Introduction to ICT the computer

Introduction to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) – The computer

Chapter objectives

In this chapter, you will learn about

1. ICTs and computers, in particular
2. History of computers
3. Uses of computers
4. Classification of computers

Introduction to ICTs and computers

You must have heard of radio programmes like Keli kali in your school. You can see that radio, televisions, telephones, mobile phones are being used by everyone in their daily lives. Television and radio are used for giving (broadcasting) information while telephones including mobile phones are used to talk to (communicate with) your friends and family even if they are far away. Now you can carry a phone in your pocket. All these are Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) tools.

What does a computer do ? In this chapter you will learn about computers, a new ICT tool. A computer is a device which takes input, processes it and gives output which can be stored and shared. When you enter data into your computer, it is called as input. An input can be data like text or picture or an instruction (what to do with the data). This data is processed (process means to perform a series of operations on a set of data) and you will get the output. Data or information that the computer generates is called the output. Suppose you want to add two numbers, 2 and 5. Any input has two parts, data and the instruction '2 + 5' is the input. The numbers 2 and 5 are called the 'data' and the '+' is called the instruction. A CPU (or a software to add the numbers) will do the addition, it is called the process. The answer '7' is the output or the result from the input and the process. A computer lets you to do many tasks like writing a letter, watching a educational film, playing games, listening to music and more. You can also look for information on the Internet.

What does a computer do ?

In this chapter you will learn about computers, a new ICT tool. A computer is a device which takes input, processes it and gives output which can be stored and shared. When you enter data into your computer, it is called as input. An input can be data like text or picture or an instruction (what to do with the data). This data is processed (process means to perform a series of operations on a set of data) and you will get the output. Data or information that the computer generates is called the output.

Suppose you want to add two numbers, 2 and 5. Any input has two parts, data and the instruction '2 + 5' is the input. The numbers 2 and 5 are called the 'data' and the '+' is called the instruction. A CPU (or a software to add the numbers) will do the addition, it is called the process. The answer '7' is the output or the result from the input and the process.

A computer lets you to do many tasks like writing a letter, watching a educational film, playing games, listening to music and more. You can also look for information on the Internet.

History of computers

World's first computer

Punch card

Did you know, the first computer was as big as your classroom! 60 years ago, computers were very big, costly and used lot of electricity. The processors of the first computers were made using something called 'vacuum tubes' - which used tubes in which electrons were moving. Punch cards were an input method. After the vacuum tubes, came the transistors which could turn electricity in a circuit 'on' or 'off'. This turning 'on' and 'off' could be used to instruct computers to do calculations.

Integrated Circuit (IC)

During the early 1970s, with the invention of Integrated Circuits (IC) computers became faster, cheaper and smaller.

Microprocessor

Many transistors were connected together to form one IC. These computers had keyboard and monitor as input-output devices. (You will learn about input and output devices in the next chapter).

Over the last decade, the computers became so small that it could fit in a hand. This was possible because of many integrated circuits on one small square called a microprocessor or a chip which became the main part of the computer. Mouse, an input device was developed. These small and powerful computers were connected together to share information between computers and this period saw the birth and growth of Internet (you will study in detail about Internet in one of the chapters).

Now-a-days, we see smart phones and tablets (which are small touch screen computers).

Uses of computers

Can you think of all the places where you have seen computers?

Computers are used in many places like banks, schools, railway stations, libraries, shopping complexes, and in various fields like education, communications, business, research, development and many more.

Types of computers

Based on the processing power, storage capacity and cost, computers are classified as,

Supercomputers

Mainframe computers

1. Supercomputers - T'he most powerful computers.' They are used for highly complex problems like launching a rocket in the space or weather prediction. Supercomputers are used by universities and government agencies.

Personal computers

(b) Mainframe Computers - Usually slower, less powerful and cost less than supercomputers. They are used in large organisations, like banks and businesses.(c) Microcomputers, or personal computers - The small and low cost computers. Microcomputers are more commonly known as personal computers (PC). Personal computers are further classified as (a) Stationary (b) Mobile

Chapter summary

1. Television, radio, telephone, mobile phones, computers and Internet are ICT tools.
2. A computer is a device which takes input, processes it and gives output which can be stored and shared.
3. A computer lets you do most of your daily jobs like writing a letter, solving problems, watching a film, playing games, listening to music and looking for things on the Internet.
4. Latest computers are touch screen (using finger tips or stylus) computers. They are also called tablet PCs and smart phones.

Exercises

Choose the correct answer

1. The output can be
   1. Stored
   2. Shared
   3. Both (1) and (2)
3. Latest computers use
   1. Microprocessors
   2. Transistors
   3. Vacuum tubes
5. A personal computer is also a
   1. Supercomputer
   2. Microcomputer
   3. Mainframe computer

Say true or false

1. ICT stands for Important Communication Technology.
2. The first computer was made of vacuum tubes.
3. A netbook is a personal computer.
4. Laptops are mainframes.
5. Computers can be used to learn and solve mathematics.

Activity

Some of the uses of computers in education is given below. Think of more uses and complete the table.

Uses for students	Uses for teachers	Uses for school management
Research any information	As a teaching aid in the form of presentations	Record keeping
Create presentations of the projects they have to work on	Create worksheets	Timetable

Additional resources

1. Learn more about the history of computers [[1]] [[2]]
2. Learn more about computer classification [[3]]