Extended Learning Module A – Computer Hardware and Software
Mod A-1
EXTENDED LEARNING MODULE A
COMPUTER HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE
JUMP TO THE SUPPORT YOU WANT
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
2. Describe categories of computers based on size.
4. Describe the roles of operating system and utility software as components of system
software.
MODULE SUMMARY
This Extended Learning Module provides an introduction to a wealth of computer hardware and
software terminology.
It does so by focusing on personal technologies but also includes some discussions of larger
computers (minicomputers, mainframes, and supercomputers) and horizontal and vertical
market software.
The primary sections of this module include:
2. Categories of Computers by Size
4. Hardware: Your Physical Interface
Extended Learning Module A – Computer Hardware and Software
Mod A-2
LECTURE OUTLINE
A QUICK TOUR OF TECHNOLOGY (p. 323)
CATEGORIES OF COMPUTERS BY SIZE (p. 325)
1. Smaratphones
3. Notebook Computers
5. Minicomputers, Mainframe Computers, and Supercomputers
SOFTWARE: YOUR INTELLECTUAL INTERFACE (p. 328)
2. System Software
HARDWARE: YOUR PHYSICAL INTERFACE (p. 333)
2. Common Output Devices
4. CPU and RAM
END OF MODULE (p. 346)
1. Summary: Student Learning Outcomes Revisited
Back to Jump List
Extended Learning Module A – Computer Hardware and Software
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MODULES, PROJECTS, AND DATA FILES
Group Projects
Data Files
Extended Learning Module A – Computer Hardware and Software
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• These are the Student Learning Outcomes for the module.
• Use them as a road map to inform your students of what you will be
• These are the Student Learning Outcomes for the module.
• This slide provides the definition for information technology and sets
the stage for the rest of the appendix.
• Like the previous slide, this one introduces the topics covered in this
• This slide provides the organization for the module.
Extended Learning Module A – Computer Hardware and Software
Mod A-5
• The two basic categories of information technology are hardware and
software (Student Learning Outcome #1).
• This is the first of four slides that describe the six major categories of
hardware.
• The CPU and RAM together make up the “brain” of the computer.
• The third slide of these four describes telecommunications devices and
• This slide shows an example of each of six the categories of hardware.
Extended Learning Module A – Computer Hardware and Software
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• This and the next slide covers application software, system software,
and utility software.
• The system software that students are probably most familiar with is
Windows
• System software controls the computer system from the hardware to
how the application software runs
• This slide is the first of five that deal with different types and sizes of
computers (Student Learning Outcome #2).
• This slide shows the definitions for notebook and desktop computers.
• This slide is a visual reinforcement of the previous two showing
Extended Learning Module A – Computer Hardware and Software
Mod A-7
• This slide defines the three types of large-scale computers that
• This slide has photos of a minicomputer, mainframe, and
supercomputer.
• Minicomputers are often used as servers for medium-sized businesses.
• Mainframes can be found where multi-user systems are required.
• This slide starts a series on software (Student Learning Outcome #3).
• Personal productivity software is the software that your students are
• This slide focuses on word processing and spreadsheets.
• Figure A.5 on page 329 shows various types of personal productivity
software.
• This slide defines presentation software and desktop publishing, both
of which emphasize formats pleasing to the eye.
Extended Learning Module A – Computer Hardware and Software
Mod A-8
• This slide highlights personal information management and personal
finance software.
• This slide shows Web authoring, graphics and communications
software.
• This slide shows the definition for database management system
• This slide discusses the two categories of application software used by
businesses.
• This slide discusses various types of system software (Student Learning
Outcome #4).
Extended Learning Module A – Computer Hardware and Software
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SLIDE 27
• This slide presents utility software.
• Although utility software is considered separately from operating
• Uninstaller software lets you get rid of software you no longer want.
• Disk optimization software organizes your hard disk to make better use
• This slide starts the hardware section (Student Learning Outcome #5)
• This slide introduces the concept of binary representation of
• This slide illustrates the concept of binary representation.
• This slide presents Figure A.6 on page 333.
• These photos illustrate some of the input devices available for the
Extended Learning Module A – Computer Hardware and Software
Mod A-10
• This figure is a graphical illustration of the various categories and types
of input devices.
• Some input devices (like keyboards and styluses) are good for
• This slide shows pointing devices, which are used to input commands.
• This slide addresses game controllers.
• Game controllers are specialized input devices intended for gaming.
• This slide introduces scanners.
• Scanners, in general, read some printed information and convert it into
digital form.
Extended Learning Module A – Computer Hardware and Software
Mod A-11
• This slide is a continuation of the previous one showing the definitions
for other types of scanners.
• Optical mark readers may be familiar to students – these are the
• This slide discusses digital cameras.
• Digital cameras convert the image, still or in motion, into digital form.
• This slide graphically illustrates the various categories of output
devices.
• This slide presents Figure A.10 on page 337.
• Screens are very common output devices.
• This side discusses the threetypes of flat-panel displays.
• LCD monitors are the type usually found on notebooks and desktop