WHAT IS COMPUTER

LITERACY
LESSON 1
 Introduction
Computers have moved into every nook and cranny of our daily lives. Whether or not
you personally know anything about it, you use computers when you make a bank
withdrawal, when you buy groceries at the supermarket, and even when you drive your car.
But should you have a computer at your personal disposal? The answer today is “you
should”. In the rise in the demand in using computer in almost every aspect of our daily life,
it has almost become impossible not to perform a task that doesn’t make use of computer.
We may not realize it, but the smartphone we are using to organize routine is actually mini
computer designed to fit in our hand. This is also why it is essential that we are aware of how
to make use of it to its full potential while observing proper etiquette so we don’t harm
others unknowingly.
Forging a Computer-Based Society

Traditional economics courses define the cornerstones of an

economy as land, labor, and capital. Today we can add a fourth key
economic element: information. As we evolved from an industrial to
an information society, our jobs are changing from physical to mental
labor. Just as people moved physically from farms to factories in the
Industrial Age, so today people are shifting from muscle power to
brainpower in a new, computer-based society.
Why are you studying about computers? In addition to
curiosity you probably recognize that it will not be
easy to get through the rest of your life without
knowing about computers. We offer a three-pronged
definition of computer literacy:
• Awareness - As you study about computers, you will become aware
of their importance, their versatility, and their pervasiveness in our
society.

• Knowledge - You will learn what computers are and how they work.
This requires learning some technical jargon, but do not worry - no
one expects you to become a computer expert.

• Interaction - There is no better way to understand computers than

through interacting with one. So being computer literate also
means being able to use a computer for some simple applications.
Note that no part of this definition suggests that you must be able to
create the instructions that tell a computer what to do. That would be
akin to saying that anyone who plans to drive a car must first become
an automotive engineer. Someone else can write the instructions for
the computer, you simply use the instructions to get your work done.
For example, an accountant might use a computer to prepare a report,
a teenager to play a video game, or a construction worker to record
data from the field.
And speaking of interaction, the following discussion below classifies

users to different types. However, there is no official classification to

the types of computer users and the following types of users

discussed here are categorized by how people have done it all over

the internet.
BY USER LEVEL

There are various user levels in an operating system,

and they are used to control access to various
functions on the system. This is a generic
categorization by the common user levels found in
most operating systems.
 BY USER LEVEL
1. Administrator - the “god level” unrestricted user who has the power to install and delete applications,
copy and delete files, even cause a massive system crash by messing with the critical system files.

2. Standard User - the regular Joe user who is able to install and delete applications, update the system, but
is otherwise unable to mess with the critical system files.

3. Guest - a restricted user that you can create for allowing a friend to access your computer. Able to run the
applications and maybe touch some files, but is otherwise unable to install or delete anything.

4. Child - following up with a slew of “too many violent adult contents”, some operating systems actually
adopted the use of parental control or a child account. This user’s accounts are usually recorded, and
unable to open any application, game, or any content that says “parental guidance is advised.” Example:
Kid’s mode in smart phone
 BY SKILL LEVEL
This section groups the computer users by their skill levels - from a dummy to a computer ninja.

1. Computer Dummy - a complete beginner and someone who is new to the cyber world.

2. Computer User - the guys who have “used enough” computers and is “good enough” with most of the
basics.

3. Power User - the guys who have “used too much” computer and have some tech tricks up the sleeve.

4. Computer Wizard - the almighty tech geeks. Give them a mess of wired, and they can sort it out. Bring
them a broken gadget, and they can fix it, Everything bad will turn good in their magic hands.

5. Hacker - hackers are a different breed from the wizards. While wizards are constructive, hackers usually
do the opposite of reverse engineering. They are generally divided into three hats:
a. Black Hat - the bad guys who mess with computers to do bad things.
b. White Hat - the good guys who mess with computers with permission, to warn other people of security loopholes.
c. Grey Hat - the naughty guys who break the laws, but don’t do a lot of damage.
 BY USER INTENT
Here is a list of users grouped by their usage intent.

1. Application-Oriented Users - these are the type of users who have been trained to use
particular software applications. Their purpose for using a computer, be it for school, work, or
play, is to exactly use those applications to complete a task.

2. Goal Oriented Users - these are the type of users who don’t care about what applications are
used, as long as things get done using computers.

3. Computer Oriented Users - the uncommon group of users, where they use computers for the
sake of computers. Sounds confusing? Simply put, these people are either hackers or
programmers.
Activity 1

1. In your opinion, do you consider yourself as

computer literate in the full sense of the word?

Justify your answer.

Activity 2
1. Identify the different types of computer users you have at

home (including yourself) classifying them by category. Use the

following table below to answer:

THE NATURE OF
COMPUTERS
LESSON 2
• Every computer has three fundamental
characteristics that make it useful. Each
characteristic has by-products that are just as
important. The three fundamental
characteristics are:
 Speed
Computers provide the
processing speed essential to
our fast-paced society. The
quick service that we have
come to expect - for bank
withdrawals, stock quotes,
telephone calls, and travel
reservations, to name just a few
- is made possible by
computers. Businesses depend
on the speedy processing that
computers provide for
everything from balancing
ledgers to designing products.
Speed
Unlike humans, who take time to calculate or process information,
computers can perform millions of operations per second. This
speed makes them extremely valuable in many areas of life and work.

• Efficiency in Business
• Banking and Finance
• Communication
• Everyday Life
• Scientific Research and Technology
 Reliability
Computers are
extremely reliable. Of
course, you might not
think this from some of
the stories you may have
seen in the press about
“computer errors”.
However, most errors
supposedly made by
computers are really
human errors.
Reliability
Computers are considered extremely reliable machines because they can
perform the same task repeatedly with consistent and accurate results. Unlike
humans, they do not get tired, distracted, or emotionally influenced. As long as a
computer’s hardware and software are functioning correctly, it can process
information and execute commands precisely the same way every single time.

• Consistency
• Low Failure Rate
• Accuracy
• Dependability in Daily Life
Storage Capability
Computer systems can store
tremendous amounts of
data, which can be located
and retrieved efficiently. The
capability to store volumes
of data is especially
important in an information
age.
Storage Capability
One of the most powerful features of a computer is its ability to store
enormous amounts of information and make it easily accessible
when needed. In today’s information age, where data is constantly
being produced and exchanged, this capability is extremely valuable.

• Large Capacity
• Efficiency in Retrieval
• Durability and Preservation
• Portability and Sharing
• Scalability
These three characteristics - speed, reliability, and storage
capability - have the following by-products.
• Productivity. When computers move into business offices,
managers expect increased productivity as workers learn to use
computers to do their jobs better and faster. Furthermore, jobs such
as punching holes in metal or monitoring water levels can be more
efficiently controlled by computers.
• Decision making. To make decisions, managers need to take into
account financial, geographical, and logistical factors. The
computer helps decision makers sort things out and make better
choices.
• Cost reduction. Finally, because it improves productivity and aids
decision-making, the computer helps us hold down the costs of
labor, energy, and paperwork. As a result, computers help reduce
the costs of goods and services in our economy.
Activity 1
Instructions: Write a short essay about the role of computers in your
personal or academic life. In your essay, include the following:

• Describe one specific experience where a computer made a task

easier or faster for you.
• Explain which of the three fundamental characteristics of
computers (Speed, Storage, Reliability) was most helpful in that
situation.
• Share why you think that characteristic is important not just for you,
but also for society today.
APPRECIATION OF
COMPUTING IN
DIFFERENT FIELDS
LESSON 3
Computers have become an essential part of modern human
life. Since the invention of computer they have evolved in
terms of increased computing power and decreased size.

Today, many types of computers are used in our everyday

life. In most parts of the world, it's impossible to use a
product or service that doesn't utilize a computer. The
following are examples of the industries, areas, and different
fields using computers.
BANKS and FINANCIAL
Computers play a key role in managing the world’s money. Banks use them to
store account information, track cash flow, and provide account details anytime.
Below are examples of how computers are used in the financial market and
places dealing with money.

• ATM - When you make a withdraw from an ATM, you are using a computer.
• Digital currency - When depositing money in a bank, it is stored as a digital
record. A computer keeps track of how much money is in your account.
• Trading - Stocks and commodities are traded using computers. In fact, today
there are even thousands of computers using advanced algorithms that handle
trading without needing humans.
BUSINESS
Computers are essential in business, where most transactions and operations
rely on them. Below are some of the examples of how computers are used in
business.

• Register - If the business deals with selling goods to a consumer (e.g., a grocery
store), a cash register, which is a computer, is used to complete transactions.
• Workers computer - Many businesses assign each employee a computer that
allows them to produce work and solve problems for the company.
• Server - If the business uses computers, connects to the Internet, or handles e-
mail and files, a server is used to help manage everything.
COMMUNICATION
Today's communication around the world is almost all digital and handled by
computers. Below are examples of how computers are used in the
communication industry.

• Smartphone - If you have a smartphone, you have a computer in your pocket.

• E-mail - More electronic mail (e-mail) is sent today than postal mail (snail mail),
and computers handle all creation and distribution of that e-mail.
• VoIP - All voice over IP communication (VoIP) is handled and done by
computers.
• Computer-assisted speech - Those who are disabled or cannot speak can use
a computer to help them communicate.
• Voice recognition - Any phone or another system that uses voice recognition is
using a computer to translate what is heard into text or other data that can be
understood by the computer.
DEFENSE and MILITARY
Many technologies, such as GPS and the Internet, were originally
developed for defense purposes. Even today, computers remain a vital part
of the defense industry.

• Encryption - Secure communication is vital in the defense industry and

computers are used to encrypt communications that should remain
secret.
• GPS - Using computers with GPS allows the military to track people and
equipment and is still used today.
• Computer-aided flight - Many of today's jets and other aircraft require
computers to fly and operate.
• Drones - A drone is either autonomous or remotely driven and uses
computers to operate.
EDUCATION
Computers play a major role in education, greatly enhancing learning and teaching. As technology advances, so do the
ways computers are applied in the classroom. Below are some common uses of computers in education.

• Internet - Connecting a student to the Internet gives him or her access to an endless supply of knowledge. As
mentioned later, the Internet would not be possible without computers.
• Learning - Computers can also be used to help design and create a more visual learning experience for students.
Using electronic whiteboards with computers can also benefit a student by giving them a more hands-on experience.
• Writing - Although reports can still be done using pen, pencil, or even a typewriter, a computer makes it much easier to
write, format, save, share, and print reports.
• Keep records - Computers are used to track students scores, identify struggling students, and are used to create a final
report.
• Testing - Computers can assist students and teachers with the testing process by stepping the student through a series
of questions and keep track of the results.
• Distance learning - is made productive and effective through internet and video-based classes.
• Researchers - have massive usage of these computers in their work from the starting to till the end of their scholarly
work.
INTERNET
Without computers, the Internet would not exist. Below are a few examples
of computers are used to help run the Internet.

• DNS - When you type in a URL like [Link]

a DNS must translate it into an IP address, which helps your computer to
communicate with the server.
• Web server - Every web page requires a web server or computer capable
of receiving and sending requests when someone wants to view a web
page.
• Programs - A computer is also needed to run scripts and programs. For
example, a search engine, shopping cart, or forum are all examples of
programs that need a computer.
HEALTH and MEDICINE
The medical field is another place where computers are vital and used every day. Most of the medical
information can now be digitized from the prescription to reports. Computation in the field of medicine
allows us to offer varied miraculous therapies to the patients. ECG’s, radiotherapy wasn’t possible
without computers.

• Medical records - More and more medical records are being digitally stored. Storing these files
digitally allow for quick access and transfer of medical information so doctors can know your history.
• Monitoring - Computers help with monitoring a patient and can alert staff in the case of an
emergency.
• Research - A lot of the medical research that is done today is computer assisted. Without the
assistance of a computer, it would either not be possible or take so much longer that it wouldn't be
viable.
• Diagnosis - Computers can assist in the diagnosis of a patient, from gathering a patient's history and
conditions to comparing that information against a database of existing information.
• Surgery - Although most surgery is still done with humans, it is becoming more practical and
accessible for computer robot-assisted surgery. After being programmed, these robots can make
surgery more accurate, faster, and less prone to human errors.
TRANSPORTATION
Computers play an important role in transportation by improving safety, efficiency, and
convenience. They are used in traffic control systems, airline navigation, ticket booking, and
even vehicle design and operation.

Cars - Most may not realize it, but all modern cars today have multiple computers that help
control and manage the vehicle.
Traffic lights - The traffic lights that help control traffic are all run by computers.
GPS - Cars that include a GPS mapping system have computers for display and calculating
routes.
Airplanes - The airplanes that help transport millions of people and goods every year are
filled with computers that help control the plane.
Public transportation - Train, bus, subway, and all forms of public transportation are highly
dependent on computers to manage traffic flow, monitor operation, and handle payments.
Self-driving cars - Although relatively new, self-driving cars are becoming increasingly
popular and rely on a computer to make all decisions on how to drive.
MULTIMEDIA
Computers are now the major entertainers and the primary pass time machines. We can
use computers for playing games, watching movies, listening to music, drawing pictures.

• Editing - Once a movie, video, song, or audio track is created a computer can edit that
media instead of having to manually make cuts to the film or audio track.
• CGI - Computer animation and CGI has become a norm in big budget films. To create
these effects computers and sometimes server farms are used.
• Manipulation - Computers can be used to manipulate pictures, video, and audio. For
example, someone could use Adobe Photoshop to add or remove elements from an
image.
• Recording and playback - Computers can also be used to assist in the recording of
audio tracks and then selectively playback each audio track.
• Creation - Computers can also be used to help in creating new multimedia content.
For example, creating 3D animation, 3D model, or a techno audio track can be done on
a computer. After creating a 3D model, a 3D printer could also be used to build a
product.
ROBOTICS
Robotics is rapidly advancing, and computers are at the core of this
growth. They provide the processing power needed to control robotic
movements, analyze data from sensors, and allow machines to
perform tasks with precision and efficiency.

• Control - Computers are what help control robotics. For example,

without a computer, an assembly robotic arm would not know
where to place a part, what speed to operate, or if a problem has
occurred.
• Learning - Computers can take the input given by a robot and take
that information to help learn and adapt to new conditions.
SIMULATIONS
Some problems are too complex or time-consuming for humans to calculate
manually. Computers make it possible to run simulations that model real-world
scenarios, allowing researchers and professionals to test solutions, predict
outcomes, and save time and resources.

• Weather prediction - Earth has an extremely complex weather system, and

computers are used to gather all of the variables and create weather reports.
• Product simulations - Before some products go into development, computers
simulate how they would work in the real world. By creating a simulation, a
company or government agency can make adjustments before the product
goes into development.
• Big data simulation - With cheap data storage companies can now store a
massive amount of data. With this big data, a computer can be used to find
unknown patterns.