CS101 – Living with Computers

ACTIVITIES & QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

Chapter 3 (Classes 6-7):

• Answer student questions.
• Discuss what’s on the CD (interactive keyboard and mouse tutorials; interactive demo of inner workings of computer)
• Discuss what’s on the website
• Questions for discussion:
• List several examples of input devices and explain how they can make it easier to get different types of information into the computer.
• List several examples of output devices and explain how they make computers more useful.
• Explain why a typical computer has different types of storage devices.
• Diagram how the components of a computer system fit together.
• Projects
• Bring in a collection of input and output devices and have students in groups explore them and discuss how to use them.
• Bring in a collection of storage devices and have students identify which type the device is.
• Bring in collection of hardware and have each group “design” a computer with the equipment.
• Have students guess how many keys are on a typical keyboard. Have students determine how many combined functions there are when you count pressing a toggle key (or two) and then a letter or number.
• Bring in computer advertisements from newspapers, magazines, and other sources and give copies or two different ads to each group. Have each group compare the types of peripheral devices and expandability of the computers. Have each group recommend one of the two systems and why.
• Have students discuss what the disadvantages are for having monitors that are wider than they are long (i.e. 800x600).
• Pass around a CD and ask students why there is a “rainbow” as they tilt the surface in the light.
• Have groups of students discuss the different types of peripheral devices that have observed in the last few days and then select a representative to report their findings.
• Chapter 3 Quiz: 3-5 short questions from the chapter review and 2-4 definitions (have part of the quiz involve identifying computer components that are displayed in the front of the class).
• Chapter 3 Assignment: page 80 - Project 4.
• Chapter 3 e-journal on Hardware Basics: Peripherals
• Student should find material from chapter (peripherals, …) in newspapers, magazines, or online
• Student should discuss the most difficult concept for them in this chapter
• Student should list any terms they do not understand