INTRODUCTION TO

COMPUTING
 MODULE 1
INTRODUCTION TO THE
PROFESSION
• Understand the different knowledge areas in
computing
• Describe career opportunities available in various
segment of the computer industry.
• Understand the different jobs available in an IT
department.
• Identify the benefits of computing-related certification
for employers,
• Identify the different areas in IT certification.
• Understand and be aware of different Emerging
Technologies
• Ranges from theory through programming to
cutting-edge development of computing solutions.
• Offers a foundation that permits graduates to
adapt to new technologies and new ideas.
• Most computer science programs require some
mathematical background.
The work of computer scientists falls into three
categories:
a. designing and building software
b. developing effective ways to solve computing
problems, such as storing information in
databases, sending data over networks or providing
new approaches to security problems
c. devising new and better ways of using computers
and addressing particular challenges in areas such
as robotics, computer vision, or digital forensics
• concerned with the information that
computer systems can provide to aid a
company, non-profit or governmental
organization in defining and achieving its
goals.
• also concerned with the processes that an
enterprise can implement and improve using
information technology
IS professionals must:
a. understand both technical and
organizational factors
b. be able to help an organization determine
how information and technology enabled
business processes can provide a
foundation for superior organizational
performance
• Information technology (IT) is a label that has two
meanings. In common usage, the term
“information technology” is often used to refer to
all of computing.
• As a name of an undergraduate degree program, it
refers to the preparation of students to meet the
computer technology needs of business,
government, healthcare, schools, and other kinds
of organizations.
• IT professionals possess the right combination of
knowledge and practical, hands-on expertise to
take care of both an organization’s information
technology infrastructure and the people who use
it.
• They assume responsibility for selecting hardware
and software products appropriate for an
organization.
• They integrate those products with organizational
needs and infrastructure, and install, customize
and maintain those applications, thereby providing
a secure and effective environment that supports
the activities of the organization’s computer users.
IT discipline require special skills such as:
• Understanding how networked systems are
composed and structured, and what their
strengths and weaknesses are.
• Important software systems concerns such as
reliability, security, usability, and effectiveness and
efficiency for their intended purpose
What is the expected
demand for computer
professionals?
• Currently 10.5 million
computer workers
increase of 2 to 3%
annually
• The number of students
majoring in computer-
related fields is declining
What are the primary areas where job opportunities are
found?
General
Computer Computer Computer
business and
equipment software service and
government
field field repair field
organizations

Computer
IT consulting
Computer education
field
sales and training field
What is an information
technology (IT) department?
➢Department in business or
government agency that
employs people in computer-
related jobs
➢Responsible for keeping all
computer operations and
networks operating smoothly
What jobs are available in an IT department?
Chief Information E-commerce Project leader /
Officer / VP of IT administrator manager
Management
Chief Security Officer Network administrator
Application Software engineer Technical writer
System programmer
development
Computer scientist Systems analyst Technical lead
and
programming Database analyst Systems programmer Web page author
Computer forensics Quality assurance
Desktop publisher
specialist specialist
Technical Computer technician
Graphic designer /
Security administrator
services illustrator
Database Network security Web administrator /
administrator specialist Webmaster
Data
Operations Computer operator communications
analyst
Training Corporate trainer Help desk specialist
What is the computer
equipment field?
➢Manufacturers and
distributors of computers and
computer-related hardware.
➢Careers involve design,
manufacture, and production
of computer equipment
 Project
What is the Companies leader
analyzes Programmer
computer that develop,
manufacture,
requirements,
designs solutions,
writes and
tests computer
software and support and oversees
software programs
software development
field? process

Computer
Software scientist
engineer researches,
invents, and
designs develops
and develops solutions to
software complex software
problems
What is the computer service and
repair field?
➢Provides preventative
maintenance, component
installation, and repair services
➢Computer technician—installs,
maintains, and repairs hardware
What are career opportunities
in computer sales?
➢ Computer sales people need
general understanding of
computers and specific
knowledge of the product
they are selling
What are career opportunities in
education and training?
➢ Schools, colleges, universities,
and private companies need
educators and trainers.
➢ Corporate trainers teach
employees how to use software,
design and develop systems,
and program
What is an IT consultant?
Individual who draws upon expertise in specialized area of
computers

Hardware and
Computer System Communications software
selection design configuration

Network
Web
design and
installation development
What are the three broad
disciplines in higher
education that produce
the majority of entry-level
employees in the
computer industry?
What is computer information
systems (CIS)?
➢Programs that emphasize
technical knowledge and skills
➢Sometimes called management
information systems (MIS) or
management information
technology
What is computer science
(CS)?
➢Programs that stress
theoretical side of
programming and operating
systems
➢Also called software
engineering.
What is computer engineering (CE)?
➢Teaches students how to design and develop
the electrical components found in computers
and peripheral devices.
➢Required courses include application and
systems programming, data and file structures,
networks, and operating systems.
How do companies
advertise computer-
related job openings?
➢Some Web sites
specialized in helping
people find jobs.
➢Some allow job
seekers to submit
resumes online
What are some organizations for
computer professionals?
➢Association for Computing
Machinery (ACM)—science-
oriented
➢Association of Information
Technology Professionals
(AITP)—programmers,
systems analysts,
and information processing
managers
What is a user group?
➢ Collection of people
with common
computer equipment
or software interests
What is professional growth and
continuing education?
➢ Eventssuch as workshops, seminars,
conferences, conventions, and trade shows
▪ CES—trade show that brings together
hundreds of vendors and more than 130,000
attendees
➢ Training in form of books, video-based
training, computer-based training (CBT),
Web-based training (WBT), and instructor-led
training
How can you stay informed
about the computer
industry?
➢Computer industry
publications
➢News, blogs, and technical
Web sites
What is certification?
➢Process of verifying technical
knowledge in a particular
area.
➢Proficiency is acknowledged
with certificate.
➢ Enhances employee’s
career, provides better
standing as industry
professional, and higher
salaries and bonuses
➢ Vendors provide access
to technical information,
advanced training, and
discounts on publications
and tools
How does certification benefit customers, employers, and
industry?
Customers receive better service from
employees with certification(s)

Employers benefit from more productive

and knowledgeable workers

Certification is a form of
industry self-regulation

Institute for Certification of

Computer Professionals (ICCP)
defines standards designed to raise
competence level for computer industry
What are factors to consider in choosing a certification?
What options are available to prepare for certification?

Self-study

Online training classes Instructor-led training

Web resources
What are examinations like?
➢Taken using computers
➢Some are multiple choice,
others are skill based
➢With computerized adaptive
testing, the tests analyze a
person’s responses while
taking the test
What are application software certifications?
Focus on knowledge of Sometimes called
application software end-user certifications

Microsoft Microsoft Adobe

Office Certified Certified
Desktop Support
Specialist Expert
Technician
(MOS) (MCDST) sponsored by
sponsored by sponsored by Adobe
Microsoft Microsoft Systems

IBM Certified Macromedia

Professional Certified
for Lotus Professional
Software sponsored by
sponsored by Macromedia
IBM
What are operating system certifications?
Focus on particular skills—user,
Differing levels of
operator, system administrator,
and system engineer certification

Microsoft Certified Red Hat

Certified Linux Certified
Systems Professional Engineer
Administrator (CNP) (RHCE)
(MCSA) sponsored sponsored
sponsored by by Novell by Red Hat
Red Hat Microsoft
Certified Sun Certified IBM
Technician System Certified
(RHCT) Administrator Specialist
sponsored sponsored by sponsored
by Red Hat Sun by IBM
What are programming certifications?
Recognition of programming Broadens knowledge and skill
training base

Certified IBM Certified Microsoft

Software Solution Certified
Development Developer Professional
Professional sponsored Developer
(CSDP) by IBM (MCPD)
sponsored by sponsored
IEEE by Microsoft
Computer
Society
Sun Certified Sun Certified Sun Certified
Enterprise Developer Programmer
Architect sponsored sponsored
sponsored by Sun by Sun
by Sun
What are hardware certifications?
Recognition of general
knowledge
of hardware and controlling Can be narrowly or
software needed to set up, broadly focused
maintain, and repair a computer

A+ IBM NACSE
sponsored by eServer Network Technician
Computing Certified (NNT)
Technology Specialist sponsored by
Industry sponsored by National
Association IBM Association of
(CompTIA) Communication
Systems Engineers
(NACSE)
What are networking certifications?
Awarded to professionals who demonstrate expertise in
planning, installing, managing, and troubleshooting a
network
Certified Novell Certified Novell Cisco Certified
Administrator Engineer (CNE) Network
(CNA) sponsored by Professional
sponsored by Novell (CCNP)
Novell sponsored by
Cisco

Network+ Sun Certified

sponsored by Network
Computing Administrator
Technology Industry sponsored by
Association Sun
(CompTIA)
What are computer forensics certifications?
Discovery, collection, and Certificate holders are
analysis of evidence found on considered highly credible
computers and networks during computer crimes cases

Certified Electronic Certified Forensic Certified Computer

Evidence Collection Computer Examiner
Specialist (CEECS) Examiner (CCE)
sponsored by (CFCE) sponsored by
International sponsored by International
Association of International Society of
Computer Association of Forensic
Investigative Computer Computer
Specialists (IACIS) Investigative Examiners (ISFCE)
Specialists (IACIS)
What are security certifications?
Measure a candidate’s ability to identify and control
security risks to computer resources

Certified Systems Security

Information Certified
Security Practitioner
Professional (SSCP)
(CISSP) sponsored by
sponsored by (ISC)2
(ISC)2
Security Certified Security Certified
Network Network Architect
Professional (SCNA)
(SCNP) sponsored by The
sponsored by The Security Certified
Security Certified Program
Program
What are Internet certifications?

Require technical expertise in Include Web management, Web

networking hardware and programming, and Web
configuration development certifications

Certified Cisco Certified

Internet Certified Web Professional
Webmaster Internetwork (CWP)
(CIW) Expert sponsored by
sponsored by (CCIE) International
Prosoft sponsored by Webmasters
Training Cisco Association
What are database system certifications?
Awarded for knowledge Test the various tasks
of a specific database a database management
management system staff must perform

IBM IBM Microsoft

Certified Certified Certified IT
Solutions Solutions Professional
Expert–DB2 Expert–Informix (MCITP)
sponsored sponsored by sponsored
by IBM IBM by Microsoft
Oracle Sybase
Certified Certified
Professional Professional
(OCP) sponsored
sponsored by Sybase
by Oracle
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Artificial Intelligence continues to be a trend to watch
because its effects on how we live, work and play are
only in the early stages.
• AI refers to computers systems built to mimic human
intelligence and perform tasks such as recognition of
images, speech or patterns and decision making.
• AI can do these tasks faster and more accurately than
humans.
Machine Learning
• Machine Learning is a subset of AI.
• Computers are programmed to learn to do something
they are not programmed to do.
• They learn by discovering patterns and insights from
data.
• Neural networks, natural language processing (NLP),
and deep learning are some subsets of Machine
Learning.
Robotic Process Automation or RPA
• RPA is the use of software to automate business
processes such as interpreting applications, processing
transactions, dealing with data, and even replying to
emails.
• RPA automates repetitive tasks that people used to do.
• These are not just the menial tasks of a low-paid
worker: up to 45 percent of the activities we do can be
automated, including the work of financial managers,
doctors and CEOs.
Blockchain
• Most people think of blockchain technology in relation to
cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin.
• Blockchain offers security that is useful in many other
ways. In the simplest of terms, blockchain can be
described as data you can only add to, not take away from
or change.
• Blockchains are consensus-driven so no one entity can
take control of the data.
Edge Computing
• Cloud computing has become mainstream, with major
players AWS (Amazon Web Services), Microsoft
Azure and Google Cloud dominating the market.
• Cloud computing is no longer the emerging technology.
Edge is.
• Edge computing is designed to help solve some problems
of cloud computing as a way to bypass the latency caused
by cloud computing and getting data to a data center for
processing.
Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)
• Virtual Reality (VR) immerses the user in an environment.
• Augment Reality (AR) enhances their environment.
• Although VR has primarily been used for gaming thus far,
it has also been used for training.
• Both have enormous potential in training, entertainment,
education, marketing, and even rehabilitation after an
injury.
Cyber Security
• Cyber security might not seem like emerging technology
but it is evolving just as other technologies are.
• Hackers will continue to find ways to get through even the
toughest security measures.
• New technology is being adapted to enhance security.
• As long as we have hackers, we will have cyber security
as an emerging technology because it will constantly
evolve to defend against those hackers.
Internet of Things
• Many “things” are now being built with WiFi connectivity,
meaning they can be connected to the Internet—and to
each other.
• IoT enables devices, home appliances, cars and much
more to be connected to and exchange data over the
Internet.
• The number of IoT devices reached 8.4 billion in 2017 and
is expected to reach 30 billion devices after 3 years.
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• Meyers, M. (2016). All In One CompTIA A+ Certification.
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• Pearson. (2016). Introduction to Computers and
Information Technology. Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Pearson.
• Tavani, H. T. (2016). Ethics and Technology. Wiley.
• White, R. (2015). How Computer Work: The Evolution of
Technology. IN: Que.