Download CM VI - Inside a Computer – Hardware and Software

CM VI - Inside a Computer – Hardware and Software
AIM
1.
2.
The main hardware and software components of a computer
Functions of different computer parts.
A power supply, a mother board, a hard disk, a pendrive, a keyboard, etc., are on the table and the
students are looking with awe and curiosity at all these components of a computer.
Jyoti: Computers are made of many electronic components or parts. These components each have a
special job and they all work together to make the computer operate. Some components are hidden
inside the computer where we can't see them. Others can be seen partly from the outside.
Gurpreet: Finding information on the components inside a computer was very interesting. Look at
the size of the brain of the computer. Whenever we press a key, click the mouse, or start an
application, we send instructions to the CPU. These are all executed by the CPU.
Jyoti: Can we see the details of the CPU of this desktop computer?
Jyoti: Is it possible to see the details of the inside of this desktop computer/laptop?
Moz: Yes. system monitor from the system submenu
would show you details of a computer and its working.
Usha: Circle processor data and label it as details of
CPU. Take screenshot from a desktop.
Jyoti: There are many details for the processor
and there are two processors in this computer.
Moz: The processing of the instructions that
you give is shared between the two processors
just the way you share the work among your
team.
Jyoti: What does 2.10 GHZ mean?
Moz: This means 2.10 giga hertz per second. Giga
means billions and hertz means cycles. CPU needs one
or several cycles to perform an action. More cycles per seconds means more instructions can be
processed per second. So, the higher the hertz, the faster the computer can process instructions.
CPU/Processor
CPU
Central
Processing
Unit
Executes program
commands.
Concept
The Central Processing Unit (CPU), also called a processor, is often
called the brain of the computer. Its job is to carry out commands. The
processor determines how fast a computer can execute instructions.
Info
A processor's speed is measured in megahertz
(MHZ) , or gigahertz (GHZ) , So, the higher
the hertz , the faster the computer can process
instructions. The CPU is generally a 2 inch
ceramic square with a silicon chip located
inside. The chip usually about the size of a
thumbnail.
Gurpreet: Main memory is used to store programs and
data when CPU is processing.
Moz: The computer's work takes place in RAM. This is
where programs run when you are using Word to create
a document, or scratch o create an animation.
Gurpreet: What does 2.8 GB mean?
Moz: Let us first understand how computers store
information. Computers store information digitally. All
the information is broken down into pieces and stored as
numbers. These are converted to a binary system.
Main Memory (RAM)
Executes program
commands.
Central
Processing
Unit
Concept
RAM (Random Access Memory) is system's
short-term memory also called main memory.
RAM is used by the system to store data that is
processed by a computer's CPU. Data is
temporarily stored here until the work is saved
to the hard disk.
Info
Main
Memory
Primary storage area
for programs and
data that are in
active use
RAM is measured in
megabytes (MB) or
gigabytes (GB). A
bit is the smallest
unit of data in computer processing. A byte is a
group of eight bits. A megabyte is about one
million bytes. A gigabyte is 1,024 megabytes.
The more RAM a computer has, the more things
a computer can do at the same time, and the
faster a computer performs tasks.
Jyoti: The content that we save in a computer is written into secondary storage.
Gurpreet: Whatever we save on a hard disk can be retrieved later. It is like a permanent storage
device.
Moz: Not only the documents and content that yout create, but the software to operate the computer
and the applications like word processor, scratch etc. are also stored on the hard disk. The computer
loads the instructions from long-term storage (your hard disk)
into short-term memory as and when required.
Jyoti: The amount of data, programs that we can store on a
hard disk depends on its size which is measured in giga bytes.
Gurpreet: We can also record data to CD/DVD or pen drive.
The memory of these devices is not as much as a hard disk
drive.
Moz: Correct. These devices are called removable storage
devices, which can be removed from the computer and
connected whenever required and carried. These devices are
also used to take backup of important information. Backup is
another copy of a document or information that you create on
the computer.
Backup
Concept
Backup of data and information that you create is important. Many backup options are available,
like mailing a copy of the content to yourself, taking a backup on pen drive, a CD/DVD, another
computer. This ensures that even if one device fails you have a copy of the content (documents,
paintings, projects etc, that is created using a computer.
Jyoti: We also get books, games, educational lessons on CD/DVDs.
Moz: These are also used for distribution and sharing of resources.
Secondary Storage
Central
Processing
Unit
Information is moved
between main memory
and secondary memory
as needed.
Concept
Secondary storage is where the information is
stored permanently. Information is moved
between main memory and secondary memory
as and when needed.
Hard disk
CD/DVD
Pen drive
InfoThe hard disk
drive is the data center
of the computer.
Operating system,
software, content
created and saved by
users are stored here.
The hard disk drive is long-term storage where
information is stored permanently. This is
usually found inside a computer.
CD/DVD and pen drive are
removable storage devices. These can
be used to backup important data and
information. It is also sometimes used to
distribute or share information, books, software,
games, etc.,
Main
Memory
Jyoti: We already know what are input and output devices. We found out how they work inside a
computer.
Gurpreet: We now know that for example when “A” is pressed on a keyboard, what happens inside
a computer, for it to appear on the monitor.
10000010
Central
Processing
Unit
A
Monitor
Electrical signal
A
keyboard
Not sure of above fig. Will check out with someone conversant with these.
Moz: Correct. User interacts with the computer using these devices, also called peripheral devices.
The electrical signals for example the alphabets typed on a keyboard, are converted to binary code
that a digital computer understands. When the computer displays the data on a monitor or when
output is a printout, the binary code is again converted to the human understandable characters.
Input/Output (I/O) devices
User interactions are facilitated through I/O
devices
Monitor
Keyboard
Central
Processing
Unit
Mouse
Network
Main
Memory
Concept
An input device converts incoming data and
instructions into a pattern of electrical signals in
binary code that are comprehensible to a digital
computer. A user inputs data, initiates a task,
transfers images, information using the input
devices.
An output device reverses the process,
Hard disk
translating the digitized signals into a form
CD/DVD intelligible to the user. The computer provides
Pen drive display of processed information, a print out of
the information or audio, video, etc., through the
output devices.
Some devices can handle both input and output.
Network is one such example.
Info
Keyboard, mouse, scanner, webcam are
examples of input devices.
Monitor, printer, speakers are examples of output
devices.
Network device called network card in a
computer is both input and output device.
Gurpreet: At the back of the computer we find many sockets which are called connection ports to
connect the external devices like keyboard, mouse, speakers, power, monitor etc.
Jyoti: Each of the port is of different shape and size. These are called network port, USB port, etc.
A figure can be drawn here. Will draw on paper.
Connection Ports
Info
At the back of a desktop computer various connection ports are available to
connect the external devices and power. On a laptop these are available on the
left and right side edges. Some common ports and their details are as follows:
1. PS/2 Port: Used to connect the mouse and keyboard.
2. Ethernet Port : Used to connect the network cable.
3. Audio In/Audio Out : connect various devices, including speakers,
microphones, headsets, and more.Audio
4. VGA Port : Monitor is connected to this port.
5. USB Port : The Universal Serial Bus port is one of the most useful.
These USB ports let you attach a variety of devices such as mouse,
printers, keyboards, web cameras, USB/flash drives, and digital
cameras to the computer quickly. Almost every peripheral made comes
in a USB version.
Gurpreet: The computer has a power supply from where all the components get power.
Moz: It converts the power from the wall outlet to the type of power that the computer needs.
A figure can be drawn here. Will draw on paper.
Power Supply
Concept
The power supply unit in a computer converts the power from the wall outlet to the type of power
needed by the computer.
Info
The power supply unit sends power through the
cables to the motherboard and other components. The power cable from a
wall outlet is connected to a socket in this unit.
The power On button for a computer is available on the front panel on a
desktop and for a laptop it is usually available above the keyboard panel .
Gurpreet: The circuit board which holds some of the components like CPU, and ROM and has
connectors to other components of the computer is called the motherboard.
Moz: Yes. The motherboard connects directly or indirectly to every part of the computer.
Motherboard
Will get a fig. as follows from Rajesh with only terms used in the lesson.
Concept
Motherboard connects directly or indirectly to every part of the
computer.
Info
The motherboard is the computer's main circuit board. It's a thin plate
that holds the CPU (Central Processing Unit), memory, connectors for
the hard drive and optical drives, as well as various external ports and
peripherals,
Moz: Now that all the parts are together how do you start a computer? How does the CPU control
all the components?
Gurpreet: Software is required to operate and use the computer. These are BIOS software,
Operating system and application software.
Jyoti: Firstly when we power on the desktop a software called, Basic input output system software
(BIOS) starts or boots the computer. This resides on a flash memory integrated into the
motherboard.
Jyoti: BIOS checks whether all the hardware units are working. When we switch on a system we
see many messages that a particular hardware is working etc. then it loads the operating system.
Gurpreet: If a hardware is not working for example a hard disk is not working then it gives a
message as follows:
Put a hard disk failure message here.
Moz: The most important role of BIOS is to load the operating system (OS). When you turn on your
computer, the CPU needs an instruction to execute. It has to get that instruction from somewhere. It
cannot get it from the operating system because the operating system is located on a hard disk, and
the CPU cannot get to it without some instructions that tell it how. The BIOS provides those
instructions.
BIOS software and booting
Concept
Basic input output system (BIOS) is a special software that interfaces the major hardware
components of the computer with the operating system.
Booting is the process that occurs when power button is pressed to turn the computer on.
Info
BIOS is usually stored on a Flash memory a completely electronic chip on the
motherboard. Flash memory provides fast, permanent storage and can be easily
updated. Some of the other devices where it is used are digitl cameras, gaming
devices.
Gurpreet: Next the operating system takes over and we can start using the computer.
Jyoti: When we work on a Word document, print an email, and have Internet browser open for web
surfing, all at the same time, then it must be the OS that manages all these actions.
Moz: Yes. These three programs need attention from the central processing unit (CPU) to do
whatever task that you, are telling it to do. These programs also need memory and storage, and
need to be able to send messages to devices such as the mouse and the printer to accomplish these
tasks. The operating system is responsible for handling these, as well as processor and network
management.
Operating System software
Concept
The operating system is responsible for managing the computer's hardware and software
resources. It controls the memory needed for computer processes, manages disk space, controls
peripheral devices, and manages user communication with the computer.
Info
Operating system is a software that is installed on the hard disk. There are many operating systems
available. Example- Linux (Ubuntu, Redhat, Fedora), Windows (vista, XP), MAC os etc.
The operating system loads at the end of booting process. From this point, the operating system
begins to do its job of controlling the way in which the computer functions.
Gurpreet: We already know about the application software. We used quite a few of them.
Jyoti: Scratch, word processor, email application, games etc. and we can also install new application
software as and when required.
Moz: Whether it is BIOS software or Operating system or application software. These are all
instructions written by people. They are designed for the specific purpose and programming
languages are used to build the software.
Application software
Concept
Applications are pieces of software written by people using a programming language, and are
programmed to perform specific tasks.
Info
There are many types of applications like a browser application, a word processing application, a
game playing application, an application to paint or build an animation, an email application and
so on. New applications can be installed on a computer as and when needed. These applications
reside on the hard disk.
Gurpreet: All the components work together and provide us a visual display on the monitor of the
output.
Jyoti: There are different types and sizes of monitors. On some, the images are shown very sharply.
Why is it so?
Moz: The display depends on the resolution of the monitor. The monitor has a number of dots,
horizontal and vertical which are called pixels. More pixels on a display means sharper the image.
Resolution refers to the number of individual horizontal dots and vertical dots on a display.
Example: 800x600 1200x1024
Gurpreet: So if the dots, that is the number of pixels, are spread out over a larger number of inches
we do not get sharp images.
Moz: Correct. An image on a 21-inch monitor with an 800x600 resolution will not appear as sharp
as it would on a 15-inch monitor with 800x600 resolution.
Gurpreet: What does 21 inch monitor mean?
Moz: This is the size of the display area or screen size. The size of display is described with aspect
ratio and the screen size. Aspect ratio is the ratio of length:height of the screen, and the size of the
screen is measured by the diagonal from one corner to the opposite corner of the screen.
Monitor
Concept
A monitor is one of the output devices of a computer. Currently LCD technology is commonly
being used for monitors. The display sharpness depends on the size and resolution of the computer.
A monitor has a number of individual dots known as pixels. Resolution refers to the number of
rows of dots and the number of columns of dots.
The size of display depends on two factors. The aspect ratio Width:height of the
screen and the screen size (measure from one corner to the corner diagonally
opposite).
Info: There are many sizes of monitors. Popular screen sizes are 15, 17, 19 and
21 inches. The resolution of screens vary. Ex: 800x600 pixels to 1200x1024.
For professional applications, such as medical imaging or public information
displays, monitors as big as 40 inches or larger with higher resolutions are being used.
TEAM: Question: Should I keep aspect ratio or just give the explanation of diagonal screen size??
Jyoti: We have also collected information about the prices of computer and how to buy the
computers.
Gurpreet: We would like to represent some of the information in tables using bar graph and pie
chart.
Moz: That is a good idea. Next you can see how you can use the application excel to convert the
information in a table to a suitable graphical representation.
Lesson outcome:
1. Categorize a computer component into hardware and software.
2. Identify various parts inside the computer and state their functions.
Lesson 5 : Inside of a computer
1. Classify the following as Hardware or Software
Motherboard, BIOS, Monitor, USB Port, Back up, Windows , Pen drive, RAM,
ROM, Tuxpaint, Childs play, Internet browser, Keyboard, Hard disk, Powepoint,
Impress, Word processor, Linux, Mac, Ubuntu, Cellphone, Scratch program, Printer,
Scanner, Webcam, CD, Quick time Media player, Ipod, Speaker, Microphone, DVD
Drive, DVD player
( Illustration of Brain as hardware and signals : like EGG as software ; each
illustration has blanks to be filled from the above words.)
2. Fill in the blanks.
Identify the following pictures .
Fill in the blanks with appropriate phrases from the above list
( Replace text with pictures )
Hard disk Motherboard
Pen Drive
RAM
Power supply
Scanner
DVD player
Speakers
CD drive CD
1. The documents and content that we create, as well as the software to operate
the computer and other applications like word processor, Scratch etc. are stored
on the _______________.
2. The ______________ is the computer's main circuit board which holds the
CPU
3. To back up your data, you can use a ___________________.
4. The --------------- is an example of a peripheral device that is used to scan
documents and photographs
5. The ---------------------- unit sends power through the cables to the motherboard and other
components
6. ------------ is the computer’s short term memory
3. Play scrabble
Make a scrabble board image of rack to keep the letters
Choose required number of letters from the scrabble rack and unscramble them to
answer the question.
Question
List of rack images with
jumbled letters
You normally take this to ACPKBUM
keep a copy of
important documents
Computer uses this code RYINBTA
store information
digitally
My resolution is changed MTOINER
for picture clarity
I am the storage
RIYRAMP
responsible for storing
active applications
The rack image with blank
tile
BACKUP
BINARY
4. What is the best way(s) to store the data in the following cases?
a. Neela is working on a presentation at home. Tomorrow, she has to take it to her
office and give the presentation. Her computer has an Internet connection/ CD drive
and a USB port. Her company also has Internet connection at their premises:
____________________________
b. Parul is doing her home work on her home computer which does not have an
Internet connection. She has to take it the school and show it to her teacher:
___________________________________________
c. Sai is writing an essay in the word processor, on a computer in the school computer
laboratory. He wants to take the essay home to work on it. The Computer has a
CD/DVD drive and no USB port. It also doesn't have an Internet connection:
_________________________________
5. Pick which is NOT a function of the Operating system.
a. It controls the memory needed for various processes.
b. It controls peripheral devices.
c. It controls the booting of a computer.
d. It manages the communication with the computer.
6. Fill the missing information
Component
Corresponding Units of
measurement
Size of the monitor
Microprocessor speed
GB,MB
Pixels
7. Tanvi has typed a story and saved it on the computer. If the data is saved on a
computer, where will it get saved?
(Hard disk
BIOS
Monitor)
______________________________________________
Now she is editing the story without saving. Where is the information getting saved?
(OS
RAM
ROM)
______________________________________________
Suddenly the power went off, what will happen to the edited information? Pick all the
right answers.
(It can be recovered when you start the application the next time
It is stored in the main memory of the computer
The information is lost and cannot be got back
It gets saved on the Desktop of the computer)
______________________________________________
8. Arrange the following sequentially. First step is already filled.
Booting starts.
Start browsing the Internet.
BIOS checks hardware components.
OS starts controlling the functions of
the computer.
Computer gets power supply
1
BIOS loads the operating system.
Draw a diagram to show the above sequence.
9 Where do the following reside?
Application software
BIOS
Operating system
Unsaved data in word
processor
10. Complete the puzzle.
Across
1. Through us a user interacts with the computer : _____________
devices.(peripheral)
2. I am the software which interfaces the major hardware components of the
computer with the operating system. (BIOS)
3. I am the duplicate (another copy) of the content that you create on the computer.
(backup)
4. I am the main circuit board of a computer. (motherboard)
Down
1. We are used to connect the external devices and power supply to a computer. My
anagram is torps. (Ports)
5. I am also called the main memory.(RAM)
6. I am the brain of the computer.(CPU)
7. The sharpness of the display increases as the ______________ increases.
Hint: The number of (horizontal x vertical) pixels (Resolution)
8. I am stored on the hard disk. Some of my examples are Linux, Windows.(OS)
11.
Activity for Lesson: Inside a computer
Computer based activity (requires Internet)
[Usha: please review if the names of filamentaility strategy are used correctly, if reqd, plz
tweak the activities]
3. Multimedia scrapbook
a. Open the following URLs and study the content available:
 http://www.kids-online.net/learn/click/table.html - [here you can click on a computer
part inside CPU and learn more about it]
 http://www.videojug.com/film/what-components-are-inside-my-computer [video of
components inside a computer]
 http://resources.kaboose.com/brain/comp-les2.html [computer connections - hardware
on the inside]
b. If you find some pictures, texts, anecdotes, etc. you like and save them.
But keep in mind always to check the Web page for a copyright notice. Another good practice is to
contact the website asking for permission to use the contents.
c. Organize the collected information from the above websites to create your own scrapbook.
4. Sampler activity:
A. Open the following URLs and study the content available:
 http://www.liutilities.com/how-to/assemble-a-computer/ [list the steps to assemble a
computer]

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/pc.htm/printable [picutre of an open CPU with internal
parts labelled and video describing how the various components work together in a basic
operating session]

http://library.thinkquest.org/C006657/electronics/hardware_inside_a_computer.htm
[description of motherboard, processor, memory, disk drives]

http://www.comptechdoc.org/hardware/pc/begin/index.html [detailed descrtiption every
computer part including peripherals]
B. Write a short paragraph to describe the content you read on the above websites.
5. Find images of different parts inside the CPU. You can use a variety of resource for
this, such as computer magazines, Internet, brochures from computer vendors, books,
etc. Paste the pictures on cardboard and show the process of how they operate to
ensure that the computer is up and running well.
Group activity
Set up a skit where the different parts insider the CPU talk to each other and ensure that the
computer works appropriately. Explain the functions of each part. The student who acts as
power supply initiates the process.
[Kaumudi: an illustration for the above]
Projects
1. I Know how it works
Form groups of 5 students. Each group picks up one of the following devices that are used
for various purposes..





Car
Washing Machine
Microwave oven
TV
Mobile
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
What are the uses of the device?
Find the parts of the device.
Find the function of each part of the device.
Do these parts come in different sizes? Which are the main parts of the device on
which the various features of the device depend on? For example the number of
people who can travel in a car depends on the size of the car and the seating
arrangement in the car.
v. Find which of the actions or features of the device are initiated by a
computer in the device.
vi. Prepare a presentation and share it with other groups.
Hint: You can find out about the item from the internet, a shop that sells these
devices, instruction sheets or brochures about these devices.
Explore
1. Explore how CPU hardware has evolved in terms of size and location
2. Identify slots on the PC for keyboard, mouse, speakers and mike , note the color
coding
Further reading:
http://www.kids-online.net/learn/c_n_l.html
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/inside-computer.htm
http://resources.kaboose.com/brain/comp-les2.html