INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

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You are going to watch a video about de history of computers. First, on your own, outline the principal ideas of it. Then, in groups, you are going to do a timeline about computers.

Computer language

Binary system

only uses the numbers 0 and 1. This is the computer language.

Bit (b)

It is the smallest unit of information that we can store in a computer (0 or 1)

Computer functions

Hardware

It is the physical components of the computer system

Software

It is the data and instructions we use to manage that data (programs)

Functions

Input of data using peripheral devices

Output of data using peripheral devices

Storing data in the storage devices

Processing data in the central procesing unit (CPU), using the microporcessor or memory

Computer elements

Microprocessor

Memories

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- What is the function of a computer's BIOS? Do all computers have a BIOS? Explain why.

RAM: (Random Access Memory)
Computer's main memory. When we run an application, its instructions and data are copied to this memory so that the microprocessor can use them, becaus accesing the hard disk is too slow. RAM doesn't retain information.

CACHE:It's a much faster memory installed between the RAM and the microprocessor. This memory sotres the data that the mircroprocessor uses most often.

ROM-BIOS: When you turn on your computer, it automatically checks the system. If everything is correct, the BIOS starts the operating system.

Units of storage

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Name ten types of storage units and classify them according to wheter they are magnetic, optical or solid-state devices.

Magnetic discs (Hard/external hard disks)
They store bits by positioning millions of tiny magnets. To access a piece of data, the disk spins around until the read head is above the area where that piece of data is stored.

Optical discs (CD-ROMs, DVDs and Blue-Ray)
The disc drive emits a laser onto the disc and reflect off the flat areas. The lig signal is reflected back to an optical sensor that turns into a digital signal. Blue-Ray technology uses a special blue laser to store much more information.

Solid-State memory (flash, cards, pen drives)
They store information using transistors acting as switches. We connect them to the computer through an USB port or other slots.

Motherboard

Expansion slots

Allow us to add new conponent, such as a modem, sound card, network card or graphics card.

Chips made up of millions of tiny transistors working together to process the instructions and data received from the memory.

IDE/ATA connectors and SATA

Link the hard drive, CD and DVD drives

Chipset

It is a group of integrated circuits that control the flow of information

Power supply unit

Transforms a 230V AC(alternating current) into a low voltaje DC (direct current)

Type of ports

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Write down which ports we can connect the following devices to: mouse, keyboard, USB memory, monitor.

(Photocopy with the image, names and explanation)

SOFTWARE

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What are the differences between an operating system, an application and a programming language? Find out what operating systems are available nowadays.

Applications

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Classify the following applications: Norton, Mozilla Firefox, Excel, Writer, The Sims, WinRAR, GIMP, Nero, Google Chrome

Computer programs that let the users of a computer do a specific task

Programming languages

You can use programming languages to create new programs and applications.

Operating system

It manages system resources, making them available to users and other programs. Ex.: Windows, Linux, Android.

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1. How many bits/bytes/kilobytes/megabytes fits in your pendrive?2. How many bits fit onto a 700MB CD-ROM?3. What is the size difference between the different storage devices in each of the pairs below?a) A 100KB file and a 4,7GB DVD.b) A 500GB external hard disk and a 700MB CD-ROM.c) A 4GB memory stick and a 1TB hard disk.d) A 16GB MP3 player and an old 1,44MB floppy disk.e) An old 512MB pendrive and a 500GB external hard disk.

If you open the outer case of a computer, you will see it.. All the parts of a computer are attached there directly or indirectly.

(Photocopy with the image, names )

Practice: SCRATCH (photocopies)

REVISION ACTIVITIES

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1.       What is the difference between a bit and a byte?2.       What is the difference betweenhardware and software?3.       Classify these elements as computer hardware or software: CPU, Window 7, Ubuntu, RAM, bit, USB memory, hard drive,mouse, Internet Explorer, scanner, Mozilla Firefox.4.       Do the following conversions:a)      How many KB are in 2GB?b)      How many MB are there in 1TB?c)       How many bits are there in 1TB?d)      How many MB are there in 4096KB?e)      How many GB are there in 1012 bytes?5.       Name four peripheral input devices,four peripheral output devices and three peripheral input/output devices.6.       What is a microprocessor? What factors determine a microprocessor’s performance?7.       Write a list of all the types of memory that you know about and describe them.8.       What is the motherboard? Name some of its elements and describe their functions?9.       Write three lists of operating system, application programs and programming languages respectively, choosing from the following: Word, PowerPoint, Norton, Yahoo, Winamp,Visual Basic, Calc, Windows7, Chat, Mac OS, Paint, Writer, Linux, MSN, Excel,Logo.