Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Student’s Guide
Learning Content
DISCUSSION
1. What is the difference between data and information? How does a computer
process data?
2. What is the definition of a computer? What are its different types and how do
they differ from one another?
3. What are the capabilities of a computer system and what makes computer
system reliable?
4. What are the trends In the world of information and communications
technology?
INSTRUCTIONAL MANUAL / WORKBOOK
Student’s Guide
DEFINITION OF COMPUTER
Computers can perform the four general operations which comprise the Data
Processing Cycle.
- Input
- Output
- Process
- Storage
DATA INFO
FEEDBACK/CONTROL
All computer processing requires data, which is a collection of raw facts, figures
and symbols, such as numbers, words, images, video and sound, given to the
computer during the input phase.
During the process phase, computers manipulate data to create information.
Information is data that is organized, meaningful, and useful.
During the output phase, the information that has been created is put into some
form, such as a printed report.
The information can also be put in computer storage for future use. This is the
storage phase.
For example, the teacher records the scores of his students in the three quizzes.
The teacher inputs the scores in the excel to compute the average. The average
shown in excel is the output. The teacher saves the excel file in his computer’s
documents folder.
INSTRUCTIONAL MANUAL / WORKBOOK
Student’s Guide
Data is a collection of independent raw facts. (name, age, birthday, scores, date)
Information is processed data made meaningful based on the needs of the user.
The qualities of information are:
- Relevant
- Complete
- Timely
- Accurate
- Presentable
- Cost-effective
COMPUTER CAPABILITIES
COMPUTER BENEFITS
COMPUTER LIMITATIONS
Lack of common sense - No matter how efficient, fast and reliable computer
systems might be but yet do not have any common sense because no full-proof
algorithm has been designed to programme logic into them. As computers
function based on the stored programme(s), they simply lack common sense.
Zero IQ - They are unable to see and think the actions to perform in a particular
situation unless that situation is already programmed into them. Computers are
programmable to complete each and every task, however small it may be.
Lack of Decision-making - Decision-making is a complicated process involving
information, knowledge, intelligence, wisdom, and ability to judge. The computer
system does not have the ability to make decisions on their own because they do
not possess all the essentials of decision-making. They can be programmed to take
such decisions, which are purely procedure-oriented. If a computer has not been
programmed for a particular decision situation, it will not take a decision due to
lack of wisdom and evaluation faculties. Human beings, on the other hand,
possess this great power of decision-making.
Dependence on prepared instructions – Computers depend on human’s
instructions. It cannot operate unless a user tells the computer to do something.
INSTRUCTIONAL MANUAL / WORKBOOK
Student’s Guide
Additionally, computers cannot derive meaning from objects and correct wrong
instructions.
Learning Content
1. History of Computers
2. Four Generations of Computer
3. Role and Applicability of ICT
DISCUSSION
HISTORY OF COMPUTERS
Computer came from the Latin word ‘computare’ which means to reckon or
sum up. Webster dictionary defines computer as any programmable device that
can store retrieve and process data. The Old Oxford English dictionary describes
a computer as a person employed to make calculations.
3000 BC – the abacus is a simple counting aid invented in Babylonia
1622 - the Slide Rule is a mechanical precursor of the pocket calculator
invented by William Oughtred commonly used until the 1970 until made obsolete
by electronic calculators.
1623 – Wilheim Schichard builds the first mechanical calculator which can work
with six digits and carries digits across columns.
1640 – Blaise Pascal invents the first commercial calculator, a hand power
adding machine.
1673 – Gottfried Leibniz builds a mechanical calculating machine that multiplies,
divides, adds and subtracts.
1780 – Benjamin Franklin discovers electricity.
INSTRUCTIONAL MANUAL / WORKBOOK
Student’s Guide
1801 – Joseph Marie Jacquard builds a loom that weaves by reading punched
holes stored on small sheets of hardwood.
1833 – Charles Babbage builds the analytical machine, the first general purpose
computer that follows instructions from punched-cards. I
GENERATION OF COMPUTERS
1st Generation
Vacuum Tubes (1949-1956) – The first computers used vacuum tubes for
circuitry and magnetic drums for memory and were often enormous as they
take up entire rooms. They were very expensive to operate, uses a great deal
of electricity and generates a lot of heat. They relied on machine language to
perform operations and can only solve one problem at a time.
Ex: ENIAC
2nd Generation
Transistors (1956-1963) – These were far superior than vacuum tubes as it
allowed computers to become smaller, faster, cheaper, more energy efficient
and more reliable than the 1st generation computers. Transistors still relied on
punched cards for input and printouts for output.
Ex: IBM 1401
3rd Generation
Integrated Circuits (1964-1971) – Robert Noyce developed the integrated
circuit. ICs were miniaturized and placed on silicon chips called
semiconductors which drastically increased the speed and efficiency of
computers. Users interacted in the the 3rd generation of computers through
keyboards and monitors interfaces with an operating system allowing the
device to run many applications at one time.
4 Generation
th
Learning Content
DISCUSSION
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
A term that encompasses all forms of technology used to create, store, exchange
and utilize information in its various forms including business data, conversations,
still images, motion pictures and multimedia presentations.
It refers to anything related to computing technology, such as networking,
hardware, software, the Internet, or the people that work with these technologies.
Data enters the computer through one or more input devices. The computer then
processes the data, stores it in the system unit and transmits the resulting data to
output devices.
HARDWARE
o Video Card/Graphics Card – These are hardware devices that plug into
the motherboard and enables the computer to display images on the
monitor. They usually require the installation of software alongside the
hardware. The software instructs the computer how to use the graphics
card and also allows you to alter settings to change image quality and
size.
o Sound Card – These are internal hardware devices that plug into the
Video Card motherboard. It allows the computer system to produce sound but they
also allow users to connect microphones in order to input sounds into the
computer.
o Power Supply – It converts mains AC to low-voltage regulated DC power
for the internal components of a computer.
o Fan and Heat Sink - It assists the CPU to cool down. Heat sink is made up
of aluminum.
Sound Card
o Storage Devices (Secondary Storage) - Secondary storage devices are
used to store data that is not instantly needed by the computer. They
permanently store data and programs for as long as we need. These
devices are also used to back-up data in case original copies are lost or
damaged.
Two Categories of Storage Devices
External HDDs Internal Storage - Internal Hard Disk Drives
External Storage - External Hard Disk Drive, Memory Stick
2. INPUT UNIT - Input devices are pieces of hardware that get raw data into
the computer ready for processing. Processing involves taking raw data
and turning it into more useful information. They perform the two most basic
computing tasks: issuing commands and entering data. Data entry is
defined as the process of entering data into the computer memory and
issuing commands that tell the processor how to work with the data.
o Keyboard – It is the standard input device of most computers. It was
patterned after the typewriter and the keypad of an electronic calculator.
It is used to enter information into the computer and for giving commands.
o Mouse – It is hand-clicked device for pointing. It was Douglas Englebart
who came up with the concept of a mouse. He designed and built the
first model in 1963. It was made of wood and used two wheels for
movement.
o Other input devices are trackball, joystick, lightpen, barcode scanner,
scanner, microphone, camera.
INSTRUCTIONAL MANUAL / WORKBOOK
Student’s Guide
3. OUTPUT UNIT - When inputted raw data has been processed it becomes
usable information. Output devices are pieces of hardware that send this
usable information out of the computer.
Various computer-generated output forms:
- Text Output
- Graphic Output
- Sound Output
- Video Output
o Monitor - displays images from the computer, provides soft copy
output.
o Printer – provides hard copy output.
o Speaker - are used for audio output such as beeps, human voice and
music.
SOFTWARE
PEOPLEWARE
In the modern society, ICT is ever present with over 3 billion people having access to the
internet. With approximately 8 out 10 internet users owning a smartphone, info and data
are increasing by leaps and bounds. So this rapid growth especially in developing
countries has led ICT to become a keystone of everyday life, in which life without some
facet of technology renders most of our work dysfunctional.
For example, if the power is out, office personnel can almost do nothing because they
are not able to use their computers, no internet, printers, Xerox machines. So without
technology nowadays, its hard to accomplish something.
However, hurdles are still at large because access to ICT remains largely out of reach. So
as years pass by ICT has yet to penetrate the remote areas of some countries to be able
to help the people living in these areas experience development.
INSTRUCTIONAL MANUAL / WORKBOOK
Student’s Guide
Learning Content
DISCUSSION
Mobile Computing and Applications - Mobile phones, tablets, and other devices
have taken both the business world and the personal realm by storm. Mobile
usage and the number of applications generated have both skyrocketed in
recent years. Now, 77 percent of Americans own smartphones — a 35 percent
increase since 2011. Pew Research Center also shows using phones for online use
has increased and fewer individuals use traditional Internet services like
broadband.x
Big Data Analytics - Big data is a trend that allows businesses to analyze extensive
sets of information to achieve variety in increasing volumes and growth of velocity.
Big data has a high return on investment that boosts the productivity of marketing
INSTRUCTIONAL MANUAL / WORKBOOK
Student’s Guide
This practice in information technology can be observed for its potential in data
management positions for optimal organizations. Database maintenance is a
growing sector of technology careers. To convert various leads into paying
customers, big data is an essential trend to continue following in 2019.
Link: https://youtu.be/bAyrObl7TYE
Automation can even produce more job opportunities for IT professionals trained
in supporting, programming, and developing automated processes. Machine
learning can enhance these automated processes for a continually developing
system. Automated processes for the future will extend to groceries and other
automatic payment methods to streamline the consumer experience.
Link: https://youtu.be/WSKi8HfcxEk
https://youtu.be/xowQkxFXTNg
Virtual Reality - Technology that includes virtual reality is becoming prevalent. The
software of virtual reality is making many industries prepared for various scenarios
before entering them. The medical profession is projected to use virtual reality for
INSTRUCTIONAL MANUAL / WORKBOOK
Student’s Guide
some treatments and interactions with patients in the coming years. Virtual training
sessions for companies can cut costs, fill in the need for personnel, and increase
education. According to Gartner, by 2023, virtual simulations for selected patients
with specific illnesses will reduce emergency room visits in America by 20 million.
These simulations will have intelligence capabilities, so virtual-reality care can still
provide patients with proper attention.
Link: https://youtu.be/i4Zt3JZejbg
Augmented reality can impact many industries in useful ways. Airports are
implementing augmented-reality guides to help people get through their checks
and terminals as quickly and efficiently as possible. Retail and cosmetics are also
using augmented reality to let customers test products, and furniture stores are
using this mode to lay out new interior design options.
Link: https://youtu.be/RDvBowq3ed8
https://youtu.be/D-A1l4Jn6EY
The authority of many parties keeps the data accounted for without turning over
too much responsibility to certain employees or management staff. For transaction
purposes, blockchain data offers a safe and straightforward way to do business
with suppliers and customers. Private data is particularly secure with blockchain
systems, and the medical and information technology industries can benefit
equally from added protection.
Link: https://youtu.be/yubzJw0uiE4
Cyber-Privacy and Security - Shared company systems and the growth of the
Internet leave a high amount of personal and company data at risk to breaches.
Redesigned systems and new firewalls and gateways will be added to the services
INSTRUCTIONAL MANUAL / WORKBOOK
Student’s Guide
REFERENCES