0
, Table of Contents
Section 1 : System technologies and implications ..................................................................... 2
Module 1.1 : Introduction to computers ........................................................................................ 2
Module 1.2 : Software .................................................................................................................. 4
Module 1.3 : Hardware ................................................................................................................. 6
Module 1.4 : File management ................................................................................................... 10
Module 1.5 : ICT in perspective .................................................................................................. 11
Module 1.6 : Advanced concepts of software ............................................................................. 12
Module 1.7 : Advanced concepts of hardware ............................................................................ 14
Module 1.8 : The impact of ICT .................................................................................................. 17
Section 2 : Network and Internet technologies ......................................................................... 20
Module 2.1 : Introduction to networks ......................................................................................... 20
Module 2.2 : Basic principles of networks................................................................................... 20
Module 2.3 : The worldwide web ................................................................................................ 22
Module 2.4 : Electronic communication ...................................................................................... 23
Module 2.5 : Safe use of the internet .......................................................................................... 25
Section 6 : Management of information ..................................................................................... 29
Module 6.1 : A strategy for solving problems.............................................................................. 29
Module 6.2 : Finding information ................................................................................................ 30
Module 6.3 : Processing and presentation ................................................................................. 30
1
, Section 1 : System technologies and implications
MODULE 1.1 : INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS
What is a computer?
A common type of computer is the desktop computer that you usually find in offices,
businesses and school computer labs.
All these computers are multi-purpose and thus can be used as tools to help us complete a
wide variety of tasks better and faster.
They are also electronic devices (operate with batteries).
Hardware and software
We refer to the physical parts of a computer that we can touch and consider as hardware.
To make the computer do something useful, we need to give it very specific instructions.
These instructions are what we know as programs or software.
It is the ability of your computer to run different types of programs.
The Information Processing Cycle
Computers receive input (usually from the keyboard or the mouse, process it) and then
produce some form of output.
We use computers to process data into information
Data are unprocessed items (text, images, sound and video).
Information is the result of processing data and must be useful and meaningful.
Introduction to Windows
The most important program on a computer is the program that controls all activities on the
computer (operating system).
Start time
The operating system loads automatically when the computer is turned on.
Depending on how your computer is set up, you may need to press <Ctrl><Alt><Delete> to log
in.
In addition, you may be asked to enter a username and password.
2
, The desktop
When you turn on your computer, you will eventually see the desktop.
This is the first basic "screen" of the operating system.
Graphical User Interface (GUI)
All modern software makes use of a graphical user interface or GUI.
It allows users to interact with the computer and make choices using graphical elements such
as icons and tiles.
Mouse actions
When the marker rests on an object and then selects the object by clicking the
Click
left mouse button once.
Double click When you press the left mouse button twice.
Right click When you click the right mouse button instead of the left one.
Drag When you click and hold the mouse button while moving the mouse.
Most mice have a wheel between the two buttons to move documents up and
Scroll
down on the screen.
3
, Table of Contents
Section 1 : System technologies and implications ..................................................................... 2
Module 1.1 : Introduction to computers ........................................................................................ 2
Module 1.2 : Software .................................................................................................................. 4
Module 1.3 : Hardware ................................................................................................................. 6
Module 1.4 : File management ................................................................................................... 10
Module 1.5 : ICT in perspective .................................................................................................. 11
Module 1.6 : Advanced concepts of software ............................................................................. 12
Module 1.7 : Advanced concepts of hardware ............................................................................ 14
Module 1.8 : The impact of ICT .................................................................................................. 17
Section 2 : Network and Internet technologies ......................................................................... 20
Module 2.1 : Introduction to networks ......................................................................................... 20
Module 2.2 : Basic principles of networks................................................................................... 20
Module 2.3 : The worldwide web ................................................................................................ 22
Module 2.4 : Electronic communication ...................................................................................... 23
Module 2.5 : Safe use of the internet .......................................................................................... 25
Section 6 : Management of information ..................................................................................... 29
Module 6.1 : A strategy for solving problems.............................................................................. 29
Module 6.2 : Finding information ................................................................................................ 30
Module 6.3 : Processing and presentation ................................................................................. 30
1
, Section 1 : System technologies and implications
MODULE 1.1 : INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS
What is a computer?
A common type of computer is the desktop computer that you usually find in offices,
businesses and school computer labs.
All these computers are multi-purpose and thus can be used as tools to help us complete a
wide variety of tasks better and faster.
They are also electronic devices (operate with batteries).
Hardware and software
We refer to the physical parts of a computer that we can touch and consider as hardware.
To make the computer do something useful, we need to give it very specific instructions.
These instructions are what we know as programs or software.
It is the ability of your computer to run different types of programs.
The Information Processing Cycle
Computers receive input (usually from the keyboard or the mouse, process it) and then
produce some form of output.
We use computers to process data into information
Data are unprocessed items (text, images, sound and video).
Information is the result of processing data and must be useful and meaningful.
Introduction to Windows
The most important program on a computer is the program that controls all activities on the
computer (operating system).
Start time
The operating system loads automatically when the computer is turned on.
Depending on how your computer is set up, you may need to press <Ctrl><Alt><Delete> to log
in.
In addition, you may be asked to enter a username and password.
2
, The desktop
When you turn on your computer, you will eventually see the desktop.
This is the first basic "screen" of the operating system.
Graphical User Interface (GUI)
All modern software makes use of a graphical user interface or GUI.
It allows users to interact with the computer and make choices using graphical elements such
as icons and tiles.
Mouse actions
When the marker rests on an object and then selects the object by clicking the
Click
left mouse button once.
Double click When you press the left mouse button twice.
Right click When you click the right mouse button instead of the left one.
Drag When you click and hold the mouse button while moving the mouse.
Most mice have a wheel between the two buttons to move documents up and
Scroll
down on the screen.
3
