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True Computer Literacy and Core
Concepts for Non-majors
Kurt F. Lauckner
Department of Computer Science
Eastern Michigan University
[email protected]
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- Historical Notes -
Computer Literacy:
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Programming
Show & Tell
Business Uses
Ethics & Society
Problem Solving
Tools
Concepts Approach
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- Historical Notes -
The Tools:
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Word processing
Electronic Spreadsheets
Data Base Systems
Communications and the Web
Web Page Development Programs
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Comparison with other Fields
Economics
Political science
Physics
Psychology
Chemistry
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What are concepts?
 Not skills
 They are fundamental
 They are pervasive
 They have a lasting quality
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A Fundamental Concept:
Bit Mapped vs Object Graphics
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A Fundamental Concept:
 Why is the binary system used in digital
computers?
 Is it because binary is equivalent to the
“on” and “off” of a switch? NO!
 The real reason:
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Binary is cheap
Binary is reliable
 Quantum computers and the future
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A Pervasive Concept:
Digital vs. Analog
Audio Information
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Cassette tapes/ CDs
DATs
Internet Talk
 Visual information
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Television/digital TV
Internet video
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A Pervasive Concept:
Digital vs. Analog
How many times can an audio tape be
copied before it sounds terrible?
How many times can an image be copied
before it falls apart?
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A Pervasive Concept:
Analog vs. Digital
Humans
digital!
are
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A Pervasive Concept:
Humans are digital?
 Digital in what sense?
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We move in an analog fashion
We digest food in an analog fashion
 Every living thing has a digital base
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DNA and the double helix
Base four
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A Pervasive Concept:
Humans are digital!
The DNA in the cells of a human are copied
millions of times during their lifetime.
Only a digital process could do this with the
accuracy needed.
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A Lasting Concept:
Simulation
 Many examples
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Stonehenge
Link trainers
Wind tunnel
 Current examples
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Virtual reality
Artificial intelligence
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Simulation Science
 Predicting the derivatives market
 Evolutionary programming
 Information system agents
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Concepts Approach: Theory
The how and why of computers
Five kinds of information
Storage of the information
The stored program computer
Using the computer (Operating Systems)
Humans communicating with the computer
Computers communicating with computers
(Networks)
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Core Concepts: Applications Category
Network communication, the Internet
Information Systems
Visual Communication
Audio Communication
Simulation
Artificial Intelligence/Genetic Programming
Education and Training
Real Time/Process Control
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Entertainment
Appendix: Concepts for Consideration
Introduction
Defining a computer
Structure of a computer
Hardware vs computer software
Electronic and mechanical
Special purpose vs general purpose
Analog vs digital computers
Representation & Storage of Info.
Reason for the binary system
Representing information in binary
Five basic categories (numbers,
symbols, images, audio, programs)
The binary & hexidecimal numbers
RAM & ROM (permanent & nonperm.)
Primary vs secondary memory
Basic Structure / Software
An algorithm
A computer program
The process of writing a program
The von Neumann computer
Fetch/execute and "clock" speed
Parallel processing /supercomputer
Controlling the Computer
Operating systems
Information flow
Booting up the computer
The user interface
Organization of files & directories
Input/output information
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Multitasking
Appendix: Concepts for Consideration
Progr. Languages & Software
The communication cycle
Human & computer languages
Program translators
Generations of Languages
Software development
Networks
Communications channel
Connecting computers
Direct vs indirect connections
Networking software (e.g.,
browsers, TCP/IP)
Internet and World Wide Web
The Internet
Hypertext and hypermedia
Browsers
Electronic mail
Conferencing
Data Bases & Info. Systems
Gathering information
Storing information
Accessing information
Analyzing information
The data base and DBMS
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Appendix: Concepts for Consideration
Visual Communication
Digitizing images
Manipulating existing images
Creating original images
Bit mapped vs object graphics
Animation
Visualization of information
Audio Communication
Speech synthesis
Speech recognition
Natural language communication
Digitized sound
MIDI
Simulation
Predictable vs probabilistic
Continuous vs discrete
Models
Biases in models
Virtual reality
Artifical Intelligence &Genetic Sys.
Knowledge represent. & acquisition
Reasoning
Neural networks
Expert systems
Intelligent agents
Genetic programming
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Complex adaptive systems
Appendix: Concepts for Consideration
Education and Training
Cognitive learning
Pyschomotor skills
Social interaction learning
Distance learning
Learning over the Internet
Ethics & Privacy
False information
Computer security issues
Trojan horses, worms, & viruses
Monitoring in the workplace
Signature authentication
Government vs individual privacy
Cryptography
Word Processing
Fonts
Support progr.(spelling & grammer)
Spreadsheets
Cells
Support Programs (graphing, statistics)
Data Base
Basics (fields, records)
Support Programs (report generators)
Communications
Basics (modems, PPP, IP, browsers)
Graphics
Basics (lines, fills, object vs bit map.)
Support Programs (presentation sys.)
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References
• National Research Council, Report of the Computer
Science and Telecommunications Board, Being Fluent
with Information Technology, 2000.
• Denning , Peter J., A Commentary On Fluency in
Information Technology, Inventio, 2, 1 (Feb.2000)
• Hillis, Danny, The Pattern on the Stone. Perseus
Books, 1999.
• Lauckner, Kurt and Lintner, Mildred. The Computer
Continuum, Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 2001.
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