INFORMATION PROCESSING 7 Basic Computer Terms Mrs.

Hanson

Name Period

Part 1 Fill in the Blank The purpose of this assignment is for you to learn commonly used terms related to computers. Definitions and examples are listed below. Read each definition and then complete the fill-inthe-blank section. Hardware The physical components of the computer system, such as the hard drive, disc drives, and modem. Software The programs or instructions that tell the computer what to do, such as word processors, spreadsheets, and databases. CPU The brain of the computer or Central Processing Unit. ROM The permanent memory that is built in your computer. This is Read-Only Memory. RAM The computers working memory, sometimes called RandomAccessed memory. Megabyte Approximately a million bytes (a measure of storage). Gigabyte Approximately a billion bytes (or 1,000) megabytes. Input Device The hardware that is used to pass information into the computer, such as a mouse, keyboard, or microphone. Output Device The hardware that receives and displays information coming from the computer, such as a monitor, printer, or speakers. Modem The device that allows your computer to talk to other computers over a telephone line. Monitor A video or computer display device that contains a screen. Laser Printer A printer that uses both laser and photographic technology to produce high quality output. Printer The hardware that provides printed output from the computer. Hard Copy A printed copy of computer output. Compact Disc A disc on which a laser has digitally recorded information such as audio, video, or computer data. Hard Disk A fixed, large-capacity magnetic storage medium for computer data; this is inside the computer. Floppy Disk A portable magnetic storage medium for computer data that allows users to randomly access information. Graphical User Interface The use of graphical symbols instead of text commands to control common computer functions such as copying programs and disks. Icon A small picture or symbol representing a computer hardware function or component. Ink-jet Printer A type of printer that forms letters on the page by shooting tiny electrically charged droplets of ink. Peripheral Any hardware attached to the CPU, whether it be an input, output, or storage device.

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Fill in the word(s) that best complete each sentences in the space provided. 1. A mouse, keyboard, and any other devices that pass information into the computer are called . , which is permanent memory, and ,

2. Computers have two kinds of memory:

which is working memory. (Use the abbreviations) 3. The physical components of the computer that you can see and touch are called 4. There are three storage mediums listed: is portable magnetic storage; a is also portable. 5. Word processors and spreadsheet programs are examples of what to do. 6. An uses electrically charged droplets of ink to produce output, while a uses laser and photographic technology. 7. The screen that receives and displays information from a computer is called a is one example of an . . This that tell a computer is fixed storage inside the computer; a .

has had information recorded on it with a laser and

8. In order for your computer to communicate with other computers over a telephone line, you may need a . , or printed copy of output, you will need to use a

9. When you want to make a .

10. Information storage is measured in bytes. A million bytes is called a is called a .

, while a billion

11. A picture or symbol that represents a function of a computer is called an usually click on these with your mouse.

. You can

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12. A computer has something like a brain that does most of its work. This is called the (Use the abbreviation) 13. All of the hardware components of the computer that are attached to it are called 14. When graphical symbols (pictures) are used instead of text commands (words), this is called . . .

Part 2 Matching Use the following website to look up the types of software listed below (enter the term in the search box). Match each term with its correct definition by writing the letter of the correct definition in the space provided next to the term. One of the terms will not have a definition; you will need to figure out that answer by default. Website: http://www.webopedia.com Terms 1. Open source software Definitions A. An instructional lesson that leads the user through key features and functions of things in a series of steps. B. Software that reinforces a skill in a specific content area, such as keyboarding, language arts, etc. C. A program in which the source code is available to the general public for use free of charge. D. The operating system (such as Windows) and utility programs that manage computer resources at a low level. E. A program designed for an end-user, such as word processing, spreadsheet, or presentation software. F. A computer program that can imitate a real condition, such as weather conditions or atomic reactions.

2. Application software

3. Simulation

4. Systems software

5. Tutorial

6. Drill and practice

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Part 3 Online Quiz Open Internet Explorer and key the following web address in the address bar (it must be keyed in exactly as follows or it will not work): http://www.joblack59.com/computers/quiz_01/popquiz.htm Take the quiz and print your answers. Print this worksheet and staple your quiz to the back of this worksheet. (Do not click on Get Results. It will close your browser and you will have to take the quiz again.)

If you have extra time, open the document called Keyboarding Practice Websites from the TJ Walker Student/Hanson folder and choose one or more websites to use for practice.

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