CS101 – Living with Computers

ACTIVITIES & QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

Chapter 1 (Classes 1-3):

Characterize what a computer is and what it does.
Describe several ways computers play a critical role in modern life.
Discuss the circumstances and ideas that led to the development of the modern computer.
Describe several trends in the evolution of modern computers.
Comment on the fundamental difference between computers and other machines.
Explain the relationship between hardware and software.
Outline the four major types of computers in use today and describe their principal use.
Discuss the effects of the Internet on society

Break class into small groups, have each group make a list of at least ten “computers” they have used recently, select spokesperson from group to report to class on list (discuss groups’ lists)
Break class into small groups, have each group make list of uses of computers, select spokesperson from group to report to class on list (discuss groups’ lists)
Bring in advertisements for personal computer systems from newspapers & magazines. Distribute the ads to groups of students (3-4). Ask the students to note the important features of each computer (speed, RAM, etc.) and have a team spokesperson make a brief “sales pitch” for their system to the class.
Break the class into small groups to discuss social and ethical issues of computing. Have each group report on three specific ways in which computers have made the world worse or reduced the quality of life.