Fundamentals of Fundamentals of Information Technology Information Technology (ITEC1104)(ITEC1104)

Lesson 1: Introduction to Computers and Information Technology

Duration: 6 hrs.

ObjectivesObjectives

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsSection 1: Introduction to

Information Technology

Section 2: Computer DesignsSection 3: The System UnitSection 4: StorageSection 5: Other Peripheral

DevicesSection 6: Emerging TechnologiesSection 7: Implications of IT SummaryKey Terms

Section 1: Introduction Section 1: Introduction to Information to Information

TechnologyTechnology

IntroductionIntroduction• Computers are everywhere and people use all types and sizes

of computers for a variety of reasons…

• Gay and Blades (2009) posit: “Information Technology (IT) is the term used to describe the equipment (hardware) and computer programs (software) that allows [people] to access, retrieve, convert, store, organize, manipulate and present data and information.”

Purpose of Information Purpose of Information TechnologyTechnology• “to provide innovative, contemporary,

and accessible technology in computing, media, telephone, and application services to enable the students, faculty, and staff …to effectively and efficiently meet their goals as a learning community.” (Ohio Christian University)

• “to provide leadership, communication, and support for the effective and efficient use of information systems for learning, resource management, decision-making, and innovation.” (The College of Davidson and Davie County, 2015)

Benefits of Computers in Benefits of Computers in Information TechnologyInformation TechnologyBenefits

Speed Travels at incredibly fast speeds

Consistency Given the same input data and process, will produce the same result.

Reliability Have low failure rate

Communication

Can share the stored data, instructions and information via networks.

Storage Stores enormous amounts of data, which is made available at processing time

Disadvantages of Computers Disadvantages of Computers in Information Technologyin Information Technology

Disadvantages

Health Risks Prolonged or improper use of computers can lead to injuries or disorders of the hands, wrists, elbows, eyes, necks, and back

Violation of Privacy

If personal and confidential records are not stored properly, this may lead to identity theft or violation of privacy

Public Safety Innocent computer users may become victims to crimes committed by dangerous strangers

Impact on Labour Force

The skills of many employees have been replaced by computers

Impact on the environment

Computer manufacturing processes and computer waste are depleting natural resources and polluting the environment.

What is a Computer?What is a Computer?…an electronic device, operating under the

control of instructions stored in its memory.

Data vs Information

The Information Processing The Information Processing CycleCycleThe sequence of

events in processing information, which includes InputProcessingStorageoutput.

Section 2: Computer Section 2: Computer DesignDesign

Factors that Influence Factors that Influence Computer Designs:Computer Designs: Operating Environment Quantity of Data Speed Physical Size Power Consumption Communication Requirements Cost

Categories of Categories of ComputersComputers

Personal Computer (PC) Laptops

Tablet PC

Personal Digital Assistant (PDA )

Handheld Devices

Game Consoles

Section 3: The System Section 3: The System UnitUnit

The Components of a The Components of a ComputerComputer

Hardware used to enter dataand instructions

What is an Input Device?

The Components of a The Components of a ComputerComputerWhat is an Output Device?

Hardware that conveys information to one or morepeople

The Components of a The Components of a ComputerComputerWhat is a floppy disk and USB flash drive?

USB Flash DriveUSB Flash DriveProvides much greater storage capacity than a floppy disk or Zip® diskSmall and lightweightenough to be transportedon a keychain or in apocket

USB Flash DriveUSB Flash DriveProvides much greater storage capacity than a floppy disk or Zip® diskSmall and lightweightenough to be transportedon a keychain or in apocket

Floppy DiskFloppy DiskThin, circular, flexibledisk enclosed in a square-shaped plastic shellStores up to about 1.4million characters

Floppy DiskFloppy DiskThin, circular, flexibledisk enclosed in a square-shaped plastic shellStores up to about 1.4million characters

The Components of a The Components of a ComputerComputerWhat is a hard disk?

Provides greater storage capacity than a floppy disk, Zip disk, or USB flash drive

Most are housed inside of the system unit

The Components of a The Components of a ComputerComputerWhat is a compact disc? Flat, round, portable metal disc

CD-ROM DVD-ROM

The Components of a The Components of a ComputerComputerWhat is the System

Unit? Case

containingelectroniccomponentsused to processdata

Types of System UnitsTypes of System UnitsForm Factor –

refers to the size, configuration, or physical arrangement of a system unit.

Foot Print – refers to the amount of space a system unit occupies.

Components of the System Components of the System UnitUnit

The MotherboardCPUMemoryExpansion Slots

& Expansion Cards

Power SupplyPorts and

Connectors

MotherboardMotherboardThe

motherboard is the main circuit board of the system unit◦ A computer chip

contains integrated circuits

The Components of a System The Components of a System UnitUnitWhat are two main components on the

motherboard?

p. 8

ProcessorProcessorAlso called a Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The electronic component that interprets and carries out the basic instructions that operate the computer

MemoryMemoryConsists of electronic components that store instructions waiting to be executed and data needed by those instructions

The Components of a System The Components of a System UnitUnitWhat is storage?

p. 8

Storage mediaStorage media

Physical material on which data, instructions, and information are stored

Storage mediaStorage media

Physical material on which data, instructions, and information are stored

Storage deviceStorage device

Records and retrieves items to and from storage media

Storage deviceStorage device

Records and retrieves items to and from storage media

Holds data, instructions, and information for future use

What are Expansion Slots and Expansion What are Expansion Slots and Expansion Cards?Cards?

An expansion slot is a socket on the motherboard that can hold an adapter card

An Expansion or adapter card enhances functions of a component of the system unit and/or provides connections to peripherals◦ Sound card and video card

The Components of a System The Components of a System UnitUnit

What is the Power Supply?What is the Power Supply?

…converts the wall outlet AC power into DC power

The Components of a System The Components of a System UnitUnit

What are Ports and What are Ports and Connectors?Connectors?A port is the point

at which a peripheral attaches to or communicates with a system unit (sometimes referred to as a jack)

A connector joins a cable to a port

The Components of a System The Components of a System UnitUnit

The Central Processing The Central Processing Unit (CPU)Unit (CPU)

Central Processing Unit Central Processing Unit (CPU)(CPU)The processor,

also called the central processing unit (CPU), interprets and carries out the basic instructions that operate a computer◦ Contain a control

unit and an arithmetic logic unit (ALU)

Parts of the CPU (The Parts of the CPU (The Processor):Processor):The control unit is

the component of the processor that directs and coordinates most of the operations in the computer

The arithmetic logic unit (ALU) performs arithmetic, comparison, and other operations

The registers temporarily hold data and instructions.

The system clock controls the timing of all computer operations

The pace of the system clock is called the clock speed, and is measured in gigahertz (GHz)

The Machine CycleThe Machine CycleFor every instruction, a processor

repeats a set of four basic operations, which comprise a machine cycle

MemoryMemory

Types of MemoryTypes of Memory

Volatile Memory:

Loses its contents when power is turned off

For example:◦ RAM

Non-volatile Memory:

Does not lose contents when power is removed

For example:◦ ROM

Types of MemoryTypes of Memory

1. RAM SRAM (Static RAM) DRAM (Dynamic

RAM)

2. ROM PROM EPROM EEPROM

3. Cache – high speed memory for frequently requested instructions

4. Buffer - used to temporarily store data while it is being moved from one place to another.

More on Memory…More on Memory…Each location in memory has an

addressMemory size is measured in kilobytes (KB or K), megabytes (MB), gigabytes (GB), or terabytes (TB)

Section 4: StorageSection 4: Storage

Storage Device vs Storage Storage Device vs Storage MediaMediaStorage device

refers to any computer hardware used for recording computer data.

Examples are the floppy drives, ZIP drives, and other disks drives.

Storage media refers to the materials on which data are written and stored.

Examples are the floppy disks, optical discs, hard disks, etc.

How is data represented?How is data represented?Bistable Devices: can be in only

two possible stable states. For example, standard light switches are either on or off.

Bits: Binary Digit

Bytes: A string of eight bits. It represents a character

Units of Measurement for Units of Measurement for Storage MediaStorage Media

Storage DevicesStorage DevicesSequential Access Storage Device

(SASD):◦A serial (or sequential) access storage device

is one that stores files one-by-one in a sequence.

◦For example,

Direct Access Storage Device(DASD):◦A direct (or ‘random’) access storage device

is one that stores files so that they can be instantly accessed - there is no need to search through other files to get to the one you want.

Storage MediaStorage MediaMagnetic Storage –

◦Most common and cheapest way to store data. ◦For example, diskettes, hard disks and

magnetic tapes Optical Storage –

◦Stores much more data than magnetic media.◦For example, CD-ROM, CD-R & CD-RW, DVD

Flash Memory – ◦Store larger amounts of data than a floppy

disk and can be easily used across devices such as desktops, laptops, game consoles, digital cameras, etc.

Storage Capacity: A Comparison

Access Speed: A Access Speed: A ComparisonComparison

Section 5: Other Peripheral Section 5: Other Peripheral DevicesDevices

Input DevicesInput DevicesInput is any data

and instructions entered into the memory of a computer

Input Devices are the hardware components that allow users to enter data into a computer

Categories of Input Categories of Input DevicesDevices

What Is Output?What Is Output?

Output is data that has been processed into a useful form

Output Devices are the hardware components that pass out information from a computer

Examples of Output Examples of Output DevicesDevices

Multifunctional DevicesMultifunctional DevicesA single piece of equipment that

resembles a copy machine but can also print, scan and send fax.

They are also known as all-in-one devices

Section 6: Emerging Section 6: Emerging TechnologiesTechnologies

Discussion Forum

Section 7: Implications of IT on Section 7: Implications of IT on SocietySocietySocial – social networks, netiquetteLegal – computer crime, identity

theft, privacy, plagiarism, copyright infringement, libel

Ethical – academic integrity, software piracy, pornography, ten commandments for Computer Ethics

Economical – cost of access, virtual computers and taxation, job creation, job loss

ResourcesResourcesShelly, Cashman,

andVermaat(2011). Discovering Computers

www.gcflearnfree.org