CTH - Computers and Their History (Module Overview)
Computers and Their History
Introduction
Computers are second nature to you, today's students. You are growing up with computers in your hands, unlike the current adults in society. Information is at your fingertips. But, what of the history of computers? How did this great technological revolution take place? Creative people are behind the change. With this module we will explore the history of computing and the people who enabled the technology revolution.
Essential Questions
- How can a creative development process affect the creation of computational artifacts?
- How can computing and the use of computational tools foster creative expression?
- How can computing extend traditional forms of human expression and experience?
- How are the different parts of computer memory used in the computer?
- What is the historical development of the computer?
- Who are major historical people associated with the development of the computer?
- How do businesses use the computer?
- How does education use the computer?
- What are the ethical and legal aspects of using digital material?
Key Terms
artifact – any human creation providing documentation of a topic. Examples include physical objects (vase, statue, written assignment, oral presentation) and digital objects (infographic, slide presentations, movie, image).
asynchronous – events or objects not existing or happening at the same time. Example: email.
attribution – giving credit to who originally developed the idea, image, etc. that you are using.
BIOS – Basic Input Output System; preprogrammed on your computer to operate the screen and keyboard.
citation – providing appropriate attribution for a source reference.
copyright – a form of protection provided by the laws of the United States or other countries for "original works of authorship.
Creative Commons Licensing – licensing giving all creators a standardized way to grant the public access to their creative work under the copyright law.
digital - items stored on a computer for visual use; in the lowest form as a series of zeros and ones.
digital artifact - a item stored on a computer that represents information or learning in the sense of education. Examples include infographic, video, images, flipbook, etc.
Digital Millennium Copyright Act – an anti-piracy statute effectively making it illegal to circumvent copy protections designed to prevent pirates from duplicating digital copyrighted works and selling or freely distributing them.
Digital Rights Management (DRM) – prevents unauthorized redistribution of digital media and restrict the ways consumers can copy content they've purchased.
digitization – the process of converting information into a computer-readable format; the lowest format being a storage using zeros and ones.
fair use – limited use of copyrighted works, without the permission of the owner, allowed for criticism and commentary, parody, news reporting, research and classroom instruction.
flash memory – nonvolatile electronic memory that can be erased and rewritten allowing for updates.
image – a picture.
infographic – a presentation style for the organization of information on a topic; an artifact that is digital
intellectual property – creations of the mind, such as inventions; literary and artistic works; designs; and symbols, names and images.
logo – a symbol used by manufacturers or merchants to identify their products and distinguish them from others.
nonvolatile memory – memory that is not erased, long term storage. Example: computer hard-drive.
open access – free, unrestricted online availability to research such as journal articles and books.
open source – software which is free to modify, change, and share due to public access.
paraphrase – using your own words to tell what you have read, heard, or seen. Paraphrasing does not require quotation marks but must be cited.
patent - legal document granted by the government, giving an inventor the exclusive right to make, use, and sell an invention for a specified number of years.
peer-to-peer file sharing – allows users to access shared files. Examples are music, games, movies, and books.
plagiarism – copying a creative work as one’s own without crediting the original author or obtaining authorization or closely imitating the language and thoughts of another author again without authorization or crediting the original creator.
proprietary software – non-free computer software which the publisher or another person retains intellectual property rights.
public domain – intellectual works that are not copyrighted and may be used without permission but should still be cited.
RAM – Random Access Memory.
ROM – Read Only Memory; programmed from the factory with information to boot your computer when you turn on the "on" button, including the BIOS. This memory is not erased when the computer is turned off.
SAM – Sequential Access Memory; storage accessed sequentially; a cassette tape, a CD.
spreadsheet – an organization of data which may be sorted and manipulated to provide interpretive analysis.
synchronous – existing or occurring at the same time. Example is instant messaging, video conference (GAVS Live Learning Sessions) or chat.
tangible – perceptible by touch.
text editor – a program providing a basic document with cut, paste, undo, and redo functions.
trade secrets – proprietary procedures, systems, devices, formulas, strategies or other information that is confidential and exclusive to the company using them.
trademark – a design used by an organization on its letterhead, advertising material, and signs as an emblem by which the organization can easily be recognized.
transformative – taking the original copyrighted work and transforming its appearance or nature so that the use no longer qualifies as a copyright.
URL – Uniform Resource Locator, the link in the browser bar giving the complete address to find the material needed on the internet.
volatile memory – memory used for quick processing, information is gone when the computer is turned off.
web 2.0 tools – Internet tools that allow the user to go beyond just receiving information through the web; the user can interact and create content.
word processor – a program providing a basic document with cut, paste, undo, and redo functions in addition to checking for correct spelling and formatting of words and sentences with special features for images, tables, charts, headings, sections and more.
IMAGE CREATED BY GAVS