Information Technology Fundamentals

1. InformationTechnology
Fundamentals 1
Ms. Blandina Kalang-ad

2. INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS
1. Introduction
a. Digital Literacy
b. Why Study ComputerTechnology?
c. Computer Definition
d. Components of a Computer
e. Computer System
f. Components of a Computer System
g. Advantages and Disadvantages of using Computers
h. Computer Applications in Society
i. Data vs. Information
j. Input-Process-Output
2. History of Computers
3. Careers and Certifications in IT
4. Software: Systems SW,Applications SW
5. Hardware: Input Devices, Output Devices, Memory, Storage,
Communication devices,The System Unit
6. Flowcharting
7. Little Man Computer
8. PervasiveThemes in IT

3. Why study Computer Technology?
Some computer roles in our lives
1.Tiny embedded computers control alarm clocks,
entertainment centers and home appliances
2.Today’s automobiles cannot run efficiently without
embedded computer systems
3.An estimated 10 million people work from home
instead of commuting to work because of
PCs and networking technologies
4. People use e-mail for personal communications
nearly 10 times as often as snail mail and 5
times more often than telephone.
5. Routine daily tasks such as banking, buying groceries
are affected by computer technologies

4. Why Study Computer Technology?
Personal Benefits
1. Improved Employment Prospects
Computer-related skills are essential in most
careers such as automotive mechanics,
nursing, journalism, archaeology, others.
Makes one more marketable to prospective
employers.

5. Why Study Computer Technology?
Personal Benefits
2. Skills Span Different Aspects of Life
Computer skills are needed regardless of
setting, whether at home, work, school or
play
Knowledge of computers is useful anywhere

6. Why Study Computer Technology?
Personal Benefits
3. Greater Self-Sufficiency
People who truly understand computers
know that computers are tools- nothing
more or less.
We do not give up control of our lives to
computers rather we use them to suit our
needs
By understanding computers, you become self
sufficient whether you use it for research,
communications or time management

7. Why Study Computer Technology?
Personal Benefits
4. Foundation of Knowledge for a Lifetime
of Learning
Basic computing principles have not changed
over the years, and they will be valid well
into the future
By mastering fundamentals, you will develop a
strong base to support furtherance of your
knowledge in the years to come

8. What is a Computer?
 An electronic device that processes data
according to a predetermined set of
instructions that converts it into information
useful to people.
Peter Norton
 An electronic device operating under the
control of instructions stored in its memory
that can accept data, process the data,
produce and store results for future use.
Gary Shelly

9. Components of a Computer
 A computer contains many electric, electronic
and mechanical components known as hardware.
 Hardware components
1. Input Devices-used to enter data or
instructions into a computer
2. Output Devices-used to convey
information to one or more people

10. Components of a Computer
Hardware components (continued)
3. System Unit- a case that contains the
electronic components to process data
3.1 Motherboard- main circuit board of the
system unit
3.2 Processor- electronic component that
interprets and carries out basic instructions
3.2 Memory– electronic component that
store instructions waiting to be executed and
data needed by those instructions.
Two categories: ROM, RAM

11. Components of a Computer
Hardware components (continued)
4. Storage Devices- Holds data, instructions
and information permanently for future use. It
records (writes) and/or retrieves (reads) items to
and from storage media.
5. Communication Devices-enables a
computer to send and receive data, instructions,
and information to and from one or more
computers

12. Computer System
 A collection of parts which are
categorized according to the work they
do.
 Every computer is part of a system

13. Components of Computer System
 Components of a complete Computer System
1. Hardware
The machine itself.The tangible parts of the
computer.
2. Software
Series of related instructions that makes the computer
perform tasks.
3. Data
Consists of individual facts or pieces of information
processed by the computer into useful form.
4. User
Refers to the people who use the machine for their
beneficial purposes.
Anyone who communicates with a computer or uses
the information it generates.

14. Advantages of using Computers
 Speed - Performs operations at incredibly
fast speeds
 Reliability – Electronic components rarely
break or fail
 Consistency - generates error-free results
 Storage – Store enormous amounts of data
 Communications - allows resource sharing
and/or processing with other computers,
often wirelessly

15. Disadvantages of using Computers
SEATWORK:Work in groups. Use ½ cw pad paper
Give examples of disadvantages of using
computers for each of the following:
1. Health risks
2. Violation of privacy
3. Public safety
4. Impact on labor force
5. Impact on the environment

16. Disadvantages of using Computers
 Health risks – Prolonged or improper
computer use lead to injuries
 Violation of privacy – Invasion to privacy and
Identity theft due to improper protection
 Public safety – Naïve users of websites fall prey
to scrupulous users
 Impact on labor force – replacement of
employee by the machine
 Impact on the environment – lead, mercury and
flame retardant contents pollute environment

17. Computers in Society
EDUCATION
Computer technology in university
curricula
Essential learning requirement
Elementary = Keyboarding
Secondary = Office applications or
Basic programming
Research

19. Computers in Society
INDUSTRY
Computer-Aided Design
Computer-Aided Manufacturing
Shipping
Transportation mode reservations or
scheduling, Invoice and Billing, tracking
vehicle locations and goods storage
Process Control

21. Computers in Society
GOVERNMENT
Population Statistics
Taxation
Military and PoliceWorks

22. Demographic maps -
Population Statistics

23. Computers in Society
HEALTH CARE
Procedures = ultrasound, CT scan,
magnetic resonance imaging
Computerized Disease Management
Robotic surgical devices
Camera Pill

24. Computers in Society
OTHERS
 Restaurant and Grocery Stores= for
inventories, POS, product pricing
 Courier Dispatchers =for tracking pickup and
drop off points, scheduling deliveries
 Construction Firms = calculate amount of
materials and project completion schedules
 Automotive mechanics = vehicle performance
monitoring, diagnose mechanical problems,
determine repair and maintenance strategies

25. Bibliography
 Peter Norton’s Introduction to
Computers 6th edition
 Discovering Computers 2010
Living in a DigitalWorld
Shelly Cashman Series
visit www.scite.com/dc2010