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==== What all can a computer do? ====

==== What all can a computer do? ====

[[File:Operating_system_placement.svg|right|Image 1 - ICT Hardware-Software-User|alt=Image 1 - ICT Hardware-Software-User]]

[[File:Operating_system_placement.svg|Image 1 - ICT Hardware-Software-User|alt=Image 1 - ICT Hardware-Software-User|thumb]]

Have you ever wondered why a computer is different from a fridge?  One clue to the difference is the number of things a computer can do.  You can read a book, type a book, listen to music, play a video or access the internet.  Now your smart phone can also do many of these things.  What makes all these things possible is that unlike a fridge which has a specific purpose of cooling, a computer is a 'general purpose digital device'. The computer has an operating system, a software that allows the computer to receive inputs through the keyboard, mouse and other 'input devices', process these inputs and produce an output (which can be a display on a screen, a printout, or a video). The operating system works with different  application software for performing different kinds of digital processes. The variety of tasks a computer can do, is due to the variety of the application software installed in it, this is what makes the computer (and the mobile phone or tablet) so powerful. See Image 1 for the hardware-operating system-application-user link. The user provides an input, which can be data like text or picture or an instruction on what to do with the data. This data is accepted by the application being used, and processed (process means to perform a series of operations on a set of data) to produce an output.   

Have you ever wondered why a computer is different from a fridge?  One clue to the difference is the number of things a computer can do.  You can read a book, type a book, listen to music, play a video or access the internet.  Now your smart phone can also do many of these things.  What makes all these things possible is that unlike a fridge which has a specific purpose of cooling, a computer is a 'general purpose digital device'. The computer has an operating system, a software that allows the computer to receive inputs through the keyboard, mouse and other 'input devices', process these inputs and produce an output (which can be a display on a screen, a printout, or a video). The operating system works with different  application software for performing different kinds of digital processes. The variety of tasks a computer can do, is due to the variety of the application software installed in it, this is what makes the computer (and the mobile phone or tablet) so powerful. See the image shown here for the hardware-operating system-application-user link. The user provides an input, which can be data like text or picture or an instruction on what to do with the data. This data is accepted by the application being used, and processed (process means to perform a series of operations on a set of data) to produce an output.   

Learn more about the [http://www.computersciencelab.com/ComputerHistory/History.htm history of computers]. Like computers, tablets and mobile phones also allow you to process and share information digitally.  

Learn more about the [http://www.computersciencelab.com/ComputerHistory/History.htm history of computers]. Like computers, tablets and mobile phones also allow you to process and share information digitally.  

==== The ICT environment ====

==== The ICT environment ====

[[File:Partsofcomputerexploded.jpeg|right|Image 2 - Parts of a desktop computer]]

[[File:Partsofcomputerexploded.jpeg|Image 2 - Parts of a desktop computer|thumb]]

Any technology has a skill component and ICT is something all of us can practise for our own use. We will explore the basics of computer hardware and software and learn internet browsing, concept mapping as well as text and number editing applications in the first year. At all times, we will try to see how ICT are relevant to your primary role of teaching-learning. Hence we will approach the learning and use of these applications from a pedagogical perspective.

Any technology has a skill component and ICT is something all of us can practise for our own use. We will explore the basics of computer hardware and software and learn internet browsing, concept mapping as well as applications for editing text, numeric data, image, audio and video. At all times, we will try to see how ICT are relevant to your primary role of teaching-learning and will approach the learning and use of these applications from a pedagogical perspective.

===== ICT environment - Hardware =====

===== ICT environment - Hardware =====

ICT refer to an entire range of devices that use digital methods to process represent and communicate information.  The desktop computer, laptop, tablet and the smart phone are all ICT devices. The table below describes different parts of a desktop computer and peripherals, provided in image 2.

ICT refer to an entire range of devices that use digital methods to process represent and communicate information.  The desktop computer, laptop, tablet and the smart phone are all ICT devices. The table below describes different parts of a desktop computer and peripherals, provided in the image.

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