding use of this and other files in
the series.
JLEE