INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTING

A computer is an electronic device that accepts data input, processes it, output the information
and store the results for future use.
Explanation of key terms
 Electronic: A computer works in presence of electricity.
 Data: Raw facts & figures entered into a computer for processing.
 Input: refers to data
 Process: Turning raw facts into information.
 Information: Refers to processed data
 Storage: The process of keeping information for future use.

Characteristics of modern computers

1. High Speed: Computer can perform millions of instructions in a single second.
2. High level of Accuracy: Computers can perform tasks without making mistakes. They work
on a principle of GIGO (Garbage In, Garbage Out).
3. Diligence: computers can do the same task for long without getting tired, or bored
4. Versatility/multitasking: computers can perform different tasks at the same time
(multitasking).
5. Memory: The Computer has memory where it stores data during processing
6. Automation: Computers work on minimal human supervision/intervention.
7. Storage: Computers can hold large amounts of data for long time without losing it
8. Artificial intelligence (AI): Computers are made to behave like humans. They can receive
and respond to requests, and give the appropriate response.

PARTS OF THE COMPUTER

A computer is composed of the following main parts.
1. Monitor 4. Mouse
2. System case/ system unit 5. Speakers
3. Key board

FUNCTIONS OF EACH PART OF THE COMPUTER

1. Monitor: This is an output device used to display information in visual form to the user.
2. System case: This is a rectangular box that stores internal components of the computer.
 3. Key board. This is an input device used for typing text.
4. Mouse: This is an input device used to point and select items on the computer screen.
5. Speakers: These are output devices used to produce sound

CONNECTING VARIOUS COMPUTER PARTS TOGETHER

1. Connect a keyboard, mouse & a VGA cable from the monitor to the System unit.
2. Then connect the power cable of monitor to the power source & then that of the System
unit.
3. Then boot the computer.

THE COMPUTER SYSTEM

A computer system is a group of interconnected parts working together to complete a given task.

Components of the computer system

1. Hardware 4. Communication
2. Software 5. Data and information
3. Human ware

1. Hardware: This refers to the physical and tangible components of a computer.

Categories of computer hardware

i. Input hardware iv. Output hardware
ii. Processing hardware v. Communications hardware
iii. Storage hardware

Examples of hardware devices

i. Monitor iv. CPU
ii. keyboard, v. Printer ,
iii. mouse, vi. Router etc

2. Software
This is a set of instructions that tell the computer what to do and how to do it.
OR the set of programs that control and manage the operations of the computer.

3. Human ware or live ware or User

Human ware refers to the people who operate and initialize instructions to the computer.

Categories of users
a) Ordinary user
b) Professional user
 a) Ordinary user: This is a user without formal education in the technical use of computers.
b) Professional user: This a person/user with formal education in the technical aspects of
computers.

4. Communication
This is the electronic transfer of data/message between computer systems or devices
5. Data & information
Data are raw facts and figures that are entered into the computer for processing.
 Examples; Letters & symbols. (e.g., a, b, c, &, ... ), words Numbers/digits , Sound,
Musical notes and graphics.
Information refers to processed data which is meaningful to the user. E.g.
 A document,
 A mathematical formula,
 A report card
 A song
 Dates
 A Video,
 A news paper

QUALITIES OF GOOD INFORMATION

 It should be is complete
 It should be clear
 It should be relevant to its purpose
 It should be got in time
 It should be accurate

THE INFORMATION PROCESSING CYCLE/ DATA PROCESSING CYCLE

This refers to the steps/ stages followed in turning data into information.
The four major stages involved in this cycle are;
a) Input,
b) Processing,
c) Output, and
d) Storage.
Stages involved in the Information processing cycle
Operations involved at each stage
1. At input stage, data is collected and then entered in the computer.
2. At processing stage, the data is turned into information by the processor / CPU
3. At output stage, processed data is displayed to the user .
4. At storage stage, information is kept on a storage device for future use or reference.
WORLD OF ICTs
ICT stands for Information and Communication Technology.
ICT is the combination of telecommunication technology and computing technologies to
enhance communication.
Examples of old technologies before the coming of ICTS
 Newspapers  Paper printed photograph
 Films  Television
 Radios

Examples of new technologies after the coming of ICT

 Satellite  Internet
 e-mail  fax machines
 video conferencing  optical disks (CDS AND DVDS)
 cellular phone  Fibre optic cables

WHY IS ICT TAUGHT AS A SUBJECT?

1. To help learners develop their knowledge of ICT.
2. To help learners be aware of new & emerging technologies.
3. To help learners develop as independent users.
4. To help learners develop ICT skills to enhance work productivity in a variety of subject area
5. To empower learners and prepare them for lifelong learning.

APPLICATION OF ICTS
1. APPLICATION OF ICT AT HOME
At home, computers are used to / for;
 Entertainment & leisure activities (playing online games)
 To communicate with friends through emails & social sites.
 Pay bills through payment by phone services
 Budgeting and personal financial management
 Buy and sell stocks online.

2. APPLICATION OF COMPUTERS IN EDUCATION

In education, computers are used for,
 Distance learning through computer based training
 Simulation for experiments or real life situations which may be hazardous.
 Electronic library system for searching, borrowing and returning books
 Keeping records of students and producing report cards or other related documents
 Making Error free school time tables.
  Fees payment. ICT's such as mobile phones using mobile money can be used for
paying school fees.
Examples of ICT tools used schools
 Computers  Photocopiers
 Projectors  Digital camera
 Printers  Modems
Advantages of using IT in teaching & learning
i. Teachers can present subject matter & explain difficult concepts with multimedia.
ii. Teachers can demonstrate dangerous experiments through simulation software
iii. Students learn by themselves when the teacher is absent
iv. Students can get their results & feedback immediately after they have answered.
v. No boredom due to edutainment(combining education & entertainment)

Disadvantages of using IT in teaching & learning

i. Face to face interactions between students & teachers may be reduced.
ii. Students can only follow what CAL packages are designed to offer
iii. In absence of electricity teaching & learning cannot take place.
iv. Lack of concentration due being exposed to non-educative information

3. APPLICATION OF IT IN OFFICES
In offices, computers are used for / to;
i. Create memos, letters & reports.
ii. Calculate payroll, prepare income statements & balance sheets
iii. Generate invoices and receipts.
iv. Present projects & ideas by means of presentation software
v. Communication.
vi. Create websites to provide information, advertise products & services and conduct e-
commerce

4. APPLICATION OF ICT IN BANKS

Automatic teller machine (ATM): This is a self-service machine.
Services available through ATM
 Withdraw cash
 Deposit cash
 Check for account balances
 Online banking
 Transfer money between different accounts
 Download monthly transaction information etc
5. ELECTRONIC COMMERCE
This is a financial business transaction that occurs over a network (internet).
 6. APPLICATION OF IT IN LEISURE & ENTERTAINMENT
In leisure and entertainment, computers are used to;
 Play computer games
 Listen to music
 Watch a movie
 Compose and edit a video

7. APPLICATION OF ICT IN INDUSTRIES

 Computer Aided Design: used to create engineering, architectural & scientific drawings.

8. APPLICATION OF ICT IN HEALTH SECTOR

In hospitals, computers are used for/ to;
i. Scanning operations
ii. Drug mixing & prescription
iii. Keep patient records
iv. Monitor patients’ vital signs
v. Research and diagnose medical conditions
vi. Use computer-controlled devices during operations that require great precision e.g.
laser eye surgery & heart surgery).

IMPLICATION OF USING ICT

Advantages
 Increased access and sharing of resources.
 Increased communication through e mails, chart rooms, videoconferencing etc.
 Improved access to education through E-learning.
 Creation of jobs such as mobile money service provision, ICT technicians.
 Increased access to information which simplifies research.
 Increased inventions and innovations such as the wireless key board, mouse, touch
screens
 Increased efficiency and effectiveness leading to increased productivity.
 Entertainment
 Security through use of CCTV cameras
Disadvantages
 Widens the gap between information rich and poor. (Digital divide)
 Isolates the old people since it not easy to lean and use the ICT gadgets very fast.
 Reduced physical activity
 Erosion of individual privacy
 Erosion of culture
 Immorality due to pornography.
 Un employment
 Addiction to computers
  Increased computer crimes such as hacking, phishing, software piracy etc.
 They are both health & environmental hazards i.e. cause eye defects.

NB. The environmental impact of computers can be controlled by carrying out Green
Computing.

GREEN COMPUTING
This is the use of computers in a way which has less negative impact on the environment.
OR It is the use of computers in an environmentally friendly way.

WAYS THROUGH WHICH GREEN COMPUTING CAN BE PRACTICED

1. Use LCD monitors, instead of cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors.
2. Use the hibernate or sleep mode when away from a computer for extended periods
3. Buy energy efficient notebook computers, instead of desktop computers.
4. Activate the power management features for controlling energy consumption
5. Dispose off electronic wastes properly.
6. Turn off computers at the end of each day
7. Refill printer cartridges, rather than buying new ones.
8. Instead of purchasing a new computer, try repairing existing device.

CONCEPT OF CLOUD COMPUTING

Cloud computing refers to the use and access of multiple computer services resources via a
digital network.

ADVANTAGES OF CLOUD COMPUTING

1. Cost Efficiency: Companies can save on charges such as the cost of data storage, updates,
management etc. You pay only for the applications and data storage you need.
2. Convenience and continuous availability: Public clouds offer services that are available
wherever the end user might be located.
3. Backup and Recovery: Backing up and recovering data is easy since it resides on the
cloud and not on a physical device.
4. Cloud is environmentally friendly: For example, when servers are not used, the
infrastructure normally scales down, freeing up resources and consuming less power.
5. Scalability and Performance: easy to expand the organization.
6. Quick deployment and ease of integration: A cloud system can be up and running in a
very short period, making quick deployment a key benefit.
7. Increased Storage Capacity: The cloud can accommodate and store much more data
compared to a personal.
 8. Smaller learning curve: Users find it easier to adopt cloud applications quickly. E.g.
Gmail and Google Docs.

DISADVANTAGES OF CLOUD COMPUTING

1. Increased computer crimes
2. Data migration problem when changing from one cloud provider to another
3. Limited control over cloud resources due to remote control
4. Services are only accessed when there is network connection
5. Increased Vulnerability to computer viruses and other threats

REVISION QUESTIONS
1. What is a computer?
b) Explain the characteristics of modern computers
2. Describe how the various parts of the computer can be connected to form a system
b) What is a computer system?
c) Outline the components of the computer system & write short notes on each component
3. a) Distinguish between data & information.
b) What do you understand by the information processing cycle?
c) Describe the steps involved in the information processing cycle.
d) Outline the qualities of information.
4. What is ICT?
b) Outline the examples of ICTs commonly used today.
5. a)Explain how ICT is used in the following sectors
i) Banks
ii) Hospitals
iii) School
iv) Entertainment etc.
b) Give the positive & negative impacts of ICT on society
6. What is green computing?
b) Outline the various ways by which green computing can be practiced.