WUC118/03 COMPUTERS IN A NETWORKED SOCIETY Unit 1 Knowing and Using Computers
Table of Contents Thinking About Technology The Historical Context of Computers and the Internet Computer Technology Around Us
Course Learning Outcomes COMPARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF COMPUTERS, OPERATING SYSTEMS, HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE AVAILABLE. USE COMPUTER HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE IN YOUR DAILY ACTIVITIES.
DISCUSS THE SOCIAL, ETHICAL, LEGAL AND PROFESSIONAL ISSUES RELATED TO CYBERSPACE.
2
EXPLAIN THE FUNCTIONS OF THE INTERNET AND WORLD WIDE WEB.
DEVELOP KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS IN THE LATEST INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES.
Unit Learning Outcomes
1
Describe the four basic operations that a computer performs.
2
Identify the computer hardware devices that are used for input, processing, output and storage.
3
Discuss the various types of computers.
4
Explain how computers affect society.
Course Overview Welcome to WUC 118/03 Computers in a Networked Society. This is a 3-credit compulsory course for all undergraduate students enrolled in Wawasan Open University. There are no prerequisites for this course. Computers are vitally important in the world today. They are used in business, in personal life, and in schools and colleges. They connect people around the world via the Internet. Most of us cannot imagine a life without computers and so we must learn how to use them effectively and safely. In this course, you will explore how computers function and why people use them. Computers come in different sizes and have different purposes, but all are made from the same basic components and operate based on the same fundamental principles. You will learn how the basic components work together in a computer system. You will also learn about the various types of hardware and software. Since the Internet has become so significant that its use is considered to be an essential part of computer use, an overview of the Internet and World Wide Web will be provided in this course. In addition, this course will also cover the legal and professional issues in computing. As Microsoft Office has become an essential tool at work and at home, this course will help you to discover the underlying functionality of two of its applications — Microsoft PowerPoint and Microsoft Excel — so that you can become more productive when using them.
THINKING ABOUT
TECHNOLOGY Do you know how computer technology works?
Computer Fundamentals
More information on IPC!
A
computer is an electronic device. It performs four basic operations as part of the Information Processing Cycle (IPC). The IPC consists of input, processing, output and storage.
INPUT Getting data into the computer.
STORAGE Holding programs and data for future use.
PROCESSING Transforming data into information.
OUTPUT Displaying information.
Thinking About Technology
INDIVIDUAL
SPECIAL PURPOSE
TYPES OF COMPUTERS
ADVANTAGES VS. DISADVANTAGES • • • •
Computers help in tedious and repetitive work Store massive amounts of data Access information throughout the world Allows you to edit and save documents by using different computers at different locations
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Reduced level of interaction among people Cause of various health hazards Leak of private information to an untrusted environment Computer manufacturing process and computer waste can damage the environment Loss of data in the computers due to hackers or system crash
Thinking About Technology
ACTIVITY
State the four processes in the IPC. Click here for answer
THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF COMPUTERS AND THE INTERNET
THE CLOUD • A term applied to services that are provided across networks by groups of remote servers Through the cloud, we can borrow large stores of data from anywhere, and at any time we desire. • Provides large amounts of processing power and distributed storage, which can be used by any Internetconnected device that has a web browser.
CLIENT-SIDE SCRIPTING
• Allows the writing of computer programs using languages, e.g., JavaScript. • Enables programs to be run client-side rather than server-side. • Web pages can be scripted to have unique and changing content. • Used by social media.
MOBILE TECHNOLOGY • Uses multiple connected devices. • Uses cloud-based services and have applications to carry out tasks. • Able to synchronise information between numerous devices. • Reliable and convenient to use.
TECHNOLOGIES CURRENTLY IN USE NANO TECHNOLOGY
• A field which aims to manipulate individual atoms and molecules to educe the size of microprocessors and other devices.
NO-TOUCH INTERFACES • An advanced technology that allows us to perform tasks on computers without using keyboard or mouse. • You can answer phone calls or browse pictures by waving your hands over the smartphone’s screen. • Voice recognition technology allow hands-free calling and control of applications. • Surgeons can control medical images and scans on a computer with hand gestures.
LINKED DATA • An effective way of designing and publishing data on the World Wide Web. • Enables the creation of a web of data. • Enables computers to automatically read shared data using Web technologies. • Enables data from various sources to be linked and queried by computers • Uses hyperdata to allow users to find data that was not previously linked
COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY AROUND US Definition and Concepts of Information Systems
Information & Communication Technology (ICT)
INFORMATION SYSTEMS Definitions and Concepts • •
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Backbone of every organisation. A consolidation of hardware, people, software, data resources, communications, policies and procedures, and networks Capabilities of storing, retrieving, transforming and distributing information in an organisation.
The cash register at your favourite fast-food restaurant The IS can trace the products sold, level of inventory, the time of sales and the amount of money collected. Moreover, the IS can analyse the product sold in any sequence of locations anyplace in the world.
EXAMPLES OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS Card catalogs in a library Readers can find a particular book through author name, title, subject and others because the system is designed such a way that the data is kept in an organised manner.
Computer Technology Around Us
INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) • There is an improvement in the productivity due to the reduction in the transaction costs. • It presents immediate connectivity (voice, data, visual), transparency, accuracy, and improving efficiency • It is an alternative to expensive method of transaction and communicating, such as physical travel • There is a wide spread of choices for marketplace and gives access in another way to the unavailable goods and services • It provides potential markets by enlarging the geographic scope, and • It is a pathway for knowledge and information of all kinds. THE FUNDAMENTAL ROLE OF ICT
Computer Technology Around Us
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