WEEK TWO

Date: 25-29 September, 2023

Topic: Historical Development of Computer
Class: Jss1
Time: 80 minutes
Previous Knowledge: The students had seen computerized devices
Instructional Materials: Picture books
References Material: Hiit @ school computer studies for junior secondary school Education JSS1
Behavioral Objectives: By the end of the lesson, the students will be able to:
1. Explain the types of early counting devices.
2. Mention stages of computer development
3. List problems associated with the early counting devices
4. Mention two mechanical devices
5. Gives examples of electro-mechanical devices
Entry Behaviour: The students Had been taught information age
PRESENTATION/CONTENT
INTRODUCTION
We are living in the computer age. Most of our day-to-day jobs are being influenced by the use of computers. It is
used increasingly in every field of our life. In the areas of science and technology improvements cannot be achieved
without theories use of computers. Hence it has become necessary to have basic knowledge of computers. Strictly
speaking, the computer is a calculating device that has certain important characteristics like speed, storage capacity,
accuracy, etc. But nowadays it is used for many more applications other than computing.

STEP ONE: The teacher explains as follows:

History of Computer
The historical development of computers is divided into several stages. These are:
1. Early Counting Devices
2. Mechanical Counting Devices
3. Electro-mechanical Counting Devices
4. Electronic Counting Devices
A. Early Counting Devices
Long ago, people used different and easily available and affordable counting methods such as fingers, toes, stones,
sticks, pebbles, cowries, writing on the wall, etc. to solve different counting needs. Some of these early counting
devices are examined below.
1. Fingers and toes: The fingers and toes were used for counting, giving an account of days and trading.
The early man also used their feet to measure.
2. Pebbles and grains: pebbles are small round stones that are used for counting. Grains from the farm
such as corn, beans, and rice were also used for counting.
3. Cowries: These are the highly polished, usually brightly colored shells of small snails found in warm
seas. They are used as money and for other counting needs.
 4. Sticks: These include the canes, clubs, and shaped woods that were used for measuring land area and
for other counting and measuring needs.
5. Writing on the wall: At early ages, man learned to use objects like charcoal, mud, and limestone to write
strokes on the wall for counting
Major Problems Associated with the Use of Early Counting Devices
The major problems with these devices are:
a. They cannot be used for counting large numbers efficiently.
b. They also occupy large space.
c. They waste time.
d. They are not always accurate.
e. They are not always available
STEP TWO: The teacher explains further “Mechanical Counting Devices”
Mechanical Counting devices are devices that involve the use of physical force to operate them. After it had been
discovered that the earliest methods of counting were no longer convenient for counting large numbers, many
mechanical devices were designed that aided people in their calculation.
These include:
1. Abacus: Abacus is one of the first counting mechanical devices used for calculation. An abacus is a small
device, that consists of beads strung on wire or wooden rods in a rectangular frame, which slides easily.
The Chinese were the first to use abacus. It is used for addition and subtraction of numbers.
2. Slide Rule: In 1632, an English Mathematician, William Oughtred designed the first linear slide rule,
although the familiar inner sliding rule was invented by an English instrument-maker, Robert Bissaker in
1654. However, the modern slide rule was made by Amedee Mannheim in 1859. The slide rule consists of
a graduated scale, which can be moved relatively to aid simple calculation mechanically. In simple slide
rules, multiplication, division, and finding of square root can be done.
C. Electro-Mechanical Counting Devices
Electro-mechanical counting devices are devices that use both electronic and mechanical principles to perform the
task of calculation. These include:
1. John Napier’s Bone
2. Blaise Pascal Machine
3. Gottfried Leibniz, Machine
4. Joseph Jacquard’s Loom
5. Charles Babbage’s Analytical Machine
6. Philip Emeagwali
1. John Napier’s Bone
In the early 1600s, a Scottish mathematician called John Napier invented a tool called Napier’s Bone. It consisted of
eleven rods, with four sides each which was used as a multiplication tool.
2. Blaise Pascal Machine
Blaise Pascal a nineteen years old French mathematician invented a calculating machine in 1642 and named it
Pascaline. He did that to aid his father who was a tax collector. It is used for addition and subtraction of up to 8-
digit numbers.
3. Gottfried Leibniz’s Machine
A German mathematician named Gottfried Leibnitz in 1671 built a better machine that would save time. He called
it Leibnitz’s stepped Reckoner. The machine can add, subtract, multiply divide, and calculate the square root of
numbers.
4. Joseph Jacquard’s Loom
The Jacquard Loom was invented by Joseph Marie Jacquard in 1801, It used punched cards to control the weaving
of patterns in the fabric. Though the loom was not used in computation, it is considered an important step in the
history of computing.
EVALUATION/ASSESSMENT:
1. Explain the types of early counting devices.
2. Mention stages of computer development
3. List problems associated with the early counting devices
4. Mention two mechanical devices
5. Gives examples of electro-mechanical devices
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: The teacher gives the summary of the whole lesson and then rounds off the lesson
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT
WEEK THREE
Date: 2-6 October, 2023
Topic: Historical Development of Computer (CONTINUATION)
Class: Jss1
Time: 80 minutes
Previous Knowledge: The students had been taught mechanical counting devices
Instructional Materials: Picture books
References Material: Hiit @ school computer studies for junior secondary school Education JSS1
Behavioral Objectives: By the end of the lesson, the students will be able to:
1. state two Charles Babbage inventions
2. describe the contribution of Philip Emeagwali
3. mention any two computing devices invented by John Mauchly and Prosper Eckert
4. identify five examples of electronic counting devices
Entry Behaviour: The students are familiar with electronic computing devices
PRESENTATION/CONTENT
STEP ONE: The teacher explains
Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine
An English Mathematician Charles Babbage decided to build a machine that could perform difficult calculations
accurately and more quickly than previous machines. In 1837, Charles Babbage designed the first programmable
computer which he referred to as the analytical engine. According to Babbage’s design, the analytical engine would
be able to save instructions, perform calculations, and produce the printed output. He is widely recognized as the
father of modern computer.
Philip Emeagwali (Inventor of the World’s Fastest Computer)
Philip Emeagwali, who has been called the “Bill Gates of Africa,” was born in Nigeria in 1954. Like many African
schoolchildren, he dropped out of school at age 14 because his father could not continue paying Emeagwali’s school
fees. However, his father continued teaching him at home, and every day Emeagwali performed mental exercises
such as solving 100 math problems in one hour. His father taught him until Philip “knew more than he did. In
1989 Emeagwali used 65,000 processors to invent the world’s fastest computer, which performs computations at
3.1 billion calculations per second. His computers are currently being used to forecast the weather and to predict
the likelihood and effects of future global warming.
STEP TWO: The teacher explains
Electronic Counting Devices and Modern computer
Electronic devices are devices that function using electronic principles. After electro-mechanical devices, the
electronic devices took center stage. These devices include:
1. Herman Hollerith’s machine
2. John Von Neumann Machine
3. Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator (ENIAC)
4. Mini Computers
5. Micro Computers
6. Personal Computer
Herman Hollerith’s machine was developed in the late 19th century by an American called Herman Hollerith. This
machine was used to process census information in the U.S.A. in 1890. Hollerith formed a company to sell his
machine but later merged with other companies to form the popular IBM (International Business Machine)
Computer which is the largest computer manufacturing company today
John Von Neumann Machine
In 1945, a mathematician, John von Neumann developed the stored program concept in which a program could be
read into computer memory for processing.
ENIAC
This means an Electronic numerical integrator and calculator. ENIAC was built at the University of Pennsylvania
between 1943 and 1945 by two professors John Mauchly and Prosper Eckert. ENIAC filled a 20 by 40-foot room,
weighed 30 tons, and used more than 18,000 vacuum tubes to generate waste heat like a light bulb and all this heat
(174,000 watts of heat) meant that the computer could only be operated in a specially designed room with its
heavy-duty air-conditioning system.
Note: Other computing devices invented by John Mauchly and Prosper Eckert are
i. UNIVAC (Universal Automatic Computer)
ii. EDVAC (Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer)
EVALUATION/ASSESSMENT
1. state two Charles Babbage inventions
2. describe the contribution of Philip Emeagwali
3. mention any two computing devices invented by John Mauchly and Prosper Eckert
4. identify five examples of electronic counting devices
5. who is the father of computer
SUMMARY/CONCLUSION: The teacher gives the summary of the whole lesson and then rounds off the lesson by
marking the student's notes
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT
1. Napier’s Bones had ……...A. 9 rods B. 11 rods C. 10 rods D. 12 rods
2. Jacquard’s loom was used in the ……A. mechanical industry B. weaving industry C. food industry D. all
of the above
3. ……. was the first calculating device. A. Napier’s Bones B. Punched card C. Abacus D. Slide rule
4. The octal number system has a radix of ……. A. 7 B. 10 C. 16 D. 8
5. The Decimal Number is in Base ……A. 2 B. 8 C. 10 D. 16
WEEK FOUR
Date: 9-13 October, 2023
TOPIC: GENERATIONS OF COMPUTERS
Class: Jss1
Time: 80 minutes
Previous Knowledge: The students had seen taught electronic counting devices
Instructional Materials: Picture books, Computer
References Material: Hiit @ school computer studies for junior secondary school Education JSS1
Behavioral Objectives: By the end of the lesson, the students will be able to:
1. Define the term generation
2. State five generations of computers.
3. Give three characteristics of the first and, second generation of computers.
Entry Behaviour: The students are been historical development of computer
PRESENTATION/CONTENT
STEP ONE: the teacher explains
generation as the state of improvement in the development of a product. The generation of computers is the
advancement of computer technology from time to time. In every generation, the circuitry has become smaller and
more advanced than the previous generation. Each generation of computers is characterized by a major
technological development. There are five generations of computers which are:
• First generation (1940 – 1956)
• Second generation (1956 – 1963)
• Third generation (1964 – 1971)
• Fourth generation (1971 – 1983)
• Fifth generation (1983 – present and beyond)
FIRST GENERATION (1940 – 1956)- The electronic machine which was distinct from mechanical computers
evolved about 1945. UNIVAC is a good example of this generation of computers. Computers of this generation were
characterized by:
• They used Vacuum tubes.
• They were very large and expensive.
• They were very bulky.
• They had a low retentive memory.
• They generated a lot of heat.
FURTHER EXPLANATION
Technology: use of vacuum tubes in electronic circuits. These tubes controlled internal operations and were large
which made the machine to be very large and to occupy much space. Storage Capacity: The magnetic drum was the
primary internal storage medium which is limited in size. Slow input/output: input/output operations are made
through the use of a punched card which is very slow. Heat and maintenance problem. That is, this generation of
computers generates a high level of heat due to the use of tubes, and special conditioning and maintenance were
required. A low-level symbolic programming language with a long stripe of numbers made of zeros and ones was
in use.
Application: the computers were used for payroll processing and record keeping. Examples: IBM 650, UNIVAC I,
ENIAC. ENIAC: means Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculation. It was built by Prof. John Mauchly and Prof
J. Presper Eckert at the University of Pennsylvania between 1943 and 1945. EDVAC: means Electronic Discrete
Variable Automatic Computer. It was developed by Presper Eckert, John Mauchly, and John von Neumann in the
year 1949. UNIAC: means Universal Automatic Computer. It was also made by John Mauchly and Presper Eckert.
It was the first computer to use magnetic tape.
STEP TWO: the teacher explains the SECOND GENERATION. In second generation of computers (1956 – 1963) was
the replacement of vacuum tubes. Second-generation computers utilized primary discrete TRANSISTORS. They had
limited capability but were more advanced than the first-generation computers. The FEATURES of these computers
are
• They were more reliable than the first generation.
• They could perform calculations.
• They had a more efficient storage facility.
• They generated lesser heat compared with the first generated computers.
Technology: Transistors were used for internal operation. They replaced the vacuum tube of the first generation.
They are smaller and faster in operation. Storage Capacity: The magnetic core was the primary internal storage
which replaced printed cards and paper tape. Faster input/output: devices could be connected directly to the
computer. This made printing faster and easier, and the detection and correction of errors. High-level
programming: COBOL and FORTRAN were used for programming. FORTRAN (FORmular TRANslator) was the first
widely accepted programming language used in scientific applications. COBOL (Common Business Oriented
Language) was developed in 1961 for business data processing. It helped in file processing, editing, and
input/output capabilities.
Application: payroll processing, billing, updating, and inventory files. Examples: IBM 1401, Honeywell
200, CDC 1604 and 3600, IBM 7090
EVALUATION/ASSESSMENT
1. Define the term generation
2. State the existing generations of computers.
3. Give three characteristics of the first and, second-generation computers
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: The teacher gives the summary of the whole lesson and then rounds off
the lesson
WEEK FIVE
TOPIC: GENERATIONS OF COMPUTERS
THIRD GENERATION (1964 – 1971)
- Third-generation computers utilized INTEGRATED CIRCUIT [ICs] technology, Small large-scale
integration [SSI] with more sophisticated software capabilities like multi-programming, multi-
processing, and operating systems as resource managers. The following can be noted in third-generation
computers:
• Faster input and output.
• Increased storage capability
• Increased process capability
• Ability to display pictures and musical sound
Thus, technology: the integrated circuit (IC) replaced the transistors of the second generation. Storage
Capacity: magnetic cone and solid-state main storage were developed. Input/output was more flexible
and it was disk oriented. This generation of computers was smaller in size and had better performance
and more reliability due to advances in solid-state technology. High-level programming language: many
software industries emerged during this generation. The programming languages of second generations
were improved to reduce the cost of writing new programs. The generation marks the Introduction of
minicomputers: the mini-computers offered many of the same features as the mainframe computers on
a smaller scale. Time Sharing and Remote Processing: third generation computers were able to perform
several operations at the same time. Remote terminals were developed to communicate with a central
computer over a specific geographical location. There is the availability of an operating system (software)
to control input/output operation. Application: this generation of computers was used for airline
reservation systems, market forecasting, credit card billing, inventory control, and scheduling labor and
materials. There was also multi-tasking in this generation where both scientific and business applications
could run on the same machine. Examples: IBM system 360, 370, NCR 395, VAX-750, etc.

STEP TWO: The teacher explains

FOURTH GENERATION- Fourth-generation computers appeared in about 1975. The technologies that
characterized these machines were LARGE-SCALE INTEGRATION (LSI) and VERY LARGE-SCALE
INTEGRATION (VLSI). The computers produced during this period were of a higher capability in terms
of speed, storage, and of superior performance over their counterparts of the third generation. There are
five generations of computers which are: Technology: use of large-scale integrated circuit (LSIC) or
microprocessor, the first microprocessor was developed in the fourth generation. It contains the
equivalent of 2300 transistors and was a 4-bit processor. Microcomputers were introduced in this
generation. Storage Capacity; there is increased storage capacity and speed. Special Application: network
operating systems were introduced, e.g., Apple Macintosh and the use of Graphic User Interface (GUIs)
was also introduced. Versatility of Input and Output Devices: more input and output devices were
introduced, e.g., mouse, traceball, and other handheld devices. Applications: Fourth-generation
computers were used for mathematical modeling and simulation, electronic funds transfer, Computer-
Aided Instruction, and the Internet. Supercomputer was also introduced in this generation. Examples:
IBM 4341, DEC 10, Apple 11, STAR 1000, etc.

NOTE THAT: PCs: This means Personal Computers. These are computers that are owned by individuals,
organizations, schools, public offices, etc. for carrying out daily data processing activities and other
specific tasks. They do not need very complex knowledge to operate. They come in various sizes and
shapes. Examples are desktop computers, laptop computers, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), Pads,
Tablets, and Mobile Phones.

FIFTH GENERATION (1983 –)

This generation is referred to as a Knowledge Information Processing System (KIPS). Technology: it uses
a very large-scale integrated circuit (VLSIC). Introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI is the branch
of computer science concerned with making computers behave like humans. It has a mega-chip memory.
The processing speed is very high and it can perform parallel processing. The concept of Artificial
Intelligence allows the computer to make its own decisions. Artificial Intelligence includes:
• Games playing – programming a computer to play games
• Natural language – programming computer to understand human languages
• Neutral network: programming computer to make decisions in real life
• Robotics – programming computer to see, hear, and react to other sensory stimuli
• Neutral networks: systems that simulate intelligence by attempting to reproduce the type of
physical connections that occur in animal brains.
These generations of computers made use of ARTFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AL). This category of computer
was built around the following objects. To build supercomputers i.e. computers that could operate in the
range of 10 billion instructions per second. They were designed to have capacities like sight and hearing
as well as the capability to stimulate human thoughts e.g. robots.
EVALUATION/ASSESSMENT
1. Give three characteristics of the third generation
2. State any three features of fourth-generation
3. Give three characteristics of the fifth generation of computers.

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT
1. Fourth-generation computers made use of …………A. VLSI B. Transistors C. AI
2. The Fifth generation made use of ……………… A. AI B. Vacuum tubes. C. SSI
3. ……...is an example of computers in the fifth generation A. Robert B. UNIVAC C. AI
 4. How many generations of computers do we have? A. 4 B. 5 C. 6 D. 9
5. The fourth generation of computers came on board in the year……. A. 1957 B. 1975 C. 1997
D. 1990
THEORY
What did the fourth generation use?
1. State the five-computer generation
2. Mention the period of each generation
3. State the technology of each generation
4. Mention two examples of generation computers.
5. Mention the characteristics of first-generation computers.
6. What did the second generation make use of?
7. Fifth-generation computers are built on what technology?
8. The first generation uses …… as its circuitry.
9. List four features of the second-generation computer.
10. What is the difference between AI and Expert systems?
11. VLSI means ……….
12. Give the full meaning of the following acronyms:
IC
SSI
LSI
AI
Explain the Fifth-generation computer