Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 1
COMPUTER HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE
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COMPUTER HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Ghana app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Subject: Computing
Class: SHS 1
Term: 1st Term
Week: 13
Grade code: 1.1.2.LI.2
Strand code: 1
Sub-strand code: 2
Content standard code: 1.1.2.CS.1
Indicator code: 1.1.2.LI.2
Theme: COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE AND ORGANISATION
Subtheme: COMPUTER HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE
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Welcome, learners! Look around you. From the smartphone in your pocket to the computer in the school's ICT lab, and the system used by the mobile money vendor, we are surrounded by computer hardware. Hardware refers to the physical, tangible parts of a computer system that you can see and touch. Understanding how these parts are grouped or categorised helps us know the specific role each component plays in making the computer work. In Ghana, knowing this helps in everything from choosing a good phone, setting up a small business like an internet café, to understanding how digital services like the Ghana Card registration work.
What is Computer Hardware? Computer hardware refers to all the physical components of a computer system. These are the parts you can physically touch and see. Think of it like the human body – you have hands, a brain, a mouth, ears, and a memory. Each part has a specific job. Similarly, every piece of computer hardware has a specific function. Examples include the mouse, keyboard, monitor, system unit, and printer.
These components do not work alone. They are organised into functional groups or categories. The five main categories are: Input Devices Processing Devices Output Devices Storage Devices Communication Devices
Let's explore each category in detail. Category 1: Input Devices Function: Input devices are used to enter data and instructions into the computer. They are the "senses" of the computer, allowing it to receive information from the outside world (from you!).
Explanation and Examples: Keyboard: Used to type text, numbers, and commands. When you type your name into a form on a website, the keyboard sends that data to the computer. Mouse: A pointing device used to control the cursor on the screen, select items, and give commands by clicking. It's how you "point" at what you want the computer to do. Scanner: Converts physical documents or pictures into a digital format. For example, the device used at the National Identification Authority (NIA) to scan your birth certificate for the Ghana Card is a scanner. Microphone: Captures sound and converts it into digital data. This is what you speak into when you record a voice note on WhatsApp or participate in an online class. Webcam: A video camera that feeds or streams an image or video in real time to or through a computer. It's essential for video calls on Zoom or Skype. Biometric Scanner (e.g., Fingerprint Reader): Captures a unique human physical trait. The fingerprint scanner used for voter registration or on modern smartphones is a perfect example of an input device. Category 2: Processing Devices Function: This is the "brain" of the computer. Processing devices take the raw data received from input devices and process it into meaningful information.