The document provides technology skills benchmarks and tutorials for understanding basic computer hardware and software components. It includes tutorials for taking pictures of a CPU, monitor, keyboard, printer, external hard drive, wireless router, and modem. Definitions are provided for each component, with the keyboard defined as an input device modeled after a typewriter, the printer as a device that transfers text and graphics to paper, the monitor as a device that displays signals on a computer screen, the router as a device that forwards data packets between networks, and the modem as a device that converts digital data to analog for transmission over phone or cable lines.

1. Technology Skills Benchmarks
Erin Kelly

2. Benchmark 1a. – Demonstrate an
understanding of the basic function of
computer hardware and software components
such as the CPU, monitor, keyboard, file
storage, memory, and operating system.

3. Tutorial #1
! Tutorial #1 – Use a digital camera to take a
picture of your computer’s CPU, monitor,
keyboard, printer, external hard drive, wireless
router, cable modem (or DSL modem) and any
other peripherals that you may have. Define each
one on a different slide. Do not use pictures from
the Internet since your tutorial will be posted on
the Internet and can be viewed by the legal
owners of those pictures. Using pictures from
other websites is a violation of the copyright
laws.

4. Keyboard
!
A keyboard that is a data input
device for computers; arrangement
of keys is modeled after the
typewriter keyboard.

5. Printer
!
In computers, a printer is a device that accepts text and graphic output from a
computer and transfers the information to paper, usually to standard size sheets of
paper. Printers are sometimes sold with computers, but more frequently are
purchased separately. Printers vary in size, speed, sophistication, and cost. In
general, more expensive printers are used for higher-resolution color printing.

6. Monitor
!
A device that displays signals on a computer screen

7. Router
!
A router is a device that forwards data packets between computer networks,
creating an overlay internetwork. A router is connected to two or more data lines
from different networks.

8. Modem
!
A modem is a device or program that enables a computer to transmit data over, for
example, telephone or cable lines. Computer information is stored digitally, whereas
information transmitted over telephone lines is transmitted in the form of analog
waves. A modem converts between these two forms.