• List some other uses for computers or items which use computers which we have not already discussed in class. Try to come up with at least 4 other uses or items. Make sure you explain why you think it is a computer and explain what the computer is doing.

Good Examples of Computers:
- performs a sequence of instructions (or a program)
- calculates or processes information

calculator, digital watch (alarm, date), cash register, telephone (automatic dialing, accessing information), furnace thermostat (temperature up during the day and down during the night), electric piano, scoreboard (like at a hockey arena), exercise equipment display (rowing machine, bike), bank machine (teller machine, cash machine), airplane (automatic pilot), car (brakes, fuel and air mixing), guided missile (steering)

Possible Examples of Computers: (sometimes they can be)
TV (channel selection, picture-in-picture, special effects), washer / dryer / dishwasher (automatic cycles), tape player (special effects), sewing machine (special stitches), oven (timer), radio (station tuning), electronic typewriter (type in a whole line, correct it, then it prints on the paper)

Examples of Computers - NOT:
toaster, refrigerator, wheel chair, electric doors, manual or electric typewriter, projector

- on/off switch, or push buttons controlling a machine does not make it a computer

• Discuss “input”: putting information into a computer
  
• Ask the question “Can you name some input devices of a computer system?”
  
  -as the class comes up with items, discuss what they are and write them on the board as appropriate
  
• After the basics are listed, hand out the diagram and work through filling it in:
  
  ............................................Keyboard
  ..............Mouse
  ............................................Microphone
  ..............Camera................Scanner

• Discuss “output”: getting information out of a computer
  
• Ask the question “Can you name some output devices of a computer system?”
  
  -as the class comes up with items, discuss what they are and write them on the board as appropriate
  
• After the basics are listed, hand out the diagram and work through filling it in:
  
  ......................Display
  ...............................................Speakers
  .....................Printer

• Discuss “computer information”: bits, bytes, kilobytes, megabytes
  
  -sizing: 1 page from a book = 2K bytes of information
  
• Discuss “storage”: saving [writing] and retrieving [reading] information
  
  -temporary or permanent
  
• Start the storage device discussion with floppy disks

• Complete last weeks home work:
  
  List some other uses for computers or items which use computers which we have not already discussed in class.
  Try to come up with at least 4 other uses or items. Make sure you explain why you think it is a computer and explain what the computer is doing.
  
• Write notes on the parts parts of a computer, input devices, and output devices.
  
• Make a list of 3 topics which you would like to explore during these classes.