Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 1
EMER GING TECHNOLOGIES AND APPLICATIONS
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EMER GING TECHNOLOGIES AND APPLICATIONS
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Ghana app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Subject: Ict
Class: SHS 1
Term: 1st Term
Week: 12
Grade code: 1.1.2.LI.2
Strand code: 1
Sub-strand code: 2
Content standard code: 1.1.1.CS.1
Indicator code: 1.1.2.LI.2
Theme: ICTs IN THE SOCIETY
Subtheme: EMER GING TECHNOLOGIES AND APPLICATIONS
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In our daily lives in Ghana, we see and use different types of computers, from the ones in our school's ICT lab to the phones in our pockets. While they all process information, they are designed for very different purposes. Understanding these differences is crucial for choosing the right tool for a specific task, whether it's for schoolwork, business, or entertainment. This lesson will break down the key characteristics of four major types of computers: desktops, laptops, smart gadgets like tablets, and the powerful servers that run services like the WAEC results portal or Mobile Money. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to confidently identify and explain the role of each device.
This lesson focuses on differentiating four main categories of computing devices. We will look at each one in detail before comparing them side-by-side. a) Desktops A desktop computer is a personal computer designed to stay in a single location, like on a desk or a table. It is not easily portable. We see them often in offices, schools' ICT labs, and internet cafes across Ghana. Key Features: Separate Components: It is made up of several parts connected by cables: System Unit (or Tower): This is the main box that contains the "brain" of the computer—the CPU, motherboard, RAM, and storage drives. Monitor: The screen for displaying information. Keyboard: For typing input. Mouse: For pointing and clicking. Power Source: It must be plugged into a wall socket (mains electricity) to work. It does not have a built-in battery. Performance & Upgradability: Desktops generally offer the most power for their price. It is relatively easy to open the system unit to upgrade components like RAM, add more storage (hard drives), or install a more powerful graphics card. This makes them ideal for demanding tasks. Ghanaian Context Example: The computers in your school’s ICT laboratory are almost certainly desktops. They are powerful enough for learning programming or graphic design, and because they are stationary, they are easier to manage and secure. b) Laptops A laptop (also called a notebook) is a portable personal computer with a "clamshell" design, where the screen and keyboard are hinged together. They are designed for mobility. Key Features: All-in-One Design: The monitor, keyboard, pointing device (touchpad), and system unit components are all integrated into a single, compact unit. Portability: They are lightweight and small enough to be carried around in a bag. Built-in Battery: Laptops have a rechargeable battery, allowing them to be used for several hours without being plugged into a power source. This is very useful during power outages ('dumsor'). Performance & Upgradability: While modern laptops are very powerful, they are generally less powerful than a desktop of the same price. Upgrading is also more difficult and limited; usually, only the RAM and storage can be easily changed. Ghanaian Context Example: A university student at KNUST or UG needs a computer for research, assignments, and presentations. A laptop is the perfect choice because they can carry it from their hostel to the library and to lecture halls. c) Smart Gadgets (Focus on Tablets) Smart gadgets are small, mobile electronic devices. While this category includes smartphones and smartwatches, our focus as per the curriculum is on tablets. A tablet is a wireless, portable personal computer with a touchscreen interface. Key Features: Touchscreen Interface: The primary way to interact with a tablet is by touching the screen. It typically lacks a physical keyboard or mouse. Extreme Portability: Tablets are even thinner and lighter than most laptops. App-Based Ecosystem: They run on mobile operating systems (like Android or iPadOS) and primarily use "apps" downloaded from an app store. Performance: They are designed for media consumption (watching videos, reading), web browsing, and light productivity tasks. They are generally less powerful than laptops for complex tasks like video editing or programming. Ghanaian Context Example: A restaurant owner in Osu, Accra, might use a tablet as a Point-of-Sale (POS) system to take orders and process payments. It's portable, easy to use, and doesn't take up much space on the counter. d) Servers A server is a very powerful computer designed not for direct use by a person, but to provide services, data, and resources to other computers over a network. These other computers are called "clients." Key Features: "Headless" Operation: Most servers do not have a dedicated monitor, keyboard, or mouse connected to them. They are managed remotely over a network. Designed for 24/7 Operation: They are built with high-quality, reliable components to run continuously without ever being turned off. High Performance: Servers have powerful CPUs, large amounts of RAM, and massive storage capacity to handle requests from many clients at the same time. Specialised Software: They run server operating systems (like Windows Server or Linux) and software designed to provide specific services (e.g., hosting websites, managing databases, handling email). Ghanaian Context Example: When you use your phone to check your BECE or WASSCE results on the WAEC portal, your phone (the client) sends a request over the internet to a powerful server managed by WAEC. That server finds your results in its database and sends them back to be displayed on your phone's screen. The server handles thousands of such requests from students all at once. Comparison Chart
To differentiate clearly, let's use a comparison chart as suggested by the NaCCA exemplar.
| Feature | Desktop | Laptop | Tablet | Server | | ------------------- | -------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ | | Portability | Not portable; fixed in one location. | Highly portable; designed to be carried. | Extremely portable; very thin and light. | Not portable; installed in a secure, cool room (data centre). | | Components | Separate (System unit, monitor, keyboard). | All-in-one integrated unit. | Single-slab unit with a touchscreen. | Often "headless" (no monitor/keyboard); housed in racks. | | Primary Use | Demanding tasks (gaming, video editing, office work). | General productivity, schoolwork, business on the go. | Media consumption, web browsing, simple tasks. | Providing services to other computers (hosting websites, data). | | Performance | Highest performance for the price. | Good performance, but less than a desktop for the same price. | Lower performance, optimised for battery life. | Highest performance, designed for handling many users at once. | | Upgradability | Very easy to upgrade components. | Difficult; limited to RAM and storage. | Almost impossible to upgrade. | Highly modular and upgradable to handle more load. | | Power Source | Mains electricity only. | Built-in rechargeable battery and mains. | Built-in rechargeable battery and mains. | Mains electricity with backup power (UPS, generators). | | Ghanaian Example| Computer in an internet cafe in Kumasi. | A teacher's computer for preparing lesson notes. | A device for reading news on GhanaWeb. | The computer running the MTN Mobile Money system. |
Guided Practice (With Solutions)