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UC1 101 Foundations-of-information-technology-notes
Information and communication technology (Maseno University)
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MASENO UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATICS
DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
COURSE OUTLINE ......................................................................................................................... ii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................... 2
Definition of terms
Application of Computers in Society
Evolution of Computers : History of computers, Computer Generations, Computer
Classification
CHAPTER TWO: COMPUTER HARDWARE .................................................................................. 10
Categories of computer hardware : input, processing, storage, output, system unit
acquiring computer hardware
Computer care
Computer Ergonomics
CHAPTER THREE- COMPUTER SOFWARE ................................................................................... 19
categories of software : system software, application programs
Selecting and Evaluating Software
Data Processing Methods
CHAPTER FOUR: BASIC COMPUTER NETWORKS ........................................................................ 24
types and topologies of networks
advantages and disadvantages of networks
components of networks and communication, ,
CHAPTER FIVE - INTERNET ......................................................................................................... 32
Introduction
Internet services
negative Impact of the internet
CHAPTER SIX - OFFICE AUTOMATION ........................................................................................ 37
office automation systems
software tools in office automation
advantages of office automation
CHAPTER SEVEN – COMPUTER SYSTEM SECURITY ..................................................................... 39
What is a security system
Computer security risks
Physical security
Information security
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COURSE OUTLINE
Course Objectives:
At the end the course, students will be able to:
To gain a better understanding of the history and evolution of the computer system
To gain a better understanding of the operation and organization of the computer system,
computer hardware
To gain a better understanding of the computer software.
To gain a better understanding of the basic computer networks and data communication
Understand the evolution and role of internet in society
Course Content:
1. Chapter one – Introduction: definitions, application of computers in society. Evolution of
computers, generation of computers, classification of computers, computer structure.
2. Chapter two - Computer hardware: input, processing, storage, output, multimedia,
computer care, Ergonomics
3. Chapter three - Computer software: Types, choice of software, software requirements, data
processing methods
4. Chapter four - Basic Computer networks; components of networks and communication,
types and topologies of networks, network and communication applications.
5. Chapter five - Internet services: Communication, information search and retrieval,
application of internet in business.
6. Chapter six - Office automation : ways of office automation
7. Chapter seven – Computer System security : physical security and software security
Teaching Methods:
Class lectures which consist of proper explanation of the various elements.
Regular assignments and CATs and discussion of the questions asked in the assignments and
CATs.
Group discussions and active participation in class.
Evaluation:
1. C.A.T9s - 20%
2. Assignments - 10%
3. End of Semester Exam - 70%
Reference Textbook:
1. Peters Norton9s (2006), Introduction to Computers.
2. Shelly Cashman (2011), Discovering Computers: Your Interactive Guide to the Digital World
3. Internet
4. class notes
Page ii
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CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
OUTLINE
Definition of terms
Application of Computers in Society
Evolution of Computers
o History of computers
o Computer Generations
o Computer Classification
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)
a) Refers to technologies that provide access to information through telecommunications. It is
similar to Information Technology (IT), but focuses primarily on communication technologies.
This includes the Internet, wireless networks, cell phones, and other communication
mediums.
b) is an umbrella term that includes any communication device or application, encompassing:
radio, television, cellular phones, computer and network hardware and software, satellite
systems and so on, as well as the various services and applications associated with them,
such as videoconferencing and distance learning.
Data
a collection of raw facts, figures and symbols, such as numbers, words, images, video and sound,
given to the computer during the input phase. All computer processing requires
Information
Organized data, meaningful and useful Computers manipulate data to create information.
During the output Phase, the information that has been created is put into some form, such as a
printed report. The information can also be put in computer storage for future use.
Technology
Technology may well refer to advanced machines, computers, e.t.c Technology also refers to the
ways in which these machines are developed. Technology brings in the idea of devices,
techniques and organizations, i.e. Devices are used in techniques, and techniques are
coordinated by organizations. Technology implies both the tangible objects and social
relationships. Technology changes the way people work, and so certainly it is part of the
surrounding social system.
Computer
A computer is an electronic device operating under the control of instructions stored in its own
memory that can accept data, process the data according to specified rules, produce results and
sore the results for future use. Its main components are the hardware and software.
Why use computers?
Use of computers has become a necessity in many fields. Computers have revolutionized the
way businesses are conducted. This is due to the advantages that computer systems offer over
manual systems.
Speed – Computers have higher processing speeds than other means of processing,
measured as number of instructions executed per second.
Accuracy – Computers are not prone to errors. So long as the programs are correct, they
will always give correct output. A computer is designed in such a way that many of the
Page 2
Downloaded by Gori Amerigo ()
UC1 101 Foundations-of-information-technology-notes
Information and communication technology (Maseno University)
Scan to open on Studocu
Studocu is not sponsored or endorsed by any college or university
Downloaded by Gori Amerigo ()
, lOMoARcPSD|62145162
MASENO UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATICS
DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
COURSE OUTLINE ......................................................................................................................... ii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................... 2
Definition of terms
Application of Computers in Society
Evolution of Computers : History of computers, Computer Generations, Computer
Classification
CHAPTER TWO: COMPUTER HARDWARE .................................................................................. 10
Categories of computer hardware : input, processing, storage, output, system unit
acquiring computer hardware
Computer care
Computer Ergonomics
CHAPTER THREE- COMPUTER SOFWARE ................................................................................... 19
categories of software : system software, application programs
Selecting and Evaluating Software
Data Processing Methods
CHAPTER FOUR: BASIC COMPUTER NETWORKS ........................................................................ 24
types and topologies of networks
advantages and disadvantages of networks
components of networks and communication, ,
CHAPTER FIVE - INTERNET ......................................................................................................... 32
Introduction
Internet services
negative Impact of the internet
CHAPTER SIX - OFFICE AUTOMATION ........................................................................................ 37
office automation systems
software tools in office automation
advantages of office automation
CHAPTER SEVEN – COMPUTER SYSTEM SECURITY ..................................................................... 39
What is a security system
Computer security risks
Physical security
Information security
Downloaded by Gori Amerigo ()
, lOMoARcPSD|62145162
COURSE OUTLINE
Course Objectives:
At the end the course, students will be able to:
To gain a better understanding of the history and evolution of the computer system
To gain a better understanding of the operation and organization of the computer system,
computer hardware
To gain a better understanding of the computer software.
To gain a better understanding of the basic computer networks and data communication
Understand the evolution and role of internet in society
Course Content:
1. Chapter one – Introduction: definitions, application of computers in society. Evolution of
computers, generation of computers, classification of computers, computer structure.
2. Chapter two - Computer hardware: input, processing, storage, output, multimedia,
computer care, Ergonomics
3. Chapter three - Computer software: Types, choice of software, software requirements, data
processing methods
4. Chapter four - Basic Computer networks; components of networks and communication,
types and topologies of networks, network and communication applications.
5. Chapter five - Internet services: Communication, information search and retrieval,
application of internet in business.
6. Chapter six - Office automation : ways of office automation
7. Chapter seven – Computer System security : physical security and software security
Teaching Methods:
Class lectures which consist of proper explanation of the various elements.
Regular assignments and CATs and discussion of the questions asked in the assignments and
CATs.
Group discussions and active participation in class.
Evaluation:
1. C.A.T9s - 20%
2. Assignments - 10%
3. End of Semester Exam - 70%
Reference Textbook:
1. Peters Norton9s (2006), Introduction to Computers.
2. Shelly Cashman (2011), Discovering Computers: Your Interactive Guide to the Digital World
3. Internet
4. class notes
Page ii
Downloaded by Gori Amerigo ()
, lOMoARcPSD|62145162
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
OUTLINE
Definition of terms
Application of Computers in Society
Evolution of Computers
o History of computers
o Computer Generations
o Computer Classification
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)
a) Refers to technologies that provide access to information through telecommunications. It is
similar to Information Technology (IT), but focuses primarily on communication technologies.
This includes the Internet, wireless networks, cell phones, and other communication
mediums.
b) is an umbrella term that includes any communication device or application, encompassing:
radio, television, cellular phones, computer and network hardware and software, satellite
systems and so on, as well as the various services and applications associated with them,
such as videoconferencing and distance learning.
Data
a collection of raw facts, figures and symbols, such as numbers, words, images, video and sound,
given to the computer during the input phase. All computer processing requires
Information
Organized data, meaningful and useful Computers manipulate data to create information.
During the output Phase, the information that has been created is put into some form, such as a
printed report. The information can also be put in computer storage for future use.
Technology
Technology may well refer to advanced machines, computers, e.t.c Technology also refers to the
ways in which these machines are developed. Technology brings in the idea of devices,
techniques and organizations, i.e. Devices are used in techniques, and techniques are
coordinated by organizations. Technology implies both the tangible objects and social
relationships. Technology changes the way people work, and so certainly it is part of the
surrounding social system.
Computer
A computer is an electronic device operating under the control of instructions stored in its own
memory that can accept data, process the data according to specified rules, produce results and
sore the results for future use. Its main components are the hardware and software.
Why use computers?
Use of computers has become a necessity in many fields. Computers have revolutionized the
way businesses are conducted. This is due to the advantages that computer systems offer over
manual systems.
Speed – Computers have higher processing speeds than other means of processing,
measured as number of instructions executed per second.
Accuracy – Computers are not prone to errors. So long as the programs are correct, they
will always give correct output. A computer is designed in such a way that many of the
Page 2
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