This document provides an overview of a lesson on basic computer architecture. It lists the following objectives: for students to understand computer architecture and its components, be able to give the function of each component, and have some students explain the purpose of each part in detail. It then provides a 10 minute guide to the presentation and mentions collaboration with other course members. It proceeds to discuss basic computer architecture by naming components like memory, input, processing, output, and auxiliary memory. It also provides analogies comparing computer architecture to a kitchen and the human body to help explain the parts and their functions.

2. Lesson Objectives
• All understand basic computer architecture and
name the components.
• Most be able to give the function for the
components of a basic computer.
• Some explain in detail what the purpose for each
part of basic computer architecture is.

3. Guide to presentation
10 mins
A rough guide to how long you spend on an activity
is given on specific slides.
Collaberation with other members of the course will
occur when gold links are seen.

4. 10 mins
Computer Architecture –
What is it?
http://stoodle.ck12.org/class/52d16a5ba450a
Follow this link in order to complete what you know about
computer architecture.

5. Basic Computer Architecture
Main Memory RAM
Input
Process
Auxiliary Memory
Output

6. Think about computer architecture being like a
kitchen:
Recipes are the instructions (input),
Preparation and cooking are the process
Finished meal is the output.

7. The main parts of the architecture:
We can relate the parts to the human body to
make it easier to understand.
Computer Part
Case
Plug (power supply)
Purpose
Holds all parts of the
computer together, just like
skeleton of a human.
Gives life to the computer
just like our heart pumps
blood around our body.
Part of the body

8. Cont.
Computer part
Purpose
Processor
This is where all processes take
place; like how our brain tells our
bodies what to do.
Motherboard
This sends the messages across
the system, to ensure that the
processes happen. Just like our
nervous system, which sends
messages around our body.
Hard drive
This stores information so it can
be retrieved again at a later date.
This is like our long term memory
This where current processes are
stored. The computer does not
save these, so they are only
RAM (Random Access Memory)
accessible at that time. Just like
short term memory
Part of the body

9. Cont.
Computer part
Input
Output
Purpose
This is an action used to ensure
a process can happen and in
turn produce an output. Just
like how we humans eat.
Something that occurs due to
an output and process being
completed. Like our bodies
digesting the food we eat and
realising energy
Part of the body

10. Activity
• http://www.kubbu.com/a1/51246_machine_architecture
• Follow this link. It will take you to a fill in the blank quiz, related to something you
will be involved in next week.
• Print screen your results, and upload to Moodle, so I can see how you are getting
on.