We rely on computational devices to run most of our lives automatically so we don't have to. In this topic, we will learn what a computer is and how it is built, what software is and why it's useful and how computers store data.
We are learning ...
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Programming/Algorithm Focus The first use of the word computer The term computer was originally a job role. The first computers were actually people (usually women) who did 'computation' on paper using slide rules. Most of the early calculations were for mathematical tables, bomb trajectories and rocketry calculations. The worlds first programmable, electronic, digital computer, Colossus, was developed by the British codebreaker Tommy Flowers during the later part of the Second World War to help in the 'cryptanalysis' (codebreaking) of the Lorenz cipher. Colossus used vacuum tubes to perform logic and counting operations and was programmed using switches and plugs and not by a programmer typing at a keyboard.
Colossus Mark 2
Click the bubble to learn more about ENIAC!
Task 1.1 The history of the personal computer
Where we research personal computers online and produce individual timelines
During this task, you will be expected to demonstrate the following word processing skills ...
Also, it's very important to reference the source of your information, i.e. what website you got the information from. Remember, you NEVER use Google as a source - Google is a search engine.
If your teacher has one of the fantastic "History of the Personal Computer" timeline t-shirts then ask him / her if they will display it for you to see, otherwise, visit the Science Museum shop to view it online (you are better looking at the second image even though there are some computers missing). Use a word processor to create a simple Personal Computer Timeline of 4, 5 or 6 computers from the t-shirt including the following information in table form ... At the end of the document, collect a list of references for the websites that you have used to collect the information.
Try to use the following shortcut keys combinations during your work ...
Shhhh! - If you are struggling to make the Word document, you can download a copy here to get you started 😁 How are they different? How are they the same? How have they changed? Computers are made from hardware (things you can touch) and software (programs and apps that run on the hardware and allow you to do interesting things like make documents and browse the Web).
Task 2.1 Environmental Costs
Where we consider the environmental damage caused by all the hardware that we throw away rather than recycling.
Spend a few minutes exploring the following websites and read about the environmental impact of all the computer hardware that we throw away rather than recycling. Now create an unplugged infographic (really just a fancy poster) by hand to show people what e-waste is, why it's bad for the planet and what we can do to reduce the damage. Oh, and remember, this is a ... Ask your teacher what the prize is :)
Task 2.2 Classify these!
Where we learn to classify hardware devices
Do as it says!
Download the worksheet Classifying hardware and save it in a suitable place in your documents. Complete the worksheet after the class discussion by identifying ...
When the allocated time for the task is over, print out the document for assessment - remember to put your name and your class in the header section. You may self or peer assess this. Make sure that you give your sheet back to your teacher or they will not be able to check how you have done.
Just a little bit of fun with my favourite microprocessor, the Intel 4004. Below is a Sketchup Model that you can interact with and there is a picture of the 'mask' (layout) of the 2300 components from the topic presentation.
Task 2.3 Storage is getting cheaper!
Where we about relative storage quantities and the fact that it's quite impossible to visualise them
Firstly, re-watch the 'Powers of 10' video that you saw in class. Remember that some of the units of measurement are different now so you might not recognise some of them - ask your teacher and see if he or she does. Re-watch "Powers of 10" (9:01)
Next, spend a few minutes (that's all) exploring the universe in all it's minute detail. Click on the objects to learn more about them but don't forget the scale of things! Click to visit the interactive animation
In order to help you to remember the order of data storage units, design a mnemonic where the first letter of each word in your sentence is the same as the first letter of the data storage unit. Chat with your shoulder partner but don't write anything down yet ... Finally, download the worksheet Data storage and complete the activities contained therein.
Software helps our computers to do useful things. Even embedded systems like traffic lights, washing machines and DVD players need software to run though this may be written in very different languages than the software that we use on desktop computers.
Task 3.1 On the air!
Where you create a script for a radio show about software applications
You task is to write a script for a radio program called TechReport. First, you will need to download the partially completed script, On The Air, and save it to a suitable place in your documents. Open the document, complete the header and footer and replace the red writing with your part of the script. Use the slides ... ... to help you.
Try to make use of the following shortcut key combinations to save you time ...
(If you struggled to complete this task, you can download a copy of my solution to help you with the next bit - shhh!)
You can download some jingles for the start and the end from the following websites ...
EASY
Great jingles - nice and short!
HARDER
Full tracks which need cropping
Task 3.2 File extensions
Where we about relative storage quantities and the fact that it's quite impossible to visualise them
It's important that you know some common file extensions, if only for common Office applications. Click on the image below, complete the online worksheet, fill in your name and click the print button to print for assessment. CURRENTLY BROKEN
Click to open worksheet
It's not one of the tasks, but read this ...
Task 4.1 Patterns
Where we learn how patterns can be used to represent different things
Representing Numbers and Letters with Binary: Crash Course Computer Science #4 (10:45)
That's a really good idea!
Now watch the video again, but this time, try to make some notes. You can pause the video by pressing the SPACEBAR and skip forward and backward using the LEFT (←) and RIGHT (→) arrow keys. Don't try to write everything down - this is practice for you to see if you can spot the most important aspects of the video. Try using ...
... to make your notes. Your teacher might need to model with with you first.
Task 4.2 Binary numbers and simple maths Where we learn how to represent denary numbers using binary and how to 'do' binary maths
If you want to practice using the ACMETM 5-Bit Full Adder, click on the image below and print yourself off a copy!
Click me and print yourself off a copy!
If your teacher hasn't already given you a copy of the worksheet, Binary Shopping, you might need to download it and print it yourself. Don't worry about grabbing the one you printed as long as everyone who prints one takes one. Try to work out how much each of the items in my Binary Shop costs. *Don't* move onto the second side of the sheet until you have assessed your answers. Again, if you want to watch the video to remind yourself how to add binary numbers together, now is a good time to do it. When you are ready, have a go at the questions on the second side of the sheet (you can assess your answers using the presentation but make sure that you have shown your working including any carry bits).
Task 4.3 Representing characters ... ITA2
Where we learn how computers use patterns to represent characters and symbols in ITA2
Click the image below to load up the International Telegraph Alphabet v2 (ITA2) encoding / decoding table and print yourself a copy of it using the print button at the top right. Click to enlarge me and PRINT a copy out for your folder!
At the top of the printed sheet, make sure you put the following information ...
... and underline everything with a pen and a ruler.
A string is a sequences of characters, in this case, represented by their ITA2 code. Sketch the fragment of tape on your paper (you might even be able to trace it from the screen if you teacher lets you!) and decode them using the character set shown in the table reading from left to right - write your translation underneath the sketch of the tape fragment. Try to answer the following questions on the sheet in full sentences. Using this strategy to analyse a situation is really useful - remember the 5W1H rule (can't think of a better description).
Task 4.4 Representing characters ... ASCII
Where we learn how computers use patterns to represent characters and symbols in ASCII
The ASCII system was invented in 1963 as an attempt to standardise the character encoding systems that were in use at the time. It was developed from the telegraph codes we have already learnt about.
Complete the following steps to help you learn more about ASCII.
Create a new word processed document and make sure that ...
Does your word processed document look like mine? If it's doesn't, go back to step one and try again. If you really get stuck, you can download a copy but your teacher will know you've done it (cause it's protected with a password and you can't edit it - lol).
Now, click on the following image to download yourself a copy (it will go into your downloads folder). I'll know that you've done this correctly (and not just copied and pasted) because the two images are different sizes and the smaller one has got a watermark on it - sneaky, eh! You need to click this image to download and then insert it into the word processed document - don't copy and paste!
Underneath the image, write a quick introduction to what you are doing and then encode your first name in ASCII. Remember, ASCII is actually the binary code, not the denary number so make sure you write down the binary, but you should put the denary code in brackets afterwards. This is what mine would look like ... My first name encoded in ASCII
Make sure you have got your name on it. You'll be assessed on how closely your document resembles mine!
Task 4.5 Making decisions - Logic gates
Where we learn about simple logic gates
At a fundamental, electronic level, computer systems are built from tiny electronic devices called logic gates. We can get into the electrickery if you'd like, but suffice to say, when you combine these electronic devices in particular ways, magical things happen ... Maybe you should! Click each of the images below in turn and investigate the operation of each logic gate. Click each image to load it's Scratch project - refresh the webpage (F5) if it doesn't load correctly.
Time for you to show some independence for the last part of the last task in this topic. Your challenge is to write up what you have discovered about the behaviour of logic gates and how they can be used to make logical decisions in real life situations. You can use ...
You should ...
Make sure that you've put your name and class in the header and that you have put page numbers in the footer of your project and print this out for assessment.
The default activity is a mindmap - click the badge to make one! END OF TOPIC ASSESSMENT Your teacher will send you a link to the assessment
Buy a Turing Tumble - a great game to play with your family to teach you how a computer works, but be careful that you don't lose the balls (they is very small!)
Click me to visit website!
Crash Course Computer Science - all 41 videos! If you've got a spare couple of days and don't mind having your mind blown, you might want to watch all / some / a few of the following YouTube videos.
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Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License
Chinese Panda Character from GraphicMama Team on Pixabay