ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM

Learning Module in BASIC COMPUTER CONCEPTS by: ARNEL O. AVILA

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER CONCEPTS

The computer is the most important invention of the 20th century. Computers are
touching every part of our lives because of the rapidly decreasing cost of personal computers,
the increasing dependence of large organization on large computers, and modern societies
need to make decisions quickly and accurately. Meanwhile, computer systems are becoming
more "intelligent" as we learn about how to automate human thinking processes. This
progress has promoted the spread of computers forecasting events from the past trends,
controlling production processes in factories and managing the collection and distribution
of information in organizations.

Mankind has been interested in data for at least the past twelve thousand years. While
today we often associate the concept of data with the computers, there have, historically,
been many more primitive methods of data handling. In fact, some of them are still in use
today. Everyone in the industrialized world uses computers today; most of them depend on
it. We also find computers close to home as well. The use of computers in everyday life is
increasing, thus, it also increases the need to be-educated and the necessity of understanding
and learning the highly technical field of computer science.

Most employers do not expect potential employees to be computer experts. However,

many expect them to be prepared to use computers as everyday tools to solve job-related
problems. Two questions a job seeker being interviewed may be asked today are, What do
you know about computers? and What kind of software are you familiar with? The
more you know about computers, the better youll be able to handle such questions - and the
more effective youll be in your career.

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ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM
Learning Module in BASIC COMPUTER CONCEPTS by: ARNEL O. AVILA

WHAT IS A COMPUTER?

Computer are incredibly powerful machines that affect almost all aspects of our
lives. It works behind the scenes to control the stoplights, to handle millions of phone calls
made each day, to control aircraft, and even to control microwave oven you may have used
to cook dinner.

We simply define computer as a high speed electric device that can:

a.) accept data

b.) process it
c.) produce desired and meaningful result

Thus, this way and defining the word computer operations as illustrated below:

INPUT

PROCESS

OUTPUT
Lastly, this definition cycle reflects as well the corresponding parts of computer as to
which these things that computer is capable of doing the individual stages of the cycle take
place. Computer is composed of three main parts namely:

System Unit Monitor Keyboard

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ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM
Learning Module in BASIC COMPUTER CONCEPTS by: ARNEL O. AVILA

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ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM
Learning Module in BASIC COMPUTER CONCEPTS by: ARNEL O. AVILA

A BRIEF HISTORY OF COMPUTERS

Historical records tell us that man has invented three types of devices to assist him in
calculating and processing data. These devices could be classified into a.) manual-
mechanical, b.) electro-mechanical and c.) electronic.

What is a computer?
"Computer" was originally a job title: it was used to describe those human beings
(predominantly women) whose job it was to perform the repetitive calculations required to
compute such things as navigational tables, tide charts, and planetary positions for
astronomical almanacs.

EARLIEST COMPUTING DEVICES

1. ABACUS. The first manual data processing device
develop in China in 12th century AD. The device has a
frame with beads strung on wire or rods and arithmetic
calculations are performed by manipulating the beads.

2. NAPIERS
BONES. A device invented by an Scottish
mathematician who became famous because of his
invention of logarithms, John Napier. It is composed of
a set of eleven rods with numbers marked on them in
such a way that by simply placing the rods side by side
products and quotients of a large numbers can be
obtained. The sticks were called bones because they
were made of bones or ivory.

3. PASCALS CALCULATOR. Blaise Pascal was a

French mathematician and experimental
physicist who was one of the first modem
scientist to develop and built a calculator. In
1645, he device a calculating machine that was
capable of adding and subtracting numbers.
The machine was operated by dialing a series
of hand-cranked mechanical gear system, in
which a series of ten-toothed wheels or dials represented decimal numbers. Pascals
calculator had one serious drawback. It could not be produced by the technology by his
time. There was no industrial technology in the 17th century.

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ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM
Learning Module in BASIC COMPUTER CONCEPTS by: ARNEL O. AVILA

4. BABBAGES ANALYTICAL ENGINE. Charles

Babbage, 19th century Englishman, is frequently
considered as the father of modem computers". Although
he did not actually built an operational computer himself,
his ideas became the basis for modem computational
devices. He begun to work on a device called Difference
Engine in 1822 but he lack the perseverance to complete
the project. Instead, he abandoned the machine to work on
a more powerful device, the Analytical Engine which was
similar in concept to the 20th century digital computers. It
has stored-program concept were he has assisted by the
first lady programmer to run program in the machine,
Lady Augusta Ada Byron, daughter of the poet Lord Byron.

5. HOLLERITHS PUNCHED-CARD
MACHINE. In 1880s, Herman Hollerith,
a statistician with the US Bureau of the
Census, completed a set of machines to
help process the result of the 1890
census. Using 3 X 5 inches punched-
cards to record the data, he constructed
an electromagnetic counting machine to
sort the data manually and tabulate the
data. This device has the advantage and
begun the era of electricity.

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ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM
Learning Module in BASIC COMPUTER CONCEPTS by: ARNEL O. AVILA

EARLY DEVELOPMENTS IN ELECTRONIC

DATA PROCESSING
All the early devices mentioned were essentially single-purpose devices. However,
world war II greatly accelerated the development of a working general-purpose computers
and many historians says that the war time is the particularly fertile period for technological
inventions. The case of electronic digital computers clearly supports that point of view.

1. MARK I. Howard Aiken work on the Mark I at Harvard

University with the assistance of the graduate students
and engineers from IBM. The project, which was
completed in 1944, was known as the Automatic
Sequence Controlled Calculator. It was approximately 8
feet high and 50 feet long and consisted of some 700,000
moving parts and several hundred miles of wiring.

2. THE ENIAC. During the World War II, the US government

actively sought to support the numerous project that
might assist in solving its diverse problems. Under the
direction of Presper Eckert Jr., and John Mauchly, the
ENIAC was developed during the period of 1943 to 1946.
It was the first large scale vacuum tube computer. The
name ENIAC is an acronym for Electronic Numerical
Integrator And Calculator. It consisted of over 18,000
vacuum tubes and requires the manual settings of switches to achieve desired results.
It could not store internally; rather, they were feed through externally located plug
boards and switches.

3. THE EDVAC. In 1946, a Hungarian born mathematician

John von Neuman proposed a modified version of the
ENIAC. The modified version EDVAC (Electronic Discrete
Variable Automatic Computer), would differ from the
ENIAC into profoundly important aspect. First, EDVAC
would employ binary arithmetic. Second, the EDVAC
would have stored-program capability. He also proposed
writing a permanent set of instructions within the
computer and placing these operations under a central control.

4. EDSAC. The first stored-program machine to go into

operations, developed by Englishman in 1949 at
Cambridge University.

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ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM
Learning Module in BASIC COMPUTER CONCEPTS by: ARNEL O. AVILA

GENERATION OF COMPUTERS
1. FIRST GENERATION COMPUTERS (1951 - 1959)
Uses vacuum tubes and stored-program concept
The first commercial computer is launch UNIVAC

2. SECOND GENERATION COMPUTERS (1959-1964)

Uses transistors, diodes and magnetic cores
Much smaller in size, faster and reliable

3. THIRD GENERATION COMPUTERS (1964-1970)

Used integrated solid-state circuitry
Improved secondary storage
New input and output devices.

4. FOURTH GENERATION COMPUTERS (1970 Present)

Multiprocessing
Multiprogramming
Time Sharing
Operating Speed
Virtual Storage
Optical Readers
Audio Response Terminals
Graphics Display Terminals

ADVANTAGES IN USING COMPUTER

Speed
Accuracy
Automatic Operations
Decision Making Capability
Compact Storage
Discipline it Imposes

LIMITATIONS OF COMPUTERS
It cannot derive meanings from object
It cannot correct wrong instructions
It doesnt have a feeling

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ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM
Learning Module in BASIC COMPUTER CONCEPTS by: ARNEL O. AVILA

ESSENTIAL USES OF COMPUTERS

Numerical Computations
Information Storage and Retrieval
Manipulation of a large collection of data
Process control
Communication
Word Processing
Computer Graphics
System Simulations
Artificial Intelligence

USES OF COMPUTERS IN MODERN TIMES

Information System/Data Processing
Personal Computing
Science and Research
Education
Artificial Intelligence

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ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM
Learning Module in BASIC COMPUTER CONCEPTS by: ARNEL O. AVILA

BASIC COMPONENTS OF THE COMPUTER SYSTEM

A computer runs on three major systems; hardware, software, and humanware.
Hardware and software exist together to make up the actual device. The human comes into
the picture to bring the whole computer into a functional existence.
Each of the components is necessary in order to enable meaningful productivity. If
installed separately, they may be useful to an extent. However, the device would only be
capable of repetitive actions rather than achieve complete computing potential. Hardware
and software could not operate without each other. They both need human input to perform
complex processes.

COMPUTER HARDWARE
Hardware refers to the Physical Components of the computer system. One major
characteristic of this components is that they are all tangible. Anything that can be touched
and form part of the system is known as hardware.

The following are commonly referred to as computer hardware/equipment:

System Unit
Keyboard
Monitor or Display System
Input / Output Systems

System Unit

A system unit is the part of a computer that houses the primary devices that perform
operations and produce results for complex calculations. It includes the motherboard, CPU,
RAM and other components, as well as the case in which these devices are housed. This unit
performs the majority of the functions that a computer is required to do.

The term system unit is generally used to differentiate between the computer itself
and its peripheral devices, such as the keyboard, mouse and monitor.

A system unit is also

known as a chassis or a tower in
layman's terms.

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ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM
Learning Module in BASIC COMPUTER CONCEPTS by: ARNEL O. AVILA

Keyboard

It is one of the most important parts of

a computer which is used to enter commands,
text, numerical data and other types of data by
pressing the keys on the keyboard.

Monitor or Display System

A computer monitor is an output device which displays

information in pictorial form. A monitor usually com prises
the display device, circuitry, casing, and power supply.

Input / Output System

A printer is a device that accepts text and graphic output
from a computer and transfers the information to paper, usually
to standard size sheets of paper. Printers vary in size, speed,
sophistication, and cost. In general, more expensive printers are
used for higher-resolution color printing.

A computer mouse is an input

device that is most often used with a personal computer. Moving a
mouse along a flat surface can move the on-screen cursor to different
items on the screen. Items can be moved or selected by pressing
the mouse buttons (called clicking).

Other Computer Peripherals

A peripheral device is generally defined as any auxiliary
device such as a computer mouse or keyboard that connects to
and works with the computer in some way. Other examples of
peripherals are image scanners, tape drives, microphones,
loudspeakers, webcams, and digital cameras.

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ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM
Learning Module in BASIC COMPUTER CONCEPTS by: ARNEL O. AVILA

COMPUTER SOFTWARE
Software is necessary to run system. It can be the built-in machine code instruction
stored in ROM, that starts the system or the operating system that controls the way the
program runs. Software also includes the application packages that you use to do your work.
Through the use of software, you and your system are productive team.

Kind of Computer Software

System Software
This is also commonly known as an operating system (OS). The system manages
other software and devices inside the computer.
In a typical setup, the operating system is like the motherboard for software. It is the
first thing that is installed, followed by applications and utility software. Three popular
operating systems for traditional computers include Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.
Popular mobile operating systems include Android OS, iPhone OS, Windows Phone
OS, and Firefox OS.

Application Software
This is designed for end users. This software is meant to perform a specialized
assignment and output useful information.
An example would be a word processing application that one uses to compose a
letter or a brochure, such as Microsoft Word.
Other popular examples include Adobe Photoshop, Corel Draw, and AutoCad.
A collection of application software can come in a package that is commonly known
as a software suite. A typical suite includes software for word processing, presentations,
graphic design, and spreadsheets.
Examples include Microsoft Office, OpenOffice, and iWork.
Software is written in computer languages such as Visual Basic, C, and Java.

COMPUTER HUMANWARE
Humanware refers to the person that uses the computer. More specifically, it is about
the individual that brings together the hardware and software components to make them
productive.
Typically, a great deal of testing is done on software packages and hardware parts to
ensure they enhance the end-user experience to aid in creating documents, musical and
video recordings, and all forms of raw and finished data.

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ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM
Learning Module in BASIC COMPUTER CONCEPTS by: ARNEL O. AVILA

BASIC CONTROLS IN COMPUTER OPERATIONS

Safety Precautions
Place the computer in dry and clean environment. Wet controls and power switches
can cause electric hazards. Moistures can cause malfunction in the computer parts.
It can degrade parts and might damage the computer parts in a short period of time.
Make sure the computer rests on a flat sturdy surface. Unstable surface cause
vibration and that will shorten the life span of the computer.
Do not block the air vents of the computer. Blocking the air vent will increase the
temperature inside the unit and might damage the computer in a short period of
time. Air vents should be at least 51mm. (2in.) away from the wall.
Keep foods and drinks away from all parts of the computer.

BASIC ASSEMBLY
Check for the following equipment
System Unit
Monitor
Keyboard
Mouse and Mouse Pad
Printer
Multimedia Speaker
Computer Cables
Power Cable
Monitor Power Cord
Keyboard Connector
Mouse Connector
Multimedia Audio Connector
Monitor Video Cable
Printer Data Cable

BASIC ASSEMBLY
Assemble the computer system in the following order:
Connect the keyboard connector to the PS/2 or USB port.
Connect the mouse connector to the PS/2 or USB port.
Connect the multimedia audio connector to the audio output jack of the system unit.
Connect the monitor video cable to the video connector.
Connect the printer data cable to the USB port.
Connect the monitor power cord to the monitor voltage input socket
Connect the power cord to the system unit voltage input socket

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ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM
Learning Module in BASIC COMPUTER CONCEPTS by: ARNEL O. AVILA

BOOTING PROCESS
BOOTING process refers to the start-up procedure of the computer. It can be done in
two different ways namely. COLD BOOTING and WARM BOOTING

COLD BOOTING is done by switching ON the computers power switches while you
can perform.

WARM BOOTING is done when and only when the power switch is already turned ON
but you still wish to restart the computer. Also known as RESET and done by pressing the
Reset Button or simply by pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL key all at the same time.

BOOT SEQUENCES:
Computers large and small must have some type of start-up process, which is typically
called the "boot" process. During this set of steps, the computer checks itself to be sure all is
well, loads some minimal operational software and loads the operating system. The term
"boot" is a shortened version of the word "bootstrap," which was used in the early days of
computing to describe the process whereby the computer pulled itself up by its "bootstraps."

A. POWER UP - The first step of any boot process is applying power to the machine.
When the user turns a computer on, a series of events begins that ends when the
operating system gets control from the boot process and the user is free to work.
When the computer is turned on, the central processor executes some startup code in
ROM that is located on the motherboard.

B. POWER-ON SELF TEST - The next step in the boot process is called the POST, or
power on self test. This test checks all connected hardware, including RAM and
secondary storage devices to be sure it is all functioning properly. After POST has
completed its job, the boot process searches the boot device list for a device with a
BIOS on it.

C. FIND A BOOT DEVICE - The I/O system is essential to the operation of the computer
because it defines the rules for communications between the CPU and the other
devices attached to the computer via the motherboard. The I/O system, sometimes
found in the "io.sys" file on the boot device, provides extensions to the BIOS located
in ROM on the motherboard.

D. LOAD THE OPERATING SYSTEM - Once the hardware functionality is confirmed and
the input/output system is loaded, the boot process begins loading the operating
system from the boot device. The OS is loaded into RAM, and any instructions specific
to the particular operating system are executed. The actual operating system is
somewhat irrelevant, as the computer will follow the same boot pattern in any case.

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ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM
Learning Module in BASIC COMPUTER CONCEPTS by: ARNEL O. AVILA

E. TRANSFER CONTROL - Once the previous steps are complete and the operating
system is safely loaded into RAM, the boot process relinquishes control to the OS. The
OS then proceeds to execute any pre-configured startup routines to define user
configuration or application execution. At the end of the handoff, the computer is
ready for use.

STARTING AN APPLICATION PROGRAM

Now that you have a computer, you probably want to run and manage software
programs, from programs that manage your finances to a great animated game of bingo. By
using the best methods for accessing and running programs on your computer, you save
time and make your life easier.

You can open, or launch, a program by using any of the following four methods:

1. Choose Start All Programs. Click the program name on

the All Programs list that appears. You see a list of
programs; just click the program on that sublist to open it.

2. Double-click a program shortcut icon on the desktop.

3. Click an item on the taskbar. The taskbar should display by default; if it doesnt,
press the Windows logo key (on your keyboard) to display it and then click an icon
on the taskbar, just to the right of the Start button.

4. If you used the program recently and saved a document, choose it from the list of
recently used programs displayed when you first open the Start menu. Then click a
document created in that program from the list that displays.

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ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM
Learning Module in BASIC COMPUTER CONCEPTS by: ARNEL O. AVILA

KEYBOARD
Keyboard is one of the most important parts of a computer which is used to enter
commands, text, numerical data and other types of data by pressing the keys on the keyboard.

A user talks with a computer through input devices such as keyboard and mouse. Input
devices are used to enter data to a computer. The entered data then converted into machine
language so that a CPU understands the data or instruction comes through the input devices.

PARTS OF COMPUTER KEYBOARD

The keyboard has five parts or divisions, namely:
Functional keys
Special purpose keys/computer keys
Cursor keys
Numeric keys
Alphanumeric keys

FUNCTIONAL KEYS

Functional Keys are positioned along the top of the keyboard. They are used to execute
commands specific to the software being used for example F6 is used to exit a file in some
application, where as another may use F6 to underline. Examples of functional keys are: F1,
F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7, F8, F9, F10, F11 and F12.

SPECIAL PURPOSE KEYS

Special Purpose Keys are keys used to enter, delete,

edit etc, data and to execute commands, below are list of
some special keys of the keyboard.

ESC (escape) is used to cancel a command or terminate

program execution, it can be used to return back to
previous window or proceed.

ENTER (return) send information to the processing unit

of the computer. It tells the computer to accept data. It
can also be used to start a new line.

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ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM
Learning Module in BASIC COMPUTER CONCEPTS by: ARNEL O. AVILA

CTRL (control) is a control key and a short cut key. It can be combine with other keys to
perform a task.

WINDOW KEY Pressing the Windows key opens the Start Menu

MENU KEY right clicking key

ALT (alternate) key work in combination with another key to produce an effect.

PRT SCRN(print screen) is used to print everything on the screen or the desktop/screen
shot.it is activated by pressing Alt or Ctrl key and print screen key.

INS (insert) used to insert a text, character and symbols in a document.

DEL (delete) is used to delete one character at the cursor position.

TAB key tab key depends on the software use.it is use to go around a document.

HOME is use to return to the previous page.

END is use to go to the end of a particular page or number.

PG UP (page up) is use to scroll up, or go to a previous page.

PG DN (page down) is use to scroll down the document of a page, or used to go down to a
page.

SCROLL LOCK: When the Scroll Lock mode was on, the arrow keyswould scroll the
contents of a text window instead of moving the cursor.

CURSOR KEYS

Arrow Keys is use to scroll up, down, right and left on a document.

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ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM
Learning Module in BASIC COMPUTER CONCEPTS by: ARNEL O. AVILA

NUMERIC KEYS
Numeric Keypad is the other part of computer keyboard. Usually, it
is located at the right side of a keyboard. It is arranged like a standard
calculator used to enter numerical data.
It can also be used as directional keys. Pressing the Num Lock key
above the numeric keypad will tell whether the keys are on numeric
or directional mode. If it is on, it is on numeric mode and can enter
numbers. If it is off, it is on directional mode and only used for moving
a cursor on screen UP, Down, Left or Right.

ALPHANUMERIC KEYS

It looks and arranged like a traditional typewriter where you press alphabetic keys. It holds
alphabetic character such as letter, special characters and numbers. This is the area you use
mostly when you do word processing.

TYPING PROCEDURES

PROPER SITTING POSTURE

The backrest and seat should adjust independently to provide good support.
The seat should have a curved front to relieve pressure on the thigh.
Adjust the height of the sit so that your things are parallel to the floor and your feet
are neither flat on the floor or on footrest.
When using keyboard, your forearms must be parallel to the floor and your wrist
must rest in a natural comfortable position.
Adjust the angle of the keyboard to attain a maximum comfort.
Adjust the monitor so that the top of the screen is at or slightly below the eye level.
Place the monitor at a comfortable viewing distance usually 51 61 cm. (20 24 in.)
and position it so you can view it without having to twist your body.
Position the monitor to minimize glare and reflection from overhead lights, windows
and light sources.

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ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM
Learning Module in BASIC COMPUTER CONCEPTS by: ARNEL O. AVILA

TYPING FINGER NAMES

Left and Right Little Finger

Left and Right Ring Finger
Left and Right Middle Finger
Left and Right Index Finger
Left and Right Thumb.

PROPER SHUTTING DOWN OF COMPUTER

Close all the running application by clicking the close button.
Click the Windows button.
Click Shutdown.

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