Hardware Basics From Chapter 1

Front 1

CPU

Back 1

Central Processing Unit of a computer. It is composed of three units: The control unit (retrieves and sends signals to computer), the arithmetic logic unit (mathematical calculator) and the memory unit (composed of RAM - temporary memory, and ROM - permanent memory).

Front 2

Keyboard

Back 2

An input device that allows for the input of alphabet, numbers, and computer operational functions.

Front 3

Scanner

Back 3

An input device that allows printed materials to be converted to a digital format. Flatbed or sheet-fed. Uses OCR (optical recognition software) to convert text.

Front 4

Printer

Back 4

An output device that transfers digital data to a hard copy. Ink jet or Laser. Resolution is determined by dpi (dots per inch). Higher the dpi, higher the resolution.

Front 5

Speakers

Back 5

Project sound. Some are made for single use, and some are made for large groups to hear, so considering the type of speaker is important when presenting to a classroom. Although headphones are still required for individual use.

Front 6

USB Mini Drives

Back 6

Pen, flash, or jump drives. Plugged into USB ports (Universal Serial Bus), not platform specific, and hold from 28 MB to 4 GB of info. They are small, though, and easily lost - always have information backed up!

Front 7

Microphone

Back 7

Input device. Some computers have them built in, others do not. Connect to the port that is connected to the sound card which allows input of sound.

Front 8

Clickers

Back 8

Wireless input devices that allow students to respond to questions which the teacher can record and review.

Front 9

Monitor

Back 9

Screens or Displays. Output device which displays information of what functions the computer is performing.

Front 10

Projectors

Back 10

Combine an LCD (liquid crystal display) unit with a light source. Displays, like a screen, information of what functions the computer is performing but without the use of a screen.