DATA CENTER COLLEGE OF THE PHILIPPINES

COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION

LAOAG CITY

LIVING IN THE IT ERA

Course Description:
This course is designed to be an introduction to the concepts of information systems. Topic covered
include: History of computer, types of computer, the different number systems and specifically the logical
presentation of computer programming through the use of flowcharts. This course also provides a practical
hands-on approach to developing the skills of students through powerful word processing and spreadsheet
application as well as presentation for windows and internet issues.

Course Objectives
At the end of this course, the student should be able to:
1. identify the basic components of a computer system
2. know the arithmetic operations on number systems
3. understand how different data types are represented
4. understand the basics of digital logic systems
5. identify the different levels of programming
6. know the functions of an operating system
7. know concepts of data communication, network components and protocols, the Internet issues

Course Requirements
a. Quizzes
b. Case Studies
c. Prelim, Midterm and Final Examination
d. Assignments
e. Seatwork
 DATA CENTER COLLEGE OF THE PHILIPPINES
COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION
LAOAG CITY

MODULE 1

LESSON 1: A WORLD OF COMPUTERS

Direction:

This module contains several lessons. Instruction are explained with activities and examples.
Understand and internalize the learning outcomes. Read well the contents of each lesson. A strategy is
used to let you learn and improve your learning ability and to develop your higher order thinking skills. At
the end of each module, there is an assessment/examination. Understand and answer it as directed.

Learning Outcome:

The Students are expected to:

1. Define what a computer is.
2. Explain the parts and functions of a computer.
3. Identify the different components of a computer system.
4. Identify input devices.
5. Know the functions of a CPU.
6. Identify and know the different output devices.
7. Know and utilize the different storage devices

1. WHAT IS A COMPUTER?
A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions stored in its own
memory, that can accept data, process the data according to specified rules, produce results, and store the
results for future use.

A. Computers Are Everywhere

It is hard to overstate technology's pervasiveness and power in modern, technologically oriented
societies such as those found in Western Europe, North America, and Japan. A little reflection reveals that
no area of human life in modern societies is left untouched by today's technology.

Computers have entered almost every arena of human society. They operate in our homes, our
workplaces, and our schools.

They come in so many shapes and sizes that it is sometimes difficult to recognize them: while
laptop and desktop computers are commonplace, computers can also be found in home electronics,
automobiles, airplanes, automatic teller machines (ATMs), security systems, and many other devices and
situations.

Many of the world's societies depend heavily on computers in the operation of their transportation
systems, commerce, utilities, law enforcement, governance, and more.
 DATA CENTER COLLEGE OF THE PHILIPPINES
COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION
LAOAG CITY

B. Physical Components of Computer

There are 2 physical components of a computer. Software and Hardware.

Computer Hardware
Major items of equipment or their components used for a particular purpose.

Everything you can see and touch in your PC is hardware

Classification of Computer Hardware

1. Input Device
2. Output Device
3. System Unit
4. Storage Device

1. INPUT DEVICES

An input device is any hardware component that allows you to enter data and instructions into a
computer.

A. Keyboard
The Keyboard is a piece of hardware that resembles a typewriter
keyboard. It is one of the primary wars we communicate with the computer and
enter data. 101-keys QWERTY keyboard is most popular

B. POINT and DRAW DEVICES

Used to rapidly point to and select a graphical icon or menu item from multiple options displayed on the
GUI (Graphical User Interface) of a screen.

B.1 Mouse:

A device used to move the cursor on the screen, a s well as to issue

commands and make icon and menu selections.

B.2 Trackball:

To move the pointer using a trackball, you rotate the ball with your thumb, fingers,
or the palm of your hand. In addition to the ball, a
trackball usually has one or more buttons that work just like mouse buttons.
 DATA CENTER COLLEGE OF THE PHILIPPINES
COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION
LAOAG CITY

B.3 Touch Screens and Touch-

Sensitive Pads:
A touch screen is a touch-
sensitive display device. Touch screens that recognize multiple points of contact at the same time are
known as multi-touch. Users can interact with touch screens by touching areas of the screen.

B.4 Pen Input

With pen input, you touch a stylus or digital pen on a flat surface to write, draw, or make selections.
The flat surface may be a screen on a monitor or mobile device, a signature capture pad, or a graphics
tablet

B.5 GAME CONTROLLERS

Video games and computer games use a game controller as the input device that directs
movements and actions of on-screen objects.

1. Gamepads
A gamepad, which is held with both hands, controls the movement and actions of players or objects in
video games or computer games.
 DATA CENTER COLLEGE OF THE PHILIPPINES
COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION
LAOAG CITY

2. Light Guns
A light gun is used to shoot targets and moving objects after you pull
the trigger on the weapon. Instead of emitting light, most light guns work by
detecting light.

B.6 Digital Cameras

A digital camera is a mobile device that allows users to take pictures
and store the photographed images digitally, instead of on traditional film.

B.7 Voice Input

Voice input is the process of entering input by speaking into
a microphone.

H. Video Input
Video input is the process of capturing full-motion
images and storing them on a computer’s storage
medium such as a hard disk or optical disc.

B.8 Scanners and Reading Devices

Some input devices save users time by eliminating manual
data entry. With these devices, users do not type, speak, or write
into the computer. Instead, these devices capture data from a
source document, which is the original form of the data.
 DATA CENTER COLLEGE OF THE PHILIPPINES
COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION
LAOAG CITY

2. OUTPUT Devices.
Output is data that has been processed into a useful form. That is, computers process data (input)
into information (output).

TYPES OF OUTPUT
A. Soft-copy Output
• Not produced on a paper or some material that can be touched and carried for being shown to
others.

B. Hard-copy Output
• Produced on a paper or some material that can be touched and carried for being shown to others.

COMMONLY USED OUTPUT DEVICES

Display Devices
A display device, or simply display, is an output device that visually conveys text, graphics, and
video information. Information on a display device, sometimes called soft copy, exists electronically and
appears for a temporary period.

A. Monitors

• Monitors are the most popular output devices used for producing soft-copy output.
• Monitor associated with a keyboard is called a video display terminal (VDT).

Types of Monitors

1. Cathode-Ray-Tube (CRT) monitors look like a television and are normally

used with non-portable computer systems

2. Flat-Panel monitors are thinner and lighter and are commonly used with portable
systems like notebook computers. Now they are also used with non-portable
desktop computer system because they occupy less table space.
• LCD and LED Monitor
Liquid Crystal Display – is a thin, flat electronic visual display for computers that uses the
light modulating properties of liquid crystals (LCs)
 DATA CENTER COLLEGE OF THE PHILIPPINES
COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION
LAOAG CITY

Light Emitting Diode - Led monitor is the new version of LCD monitor

Difference between LCD and LED Monitor;

LED and LCD monitors are based on the same basic technology for image display, but differ
in the kind of backlighting used.
• LCD monitors use cold cathode fluorescent lamps for backlighting WHILE LED monitors use
light emitting diodes.
• LED power consumption is as much as 40% lesser than conventional LCD monitors
• LED is more expensive the LCD
• LED monitor weigh at least half a comparable LCD monitor
B. Printers
• Most common output devices for producing hard-copy output.

Types of Printers

1. Plotters: Devices that draw graphics displays on paper; they also

produce printed paper output. Plotters are an ideal output device for architects,
engineers, city planner and other who need to routinely generate high-precision,
hard-copy graphic output of widely varying sizes.

2. Impact Printers: Form characters and other images on paper through the impact
of a printing mechanism that presses a printing element and an inked ribbon or
roller against the face of a sheet of paper (e.g., dot matrix printers, high-speed
line printers).

3. Non-Impact Printers: Do not utilize a printing mechanism (e.g.,

laser printers and ink jet printers).

C. Audio Output

Computers produce audio data that requires output

devices such as speakers and headphones to deliver the sound to
you.
 DATA CENTER COLLEGE OF THE PHILIPPINES
COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION
LAOAG CITY

D. Projector

Projectors are display devices that project a computer-created

image. The computer sends the image data to its video card, which then
sends the video image to the projector. They are typically used for
presentations or for viewing videos.

E. Future output device: HOLOGRAM

A hologram (pronounced HOL-o- gram) is a three-dimensional image,
created with photographic projection. The term is taken from the Greek words
holos (whole) and gramma (message). Unlike 3-D or virtual reality on a two-
dimensional computer display, a hologram is a truly three-dimensional and
free-standing image that does not simulate spatial depth or require a special
viewing device. Theoretically, holograms could someday be transmitted electronically to a special display
device in your home and business.

The theory of holography was developed by Dennis Gabor in 1947. The development of laser
technology made holography possible.

3. SYSTEM UNIT
The system unit is a case that contains electronic components of the computer used to process
data.

3.1 The Motherboard

The motherboard, sometimes called a system board, is the main circuit board of the system unit.
Many electronic components attach to the motherboard; others are built into it. The motherboard, a single
circuit board, provides the path through which the processor communicates with memory components,
other components, and peripheral devices.
In a typical personal computer, the components attached to the motherboard include processor,
memory chips, support electronic circuitry, and expansion boards.
 DATA CENTER COLLEGE OF THE PHILIPPINES
COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION
LAOAG CITY

3.2 Processor
The processor, also called the central processing unit (CPU), interprets and carries out the basic
instructions that operate a computer. The processor significantly impacts overall computing power.
Processor is located inside the computer case on the motherboard. It is often called the brain of the computer.

Components of the Central Processing Unit

1. CONTROL UNIT
The control unit is the component of the processor that directs and coordinates most of the
operations in the computer. It interprets each instruction issued by program and then initiates the
appropriates action to carry out the instruction.

2. ARITHMETIC LOGIC UNIT

The arithmetic logic unit (ALU), another component of the processor, performs arithmetic,
comparison, and other operations.

2.1 Arithmetic operations – include addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

2.2 Comparison operation – involve comparing one data item to another to determine if the first
item is greater than, equal to, or less than the other item.

2.3 Logical operations – work with conditions and logical operations such as AND, OR and NOT.

4.3 Computer Memory

Memory is like an electronic starch pad inside the computer. When you launch a program, it is
loaded into and run from memory. As new data is entered into the computer, it is also stored in memory –
but only temporarily.

• RAM stands for random access memory. This memory

holds the information you are working with while the computer is
turned on. Once you turn the computer off all the information
that was in RAM will be gone.
 DATA CENTER COLLEGE OF THE PHILIPPINES
COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION
LAOAG CITY

• ROM stands for read only memory. This memory holds

information that you can only read, but not erase. Information in
ROM is built in and is always there even when the computer is
turned off.

Memory stores three basic categories of items:

1. the operating system and other system software that control or maintain the computer and its
devices;
2. application programs that carry out a specific task such as word processing; and
3. the data being processed by the application programs and resulting information

3.4 Power Supply.

The power supply converts electricity into the current works for
the computer. When the computer is turned on the power supply
allows converted electricity to travel to other components inside the
computer.

3.5 Disk Drives:

The disk drive is the device that reads information that is

on disk. Generally speaking, most computers have three disk
drives; hard disk drive, floppy disk drive and CD-ROM /
DVD-Rom drive.

Hard disk is hidden inside the computer the floppy and CD-
ROM drives are accessible from the front of the system unit.

4. Storage Media
Is a hardware device capable of storing information? There are two storage devices used in
computers; a primary storage device such as computer RAM and a secondary storage device such as a
computer hard disk drive.
A storage device is a hardware device capable of storing information.

There are two storage devices used in computers;

1. a primary storage device such as computer RAM

2. a secondary storage device such as a hard disk drive.

Different Storage Devices

 DATA CENTER COLLEGE OF THE PHILIPPINES
COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION
LAOAG CITY

A. Hard Disks
A hard disk is an internal storage and also called a hard disk drive or hard drive, is a storage
device that contains one or more inflexible, circular platters that use magnetic particles to store data,
instructions, and information the system unit on most desktop and notebook computers contains at least
one hard disk.

B. RAID
Some personal computer manufacturers provide a hard disk configuration
that connects multiple smaller disks into a single unit that acts like a single
large hard disk. A group of two or more integrated hard disks is called a
RAID (redundant array of independent disks). RAID is an ideal storage
solution for users who must have the data available when they attempt to
access it.

C. NAS
A network attached storage (NAS) device is a server connected
to a network with the sole purpose of providing storage. Any user or
device connected to the network can access files on the NAS device.
These devices often use a RAID configuration. In the past, enterprises
were the primary users of NAS. With the introduction of smaller, less
expensive NAS devices, however, some home and small business users
opt to add up to 6 TB or more of hard disk storage space to their network
with a NAS device.
D. Memory Cards

Memory cards is an external storage and enable mobile users easily to transport digital photos,
music, or files to and from mobile devices and computers or other devices. A memory card is a removable
flash memory device, usually no bigger than 1.5 inches in height or width, that you insert and remove from
a slot in a computer, mobile device, or card reader/writer

E. USB Flash Drives

 DATA CENTER COLLEGE OF THE PHILIPPINES
COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION
LAOAG CITY

As discussed in Chapter 4, a Universal Serial Bus flash drive, sometimes called a thumb drive, is
a flash memory storage device that plugs in a USB port on a computer or mobile device

F. Cloud Storage

Some users choose cloud storage instead of storing data locally on a hard disk or other media.
Cloud storage is an Internet service that provides storage to computer users.
The term "cloud storage" describes data storage that is made available as a service via a network. But that
definition is so broad that it can encompass everything from Internet-based services that store a
consumer's email and digital photographs to a major corporation's backup data.

G. Optical Discs
An optical disc is a type of storage media that consists of a flat, round, portable disc made of metal,
plastic, and lacquer that is written
and read by a laser.
Optical discs used in
personal computers are 4.75 inches in
diameter and less than one-
twentieth of an inch thick.

Types of Optical Discs

 DATA CENTER COLLEGE OF THE PHILIPPINES
COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION
LAOAG CITY

• CD
• DVD
• Blu-ray Discs

ADVANTAGES and DISADVANTAGES OF USING COMPUTERS

Almost every home, office or school has a computer of some king these days. It may seem at first
that having a computer brings only benefits, but further consideration shows that it also has disadvantages.
Advantages of Using Computers
Benefits from using computers are possible because computers have the advantages of speed,
reliability, consistency, storage, and communications.
• Speed: Computer operation occur through electronic circuits. Many computers process billions or
trillions of operations is a single second.
• Reliability: The electronic components in reliable because they rarely break or fail.
• Consistency: Given the same input and processes, a computer can produce the same results
consistently. Computers generate error-free results, provided the input is correct and the instructions
work.
• Storage: Computers store enormous amount of data and make this data available for processing
anytime it is needed.
• Communications: Most computers today can communicate with other computers, often wirelessly.
Disadvantages of Using Computers

• Health Risks: Prolonged or improper computer use can lead to injuries or disorders of the hands, wrists,
elbows, eyes, neck, and back.
• Violation of Privacy: It is crucial that personal and confidential records stored in computers be protected
properly. In many instances, where their records were not properly protected, individuals have found their
privacy violated and identified stolen.
• Public Safety: Adults, teens, and children around the world are using computers to share publicly their
photos, videos, journals, music, and other personal information. Some of these unsuspecting, innocent
computer users have fallen victim to crimes committed by dangerous strangers.
• Impact on Labor Force: Although computers have improved productivity in many ways and created an
entire industry with hundreds of thousands of new jobs, the skills of millions of employees have been
replaced by computers.
• Impact on Environment: Computer manufacturing processes and computer waste are depleting natural
resources and polluting the environment. When computers are discarded in landfills, they can release toxic
materials and potentially dangerous levels of lead, mercury, and flame retardants.

Assessment:
• Quiz will be conducted through after the discussion.
• Activities and Assignment will be announcement in the classroom after the class.