After vocabulary, we discussed different input and output devices. Some items we came up with are as follows:

Input Devices - keyboard, mouse, microphone, CD Drive, floppy drive, Flash/jump drives, scanner.

Output Devices - monitor, speakers, printer

We also observed the actual inside of a computer and identified many parts we just learned. Many students were able to identify the hard drive, CPU, fan, memory, and of course, the motherboard. One thing I want you to remember is that the motherboard is where all the other components are attached to.

Please review your vocabulary and remember your project is due THIS FRIDAY 9/15.

POST ANY QUESTIONS HERE AS A COMMENT!

Sorry for the lateness of this post, kids. I am catching up now. Today we started with vocabulary for lesson #2. Below, please find the vocabulary and definitions for this unit.

· American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII): Coding system that computers of all types and brands can translate.

· Bit: In binary, a bit represents a zero or one.

· Byte: A byte is another word for character; generally represented by eight bits.

· CD-ROM: Disk that can store up to 680 MB of data; data can only be read from it.

· Central processing unit (CPU): Also known as the microprocessor; the brains of the computer.

· Controller: Device that controls the transfer of data from the computer to a peripheral device and vice versa.

· DVD: Also called Digital Versatile Disk; video output, including full-length movies, can be stored on this medium.

· Execution cycle (E-cycle): The amount of time it takes the central processing unit to execute an instruction and store the results in RAM.

· Hard disk drive: A data storage unit inside a computer that can store a large quantity of data (60GB or more), but cannot easily be removed from the computer.

· Impact printers: Type of printer that uses a mechanism that actually strikes the paper to form characters.

· Input devices: Enable the user to input data and commands into the computer.

· Instruction cycle (I-cycle): The amount of time it takes the central processing unit to retrieve an instruction and complete the command.

· Keyboard: Common input device for entering numeric and alphabetic data into a computer.

· Main memory: Also called random access memory or RAM, it is like short-term memory. It stores data while the computer is running. When the computer is turned off or if there is a loss of power, any data in the main memory disappears. The computer can read from and write to this type of memory.

· Memory: On the computer’s motherboard, it’s where data is stored.

· Motherboard: A circuit board that contains all of the computer system’s main components.

· Mouse: A pointing device that serves as a faster, more effective alternative to the keyboard in communicating instructions to the computer.

· Network drive: A disk drive located on another computer or server that provides space you can use for data storage.

· Nonimpact printers: Type of printer in which characters are formed without anything striking the paper.

· Optical storage devices: Devices that enable the computer to give the user the results of the processed data.

· Output devices: Enable the computer to give you the results of the processed data.

· Plotter: An output device used to produce charts, engineering plans, and other large-sized printed material with lines drawn by pens that move on rails.

· Pointer: On-screen object (whose shape changes depending on the function) that can be moved and controlled by the mouse.

· Random access memory (RAM): Where instructions and data are stored on a temporary basis. This memory is volatile.

· Read-only memory (ROM): Permanent storage; instructions are burned onto chips by the manufacturer.

· Scanner: An input device that can change images into codes for input to the computer.

· System clock: An electronic pulse that is used to synchronize processing; it controls the speed of the central processing unit.

September 8, 2006

Ok, today was an interesting lesson. We learned about different types of computers, and we also discussed the idea of how the computer has evolved over the years. We discussed how a computer is used in different industries. In addition, we also mentioned the different ways that we receive data when connected to our computer. Telephone wire, coaxial cable, UTP cabling and wireless connections were discussed.

As a group, we established that there are different industries in which computer use has advanced and entirely changed the way a job is done.

Part two of the vocab for this lesson is posted below. Also, a project was assigned.

The project was as follows:

In Project 1-1, learners prepare a 5 paragraph report describing how the computer is used in a career in the field of mathematics such as a teacher, a statistician, account or other you can think of on your own. This project should be typed, double spaced and 12 point font. This project is due on Friday 9/15/06.

See you on Monday!

Vocabulary List #1 (Continued)

Microprocessors
An integrated circuit silicon chip that contains the processing unit for a computer or a computerized appliance.

Minicomputers
Type of computer that is designed to serve multiple users and process significant amounts of data; larger than a microcomputer, but smaller than a mainframe.

Network
Connects one computer to other computers and peripheral devices.

Notebook Computer
Similar to a microcomputer; however, it is smaller and portable.

People
Users of the computers who enter the data and use the output.

Protocol
Standard format for transferring data between two devices. TCP/IP is the agreed upon international standard for transmitting data.

Receiver
Computer that receives a data transmission

Sender
Computer that sends a data transmission

Software
Intangible set of instructions that tells the computer what to do

Supercomputers
Largest and fastest computers, capable of storing and processing tremendous volumes of data

Wide Area Networks
Computer networks that cover a large geographical area. Most WANs are made up of several connected LANs

As promised, the day's lesson information is posted here daily.
Today we covered what makes a computer a computer. We discussed how we use computers today and the four main processes of a computing cycle (receiving data, processing data, storing data, and producing a result)

There are different types of computers such as PC's, MAC's, and Laptops all categorized as microcomputers.

Charles Babbage is the father of computers. Created plans for "calculating engines" in 1850, later computers, of course, are much more advance and technology is always changing.

We also mentioned that computers are not capable of making independent decisions. There is always a human that initiates any computer function.

Vocabulary and definitions are below, please make sure they are copied in your notes.

Tomorrow............Different classes of computer and maybe even input and output devices......hold on to your enthusiasm, see you tomorrow!


September 7, 2006

VOCABULARY LIST #1

Channel
Media, such as telephone wires, coaxial cable, microwave signal, or fiber optic cable that carry data communication messages

Computer
Electronic device that receives data, processes data, stores data, and produces a result

Computer system
Hardware, software, and data working together

Data Communications
Transmission of text, numeric, voice or video data from one machine to another

Hardware
The tangible, physical equipment that can be seen and touched.

Internet
The largest network used as a communication tool

Local Area Network (LAN)
A series of connected personal computers, workstations and other devices, such as printers or scanners, within a confined space, such as an office building.

Mainframe Computer
Large, powerful computers that are used for centralized storage, processing, and management of very large amounts of data.

Microcomputer
Sometimes called a personal computer; used at home or at the office by one person; can fit on top of or under a desk.