DISCOVERING COMPUTERS - Technology in a World of Computers, Mobile devices and Internet 1

Chapter 1 - Digital Literacy

A world of Technology

•   Because technology changes, you must keep up with the changes to remain digitally literate

•   Digital literacy involves having a current knowledge and understanding of computers, mobile devices, the Internet, and related technologies

Computers

•       A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions stored in its own memory

•       Laptop

•       Tablet

•       Desktop

•       Server

Mobile and Game Devices

Data and Information

•       A keyboard contains keys you press to enter data and instructions into a computer or mobile device

•       A pointing device is an input device that allows a user to control a small symbol on the screen called a pointer

•       Some mobile devices and computers enable you to speak data instructions using voice input and to capture live full-motion images using video input

•       A scanner is a light-sensing input device that converts printed text and images into a form the computer can process

      •       An output device is any hardware component that conveys information from a computer or                mobile device to one or more people

•       A printer is an output device that produces text and graphics on a physical medium such as paper

•       Speakers allow you to hear audio such as music, voice, and other sounds

–      Earbuds

–      Headphones

  

The Internet

•       The Internet is a worldwide collection of networks that connects millions of businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, and individuals

 •       A browser is software that enables users with an Internet connection to access and view webpages on a computer or mobile device. (chrome,firefox,ie)

•       A search engine is software that finds websites, webpages, images, videos, news, maps, and other information related to a specific topic. (google, yahoo)

•       An online social network encourages members to share their interests, ideas, stories, photos, music, and videos with other registered users (fb, instagram, twitter)

  Digital Safety and Security

•       It is important that users protect their computers and mobile devices

•       Green computing involves reducing the electricity consumed and environmental waste generated when using a computer

•       Strategies include:

–      Recycling

–      Using energy efficient hardware and energy saving features

–      Regulating manufacturing processes

–      Extending the life of computers

–      Immediately donating or properly disposing of replaced computers

 Programs and Apps

•       Software, also called a program, tells the computer what tasks to perform and how to perform them

•       Installing is the process of setting up software to work with the computer, printer, and other hardware

•       Once installed, you can run an application so that you can interact with it

•       You interact with a program or application through its user interface

Communications and Networks

•       In the course of a day, it is likely you use, or use information generated by, one or more of these communications technologies

   •       A communications device is hardware capable of transferring items from computers and devices to transmission media and vice versa

•       Examples of wireless communications technologies include:

  •       A network is a collection of computers and devices connected together via communications devices and transmission media

 Uses of Technology in Society

Technology Users