COMPUTER TECH with Mr. Mills
Embedded Files
Software
Software
Learning Goals
By the end of this unit you will be able to:
- describe the differences between operating systems and applications software;
- identify and describe file systems, file paths, and file extensions used by modern computers;
- utilize keyboard shortcuts and graphical user elements to efficiently operate a computer;
Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Think like a Computer
Think like a Computer
1.1 📝 What is Code (Bloomberg)
1.2 🎮 Software Connections (Mr. Mills) 🔗 Printed Version
1.3 📰 Types of Applications, Slideshow (Mr. Mills)
1.4 📰 Software, Article (Wikipedia)
1.5 🎮 Thinking in Code (Brilliant.org)
1.6 🎮 Programming with Functions (Brilliant.org)
To sign on with Brilliant, use this link (Sign up link here)
1.6 📝 Complete these questions in your notebook after watching the video embedded in this chapter.
Describe the relationship between hardware and software as explained in the video.
Why don't humans code software in binary? What do we use instead?
How does the CPU and operating system manage software on a computer, according to the video?
1.7 ⭐ Extension Task
Software applications are written by human programmers in what we call "High Level Programming Languages" like Java, Python or C++, which means they are written in human readable language (e.g. English). However, you've learned that computers only work with 1s and 0s, so this code must go through several steps of compilation to make them usable by machines. Explain briefly how "Assembly Language" and "Machine Code" are used to perform actions on computer hardware through compilation of higher level languages.
Pseudocode
Meaning "fake-code", doesn't work as real code, but instead helps us write in plain English to determine what we think the our code should do. Useful for designing a program.
Function
A block of instructions that runs from top to bottom, line-by-line, when it is "called"
Loop
Tells the program to run a block of instructions numerous times depending on a certain condition (while) or for a certain number of times (for)
Conditional Statement
Runs a block of instructions based on whether a question returns TRUE or FALSE. e.g. "IF it is 20 degrees" (IF returns TRUE only if it is 20 degrees, it returns false for all other temperatures above and below 20)
Chapter 2
Chapter 2
System Software and Operating Systems
System Software and Operating Systems
2.1 👇 Check out some web-based emulators for the following operating systems, start each of these links in FULL SCREEN to get the best experience. Click around, try out different commands, and try to find the games that are installed on each system!
💻 PCDOS 5, released in 1991 (PCE.js, James Friend)
💻 Macintosh System 7, released in 1991 (Infinite Macintosh)
💻 Windows 3.1, released in 1992 (PCjs Machines)
💻 Windows 95, released in 1995 (PCjs Machines)
💻 MacOS 8, released in 1997 (Infinite Macintosh)
💻 Windows 98, released in 1998 (copy.sh)
💻 MacOS 9, released in 1999 (Infinite Macintosh)
💻 Windows 2000, released in 2000 (copy.sh)
💻 Windows XP, released in 2003 (not a full emulator, RebornXP)
2.2 📝 Complete these questions in your notebook!
After using some of the operating system emulators, share your opinions on what it was like to use a computer back in the day. What are some big differences you noticed? What is something you wonder about these old operating systems?
2.3 📖 Write these definitions in your notebook
OS
A program that allows parts of computer to work together by transferring data between memory, storage, CPU and input/output
Driver
A program that provides basic functionality to operate and control individual hardware components by converting actions into binary instructions
Kernel
The core of an operating system, responsible for scheduling tasks in CPU and memory.
2.4 📝 Complete these questions in your notebook!
What is an operating system used for?
Which operating system had the highest market share in the year you were born?
Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Files
Files
3.1 📰 Files and Folders, Worksheet (CrashWhite)
3.2 📝 Files and Folders, Check Your Understanding
3.3 📖 Write these definitions in your notebook
File System
A method of structuring data (determined by the OS) to control how a user's data and system software is stored and retrieved in memory
File Path
A string of characters used to identify a location in a directory structure (e.g. C:/Users/Student/Downloads/loaf.png)
3.4 📰 File Extensions (Mr. Mills)
3.5 📖 Write this definition in your notebook
File Extension
A group of letters after a period in a file name, indicates the format of a file
Chapter 4
Chapter 4
User Interfaces
User Interfaces
4.1 📰 User Interfaces, Slides (Mr. Mills)
4.2 📰 Navigating File Systems in a CLI (CrashWhite)
4.3 📖 Write these definitions in your notebook
GUI
Graphical User Interface. Processes and interprets commands from humans using 2D/3D images.
CLI
Command Line Interface. Processes and interprets commands from humans in the form of single lines of text.
4.7 ⭐ Extension Task
Dark Patterns are user interfaces that try to trick a user into doing something. Watch the videos linked in this Google Form and complete the reflection questions to share what you've learned about Dark Patterns.
Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Keyboard Shortcuts
Keyboard Shortcuts
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