KEMENTERIAN PELAJARAN MALAYSIA

Self Access Learning Module

ICT Literacy for Secondary School

PUSAT PERKEMBANGAN KURIKULUM KEMENTERIAN PELAJARAN MALAYSIA

ICTL for Secondary School - Computer Hardware Module

MODULE 2
Overview of the Computer System

Curriculum Development Centre Ministry of Education Malaysia

ICTL for Secondary School - Computer Hardware Module

1.

Name of Module :

Computer Parts and Components Overview of the Computer System

2.

Learning Outcomes: The students should be able to: Identify main components in the computer system state the functions of the main components in the computer system explain briefly the data processing cycle of a computer system

3.

Knowledge and Skills: 1. What is a computer 2. The different types of computer

4.

Module Summary:

At the end of the module, students should be able to identify and

state the functions of the main components in the computer system as well as explain briefly the data processing cycle of a computer system.

This module contains 2 activities: Activity 1: Identifying the main components in the computer system and their functions Activity 2: Briefly explain the data processing cycle of the computer system

ICTL for Secondary School - Computer Hardware Module

Activity 1 MAIN COMPUTER SYSTEM

monitor system Unit speaker

keyboard

mouse

Monitor A monitor is a computer display that is like a TV monitor. A computer monitor image is made up of pixels (dots). In general, the higher the resolution, the better the image. The smaller the dots pitch (typically from 0.25 mm to 0.31 mm), the better the image. The different types of display screens are: Standard television set

An ordinary home televisionthat can be used for computer output.

Standard computer monitors

These monitors have better resolution than TV monitors. Some are flat screens.

Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD)

These screens are made up of two glass plates with liquid in between.

ICTL for Secondary School - Computer Hardware Module

Keyboard

Multimedia keyboard

Wireless keyboard

The keyboard is the main input device for text and commands. The computer keyboard uses the same key arrangement as typewriters. It also contain standard function keys, such as the escape, cursor movement and control keys.

Keyboards come with three (3) different types of port such as:

Serial port

PS/2 port

USB port.

ICTL for Secondary School - Computer Hardware Module

Speakers

Speakers give out information in the form of sound. Computer speakers range widely in quality and price. Computer speakers are typically packaged with computer systems in small plastic boxes with mediocre sound quality. The internal amplifiers requires an external power source, known as 'wall-wart'. Mouse

PS/2 port mouse A mouse is an input device used to controls the movement of the cursor or pointer on a display screen. It has right click, left click and double click to function

USB port optical mouse

Cordless optical mouse

An optical mouse uses camera technology and digital processing to compare and track the position of the mouse, rather than a ball and rollers used on PS/2 port mouse. A small LED (light-emitting diode) provides light underneath the mouse, helping to highlight slight differences in the surface underneath the mouse. It does not require maintenance or regular cleaning.
(source : http://images.search.yahoo.com)

ICTL for Secondary School - Computer Hardware Module

System Unit

A system unit is also known as a base unit. It is the main body of a desktop computer consisting of a metal or fibre enclosure containing the motherboard, power supply, cooling fans, internal disk drives, memory modules and expansion cards(such as video and network cards) that are plugged into the motherboard.
(source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_unit)

Printer A printer is a device that produces a hard copy (permanent human readable text or graphics) of documents stored in electronic form that prints texts or illustrations on paper. Many printers are used as computer peripherals and are attached by a printer cable to a computer that serves as a document source. There are many types of computer printers. Dot-Matrix printer

The dot matrix printer is a low-cost printer that produces low quality output. It works like an automatic typewriter. It can also be used when carbon copies of a document are required.

ICTL for Secondary School - Computer Hardware Module

Ink-Jet printer

The ink jet printer is a low-cost printer that produces a mid-quality output. This type of printer is the most economical for colour output. Laser printer

The laser printer uses a laser beam to produce the best quality output. The speed of a laser printer is typically about 8 ppm (page per minute).

ICTL for Secondary School - Computer Hardware Module

Activity 2

Data Processing Cycle The computer system processes data into information through four operations; input, process, storage and output.

Input

Process

Output

Storage

The user enters the data by using an input device (such as keyboard, mouse) electronically and is processed by the processor. In the processing operation, data is manipulated to process or transform it into information

The storage (such as hard disk, compact disc (CD), diskettes) holds data, information and programs. The output devices (such as monitor, printer) present the processed data as useful information products to the user

ICTL for Secondary School - Computer Hardware Module

Activity 3 Task A Label the pictures below . Write your answers in the boxes given.

1.

2.

5.

3. 4.

ICTL for Secondary School - Computer Hardware Module

Task B

Look at the pictures given in Column A. Then, name the components of the computer and state their functions.

COLUMN A

COLUMN B (Component name and function)

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ICTL for Secondary School - Computer Hardware Module

Task C

Complete the data processing cycle of a computer system below.

Input

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ICTL for Secondary School - Computer Hardware Module

Reference Cashman, S. (2006) Discovering Computers 2006. USA : Thomson Course Technology. Ibrahim Ahmad, Mohd Hafiz et al (2007) Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Based on SPM Syllabus. Selangor: Venton Publishing (M) Sdn Bhd. NCC Education (2002) Computer Studies, Computer Ace. Sri Lanka : Computer Pioneers. Basic Computing (2003) by TMEdu Tech (M) Sdn Bhd http://www.wikipedia.org http://images.search.yahoo.com http://www.google.com.my

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