MASTERING COMPUTER STUDIES VOLUME II , livre ebook
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2016
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132
pages
English
Ebook
2016
Obtenez un accès à la bibliothèque pour le consulter en ligne En savoir plus
Publié par
Date de parution
01 janvier 2016
Nombre de lectures
1
Langue
English
Poids de l'ouvrage
11 Mo
Mastering Computer Studies Volume II is: • Easy to follow• User friendly and Practical• Enables you to focus and direct your studies towards acquiring skills at the beginner intermediate user level. D Excellent primer that uses a task-based approach with easy-to follow explanations.• Step-by-step approach that tells you how to do things in an intelligent and understandable manner.There is an in-depth Coverage of hardware and software basics.
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Publié par
Date de parution
01 janvier 2016
Nombre de lectures
1
Langue
English
Poids de l'ouvrage
11 Mo
MASTERING COMPUTER STUDIES
VOLUME II
Agwe Lucas B. Mbarika Andrew Ngwa Mberewi ArreyNjok Tabe Takang
Copyright©
All rights reserved. No reproduction or transmission of this publication without written permission from the publisher and authors is allowed. The authors assert their right to be identiîed as the authors of this work in accordance with the copyright law.
Second edition 2016 © Nmi Education P.O. Box 31267 Yaounde - Cameroon
Email: frontdesk@nmieducation .org Website: www.nmieducation.org
Project Manager: Mela Fokam Gisele épouse NGADEHI Commissioning Editor : Makowo Momo Solange Typesetter and Cover designer: ABONGHEN Brigitte Illustration: Nmi Education
ISBN: 9956-773-56-5
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Computer Science and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)two are new subjects that were introduced into the Cameroon National Curriculum in 2003. Students are expected to acquire basic concepts and skills that will provide the necessary impetus and aptitude to ît into a contemporary world ofInformation Technologyand enable them to become critical, effective and independent users ofICT. They should also be able to beneît from the opportunities and advantages thatICT can provide to support learning in other areas of the curriculum.
This second edition of Volume II of Mastering Computer Studies has been written for Form two students who are encountering Computer Science for the second time at the Secondary General, Commercial and Technical Education. It is the îrst textbook that treats all the topics that are covered by the Form two National Syllabus for Computer Science and a lot more. It is also a carefully conceived textbook intended to provide a solid foundation and equip students with the necessary competences required to learn the material that is covered in Volume III and subsequent volumes of the series.
As Regional Coordinating and Pedagogic Inspectors, the authors have brought their professional expertise to bear on the content and presentation of material contained in this Volume, which is the second of four volumes. Written with the users in mind, the authors have used the competence-based approach, which suggests speciîc tasks that the users are expected to follow in order to meet the needs of a competitive and emergent information-driven economy. The book is divided intoFour Parts comprisingTwelve Chapters and each Part begins with general objectives followed by speciîc objectives for each chapter. The exibility of treatment of the contents in this volume allows users to start with any part, chapter or topic and work at their pace till they achieve their desired goals. Once learners are through with one part, chapter or topic, they can then embark on the next one, after attempting the revision questions for that chapter, found at the end of the chapter. The last part of the book titled ‘‘In The Computer Laboratory’’, gives the users the opportunity to engage in hands-on practical sessions, useful for beginners.
The concepts and graphics included in the book have been carefully chosen to reect the realities of Computer Science and ICT in the society.
Mastering Computer Studies (Volume II) is highly recommended for students who are pursuing a course in either General, Technical or Commercial Education in Computer Science or ICT.
Authors
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PART ONE-Chapter One-
Chapter Two-
PART TWO-Chapter Three-Chapter Four-
Chapter Five-Chapter Six-
Computer User……......…1 The Computer as a Powerful tool……………. 2 Computer-Based Information System ...17 Computer Hardware...23 Input Hardware …........24 Computer Processing Hardware........................38 Output Hardware.........46 Storage Hardware........57
PART THREE–Software….......................67 Chapter Seven-Systems Software.........68 Chapter Eight-Classiîcation of Applications Software.....84 Chapter Nine-Organisation of Information in a Computer........................93 PART FOUR-In The Computer Laboratory....................105 Chapter Ten-Operating System Basics.............................106 Chapter ElevenWord Processing.......120 Chapter TwelveThe Internet.................130
DETAILED TABLE OF CONTENTS PART ONE.................................................................1 Chapter One..........................................................2 1.1 Computer Literacy......................................3 1.2 The Computer User...................................4 1.3 The Computer System..............................6 1.4 Types of Computer Systems...................9 1.5 Some Effects of Computers..................11 1.5.1 Computers in Education........................11 1.5.2 Computers in the Society......................14
Chapter Two.................17........................................ 2.1 The Role of a User in Computer- Based Information System..................18 2.2 Phases of Computer-Based Information Systems.............................20 2.2.1 The Input Phase.......................................20 2.2.2 The Processing Phase............................21 2.2.3 The Output Phase...................................21 2.2.4 The Storage Phase..................................21
PART TWO .........................................................23 Chapter Three......................................................24 3.1 Introduction..............................................25 3.2 The Keyboard............................................25 3.2.1 Types of keyboard Connections........26 3.2.2 Parts of the keyboard............................27 3.3 The Mouse.................................................28 3.4 Speech Recognition Devices (SRD)..29 3.5 Terminals....................................................30 3.6 Image and Video Input Devices........33 3.6.1 The Scanner...............................................33 3.6.2 Digital/Video Camera/Camcorder....33 3.6.3 The Webcam.............................................34 3.7 Audio Input Devices...............................34 3.8 Factors that Affect Data Input...........35 3.8.1 Input Controls..........................................35 3.8.2 Accuracy......................................................36 3.8.3 Cost..............................................................37
Chapter Four........................................................38 4.1 Introduction.................................................39 4.2 The Central Processing Unit (CPU)......39 4.2.1 The Control Unit......................................40 4.2.2 Arithmetic/Logic Unit (ALU)................40 4.3 The Processing Power of a Computer...41 4.3.1 Memory.......................................................42 4.3.2 Bus................................................................43 4.3.3 Register........................................................43 4.3.4 The Clock Speed......................................44
Chapter Five.........................................................46 5.1 Introduction.................................................47 5.2 Hardcopy Output Devices......................47 5.2.1 Impact Printers............................................47 5.2.2 Non-Impact Printers.................................48 5.2.3 Network Printers........................................49 5.2.4 Comparison of Printers............................50 5.2.5 Plotters...........................................................51 5.2.6 Micro Film and Microîche.....................51 5.3 Softcopy Output Devices........................53 5.3.1 Visual Display Unit (VDU) or Video ..... Display Terminal (VDT)............................53 5.3.2 Sound Output Systems............................55
Chapter Six............................................................57 6.1 Introduction.................................................58 6.2 Primary and Secondary Storage..........58 6.3 Types of Memory.......................................59 6.3.1 RAM (Random Access Memory)..........59 6.3.2 CACHE .........................................................60 6.3. ROM (Read Only Memory)....................60 6.3.4 PROM (Programmable ROM)...............60 6.3.5 EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM)...................................................61 6.3.6 EEPROM (Electrically Erasablev
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Programmable Read-Only Memory)..61 6.4 Types of Storage Devices........................61 6.4.1 Magnetic Storage Devices.....................61 6.4.2 Semiconductor Storage...........................63 6.4.3 Optical Storage...........................................64 6.4.4 Paper Data Storage...................................65 6.4.5 Network Connectivity...............................65 6.4.6 Robotic Storage..........................................66
PART THREE.........67................................................ Chapter Seven.....................................................68 7.1 Introduction..............................................69 7.1.1 Programming Language......................69 7.1.2 Communication Software....................70 7.1.3 Device Drivers...........................................71 7.1.4 Firmware.....................................................71 7.1.5 Performance Monitoring Software...72 7.1.6 Utility Programs.......................................72 7.1.7 Data Base Management Software (DB MS)...............................................................73 7.2 The Operating System (OS)..................73 7.2.1 Functions of an Operating System....73 7.2.2 Types of Operating Systems................76
Chapter Eight.......................................................84 8.1 Introduction...............................................85 8.2 Classiîcation of Applications Software.......................................................86 8.2.1 Generic Software......................................86 8.2.2 Project and Management Software..88 8.2.3 Mathematical Software..........................88 8.2.4 Scientiîc Software...................................88 8.2.5 Desktop Publishing software...............88 8.2.6 Multimedia (Games and Education) Software........................................................88 8.2.7 Web Browser software program........89 8.2.8 Education software..................................89
Chapter Nine........................................................93 9.1 Introduction.............................................94 9.2 Organising Folders.................................95 9.3 Types of Folder........................................95 9.3.1 The Root Folder.......................................96 9.3.2 The Home Directory...............................97 9.3.3 The Subdirectory (Subfolder).............97 9.3.4 Working Directory...................................98 9.3.5 The Program File Folder.......................98 9.4 Organising Files.......................................98 9.4.1 Types of File..............................................99 9.5 Identifying Files.....................................101 9.5.1 Filename Extension.............102 9.5.2 Data Hierarchy.......................103 vi
PART FOUR.........................................................105 Chapter Ten........................................................106 10.1 Introduction............................................107 10.2 Getting Started......................................107 10.3 Parts of a Window................................108 10.4 The Start Menu.....................................110 10.5 Launching a Program..........................111 10.6 Managing Files and Folders.............113 10.7 Customising Windows........................117 10.7.1 Changing the Date and Time...........117 10.7.2 Adjusting the Computer’s Volume...118 10.7.3 The Display Properties.......................118
Chapter Eleven..................................................120 11.1 Introduction.............................................121 11.2 Getting Started.......................................121 11.3 Editing Documents................................122 11.4 Formatting Documents........................124 11.5 Creating Tables.......................................126 11.6 Adding Graphics.....................................127 11.7 Mail Merge...............................................129
Chapter Twelve.................................................130 12.1 E-Mail........................................................131 12.2 Launching a Browser...........................131 12.3 Creating an E-Mail Account.............132 12.3.1 To Create an Account........................133 12.4 Checking E-Mails.................................133 12.4.1 Opening More than One Mail Using Different Windows...............................135 12.5 Composing and Sending a Mail Message...................................................136 12.5.1 The Compose Box................................137 12.6 Replying to Mail...................................137 12.6.1 Forwarding Mail...................................138 12.6.2 How to Send an Attachment...........138 12.7 Downloading an Attachment..........140 12.7. Attachment Displayed within a Message (Inline Attachment)..........140 12.7.2 Message with an Attachment Link............................................................141 12.8 Deleting E-Mail Messages................142 12.9 Saving an E-Mail on a Storage Device.............................................................143 12.10 Printing E-Mail.......................................143 12.10.1 Printing a portion of an e-mail.....144 12.11 Signing Out............................................144 12.12 Surîng.......................................................145 12.12.1 Directories.............................................145 12.12.2 Search Engines....................................146
PART
1
COMPUTER USER
The computer user is the student or someone like you who is not necessarily a computer expert but has access to the computer. This is the person at the end of the daTa and înformaïon processîng cycle who receîves The compuTer’s servîces.
In The irsT parT of Thîs book, we have descrîbed whaT compuTer sysTems are and Theîr role în educaïon and socîeTy. We have also specîied The împorTance of The computer to the user.
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CHAPTERONE
THE COMPUTER AS A POWERFUL TOOL
Some very common questions asked nowadays are ‘Are you computer literate?’,‘Can you operate a computer?’, ‘What kind of software are you using?’, ‘Is your computer running a word processor?’The more you use a computer as a resource, the more you are prepared to handle any computer-related question.
By the end of this chapter, you should be able to:
◙ Explain what is meant by being computer literate;
◙ Describe who a computer user is;
◙ Deîne and explain what acomputer system is;
◙ Describe the main typesof computer systems;
◙ Name the main parts of a micro computer system;
◙ Specify the critical role of computers in education;
◙ List some uses of computers.
1.1
COMPUTER LITERACY
Computer literacy has been a rapidly changing term with the evolution of computer technology. Most computer professionals often thought of it as‘‘Technical Knowledge’’, but to the novice it meant“Computer awareness’’however, to be considered a. Today, computer literate, you must have a basic understanding of what a computer is and be able to use it as a resource. This change of deînition is as a result of the increased use of micro computers in all îelds of life especially in education. Many persons have now overcome the fear of computers and are actively involved in using them.
Fig. 1.1using computers to retrieve information in the e-library: Students
As a computer literate person you should:
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Be able to use a computer to input data to produce the information you need.
Get used to the terminology that explains the use of a computer and deîne the terms involved.
Identity and describe the functions of the various components of a computer.
Be able to use a computer to communicate.
You are certainly considered a computer literate if you can use a computer as an education tool, a business tool or research tool to assist in producing the information necessary to make intelligent decisions.
Do not be intimidated by the term computer literacy and do not be afraid to learn to use a computer. Be reminded that computers have been designed by people, built by people and programmed by people, for use by people. 3
1.2
THE COMPUTER USER
As we are living in an era which is commonly called“the information Age,’’ it is necessary to understand the meaning of computer user. In order to increase our chances of understanding, it may be important to consider the distinction between the computer professional and the computer user.
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A Computer Professionalmay be a systems analyst, a programmer or: This computer operator whose concern is the proper functioning of the computer to produce information for the user. He/she is a person in the îeld of computer science who has had formal education in technical aspects of the computer.
The Computer User: This may be a person like you. This is someone without much technical knowledge of computers but is capable of tracking and capturing data into the computer, processing the data, retrieving information from the computer and making decisions based on information or results produced by the computer.
In education, a user may be a student of computer studies who is not necessarily a computer expert and may never need to become one. However, it is important to note that the modern computer user is becoming more and more directly involved in the production of information through interaction with and hands-on use of the micro computer system.
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Fig 1.2: The computer user (capturing data, processing and making decisions on reports produced)
