1. Computer Systems Unit 1 – Lesson 1 Starter
Answer the following questions:
What is a computer system?
Why do we use computer systems?
Where are computer systems used?
To describe the term ‘computer system’; to explain the function and purpose of embedded systems; to name and explain a range of computer components and their functions.

2. Computer Systems
The purpose of a computer is to: Why were computers created? To help process data and complete tasks more efficiently than humans.
Take in data
Process it
Output it
To describe the term ‘computer system’; to explain the function and purpose of embedded systems; to name and explain a range of computer components and their functions.

3. Computer Systems
A computer system consists of… Hardware The physical ‘stuff’ that makes up your computer.
Software The programs or applications that a computer system runs.
To describe the term ‘computer system’; to explain the function and purpose of embedded systems; to name and explain a range of computer components and their functions.

4. Computer Systems
In pairs, discuss and write down examples of computer systems. What do they do? How do they work? Why are they needed?
To describe the term ‘computer system’; to explain the function and purpose of embedded systems; to name and explain a range of computer components and their functions.

5. Computer Systems There are many examples of computer systems:
Small devices…
Calculators
Smart watches
Large supercomputers…
Banks
Scientific applications (NASA)
To describe the term ‘computer system’; to explain the function and purpose of embedded systems; to name and explain a range of computer components and their functions.

6. Computer Systems
Computer systems can be… General Purpose Systems Designed to perform many tasks (e.g. PCs and tablets)
Dedicated Systems Designed for one particular function (e.g. controlling traffic lights/aeroplanes)
To describe the term ‘computer system’; to explain the function and purpose of embedded systems; to name and explain a range of computer components and their functions.

7. Computer Components
Using Google, identify the components and answer the following questions:
What do they do?
Why are they needed?
If it was missing, what would happen?
Extension
Are there any other components inside a computer? What are they?
To describe the term ‘computer system’; to explain the function and purpose of embedded systems; to name and explain a range of computer components and their functions.

8. Computer Components Power Supply Unit (PSU)
Supplies power to the motherboard, optical and hard drives, and other hardware
Graphics Card
Similar to a CPU; processes graphics to free up the CPU for other tasks
CPU
(Hidden under the heat sink); does all the processing
Case Cooling Fan
Extracts hot air from the computer case
Hard Disk Drive
Internal secondary storage
CPU Heat Sink & Cooling Fan
Keeps the CPU at a steady temperature (CPUs generate a lot of heat)
Motherboard
The main circuit board in the computer, where the hardware is connected
Optical Drive
For reading/writing of optical discs
RAM
Computer memory
To describe the term ‘computer system’; to explain the function and purpose of embedded systems; to name and explain a range of computer components and their functions.

9. Embedded Systems Embedded systems are…
Computers built into other devices, for example:
Dishwashers
Microwaves
TVs
They are usually ‘dedicated systems’
Often used as ‘control systems’ to monitor and control machinery
They are…
Easier to design
Cheaper to produce
More efficient than a general purpose computer
To describe the term ‘computer system’; to explain the function and purpose of embedded systems; to name and explain a range of computer components and their functions.

10. Homework Using repl.it, create a Python program to:
Define each computer component
Write a short description about each of the computer components to
Challenge
Ask the user to enter a component, then tell them about that component.
DUE …
To describe the term ‘computer system’; to explain the function and purpose of embedded systems; to name and explain a range of computer components and their functions.

11. Plenary
Choose either: Computer system or Embedded system Choose someone in the class to give an example of either system THEY CAN’T BE THE SAME!
To describe the term ‘computer system’; to explain the function and purpose of embedded systems; to name and explain a range of computer components and their functions.

12. Keyboard & Mouse on top of computer
Tuck your chairs under and
stand behind your chairs
To describe the term ‘computer system’; to explain the function and purpose of embedded systems; to name and explain a range of computer components and their functions.