4.3.

2 Learning Outcome No 1: Identify appropriate computer software and hardware

[Link] Learning Activities
Learning Outcome No 1: Identify appropriate computer software and hardware
Learning Activities Special Instructions

1.1 Determine concepts of ICT in accordance with computer Computer software

equipment. and hardware to be
1.2 Determine classifications of computers in accordance with provided.
manufacturer’s specification.
1.3 Identify appropriate computer software (a collection of Activities may be
instructions or computer tools that enable the user to interact with carried out in groups
a computer, its hardware, or perform tasks) according to or individually.
manufacturer’s specification.
1.4 Identify appropriate computer hardware (collection of physical
parts of a computer system such as monitor, keyboard, and
mouse) according to manufacturer’s specification.
1.5 Determine functions and commands of operating system
accordance with manufacturer’s specification.

[Link] Information Sheet No4/LO1: Identify appropriate computer software and

hardware

Introduction
Digital literacy is an important topic in the modern world. Literacy is the urge to read and
learn. So digital literacy is the process of acquiring knowledge and skills to effectively use
computers and other technology devices. Some of the computer hardware are,
desktop/monitor, printers, scanners, mouse, Keyboard, and storage devices (hard disk). The
computer software includes Windows, Linux, UNIX. These are the operating system
software.
Under the computer software’s we also have application software’s which include: word
processors (e.g. Microsoft word), spreadsheets (e.g. Microsoft Excel), graphic
presentations (e.g. Microsoft PowerPoint), and the database management systems (e.g.
Microsoft access).

Definition of Key Terms

Information computer technology: This is an extensional term to IT that stresses on
systems that enable users to access, store, transmit and manipulate information. ICT is a
broad subject and the concepts are evolving. It covers any product that will store, retrieve,
manipulate, transmit, or receive information electronically or in a digital form (e.g. emails).
Computer software: Computer software is a collection of instructions that enable the user
to interact with a computer, its hardware, or perform tasks. It is used or needed for input,

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processing, output, storage and management of activities. Softwares which are used for
inputting data in the system include; word processors, spreadsheets, and presentation
software. Software used for storage include cloud storage where the output is stored or
hosted using resources in data centers and delivered to end users over the internet. Software
for management of activities include database management systems which allow users to
process data into useful information.

Computer hardware: This is any tangible device in the computer environment. Some of
the hardware that maybe encountered in this topic are:
 Monitor: This is the main output device of a computer. It is commonly known as
Visual Display Unit (VDU).
 Printer: is used to print information of paper.
 Storage devices: these include flash disks, hard disks and optical disks (e.g. CDs).
 Input devices: such as the mouse and keyboard.

Internet: This is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use internet
protocol suite (TCP/IP) to link devices worldwide. The internet carries a vast range of
information, resources and services. Picture information is shared via the internet.

Digital literacy: While literacy is defined as the ability to read and write, digital literacy is
the ability to access, process, understand and create information in the digital environment.

Content/Procedures/Methods/Illustrations
1.1 Concepts and Functions of ICT
Functions of ICT
 Data capture: Process of compiling information e.g. Amazon uses internet cookies
to capture data about the customers’ purchases via the website. So, it use the data
to suggest items to a user related to the previous orders via the website.
 Data processing: This involves converting, analyzing, computing and producing
all forms of data information. After capturing data, the system must reorganize that
data based on what the organization wants to use the information for.
 Generation of information: Involves organizing information into a useful form.
 Storage of information involves retaining information for future use e.g. Facebook
stores user registration details.
 Retrieval of information: Process by which a computer device is used to find and
copy data for future distribution and processing. A good example is Google or
Yahoo who have data centers which store information which can be used at a later
stage by the end user to search for information online.

Basic concepts of ICT

Information technology encompasses all the technology (hardware, software and computer
networks) that we use to collect, process, protect and store information. Information
computer technology involves transfer and use of all kinds of information. ICT is the

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foundation of economy and a driving force of social change in the 21st century. Distance is
no longer an issue when it comes to accessing information, e.g. working from home,
distance learning, and e-banking are now possible from any place with an internet
connection and a computing device.
Hardware: The physical and tangible parts of a computer, that is, electrical, electronic and
mechanical parts e.g. monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc.
Software: These are the intangible parts of computer.

Software types
i. Operating system: This is the program which manages computer hardware e.g.
Linux, Windows, Mac OS X, etc.
ii. Application software (utility programs): These are all programs that users use to
perform different tasks or for problem solving. For example Microsoft word,
Microsoft excel and Microsoft PowerPoint.
iii. Computer networks: A computer network is comprised of at least two computers,
connected by wire or wirelessly that can exchange data.

Types of networks:
 LAN (local Area Network): Covers a relatively small geographical area e.g. a
university campus or office building. Examples include Ethernet and Wi-Fi.
 WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network): Links two or more devices using wireless
communication within a limited area such as a campus or office building. Some
WLANs exist to extend an existing wired network.
 WAN (Wide Area Network): Covers a relatively large geographical area e.g. cities
or states. Connects a greater number of computers and local networks.

1.2 History and Classification of Computers

The computer as you know it today had its beginning with a 19th century. English
mathematician called Charles Baggage (1791 – 1871) designed the analytical engine and it
is this design that the basic framework of computers today is based on.
Computers can be classified into three generations. Each generation lasted for a certain
period of time and each gave us either a new and improved computer or an improvement
of the existing computer

i. First generation (1937-1946): The first computer Atanasoh Berry computer (ABC)
was built by Dr. JOHN B. Atanasoh and Clifford Berry. In 1943 an electronic
computer named the colossus was built for the military. Other developments
continued until 1946 when Electronic Numerical Integration and Computer
(ENIAC) was built. There were no operating systems.

ii. Second generation (1947-1962): The computers in this generation used transistors
instead of vacuum tubes, which were more reliable. The Universal Automatic
Computer (UNIVAC1) was introduced for commercial use. In 1953, the

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 International Business Machine (IBM) 650 and 700 series computers made their
mark in the computer world. Over 100 programming languages were developed.
Computers had memory and operating systems.

iii. Third generation (1963-Present): The invention of integrated circuit brought us

this generation. Computers became smaller, more powerful, and more reliable and
they were able to run many different programs at the same time.

Classification of computers
Computers can be classified in the following basis:
 Basis of size
 Basis of functionality
 Basis of data handling

Classification on basis of size

 Supercomputer: This is the highest performing computer system. It has a high
level of performance compared to general purpose computer. Examples include
PERAM, Jaguar, and roadrunner.
 Mainframe computer: Commonly called big iron. They are used by big
organizations for bulk data processing such as statistics, census data processing and
transaction processing e.g. IBM series, system 29 etc.
 Minicomputers: They came into the market in the mid-1960s and were sold for a
cheaper price than the mainframe. They were designed for control, instrumentation,
human interaction e.g. laptops, PCs etc.
 Microcomputers: It is small, relatively inexpensive with a microprocessor as its
CPU. It includes a microprocessor, memory and minimal input and output circuitry
mounted on a single printed circuit board.

Classification on basis of functionality

 Servers: Dedicated computers set up to offer some services to the client
 Workstations: Computers designed to primarily be used by a single user at a time.
 Information appliances: Portable devices designed to perform a limited set of
tasks like basic circulations, playing multimedia, etc.
 Embedded computers: Computing devices which are used in other machines to
serve limited set of operations

Classification on basis of data handling

 Analogue computer: Form of computer that uses the continuously changeable
aspect of physical facts such as electrical, mechanical quantities to model the
problem being solved.
 Digital computers: They perform circulations and logic operations with quantities
represented as digits usually the binary number system i.e. 0s & 1s.
 Hybrid: A computer that processes both analogue and digital information.

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1.3 Components of a Computer System
Computer system
A computer software is simply a collection of data or computer instructions that tell the
computer how to work. They include computer programs, libraries and non-executable data
such as online documentation or digital media.

Types of software
 Application software: Uses the computer system to perform special functions or
provide entertainment functions beyond the basic operation of the computer itself.
 System software: Software for managing computer hardware behavior so as to
provide basic functionalities that are required by users or other software to run
properly. Examples are operating system, device drivers and utility software.
 Malicious software: Software developed to harm and disrupt computer e.g.
malware, viruses.

1.4 Computer Hardware

These are the physical, tangible parts of a computer such as cabins, CPU, monitor,
keyboard, speakers, etc.
Examples
 Input devices and output devices: Input devices enter information into the system
e.g. keyboard, mouse. Output devices display information in human readable mode.
 Storage devices e.g. CDs, flash disk and hard disk

1.5 Operating System Function and Commands

The operating system is a system software that manages computer hardware, software
resources and provides common service for computer programs.
Types of operating systems
 Single and multi-tasking
 Single and multiuser
 Distributed: Manages a group of distinct computers and make them to appear to a
single computer
 Template
 Embedded: Designed to be used in embedded computer systems
 Real time: An OS that guarantees to process events or data by a specific moment
and time
 Library

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Functions of an operating system
 Security: It uses password protection to protect user data and similar techniques.
 Job accounting: It keeps track of time and resources used by various tasks and users.
 Memory management: It manages the primary and main memory.
 Processor management: It decides which processes have access to the processor.
 Device management: It manages device communication via their respective drivers
and keeps track to all devices connected to the system.

Commands of an operating system

 APPEND: Sets the path to be searched for data files or displays the current search
path.
 ASSIGN: Command direct request for disk operations from one drive to a different
drive.
 ATTRIBE: This command changes or views the attributes of one or more drives.
 CALL: Starts a batch file from which another batch file and returns when that one
ends
 CHCP: Command either displays or changes the active code page used to display
character glyphs in a console window.

Conclusion
This unit covered determining concepts of computers, classification of computers,
identification of appropriate computer software and hardware as well as determining
functions and commands of operating systems, history of computers, functions and
concepts of ICT.

Further Reading

Computer basics by Rajaraman

[Link]/[Link]

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[Link] Self-Assessment questions

Written Assessment
1. WAN stands for?
a) Wide area network
b) Wide access network
c) Wide arithmetic network
2. Program used to control system performance is classified as.
a) Experimental program
b) System program
c) Specialized program
d) Organized program
3. Examples of system programs include
a) Operating system
b) Trace program
c) Compiler
d) All of the above
4. Which of the following is not a computer hardware?
a) Malware
b) Monitor
c) Compact disk
d) Hard disk
5. Which one of the following is an odd one out when looking at the functions of ICT?
a) Generation of information
b) Storage of information
c) Data capture
d) None of the above
6. Which one of the following is not a classification of computers on the basis of size?
a) Analogue computers
b) Minicomputers
c) Mainframe computers
d) Supercomputers
7. Types of computer software are
a) System software
b) Logic software
c) Both A and B
8. Which network covers a relatively small geographical area?
9. WLAN stands for.
10. What is a computer software?
11. What are embedded computers?
12. What is an operating system?

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Oral assessment questions
1. What are some functions of an operating system that you understand?
2. Briefly explain the history of computers.

Practical Assessment
Which one of the following is used to store programs installed on a computer?
a) DVD drive
b) Video card
c) CD drive
d) Hard drive

Project
1. Type the following in a word document
Students
Peter
James
John
Teachers
Lewis
Caleb
Melisa

2. I want to create a second copy of an open document under a different name. What
should I do?
i. copy and paste the text in a new document
ii. use ‘save as’
iii. press ctrl s
iv. open the file again
v. Which of the following methods can you not use to zoom in?
vi. holding ctlr key and scrolling the mouse wheel
vii. using the zoom button
viii. ctrl+ shift +z
ix. Using the zoom slider at the bottom right corner.

[Link] Tools, Equipment, Supplies and Materials

 Desktop computers
 Laptop computers
 Other digital devices
 Printers
 Storage devices
 Internet access

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  Computer software

[Link] References

Mall, R. (2018). Fundamentals of software engineering. PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd.

[Link]/[Link]
Rajaraman, A. (1995). Introduction to computers. In Academic Library Automation (pp. 6-
16). New Delhi, Ess Ess Publications.

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