CAT intro

• Computer


  Multi-purpose electronic device
• Types of computers


  • Laptop
  • Smartphone
  • Tablet
  • Desktop
• Hardware


  Physical parts of a computer that we can touch and see
• Software


  Specific instructions we give the computer to get it to do something useful
• A smartphone can also be regarded as a 'computer' because apps enable it to do much more than just make phone calls
• The information processing cycle

  1. Input data

  2. Process data

  3. Output information
• Computers process data into information
• Start-up time


  1. Booting process: the operating system automatically loads when the computer is switched on

  2. Log on with a username and password to get access to your own files and data
• The desktop


  • Icons
  • Start button
  • Tiles
  • Quick launch Taskbar
  • Notification area
• GUI - Graphical User Interface


  Common mouse actions: Clicking, Double-clicking, Right-clicking, Dragging, Scrolling
• Common features of programs

  • Title bar
  • Active window
  • Taskbar
  • Resizing or moving a window
  • Window control icons at top right
• Saving our work


  • Current work done on a computer is kept temporarily in memory
  • To keep that work you have to save it to storage
  • Save work in files - organize files in folders
  • Give files and folders meaningful names
• Introduction to the keyboard


  Used to input data
• Input on smartphone: Keyboard is displayed by software on screen - can display letters alphabetically rather than in qwerty layout
• Keyboard skills


  Touch typing
• Summary - concepts, terms and tips