Technology In The Classroom Series

Computer Basics

Why Use Technology in the Classroom?

Technology can be used in the classroom to enhance teaching.

Today’s students are growing up in a technological world.

They are not only tech savvy, but their brains are “wired” to the concepts of technology in their lives.

Using technology in the classroom improves student attention and performance.

Technology opens the door for more innovative lessons.

Technology takes the work out of preparing resources.

Technology is fun!

Outline of This Course

• So, What’s Inside Your Computer• Basic Vocabulary• So What Can You Do?• More Basic Vocabulary• This Is How It Works• The Internet• Well Then, In Conclusion

So, What’s Inside Your Computer

Processor: The chip that coordinates all of the processes going on inside your computer.

Hard Drive: The place inside the computer where documents and programs are stored. Also known as a the c: drive.

Graphics Card: The component that communicates with the monitor and renders images on the screen. It is not usually necessary to worry about the graphics card unless you are a “gamer”.

Sound Card: The component that communicates with the speakers to produce music and sounds.

Modem: The component that communicates with other computers, usually a Server that hosts a web site or database.

Basic Vocabulary

• Application: Another word for program. Popular applications are MS Office: MS Word, Excel, and Power Point.

• Extension: When you save a document, the computer automatically assigns your file name an extension, which is a period followed by three letters. MS Word gives the extension .doc. This extension helps the computer identify the program that created the document. (other common extensions are .jpg, .gif, .html, .ppt, and .xls).

• Operating System: The program on a computer that allows you to manage and organize computer documents and to run programs. Windows XP is currently the most popular operating system, but there are alternatives, if you’re interested.

• Menu: A list of actions available through the program you are using.

• Toolbar: Within most programs, there are groups of icons which look like buttons. The group of buttons collectively is called the toolbar. These buttons perform different actions when you click on them. Toolbars are also common components of browser windows.

So What Can You Do?

• MS Word

• Excel

• Power Point

• Internet

• Internet: The internet is a network of computer connections that form the backbone of the world wide web (www).

• Browser: The program that connects you to the internet and renders the pages on your machine. The most common browser is Internet Explorer, but again, there are others, if you’re interested.

(There are also browsers developed for people with disabilities).

ISP (Internet Service Provider): There are three ways to connect to the internet: Dial-up, DSL, and Cable. Once you are there, your ISP acts as your switchboard operator (plus a few other things).

• Server: A computer that serves as the central location for programs and documents made available to a network.

• Networks: The internet is a network, but so are the computers within most schools and companies, perhaps even your home. All computers connected to a central server are considered a network. This can be done with an Ethernet connection, or a LAN.

• Ethernet: This is a cable that connects computers to a network. There are now wireless Ethernet routers that can connect computers without cables.

More Basic Vocabulary

• Router: A router is the switching station of the network. All components of the network, including computers, printers, modems and more can be coordinated through a router.

• Bandwidth: This refers to the capacity of the cables in the network. The more bandwidth, the faster information can be transferred.

• Client: You are the client in any communication with a server, or rather your computer is. Many applications you use will work on your computer then communicate with the server, and others will work on the server then communicate with your computer. Databases often run “server side”, while MS Word is a “client side” application.

• IP Address: The internet works like a telephone. Whenever you “call” another computer, the IP Address is the number.

• Domain Name: To make it easier for you to know who you’re calling, web sites provide a domain name. Your name in your e-mail address is also a domain name.

• Uniform Resource Locator (URL): The URL translates the domain name into the IP Address.

• HTTP: The hypertext transfer protocol provides the rules for communication between computers. Through the use of this computer language, your computer can faithfully render a page located on a network server.

• WWW: The world wide web is the cyberspace created by the internet.

This Is How It Works:

The InternetHow do you get there?

Search Engines:

Google

What do you do when you get there:

Research:

HUNSTEM

Organization:

Moodle

Teach:

Online Lessons

Movies

Reference

Well Then, In Conclusion

• You Can:– Use your computer to research topics

and find resources– Use your computer to prepare lessons– Use your computer to present lessons– Use your computer to supplement

lessons– Reach today’s kids more effectively– Teach your students media literacy

For More Info

• Go to HowStuffWorks.com