Introduction to the Course

ICT in Education Course provides a comprehensive introduction to the ICT industry exposure to personal computers, hardware, software, and operating systems and mainconcepts of files and folders management. All the office common office applications such as Microsoft (MS)word, MS Excel, MS Powerpoint and MS Access will be introduced and taught through project based learning.

This the course that will make you an expert in a short time. If you are an expert already, it will make you a better expert.

This particular Module 1 is made up of 15 topics ranging from Getting to Know Computers, understanding Operating Systems, understanding Applications and the latest on the market which is Web Apps and the Cloud.

It gives you the opportunity to explore all About the Desktop Computer ranging from the Basic Parts of a Desktop Computer, Buttons, Sockets and Slots on a Desktop Computer and a lot more about inside a Desktop Computer. The book will help you to develop working knowledge of how computers operate, how to use computers in the work place.

Computer Basics also introduces you to a variety of Laptop Computers and Mobile Devices. Since there are most common, it is important to explore more about Laptop Computers and Netbooks as well as getting to Know Mobile Devices ranging from iphones to Kindles and the Nook.

We encourage a lot of practical work and hands on practice and with much accommodation of changing and emerging technologies in ICT.

Students who complete this course will be able to describe the internal components of a computer, assemble a computer system, install an operating system, and troubleshoot using system tools and diagnostic software.

Topic 1: Getting to know Computers Better

Objectives of the course

 

By the end of the topic, learners should be able to;

• define a computer and describe how it works.

• describe the three wares that build up a complete computer system.

• understand the term hardware.

• understand what a personal computer is.

• distinguish between desktop, laptop (notebook), and tablet PCs in terms of typical users.

• identify common handheld portable digital devices like Personal digital assistants (PDA), mobile phones, smartphones, and multimedia players and know their main features.

• know the main parts of a computer like: the central processing unit (CPU), types of memory, hard disk, common input ,and output devices.

• identify common input/output ports like USB, serial, parallel, network port, and FireWire.

• Let us start our first lesson by watching this Computer Basics video for beginners. Keep noting down important points and thereafter try on your own

The Importance of Studying Computers: Navigating the Digital Age

In an era increasingly dominated by technology, understanding computers is not just beneficial but essential. Below are key reasons why studying computers is crucial, especially in educational environments like schools, colleges, universities, and various other institutions:

1. Overcoming Technological Apprehension: First and foremost, it's essential to dispel any fears or apprehensions about computers. Gaining knowledge about computers and their operations allows us to utilize them effectively, preparing us for both current and future technological landscapes.

2. Achieving Computer Literacy: Developing computer literacy is critical in adapting to the digital age. It's not just about using computers for basic tasks; it's about understanding their role in various aspects of life. This literacy empowers us to navigate the challenges and changes brought about by the ongoing technological revolution.

3. Career Preparedness and Opportunities: In today's job market, technological skills are increasingly in demand. From security to banking, telecommunications to law enforcement, and engineering to healthcare, almost every industry relies on computers and technology to enhance efficiency and maintain competitiveness. By mastering computer skills, we open doors to diverse and lucrative career opportunities.

4. Understanding the Impact of the Computer Revolution: Computers have transformed how we live, work, and play. Realizing the extent of this transformation is crucial. This includes understanding how to communicate effectively in a digital world, especially as the internet becomes an ever more integral part of daily life.

5. Adaptability to Emerging Technologies: As new technologies emerge, being proficient in basic computer skills sets the foundation for adapting to these advancements. This adaptability is vital in a world where technological progress is constant.

6. Computers in Diverse Fields of Study: Computers have applications across various academic and professional fields, making them indispensable tools for research, data analysis, design, and more.

7. Fostering Lifelong Learning: Proficiency in computers equips learners with skills necessary for continuous learning and adaptation in a rapidly evolving world. This skillset is critical for personal and professional growth in the 21st century.

Understanding and embracing the role of computers in our world is not just about keeping up with the times; it's about being prepared for the future and making the most of the opportunities that technology presents. This course aims to provide you with the skills and knowledge to confidently navigate the digital landscape.

Differences between Man and A Computer:

For the purpose of learning better, it is important that the learners discuss this issue seriously before looking at the differences we have given below. In your view, what are the differences that exist between a human being and a computer?

Man can operate a computer whereas a computer cannot operate a man. Is it true?

Computers are man made whereas man is God created.

Man thinks whereas computers do not think or just seems to think.

Man has a natural intelligence whereas computers have artificial intelligence.

Computers use electricity to perform tasks whereas man uses energy accorded to him by God.

Computers get damaged but can be repaired and work again whereas for a human being if time has come to dies, not even Bill Gates (the World's richest man - 2015) can be repaied. He just man dies like any other common man.

Features or Characteristics of Computers.

For any device to be called a computer, it must manifest or posses some or all the following characteristics.

Speed. Computers are quite fast in their operations in that their speed is measured in millions of instructions per second (M/PS).

Accuracy. Computers are known to be so accurate that they hardly make mistakes. Computers are able to detect and correct any mistakes made.

Storage: For computers to be able to work, they must have some form of work space where data (raw facts and figures or unprocessed data) is stored before being processed of where information (processed data or summarised data or otherwise manipulated data) is stored before being output to particular devices. This storage space is referred to as memory.

Deligience. Computers have the ability to perform the same task over and over for a long time without getting bored.

Artificial intelligience: Computers are artificially intelligent. They can respond to requests given to them and provide solutions. This is accomplished by the ‘power’ of the programmes installed in them.

Automation. Computers also work automatically. They do not need any supervision in order to perform programmed routines. For example, telling of time is automatic no matter whether time is correct or not.

Electronic. Computers use electricity in order to perform their functions. They either use solar or thermal electricity. This explains why there are few computers in areas with no power.

Uses or Advantages Computers:

Computers are widely used in our everyday lives to do particular tasks. Their uses may be as wide as the user may imagine. Some of these uses/advantages are as follows:

Research. Computers are used in scientific research especially by doctors to come up with drugs and also by other scientists to come up with scientific findings. New drugs have been introduced and invented; movement into space is possible (exploration). In places where human beings cannot survive, computers (machines) have been sent into space, and data is transmitted back to Earth.

Business environment. In the world today, businesses have realized the benefits of computers; for instance, one can sit at home or in an office and trade with the outside world through computer communication e.g. the use of a cellar/mobile phone.

Calculations: Computers are used in the calculation of complex numbers, especially in big organizations. It is not only this but they are also used in balancing accounts to suit the needs of the owners.

Recreation. People today use computers to play games and also watch films especially when they are bored, from a hectic job as refreshment to their mind. It is also used for watching mostly European soccer,  especially on TV (DSTV).

Click on the image below to watch an NTV intro video

Storage: Computers are found by most organizations like schools, colleges, and universities as the best means of keeping information for a long time. This is because once work is put on a flash disk, or floppy diskette, it is easier to move with it yet again the information kept on a computer is not easily accessed if one doesn’t know how to use a computer and doesn’t have a password to the file.

Time: Computers are used to tell time. This explains why we have digital watches and cellular phones have provisions for time telling.

Communication: Computers are used in communication from one person to another through the use of the internet (e-mails – electronic mail) and also through cellular phone communication.

Computers are also used to get better and recent yet important information that has been posted on the web.

Disadvantages of Computers.

Though there are many advantages of computers as you well know, there are also so many disadvantages and among them are the following:

Computers are too expensive to afford. This explains why there are few computers in most Organisations, Schools, Colleges and Universities.

Computers cannot be used in areas with no power; this explains why they are called electronic devices.

Computers do not think, therefore they require the services of a human being before they can work or be used.

Computers can be dangerous to one's health. They spoil our eyes. This is exemplified by the fact that too much time taken on a TV may cause tears to come out of one’s eyes. Even placing a laptop on your lap may be dangerous to the future of a man's marriage.

Computers can call for laziness, especially for those who spend much of their time watching films. They forget they are meant to do certain jobs given to them by their parents.

There is also cultural disintegration as a result of watching films. As people watch films and also surf on the internet, they find different modes of dressing which they copy yet they dilute our cultures. 

Moral degeneration. As a matter of fact, their certain literature and pictures shown on computers that are not good for consumption such as love stories and sex movies (Blue Movies). These erase our morals.

Computers cause blood clotting as a result of strain by not moving i.e. being in one place static.

They also cause backache to those who are ever on the computer doing much of their work there.

Introduction to Computers

A computer is an electronic device that manipulates information or "data." It has the ability to store, retrieve, and process data. You can use a computer to type documents, send email, and surf the Internet. 

 You can also use it to handle spreadsheets, accounting, database management, presentations, games, and more.

A computer is any machine that can seem to do useful thinking.

Whether you realize it or not, computers play an important role in our lives. When you withdraw cash from an ATM, scan groceries at the store, or use a calculator, you're using a type of computer.

Data is a collection of unorganized facts, which can include words, numbers, symbols, images and sounds.

Information is processed data that is organized, has meaning, and is useful. Examples are reports, newsletters, a receipt, a picture, a book, etc.

Data entered in to a computer is called input. processing cycle.

The 3 wares

To build a complete computer system, you need hardware, software, and liveware.

Hardware

Hardware simply refers to the visible and tangible parts of a computer or the physical pieces of equipment in a computer system.

Software

The info that the computer deals with is called software, because you can’t feel it: it flows through the computer’s circuits as coded pulses of electricity.

The computer can handle two kinds of software: data (lists of names, addresses, numbers, words, and facts) and programs (lists of instructions that tell the computer what to do).

To feed the computer software (data and programs), you can type on the keyboard, or insert ROM chips or disks containing the software, or let the computer receive the software from another computer (by running wires between the computers or letting the computers chat with each other by phone).

If you feed the computer wrong software — wrong facts or wrong instructions — the computer will print wrong answers. Wrong stuff is called garbage. If you feed the computer some garbage, the computer spits out garbage answers.

If a computer prints wrong answers, the computer might not be broken; it might just have been fed wrong data or programs. If you tell a technician to fix it, the technician might reply, “Hey, the computer’s fine! Don’t blame the computer! It’s your fault for feeding it garbage! If you put garbage in, you get garbage out!” That’s called the principle of garbage in, garbage out (which is abbreviated GIGO, pronounced “guy go”). The technician will say, “it’s just a case of GIGO”.

Liveware

The person sitting at the computer is called the liveware, operator, user, or meathead — because the person’s head is made of meat instead of wires. A person that communicates with a computer or uses the information it generates is called an End user.

For a complete computer system, you need all 3 wares: the hardware (equipment), software (info), and liveware (people).

How a Computer Works

A computer is a fabulous instrument that turns human inputs into electronic information that it then can store or share/distribute through various output devices.

A computer performs (if instructed to do so) the steps shown in the diagram below, using information that a user provides (such as a typed sentence): 

All of the equipment (hardware) and the instructions (software) needed to complete the above steps are described in the next section.

 

Processing

Amazingly, the information that the user inputs into a computer is processed so that it becomes a simple code made up of only two digits: zero and one!

For all its complexity, a computer is only able to handle these two choices. This is because it is based on electrical signals that have only two options (such as either on or off).

But computers compensate for this very simple code by using it in huge quantities. A single unit of this zero/one code is called a bit. Grouping 8 bits together makes a unit of information called a byte.

Typing a single page of typed text on a computer requires a minimum of about 20 kilobytes (20 KB or 20,000 bytes) of information to be stored. Good quality digital photographs are usually 1 megabyte (1 MB or 1,000,000 bytes) or larger. So a computer is a very “busy” machine indeed!

Information Technology

This is a general term which relates to the use of computers as an aid to creating and maintaining data, i.e. information.

IT is related to all aspects of managing and processing information, especially within a large organisation.

 

Computers are critical to managing information, and computer departments within large organisations are often called IT departments. Alternative phrases are IS departments (Information Services) or MIS departments (Management Information Services). People working with computers within large companies will often refer to their job, as “working in IT”.

Typesof Computers

Computers we use today are classified into four ways i.e.

. Classification by Process

. Classification by Purpose

. Classification by Size and;

. Classification by Processor power.

Classification by Process

Computers in this classification are classified according to how data processed is represented. It is further subdivided into three sub-classifications and these are:-

. Digital computers

. Analog computers

. Hybrid computers.

Digital Computers.

These are computers that process data that is represented in discrete values i.e. discrete values are numbers that can be defined as 1,2,3,4,5,6…etc. an example of a digital computer is a watch.

Analog Computers.

These are computers that process data in a continuous form or measurable quantity/units.

In other words, these are computers that can be used in measurements e.g. weighing speed, temperature, pressure, humidity, etc. an example of an Analog computer is a thermometer, Anemometer.

Hybrid computers

These are computers which have combined features of both the digital and analog computers.

Classification by Purpose:

Computers are classified according to the work they do. These are classified into two i.e. Special Purpose computers and General Purpose computers.

Special Purpose Computers

These are computers designed particularly to handle a particular task or job. Their form of work or operation is restricted in nature e.g. digital watches and calculator.

Lifts in tall buildings also employ the special purpose computers.

General Purposes Computers

These are computers designed to do or solve a wide range of problems or tasks. A typical computer of this kind can perform calculations, keep date and time, word process documents and also store information.

Classification by Size:

General purpose computers are further sub-divided depending on the user capacity and size of the machine. These are classified into three categories i.e.

• Super Computers
• Main frame computers
• Miniframe computers
• Microcomputers.

Super Computers and Main frame

During the the 1900’s, computers were divided into a category of Maxicomputers which were also called mainframes.

A such computers consumed a whole room and typically cost between $300,000 and $20,000,000.

The fastest maxicomputers were called supercomputers.

There are also Super computers, a term used to describe their abilities to perform certain functions such as extensive processing, speed and their diligence. They are the fastest and highest capacity computers. They are used for world wide weather forecasting and analysis of weather phenomena, oil exploration, etc.

Mainframe Computers:

These are large general purpose computers with extensive processing, storage, input and output capabilities, hence can accommodate many users at a time.

They can support between 500 – 1000 users at a time, each user working separately with a keyboard, and monitor but all using the same processor i.e. central processing unit. (CPU). These were mainly identified during the first generation computers. Mainframe computers are mostly used in companies for data processing and in science laboratories for complex mathematical calculations.

Mainframe computers: Big and powerful

Mainframe computers are the big, powerful, expensive computers used in the background by most large organisations. The power of the mainframe can be distributed amongst many people accessing the mainframe via their own PC.

Organisations such as large insurance companies would use the mainframe to keep track of their policyholders and send out renewal notices.

Micro Computers:

A microcomputer fit on a desk or lap or hand or was embedded in a tiny device.

These are very small computers compared to the mainframe and miniframe computers. They are single users i.e. the Keyboard, Central Processing Unit and Monitor can only be used by one person at a time. 

These computers are also referred to as Personal computers (P.C) or Personal systems (P.S). They are the most widely used computers in our everyday lives. They include:

• Desktop computers
• Laptop computers
• Palm top computers.

Desktop Computers

Many people use desktop computers, or desktops as they are often referred to, at work, home, school, or the library. They can be small, medium, or large in style, and usually sit on a desk. The term desktop actually refers to the casing, or the tower.

The term desktop computer originated when the computer case was wide and flat, and was designed specifically to fit on your desktop with the monitor on top.

Once you add a monitor, mouse, and a keyboard, you have what is typically known as a desktop computer.

Example Desktop Computer

Most desktop computers are easy to upgrade and expand, or add new parts. In addition to expandability, another benefit of desktop computers is the cost.

If the visible computer is used by just one person at a time, it’s called a personal computer (PC).

If the visible computer is used by many people simultaneously, it’s called a powerful server: the powerful server manages many other computers and let them share info with each other. The typical powerful server is big. It sits in a corner of the room, or fills a whole room, or fills several rooms. Powerful servers are used by big organizations (such as the IRS, Social Security, banks, credit-card companies, and insurance companies) to manage your records and the people who want to use them.

A standard desktop computer is a personal computer that’s too big to carry in one hand. It sits on a desk. It has 4 main parts:

A keyboard that lets you type commands to the computer.

A screen (display) that shows you the computer’s answers.

A mouse that you roll across your desk, to indicate which part of the screen interests you.

The system unit, which is a box holding the computer’s brain & memory.

In a standard desktop computer, each of those 4 parts is a separate device. Wires run out of the system unit to the keyboard, screen, and mouse, so the system unit can communicate with them. Here are 2 comments about the system unit:

If the system unit is taller than it is wide, it’s called a tower. The typical system unit is a tower that’s 15" tall and 15" front-to-back but just 7" wide.

 

Here’s how other computers differ.…

In a wireless desktop computer, the keyboard and mouse communicate with the system unit by radio waves instead of wires.

In an all-in-one computer, there’s no separate system unit; instead, the computer’s brain & memory hide behind the screen, in the same case that includes the screen.

The term “desktop computer” is vague: it means “standard desktop computer or wireless computer or all-in-one computer”.

In a desktop computer system, how big is the screen? If the system is modern, its screen size (measured diagonally, from corner to opposite corner) is between 18½" and 27"; the most common size is 20". If the system is older, its screen is smaller (between 12" and 18½").

Laptop, Tablets and Palmtop Computers

The second type of computer that you may be familiar with is a laptop computer. Laptops are battery or AC-powered personal computers that can be easily carried and used in a variety of locations be a car, a taxi or airjet. 

 Example Laptop Computer

The primary benefit of a laptop computer is its small size and easy portability. They use special screens, rather than the traditional bulky VDUs (Visual Display Units), which allows for longer battery life as well as portability.

A laptop computer is sometimes called a notebook computer because of its size.

Notebooks and Palmtop computers

A newer term, “Notebooks”, simply indicates a VERY small laptop. These are especially popular with salespersons on the move or people giving presentations.

While they tend to still be more expensive than an equivalent Desktop computer, they can now match the power of a Desktop computer.

Palmtops are even smaller computers which can literally fit into the palm of your hand.

 Netbook computers

 A laptop computer is small enough to carry in one hand and use in your lap, though using it is more pleasant if you rest it on a desk. To let the laptop be carried in one hand, it’s built using these tricks:

The computer’s brain & memory hide under the keyboard, in the same case that includes the keyboard.

The keyboard is attached to the screen by a hinge, so you can pick the keyboard and screen up by a single handle. (Having a hinge is called a clamshell design: opening and closing the laptop is like opening and closing a clam’s shell. Open the laptop to use it; close the laptop to transport it.)

To indicate which part of the screen interests you, you don’t have to use a mouse; instead, just rub your finger across a touchpad on the keyboard’s surface. So the laptop doesn’t require or include a mouse. (But since using the touchpad is awkward, you’ll be happier if you buy a mouse to attach to the laptop.)

Modern laptops come in 2 sizes:

If a laptop is about the size of a student’s 3-ring-binder notebook, it’s called a notebook computer.

Click here to Watch the Video

If the laptop is even smaller — small enough to fit in a woman’s clutch purse — it’s called a netbook because it’s the minimum size needed to handle the Internet well (though the Internet is more pleasant if you use a bigger computer instead, such as a notebook computer or desktop computer).

How big is the screen? For a notebook computer, the screen size is between 11½" and 17½", with 15.6" being the most common. For a modern netbook, the screen size is between 10" and 11½", with 10.1" being the most common. If the netbook is older, its screen is smaller (between 7" and 10").

The next size down is called a modern tablet computer. It’s so small that you can use it while holding it in your two hands: you don’t need a lap or desk to rest it on(though resting it on a desk can be helpful).

To let the modern tablet be used without a lap or desk, it’s built using these tricks:

There’s no mouse or touchpad. Instead of using a mouse or touchpad, you tap directly on the screen. (Such a screen, which can detect your taps and touches, is called a touch-sensitive screen.)

Tablet computers

There’s no keyboard. Instead of having a real (physical) keyboard, the screen shows a picture of a keyboard, and you tap on the picture. The picture is called a virtual keyboard.

 

The computer’s brain & memory hide in the screen. So when you look at a modern tablet computer, you see just a screen: there’s no mouse, no touchpad, no physical keyboard, and no separate system unit.

 The modern tablet’s screen size is between 7" and 10", with 9.7" being the most common. Of all the modern tablet computers, the most popular is the iPad, invented by Apple in 2010; its screen is 9.7". Now other companies are inventing competitors.

Figure 8 Ipads are very popular today

If a tablet computer’s main purpose is to read electronic books(e-books copied from the Internet, the tablet computer is called an e-book reader:

Ebook readers

Barnes & Noble invented an e-book reader called the Nook.

Amazon invented an e-book reader called the Kindle, but the Kindle is substandard: its screen isn’t touch-sensitive, so the screen’s case includes a tiny keyboard.

The smallest size of personal computer is called a handheld computer or palmtop computer or pocket computer, because it fits in the palm of your hand and in your pocket. It’s about the size of a pocket calculator or a cell phone or a pack of cigarettes.

Its screen size is under 7", with the most popular size being 3½". The typical handheld computer comes with programs that help you jot notes, store phone numbers, and keep track of appointments and to-do lists; that kind of handheld computer is called a personal digital assistant (PDA).

If the PDA also includes a built-in cell phone, it’s called a smartphone. The fanciest smartphone is the iPhone, invented by Apple.

Iphone

Any computer that can be carried in one hand is called a portable computer. A modern portable computer is therefore a laptop computer or modern tablet computer or handheld computer.

(An older kind of portable computer, called a luggable computer, can be carried in one hand by using a handle but is too big to fit on your lap.) Each modern portable computer includes a rechargeable battery, so when unplugged from a wall socket it keeps running for several hours.

Traveling with a portable computer is called mobile computing, and the computer being transported is called a mobile computer.

IBM and Apple's Computers

iMac all-in-one computer

 

Two popular types of personal computers are the IBM compatible and Macintosh computers. The first personal computer was produced by IBM in 1981 and was called the IBM PC.

 

In 1984, Apple Computer introduced the Macintosh, or Mac, and it became the first widely sold personal computer with a graphical user interface or GUI (pronounced gooey). Although both IBM and Apple computers are personal computers, the term PC came to refer to IBM or IBM-compatible personal computers.

Apple now produces a Macintosh computer called the iMac, which is a desktop computer that features an all-in-one design. This means all the internal components are located behind the monitor, rather than in a tower case, which is customary in desktop computers.