Activity 2: Computer Components and Peripherals

Unit Description
Working in small groups, students examine components and peripherals of a computer system. They then compile
appropriate information in an electronic database and develop a glossary of terms. The students develop thinking
and problem-solving skills by identifying the function and interaction of components and peripherals. They also
define the four functions of a computer: input, processing, output, and storage and identify the hardware components
related to the four functions.

Websites
How Things Work - http://www.howthingswork.com
ABRA Electronics - http://www.abra-electronics.com
Operation of computer and components - http://www.karbosguide.com/index2.htm

Appendix 1.1.1

Criteria Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4

(50-59%) (60-69%) (70-79%) (80-100%)
Knowledge/ - limited use of - uses appropriate - consistently uses - uses appropriate
Understanding appropriate terminology to appropriate terminology to
Application terminology to identify functions terminology to identify functions
Terminology identify functions and interaction of identify functions and interaction of
and interaction of the components and interaction of the components
the components basic components
Knowledge/ - limited ability to - identifies and - usually identifies - consistently
Understanding identify and describes the and describes the identifies and
Internal components describe the function and function and describes the
function and interactions of interactions of function and
interactions of micro computer micro computer interactions of
micro computer components components micro computer
components components
Knowledge/ - limited ability to - identifies and - usually identifies - consistently
Understanding identify and describes the and describes the identifies and
Communication describe the function and function and describes the
External function and interactions of some interactions of function and
components interactions of external external interactions of
external components components components external
components
Knowledge/ - limited ability to - identifies and - usually identifies - consistently
Understanding identify and describes the and describes the identifies and
Peripherals describe the function and function and describes the
function and interactions of some interactions of function and
 interaction of some peripheral peripheral interactions of some
of peripheral components components peripheral
components components

Criteria Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4

(50-59%) (60-69%) (70-79%) (80-100%)
Knowledge/ - limited following - follows some - usually follows - recommends
Understanding of recognized safety recognized safety recognized safety procedures to
Application procedures when procedures when procedures when ensure safe working
Safety working with working with working with conditions
electrical current electrical current electrical current
- limited application - recommends
of appropriate - sometimes applies - usually applies methods to ensure
methods to ensure appropriate appropriate safe dissipation of
grounding methods to ensure methods to ensure static electricity
grounding grounding (e.g., grounding
- limited use of mats)
specific tools for - sometimes uses - recommends
tasks specific tools for - usually uses alternative methods
tasks specific tools for of assembly/
tasks disassembly that
address safety
considerations

Appendix
Computer Safety Worksheet
1. What tools should you have on your worktable before beginning to work on any computer?
2. What characteristic should a tool not have when working on a computer?
3. What special process is required before handling electronic circuit boards or ICs?
4. What type of footwear is most suitable when working on a computer?
5. What type of clothing must be avoided when working on a computer?
6. Describe how electronic devices and computer circuit boards must be handled.
7. Name two special considerations when choosing cleaning agents for computer components.
8. Why is it important not to eat or drink in the computer lab?
9. What is the procedure to follow if chemicals get into your eyes?
10. Why is it always important to record settings and configurations before changing them?
11. Explain how you would backup a file. Why is that important? How would you create a backup?

Sample Glossary of Terms Table

Term Explanation
motherboard
BIOS
CPU
RAM
Rubric to assess terminology, disassembly/assembly, and safety

Criteria Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4

(50-59%) (60-69%) (70-79%) (80-100%)
Application - limited use of - usually uses - consistently uses - uses appropriate
Terminology appropriate appropriate appropriate terminology to
terminology to terminology to terminology to identify all
identify components identify some types identify basic components and
and their function of components and components and their peripherals and their
their function function function
Application - limited ability to - correctly identifies - consistently - identifies all
Disassembly/ identify compatible some components identifies most compatible
assembly components and compatible components and
peripherals components and peripherals
peripherals
- correctly installs
- limited ability to some components - consistently installs - installs all
install compatible most compatible compatible
components and components and components and
peripherals peripherals peripherals
Application - limited safety - follows some - usually follows - consistently follows
Safety procedures followed recognized safety recognized safety safety procedures
when working with procedures when procedures when
electrical current working with working with
electrical current electrical current
- limited application - consistently follows
of appropriate - applies some - usually applies safe grounding
methods to ensure appropriate methods appropriate methods methods
grounding to ensure grounding to ensure grounding

- limited use of
specific tools for - sometimes uses - usually uses - consistently uses
tasks specific tools for specific tools for specific tools for
tasks tasks tasks
Note: A student whose achievement is below level 1 (50%) has not met the expectations for this assignment or
activity.
Appendix

Computer disassembly log sheet

Entries in the Image (Drawing) column may be neatly hand drawn or cropped/copied/pasted from the motherboard
worksheet in Appendix 1.2.5.
Component Label or Location Orientation Connections (to Image
Identification (in case or mb) (ICs, cables, etc) other parts) (Drawing)

Appendix
Hard Drive Glossary of Terms
Terms Definition
Access Time
Boot Record
Cluster
Cylinder
Data Area
Data Transfer Rate
Directory
ESDI
FAT
Formatting
Hard Disk
IDE
Land
Magnetic Storage
Pit
Read/Write Head
Sector
Track
Sample Glossary of Terms

CACHE: Cache is another type of memory kindred to RAM. Cache is used by the computer to quickly move data
between the RAM and the CPU.
CD-ROM DRIVE: Most new computers now come with a CD-ROM drive. A CD-ROM drive reads data from a
disc. These CDs look like a music CD, but hold data instead of music. CD-ROMs also contain games, dictionaries,
recipe files... the list is endless.
CPU: The CPU, or central processing unit, is the brains of the computer. Most new Windows based programs use a
Pentium processor, and MAC computers use Power Mac processors.
HARD DRIVE: The hard drive also is called the hard disk. Youll probably never see it because it is nestled inside
your computer. Its the computers electronic filling cabinet, and it stores the computers operating system, files,
programs and documents. Hard drive capacity now range up to 20 Gigabytes
KEYBOARD: Just like a typewriter keyboard, this device is the primary way of inputting data into many programs.
MEMORY: This is the circuitry or device that holds information in an electrical or magnetic form. There is read-
only memory (ROM), which is information stored on a manufacturer supplied IC, and random-access memory
(RAM), which is chip-based storage inside the computer. Memory is measured in Megabytes (MBs).
MONITOR: An output device that allows you to see what you are doing. Most computers come with 14 or 15-inch
monitors. This size is good for most peoples needs. Larger 17- or 21-inch monitors also are available, but may cost
more.
MOTHERBOARD: The motherboard is the circuit board that everything in the computer plugs into. The CPU,
RAM and caps all plug into the motherboard.
MOUSE: The mouse is another input device that makes getting around in your computer easier. It is a handheld
object that is good for doing tasks such as moving and pointing to objects on the screen, and can replace the function
and control keys of the keyboard.
RAM: Computers save data in two ways: on the hard drive and in random access memory (RAM) or internal
memory. New computer buyers should look for models with at least 16 MBs of RAM (or more, depending on what
types of programs youll be running). Make sure that the computer can be upgraded.
SOUND CARD: This device allows your computer to reproduce music, sounds, and voices. Make sure you have a
sound card if youre planning to play multimedia games.
VIDEO CARD: The video card is the part of the computer that sends the images to the monitor.
Appendix 1.2.4

Quiz
1. What do the following acronyms or words stand for?
(a) CPU (b) ROM (c) CMOS (d) BIOS (e) Mbyte (f) HD
(g) CD-ROM (h) HEX (i) Byte (j) IDE (k) SCSI (l) UDAM
(m) SDRAM (n) DIP (o) PCI (p) AGP (q) ISA (r) Bus

2. Label the parts of the hard drive. Include hidden parts beneath the elements that are visible.

3. Provide a simple block diagram for a computer. List some common computer parts under each block
you show.