Basic Computer Hardware and Software Levels

Overview:
I-II
This lesson is an introduction to basic computer hardware and software. If pos-
sible, have one or more types of computers available to show students the
hardware components found on different computer models. A multimedia pro- Grades K-4
jector can be used to show students the different types of software described in
the lesson.

Depending on the time available and grade level, extensions to this lesson could include asking stu-
dents to research how computers are used in various occupations or the history of computers.

Objectives:
The student will:
• identify basic computer hardware; and
• describe uses of commonly used software.

AK Content Standards:
Technology
A1 A student should be able to operate technology-based tools. A student who meets the content
standard should use a computer to enter and retrieve information.

Materials:
• Several different types of computers (optional)
• Multimedia projector connected to a computer with Microsoft Office, Photoshop and a Web
browser (optional)
• STUDENT WORKSHEET: “Computer Hardware and Software”

IT Basics
Computers are versatile machines used for processing and manipulating information. They can be
used to view and edit photos, analyze and graph data, write reports, share information, utilize the In-
ternet and much more. At the heart of the computer is a machine that processes digital data consisting
of ones and zeros. The first computers were made in the 1940’s. They were large, room-sized objects
that were difficult to program. Today’s computers are much smaller and have a wide variety of software
programs that they can run.

ACMP ©2006-2008 UAF Geophysical Institute A-1 Basic Computer Hardware and Software
 Hardware
The term “hardware” refers to the physical parts of a computer system. The basic hardware of a com-
puter system includes:

Case: The box that holds the circuitry for the computer.
One of the main chips inside is called the central pro-
cessing unit, or CPU for short. This acts as the “brain”
to send instructions to other parts of the computer. Al-
though there are other factors to consider, the higher
the speed of the CPU, the faster the computer can
send and receive information.

Drives: Nearly all computers have an internal hard

drive used to store information. There are many other
types of drives, such as external hard drives, CD and
DVD drives that can be used to store information on
CDs or DVDs.

Keyboard: The device used to type and enter information into the computer.

Mouse: A pointing device used to move the cursor displayed on the monitor. Laptops generally use a
trackpad or touchpad instead of a mouse to move the cursor.

Monitor: The screen that shows the information for the computer; also called a display. Newer com-
puters have LCD (liquid crystal display) monitors that are thinner than the older monitors.

ACMP ©2006-2008 UAF Geophysical Institute A-2 Basic Computer Hardware and Software
 Printer: The printer takes the information displayed on the screen and prints it on paper. The most
common types of printers are ink jet (left), which are typically used in homes and small businesses,
and laser printers (right), which are used in schools and large businesses.

Activity Procedure
1. Distribute the STUDENT WORKSHEET: “Computer Hardware and Software.”
2. As a class, discuss the material presented in the worksheet. Ask students how they have used
each piece of hardware and software presented.
3. Ask students if they have used other types of hardware or software.

Extension Ideas:
Some software is specific to science applications, such as software that collects data from temperature
probes. Try searching for science specific software on the Internet. Ask students to try out different
types of free science software and write a review of the program.

Answers
Part 1

A) Case

B) CD / DVD drive

C) Monitor

D) Keyboard

E) Mouse

ACMP ©2006-2008 UAF Geophysical Institute A-3 Basic Computer Hardware and Software
 Part 2

1. B, Record temperatures and make a graph

2. A, Type a report

3. D, Make a presentation to your class

4. C, Edit photos taken with a digital camera

5. E, Look up information on the Internet

ACMP ©2006-2008 UAF Geophysical Institute A-4 Basic Computer Hardware and Software
Name:____________________________________ Levels

Basic Computer Hardware and Software

Student Worksheet (page 1 of 5) I-II

Grades K-4
Hardware
Hardware is the physical parts of a computer system. The basic hardware of a
computer includes:

Case:
The box that holds the inner parts of the computer. One of the main parts inside
the computer is the central processing
unit, or CPU. This acts as the “brain” to
send instructions to other parts of the
computer.

Although there are other things to

consider, the higher the speed of the
CPU, the faster the computer can send
and receive information.

Drives:
Nearly all computers will have an internal hard drive used to store information.
There are many other types of drives, such as external hard drives, and CD and
DVD drives that can be used to store information on disks.

Keyboard:
The keyboard is used to type and enter information into the computer.

ACMP ©2006-2008 UAF Geophysical Institute A-5 Basic Computer Hardware and Software
Name:____________________________________ Levels

Basic Computer Hardware and Software

Student Worksheet (page 2 of 5) I-II

Mouse: Grades K-4

The mouse is a pointing device that is used to move the cursor
displayed on the monitor. Laptops generally use a trackpad or touchpad instead of
a mouse to move the cursor.

Monitor:
The monitor is the screen that shows the information for the computer; also called
a display. Newer computers have LCD (liquid crystal display) monitors that are
thinner than the older monitors.

Printer:
The printer takes the information displayed on the screen and prints it on paper.
The most common types of printers are ink jet (left) and laser printers (right).

ACMP ©2006-2008 UAF Geophysical Institute A-6 Basic Computer Hardware and Software
Name:____________________________________ Levels

Basic Computer Hardware and Software

Student Worksheet (page 3 of 5) I-II

Software: Grades K-4

Software is a term used to describe a computer program, which
is a set of instructions that tells the computer what to do. Software can be split into
three categories. They are:

Programming software. This software is used by computer programmers to

help write computer code.

Operating system software. This software runs the computer. It has the
instructions for using memory, video cards, keyboards, etc. Two common
operating systems are Windows XP and Macintosh OSX.

Applications software. There are literally thousands of different software

applications. A brief overview of some of the more common ones includes:
Microsoft Office – this combination of several programs includes:
Microsoft Word – A word processing program that is used to type such
things as letters, reports and newsletters.
Microsoft Excel – A spreadsheet program that can be used to calculate
numerical data, store data and make charts.
Microsoft PowerPoint – A presentation program that is used to make
slides of information and graphics.
Microsoft Entourage – A program that allows users to communicate
through email.
Web browsers - These programs allow users to navigate the Internet.
Some of the more common ones include Microsoft Internet Explorer,
Netscape Navigator, Mozilla Firefox and Apple Safari.
Adobe Photoshop - Photoshop is a graphics editing program. The
program is commonly used to enhance digital photos. It is part of the
Adobe Creative Suite applications. Photoshop Elements is a less
expensive version that is popular with home users.
ACMP ©2006-2008 UAF Geophysical Institute A-7 Basic Computer Hardware and Software
Name:____________________________________ Levels

Basic Computer Hardware and Software

Student Worksheet (page 4 of 5) I-II

Grades K-4
Part 1
Fill in the correct name for each of the following.

A) ____________________________________________________________

B) ____________________________________________________________

C) ____________________________________________________________

D) ____________________________________________________________

E) ____________________________________________________________

ACMP ©2006-2008 UAF Geophysical Institute A-8 Basic Computer Hardware and Software
Name:____________________________________ Levels

Basic Computer Hardware and Software

Student Worksheet (page 5 of 5) I-II

Grades K-4
Part 2
What software would you use to: (Fill in each blank with the correct letter from the
Word Bank.)

1. ______ Record temperatures and make a graph

2. ______ Type a report

3. ______ Make a presentation to your class

4. ______ Edit photos taken with a digital camera

5. ______ Look up information on the Internet

Word Bank

A) Microsoft Word

B) Microsoft Excel

C) Adobe Photoshop

D) Microsoft PowerPoint

E) Web browser

ACMP ©2006-2008 UAF Geophysical Institute A-9 Basic Computer Hardware and Software