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Computer Science
Hardware and Software Revisited
- Year - 1) How can parents help? – Page Contents - 2) A return to software – Page - 3) Describing business software – Page - 4) Understanding hardware – Page
- Understanding hardware within a PC– Page - 6) Mini assessment – Page
- Another look at the four layer model – Page - 8) Operating Systems – Page - 9) The final project – Page - 10) Answers – Page
HOW CAN PARENTS HELP?
1. Ensure your child has completed all of the tasks by reviewing their answers with them
2. Have your child read through their previous 2 booklets to ensure that they have consolidated all
knowledge appropriately
3. Ensure your child has a deep think about the questions to ask yourself sections
4. Ensure you cooperate with your child’s learning experience by reading the “How can parents
help” section of each lesson
5. Review with your child the summarisation of each lesson to help consolidate learning effectively
6. Ensure your child does not rush through each lesson as each lesson has many new concepts and
theory they will be unfamiliar with
7. Lastly, please do not pressure your child to finish the booklet at a fast pace as this can confuse
and disjoint the learning experience. The booklet is created to last the entire term and so should
be approached in such a manner, unless your child is feeling up to the challenge of moving ahead
This website is extremely useful for students who are willing to take their learning further
https://www.computerscience.gcse.guru/topic/hardware-and-software
LESSON 1: A return to software
A computer system is made up of hardware and software:
- hardware is the physical parts of the computer
- software is a general term for programs that control and make use of the hardware
Software is translated into machine code for the hardware to understand. Software types are in a
hierarchy of their position in relation to the hardware.
Types of software
Firmware is a program embedded onto a hardware device. All hardware components in a computer have
firmware. Firmware is usually coded into a hardware device when it is created in a factory. The user of the
computer does not usually interact with the firmware directly. A typical example of firmware is
the BIOS program written into the ROM of a computer. The BIOS runs when a system starts up before the
operating system starts.
An operating system (OS) is a platform that gives the user an interface to the hardware. The OS uses
device drivers to communicate with the firmware. The OS provides a user-friendly interface and performs
basic tasks such as controlling and allocating memory, controlling the execution of software applications,
controlling peripherals, networking, and managing files.
Software applications - also called an application or 'app' - is not essential for the basic function of the
computer. Examples include games, word processors and web browsers. Programming environments are a
type of software application used to write code and create programs.
Off-the-shelf software is designed to provide a general set of features that a broad range of customers will
find useful. The most popular and widely used software is usually off-the-shelf, eg web browsers, apps and
games.
A bespoke design program on a computer vs a standard word processing document
Bespoke software (also known as custom-made software) is specially designed and written for a single organisation or group of users. Businesses or scientific projects will often need bespoke software as the exact software needed may not exist.
TASK 1:
- Read the extract above. Analyse and highlight the key words.
- What is meant by software applications?
- What is off the shelf software?
- What is an operating system? Give 3 examples of operating systems.
- What is firmware?
- What is hardware and software?
- What is bespoke software?
Questions to think about:
- What types of software come with computers?
- What type of operating systems exist on mobile phones?
- How much does an operating system cost?
- What types of firmware are there?
Summarise what you have learnt below?
The bigger picture
* Previously you learned the basics of software, firmware and operating systems. In today’s lesson we will look
into recognising the types of popular software we may use in the future.
As a parent or career your input into your child's education is of paramount importance.
To ensure your child is working to the best of their ability you can check to and ensure have completed each lessons worksheet effectively. In addition to this you can ensure they have understood the key terms each week by asking them to explain them to you.
- What is Microsoft word used for?
- What is Microsoft excel used for?
- What is Microsoft PowerPoint used for?
- What is Microsoft Publisher used for?
LESSON 2: Describing business software
Task: Use the internet to research the software logos below, find the name of the software and the purpose.
SOFTWARE NAME DESCRIPTION Microsoft Word Microsoft word is a word processing software that allows users to type letters, reports, books and many other different documents. It is typically part of the Microsoft office package sold at various technology stores.
LESSON 3: Understanding hardware
A general purpose computer is a computer that is designed to be able to carry out many different tasks.
Desktop computers and laptops are examples of general purpose computers. Among other things, they can
be used to:
- access the internet
- browse the world wide web (WWW)
- use word processing software
- play games
- communicate via email and social media
- design and build web pages
- store and retrieve data
- play videos and music
Each of these tasks is called an application. Any computer that can have many applications, such as those
listed, is a general purpose computer.
Apart from desktop computers and laptops, the following devices are also general purpose computers:
- tablets - like desktop computers, they can run a variety of applications
- smartphones - today's smartphones can also run a variety of applications
- games consoles - as well as games, modern consoles also enable users to watch videos, play music and browse the internet
- media systems in cars - allow users to navigate, listen to music and connect to a smartphone
Task 1:
- What devices can you use to access the internet? List 5 below:
- What does the WWW stand for?
- What types of companies allow you to use email?
Computer systems consist of hardware and software. Hardware is the physical components of the computer, such as the central processing unit (CPU), hard disk, monitor, keyboard and mouse. Software is the programs that run on a computer.
A computer system requires both hardware and software to function. Aside from the internal components of a computer, additional hardware allows the user to communicate with the system through inputs and outputs. The table below shows some examples of input and output hardware.
Task 2:
- What does a CPU stand for?
- What is the purpose of a CPU?
- Give an example of an input device and its purpose:
- Give an example of an output device and its purpose:
Questions to think about:
- What other types of hardware components can you get inside of a PC?
- What types of hardware can you have that exist outside of a PC?
Summarise what you have learnt below?
LESSON 4: Describing hardware within a PC
Task: Use the internet to research the hardware below. You need to fill in the name and description of the hardware below, for some you may need to draw the hardware
HARDWARE NAME DESCRIPTION CPU
GPU
Mouse
Keyboard
Monitor
Speakers
Printer
Tablet
Questions to think about:
Summarise what you have learnt below?
Questions to think about :
- What components would you need to build your own PC?
The bigger picture
* Previously you learned about hardware and software. With this lesson you have a mini assessment on everything
that you have learned so far:
As a parent or career your input into your child's education is of paramount importance. To ensure they are able to approach this mini assessment with ease, ensure the student has approached all of the tasks and taken notes in key areas of weakness.
Questions to think about: Questions to think about:
- Why is hardware and software vital to the usage of a PC?
- What would it mean for your PC if you purchased higher end/expensive components?
Summarise what you have learnt below?
The bigger picture
* Previously you learned about hardware and software. With this lesson you have a mini assessment on everything
that you have learned so far:
As a parent or career your input into your child's education is of paramount importance. To ensure they are able to approach this mini assessment with ease, ensure the student has approached all of the tasks and taken notes in key areas of weakness.
LESSON 6: Another look at the four layer model
The software in a computer system enables the hardware to function and the user to perform
tasks. Software within a computer system is divided into two main types, system software and
application software.
System software
System software is any software that assists with the running or management of the computer system.
This can include operating systems, security software and file management software.
Application software
Application software is any software added to the system that enables the user to perform a task. For
example, a word processor allows the user to type a document and a browser allows the user to view web
pages.
- What is the difference between an input and output device
- What is meant by the term “Process”
Questions to think about: Questions to think about:
- What is the purpose of four layer model?
- Why do you need to process inputs?
Summarise what you have learnt below?
The bigger picture
* Previously you learned about the four layer model, in the next lesson we will learn about operation systems in
great detail. You’re near the last stretch of the booklet now. As a parent or career your input into your child's education is of paramount importance. To ensure they are able to approach this mini assessment with ease, ensure the student has approached all of the tasks and taken notes in key areas of weakness.
Question to ask: What types of operating systems have you heard of?
LESSON 7: Operating Systems
An operating system is a collection (or suite) of programs that manages and controls the computer.
Operating systems have many functions:
- controlling hardware components
- providing a platform for software to run on
- providing a user interface
- managing processes
- managing the computer's memory
- managing input and output devices
- managing applications
- managing security
Example operating systems include:
- Microsoft Windows
- Apple OS X
- Linux
- Android
- IOS
An operating system is a suite of programs that manages and controls the computer. User interfaces
A user interface is a program, or suite of programs that allows a user to interact with a computer. There
are three types of interface to be considered:
- mobile user interface (Mobile UI)
- command line interface (CLI)
Mobile UIs are similar in many ways to GUIs, except that they respond to touch. Fingers are used to open
programs and interact with them. Gestures such as swiping are used to scroll within documents. Pinching
and stretching are used to re-size images. Mobile UIs are found on smartphones and tablets
