Digital Literacy: Computer Basics

Introduction to Computers Computer: An electronic device used to store and process information. Uses Education Research Receiving and sending message Making presentations Maintaining official and personal records

Parts of a Computer

Input Devices Mouse: Used to interact with items displayed on a computer screen. A standard mouse has a left and a right button. The left button is used to select items and provide instructions by clicking on an active screen area. The right button is used to display commonly used menu items on the screen.

Input Devices Keyboard: A set of keys that resembles a typewriter keyboard. Used to type text (letters and numbers) into the computer.

Using a Keyboard Alphanumeric keys: used to entering letters and numbers. Special keys: Keys such as Control (CTRL), SHIFT, SPACEBAR, ALT, CAPS LOCK, and TAB. They perform special functions depending on when and where they are used.

Using a Keyboard Punctuation Keys include keys for punctuation marks, such as colon (:), semicolon (;), question mark (?), single quotation marks (‘ ‘), and double quotation marks (“ “). Command Keys: used to insert and delete text objects. Command Keys Insert (INS) Delete (DEL) Backspace

Using a Keyboard ENTER or RETURN Key: used to move the insertion point to the beginning of a new line. Navigation Keys: keys such as the arrow keys, HOME, END, PAGE UP, and PAGE DOWN. Function Keys: Keys labeled from F1 to F12. Used to perform specific tasks.

Using a Keyboard Numeric Keys: Set of keys with numbers from 0 to 9, the decimal point, special keys and navigation symbols. Windows Key: used to open the Start menu, or used in combination with a second key to perform certain Windows tasks. Located between the CTRL key and the ALT key

Input Devices Microphone: Used to input sound into the computer. Uses Talk to people around the world Record a speech and let the computer convert it to text

Input Devices Scanner: A device similar to a photocopy machine that transfers an exact copy of a photograph or document into a computer, and is translated into a digital format.

Input Devices Webcam: Allows users to capture and send live pictures (videos) to other users.

Output Devices Monitor: Used to display information, such as text and graphics, on the computer. Similar to a television. Printer: Used to transfer text and images (soft copy) from a computer to a paper or transparency film (hard copy).

Output Devices Speaker/Headphone: Allows you to hear sounds. Speakers may be either external or built into the computer (internal).

Central Processing Unit and Memory Central Processing Unit (CPU): Interprets and runs the commands that the user gives to the computer. It is the control unit of the computer The CPU is also referred to as the processor.

Memory Memory: Location where information is stored and retrieved by the CPU. Two types of memory: RAM and ROM

Random Access Memory (RAM) Random Access Memory (RAM): the main memory and allows you to temporarily store commands and data. The CPU reads data and command from RAM to perform specific tasks. RAM is volatile, which means it is available only while the computer is turned on. The RAM data must be copied to a storage device if you want to save the data in the RAM.

Read Only Memory (ROM) Read Only Memory (ROM): the memory that retains its contents even after the computer is turned off. ROM is nonvolatile (permanent) memory that is used to store commands, such as the commands that check whether everything is working properly.

Motherboard Motherboard: the main circuit board inside the computer. Also known as a system board. Connects input, output, and processing devices together and tells the CPU how to run. Other components on the motherboard: Video card Sound card Circuits that allow the computer to communicate with devices.

Expansion Cards Expansion card: a circuit board that can be attached to the motherboard to add features such as video display and audio capability to your computer.

Expansion Cards Video Card: connected to the computer monitor and is used to display information on the monitor Network Interface Card (NIC): allows the computer to be connected to other computers so that information can be exchanged between them.

Expansion Cards Sound card: converts audio signals from a microphone, audio tape, or some other source to digital signals, which can be stored as a computer audio file. Microphones, speakers and headphones are connected to the sound card.

Storage Devices Storage device: used to store computer information. Hard Disk: A magnetic disk that is usually the main storage device on most computers. It can be an external or internal device. Floppy Disk: a portable storage device that allows you to store a small amount of data CD-ROM: a portable storage medium that allows you to store 400 times more data than on a floppy disk.

Storage Devices DVD-ROM: a portable storage medium that is similar to a CD-ROM, but can store larger amounts of data than a floppy or CD-ROM. USB Flash Drive: a small, portable storage device that weighs less than an ounce. They can be connected into larger devices through the Universal Serial Bus, better known as the USB port. These drives are removable.

Ports and Connections Port: a channel through which data is transferred between input/output devices and the processor. Universal Serial Bus (USB) Port: Used to connect peripheral devices such as a mouse, modem, keyboard, or printer to a computer. FireWire: used to connect devices such as a digital camera. This is faster than the USB.

Ports and Connections Network Port: Used to connect a computer to other computers to exchange information between the computers. (Ethernet cord ports) Parallel Port and Serial Port: Used to connect printers and other devices to a personal computer.

Ports and Connections Display Adapter: Used to connect monitors to computers. Generates the video signal from the computer and sends it to the monitor through a cable. Power: The motherboard and other components inside a computer use a direct current (DC). A power supply takes the alternating current (AC) from the wall outlet and converts it to DC power.

Using a Computer

Turning on a Computer Press the power button on the system unit. Power-on self test (POST): a sequence of quick tests to check whether the motherboard, memory, hard drive, and other components are working. After the POST, the computer starts the operating system and displays the logon screen.

Turning on a Computer The operating system allows you to instruct the computer what to do after you have turned it on. The operating system controls the computer’s hardware and also manages the computer’s operations and tasks, such as logging on an off; and shutting down.

Turning off a Computer Before turning off a computer, save all work and close out every program. Log off of the system Click Shut down NEVER use the power button to shut down the computer, unless the computer has stopped responding.