Chapter 1: Definitions

Question 1

How many parts of IT are there and what are they?

Answer 1

2 parts of IT: Computer technology and communications technology

Question 2

Computer technology

Answer 2

programmable, multi-use machine that accepts data (raw facts and figures) and processes, manipulates it into information we can use

Question 3

Communications technology

Answer 3

aka telecommunications; consists of electromagnetic devices and systems for communication over distance

Question 4

Email

Answer 4

aka “electronic mail”; messages transmitted over a computer network (most often the Internet) used to book appointments with professors, discuss grades and get clarification

Question 5

What are the uses and misuses in technology in education?

Answer 5

Uses: email, online learning, tutoring via avatars
Misuse: texting, surfing, sharing assignments

Question 6

Telemedicine

Answer 6

medical care delivered via telecommunications (doctors treating patients from faraway)

Question 7

Virtual

Answer 7

something that is created, simulated, or carried on by means of a computer or computer network but also that it seems almost real

Question 8

Database

Answer 8

a computer system with a collection of interrelated files

Question 9

Electronic voting

Answer 9

voting using computer technology and a touch screen

Question 10

Internet

Answer 10

worldwide computer network that connects hundreds of thousands of smaller networks

Question 11

World wide web

Answer 11

interconnected system of Internet computers (called servers) that support specifically formatted documents in multimedia form

Question 12

Downloading

Answer 12

transferring data from a remote computer to one’s own computer/mobile device

Question 13

Uploading

Answer 13

transferring data from your own device to a remote computer

Question 14

What are the 5 basic computers?

Answer 14

supercomputer, mainframes, workstation, microcomputers, microcontrollers

Question 15

Supercomputer

Answer 15

high-capacity machines with thousands of processors that can perform more than several quadrillion calculations per second, most expensive/fastest computers

Question 16

Mainframes

Answer 16

water or air-cooled computers that are very expensive and vary in size depending on their use

Question 17

Workstations

Answer 17

expensive, powerful, personal computers used for complex, scientific, mathematical and engineering calculations and for computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing

Question 18

Microcomputers

Answer 18

aka personal computers, can fit next to a desk and can be carried around (eg. desktop pcs, notebooks etc.)

Question 19

Microcontrollers

Answer 19

aka embedded computers, tiny, specialized microprocessors installed in “smart” appliances and automobiles

Question 20

Servers

Answer 20

aka network servers, central computer that holds collections of data (databases) and programs for connecting or supplying services to PCs, workstations, and other devices called clients

Question 21

What are the 3 key concepts to how computers work?

Answer 21

1. Data is turned into information
2. Hardware/software have their own specific functions
3. All computers involve input, processing, storage, output, communications

Question 22

Data

Answer 22

consists of raw facts/figures that are pressed into information

Question 23

Information

Answer 23

data that has been summarized or transformed for use in decision making

Question 24

Hardware

Answer 24

all the machinery/equipment in a computer system

Question 25

Software

Answer 25

programs, all the electronic instructions that tell the computer how to perform a task

Question 26

Input

Answer 26

whatever is inputted into the computer

Question 27

Output

Answer 27

whatever the output from the computer is

Question 28

Processing

Answer 28

manipulation a computer does to transform data into information

Question 29

Storage

Answer 29

memory (RAM or ROM)

Question 30

What is input hardware?

Answer 30

keyboard and mouse

Question 31

What is processing and memory hardware?

Answer 31

case/power supply, processor chip, memory chips, motherboard

Question 32

What is storage hardware?

Answer 32

hard drive, CD/DVD drive

Question 33

Hard drive

Answer 33

device that stores billions of characters of data on a non-removable disk platform

Question 34

What is output hardware?

Answer 34

video cards, sound cards, monitor, speakers, printer

Question 35

System

Answer 35

enables the computer to perform essential operating tasks and makes it possible for application software to run