Functional Skills Skills ICT Level 2 IT Basics Learning Resource Task 1 Microsoft product screen shot(s) reprinted with permission from Microsoft Corporation.
Computer basics As you work through, you will find help available in the IT Basics Information Pack, if you need to use it. Parts of a computer A computer is made up of many different parts. There are many different types of computers, including laptops, tablets and mobile phones. This is a typical personal computer (PC) system. Your computer may differ slightly from the one shown below. CD/DVD drive Hard drive Webcam Monitor Scanner/Printer Central Processing Unit Mouse Speakers Keyboard West Nottinghamshire College 1
Keyboard The person using the computer uses the keyboard to input information. Monitor A monitor displays the information that is being entered into the computer. It is also known as a screen or VDU (Visual Display Unit). Mouse A mouse allows the user to move the cursor around the screen and click on items. Clicking on items gives the computer instructions. The Central Processing Unit (CPU) The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the brain of the computer. It deals with all the information which has been inputted and controls the information which is output. Hard Drive The hard drive is the main information storage area. This is where the operating system, programs and data are kept. Printer/Scanner The printer and scanner is usually one piece of equipment, but they can be separate. A printer is used to print images and text from the computer. There are many types of printers. A scanner is used to copy paper documents or images into your computer. Once an image has been scanned, software on the computer can be used to alter the images. CD/DVD CDs and DVDs can be used to store information. This can be in the form of software packages or large amounts of data. The contents of the CD/DVD can be transferred to the hard drive. The CD/DVD drive is where you put the CD or DVD into the computer. CD stands for Compact Disc. DVD stands for Digital Versatile Disc or Digital Video Disc. Continued on the next page West Nottinghamshire College 2
USB connection A USB allows you to connect external devices such as digital cameras, MP3 players, scanners, mobile phones, memory sticks and external hard drives. Webcam A webcam can be a separate piece of equipment or housed within the computer device. It allows other people to see images of you. Hardware When you use a computer you use hardware and software. When people talk about hardware, they mean the equipment e.g. the printer/scanner, monitor, keyboard, and mouse, etc. It is the touchable parts on the computer that are used to input information, display the information when it has been processed, or store the information. The input, output and storage devices are all hardware. Software The programs that run on a computer are called software. There are two types of software: Operating System software programs which actually make the computer work e.g. Microsoft Windows. This software allows the computer hardware to talk to the application software. Application software - programs used to produce information e.g. Microsoft Word is used to type a letter; Microsoft Excel is used to create a spreadsheet. West Nottinghamshire College 3
Input, Output and Storage Devices Each part of the computer has its own job to do. Some parts are known as input devices, some as output devices and some are used for storage. Input devices are used to put information into the computer e.g. keyboard, mouse, scanner and microphone. Output devices are used to output the information after it has been processed e.g. printer, monitor (VDU or screen) and headphones. Storage devices store information so that it can be picked up later e.g. hard drive, external hard drive, cloud storage, CD, DVD, memory card and memory stick. Touch screens Touch screens are used all the time. This means you can touch the screen and work the device instead of using a mouse. All tablets and mobile smart phones work using a touch screen. Information points work using touch screens. Cash points use touch screens to get money out of your bank account. There are boards, for example in a classroom, that are sensitive to touch. When you have a passport photograph taken in a photograph booth, it uses a touch screen. Hand-held game consoles use a touch screen. West Nottinghamshire College 4
Parts of a computer Fill in the table below. What is the picture showing? Is it an input, output or a storage device? Scanner West Nottinghamshire College 5
What is the picture showing? Is it an input, output or a storage device? Printer What is meant by the hardware on a computer? What is the difference between Operating System software and Application software? West Nottinghamshire College 6
Write down as many storage devices as you can. Write down as many examples of touch screens as you can. West Nottinghamshire College 7
The items listed below are either hardware or software. Tick the column you think each of the following belong to. Hardware Software Keyboard Scanner Microsoft Windows Internet Explorer Mouse Headphones Monitor/VDU/Screen Webcam Microsoft Word Printer Microsoft Excel West Nottinghamshire College 8