EDDV186

Ed Tech I

Class I: Fundamentals of Computing

Introduction to the Class

• Syllabus
• Texts
• Assignments
• Readings
• Lab activities
• Report
• Exam
• Grades

Weight of Grades

• Lab activities 50%
• Computer issues report 20%
• Final exam 30%

Overview of Class I

• Identify the main elements of computers
• Examine some of the common misunderstandings in computing technology

All of the elements of computing fall into three categories:

• Hardware
• Software
• Data

• Hardware
• All of the physical pieces such as monitors, CD-ROM drives, and the computer itself
• Software
• Programs such as word processors, database management programs, and spreadsheet programs
• Data
• The information users put in and programs operate on

Measuring the Data

• Bit

The tiniest element of computing is an electric current that is either on or off. This is referred to as a 1 (on) or a 0 (off ) and constitutes a bit.

• Byte
• Eight bits taken as a single unit. This is convenient for humans because a byte also can describe a single letter.

Measuring the Data (cont.)

• Kilobyte or K
• One thousand bytes (actually 1024 or 210). This approximately equals the text information on a typewritten sheet.
• Megabyte or Meg
• One million bytes (actually 1,048,576 or 220). About the text information in the Bible.

Measuring the Data (cont.)

• Gigabyte or Gig

One billion bytes (actually 230). This approximately equals the text and picture information in the Encyclopedia Britticannica .

• Terabyte
• One trillion bytes (actually 240). All the information needed to create the movie Toy Story.

Where is the Information Stored?

• ROM
• RAM
• Floppy disk or diskette
• Hard Drive
• CD-ROM
• Networks

ROM

• Read Only Memory
• This memory contains the basic information the computer needs to operate.
• Not changeable by the user

RAM

• Random Access Memory
• This memory contains the programs and data that you use while computing.
• Volatile -- Gets erased every time the power is switched off.
• RAM is what is being counted when you have 4M or 8M.

Disks, Floppy Disks, or Diskettes

• Come in 5.25" and 3.5" sizes
• 3.5" disks currently hold 1.44 MB
• Magnetic media
• Subject to wear and tear from user handling and from use in the computer

Hard Drives

• A sealed drive, usually inside the computer
• Common sizes range from 200MB to 1.6 GB
• Magnetic media
• Subject to wear and tear from use in the computer, but insulated from dust and other contaminants
• Hard drives can and do fail so data should be backed up. When hard drives fail, all info is lost

CD-ROM drives

• CD-ROM stands for Compact Disc Read Only Memory
• Hold 680MB
• Optical media
• CD-ROMs are less vulnerable to wear and abuse than floppies, but can fail due to dirt or scratches
• Users can only write onto a CD-ROM with specialized hardware (about $1000)

Comparisons: Access Speed

• RAM
• Hard drive
• CD-ROM drive
• Floppy drive

Comparisons: Storage Capacity

• Fixed
• RAM generally 4-16 MB
• Hard drive generally 500 - 1.2GB

• Infinite by changing the media
• CD-ROM drive 680 MB
• Floppy drive 1.44 MB

Important Points to Remember

• If you don't save to a floppy disk or hard drive and you turn the computer off, all of your work is lost!
• If you have been working on a document and haven't saved to disk, the original version is still intact on the disk.

If you save your file to a disk with the same name as another file, the new information will take the place of the old and the original version will be irretrievable.