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Intro To The Computer

This document outlines the syllabus for an introductory computer course. It will cover topics like computer hardware, software, operating systems, and applications like Photoshop, Illustrator, and PowerPoint. Students will learn about computer concepts and complete 14 modules over the course of the semester involving hands-on projects. The class will emphasize participation and project work over exams.

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andywarthol
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326 views

Intro To The Computer

This document outlines the syllabus for an introductory computer course. It will cover topics like computer hardware, software, operating systems, and applications like Photoshop, Illustrator, and PowerPoint. Students will learn about computer concepts and complete 14 modules over the course of the semester involving hands-on projects. The class will emphasize participation and project work over exams.

Uploaded by

andywarthol
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 33

Intro to the Computer

Instructed by Andrew Van wart


What are we doing today?
  Going over syllabus, grading & attendance

  Student introductions / background worksheet

  Discussion about computers


  Excerpt from “Triumph of the Nerds” (if time permits)

  15 minute break

  Talk about Mod. 1

  Introduction to PowerPoint

  Begin working on Mod. 1


The purpose of this course…
  Introduce computer concepts and terminology

  Enhance your understanding of “digital media”

  Acquire basic knowledge of common software tools

  Understand media pertaining to computer graphics

  Enhance “digital literacy”


We will go over…
  Mac / PC routines and procedures

  Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator

  Font management

  Bitmap tools & techniques

  Basic design principles

  Digital presentation fundamentals


Specific topics we will discuss:
  Introduction to Photoshop
  Tonal Range & Color

  Scanning Techniques & Vector Technology

  Layers in Photoshop

  Printing / Digital Color Spaces

  Drawing in Illustrator

  PowerPoint & Acrobat

  Typography & Fonts


Additional topics:
  Digital Media Principles

  Digital Literacy

  History of Computers

  Peripherals

  Interfaces & Interactivity

  MAC OS X
Grading Breakdown:
  30% Class Participation, 70% Projects & Assignments

  Modules 1 – 14 (order to be determined)

  Mid-term evaluations

  Final Presentation
Grading Policy:
  “C” should be considered acceptable

  “D” basically means below expectation

  “F” means the work is unacceptable

  “B” is for aBove average

  “A” is for exceptional work and will be rare


Assignments:
  Good work will reflect time spent

  10 hours per module

  Late projects marked down one letter grade

  Nothing accepted more than one week late

  Re-worked assignments can only earn a “B”


  Must be handed in on time to begin with
  Must be “A” material for a “B”
Attendance Policy
  Attendance is mandatory.

  Be here on time.
  4 late arrivals (10min or more) may drop your final grade
by one letter

  Three unexcused absences may result in an “F”


  Excused absences must be documented
What is ARC?
  The Academy’s Academic Resource Center

  What they provide:


  English language assistance
  Presentation techniques
  Help with writing
  Study skills
  Disability assistance
Etiquette Policy:
  No alcohol.

  Critiques ought to be constructive.

  No Facebook!

  No MySpace!

  No YouTube!

  No Hulu!
Don’t be that guy!
Who are you?

  Name

  Where ya from?

  What are you studying?

  Hobbies / Interests ?

  Anything else?
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Introduction to Computers

Computer and Information Science


17

What is a Computer?
A COMPUTER is an electronic device that can:

  Receive information

  Perform processes

  Produce output

  Store info for future use.


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Information Processing Cycle

 Input
 Process
 Output
 Storage
19

Hardware vs. Software


Hardware - the physical parts that make up the computer
CPU, memory, disks, CD-ROM drives, printer.

Software - computer programs and applications.


Operating system, word processor, Adobe Photoshop, games, etc.
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Hardware: physical devices that comprise a


computer system

Monitor
Speaker
(output)
(output) System unit
(processor, memory…)

Printer
(output)

Storage devices
(CD-RW, Floppy,
Hard disk, zip,…)
Mouse
(input)
Scanner Keyboard
(input) (input)
What Are The Primary
Components Of A Computer ?
 Input devices.
 Central Processing
Unit
 Memory aka RAM.
 Output devices.
 Storage devices.

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Input Devices

 Keyboard.
 Mouse.
 Microphone
 Scanner
 Camera
 Tablet
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Central Processing Unit


The central processing unit (CPU) is the “brain” of the computer. It:

 interprets instructions to the computer (control unit),

 performs the arithmetic and logical processing (ALU)


24

Memory
Memory, also called Random Access Memory or RAM stores:

 instructions waiting to be executed

 data needed by those instructions

 results of processed data

Any information stored in RAM is lost when the computer is turned off.
25

Memory
  Data in memory is stored as binary digits (BITS) e.g.
011100101010

  1 BYTE = 8 bits

  1 byte usually stores 1 text character.


26

Storage Devices
 hard disks

 floppy disks

 compact discs – CD and DVD drives

 flash cards
27

Hard Disks
  Permanent storage that is inside of the computer, and
NOT portable.

  Consists of several platters which spin very fast

  Typical hard disks range from 40 GB to 200 GB


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Writeable Disc Media

  CD-ROM (read only memory),

  CD-RW – (rewritable)

  DVD-ROM

  DVD+RW

Typical CD’s can store about 700 MB

Typical DVD’s can store between 4-16 GB


29

Flash Cards / Memory Sticks


Advantages:
 Small, easy to carry around
 High memory capacity – up to 16 GB
Note:
There are several different form factors of
flash cards, including Compact Flash,
SmartMedia, PCMCIA, and Small Form Factor
Flash Card.
30

Software
  System software & application software
  A computer program or software tells it exactly what to
do.
  A computer program is a set of instructions to the
computer.
  One instruction at a time
  Algorithms
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Application Software
Application Software consists of programs that tell
a computer how to produce information. Some of
the more commonly used packages are:

 Word processing
 Electronic spreadsheet
 Database
 Presentation graphics
Word Processing
 Create and print documents, typically text-only

 Good for making spotting errors


  Spelling
  Grammar
  Punctuation

  Most email integrates word processing tools


Electronic Spreadsheets
 Grid-like display using rows and columns

 Mainly used for data entry

 Can perform mathematical functions

 Can Generate graphs and statistical analyses

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