TOPIC 1 : THE COMPUTER SYSTEM

Greetings classmates! Here are the basic computer system terms that I understand.
1. Computer
2. Keyboard
3. mouse
4. Digital Camera
5. Pointing Stick
6. Touch Screen
7. Scanner
8. Monitor
9. Printer
10. Speakers
11. Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)
12. CD-Rom
13. Flash Drive
14. USB Drive
15. CD Drive
15. DVD Drive

New knowledge I learned about the computer system:
I wanted to expand my very basic and limited knowledge. The first place I looked was Wikipedia. From Wikipedia, I learned computers started around the 1940s-1950s. It was interesting to read about the beginning of computers, and also how calculators were developed first. Also, that there is much more technology than I once thought. I just assumed that computers were the first technology, but really technology has been around for generations. It simply depends on what technology is developing at that point in time. In one-hundred years, technology might mean something else surely! Computers could be old news! I also learned that most computers have MP3 players, which is a digital audio player. I was interested to learn what speech recognition was, and how a computer could understand voice commands. In speech recognition software, the computer has the ability to turn spoken words to text! I think this would be very valuable in the school setting, especially for students with learning disabilities. Also, I found it interesting that there were several different forms of mouses and keyboards. For example, there is a mechanical, optical, wheel, and cordless mouse. Further, the three types of keyboards are enhanced/extended keyboard, cordless keyboard, and ergonomic keyboard. I was fascinated by the ergonomic keyboard. This keyboard is separated into groups to help muscle strain. I personally have carpel tunnel syndrome and typing is often hard on my wrists and fingers after awhile. I looked and the costs for these keyboards are similar to regular keyboards. Researching about the computer system, I began to become curious about what other adjustments have been made since the invention of the computer to help persons with disabilities make the computer more user friendly. There are several software programs to make the computer easier for learning disabled persons. Using touch screens, microphones, touch pads, speech recognition, speakers, and picture tube technology are just a few ways to help making the computer system more user friendly. Lastly, I was interested in the types of connectors on the computer system. Specifically, the sound card connectors since I recently purchased a microphone to use with my students in class. I learned where to plug it and what the differences between the microphone, speaker, Line In, and Line Out connectors. I used the pictures in my research to try to connect my microhone, speakers, and headphones into my laptop. I felt I was taking research into action! Obviously I am just a beginner at learning the computer system, but I feel more confident now. I beleive I know most of the system, but I need to learn the proper technological terminiolgy for each componet. Feel free to check out the sources I used below and enjoy!

Sources:
Disability Services in Higher Education Resources
Wiki page on Computer Systems
Retrieved February 5, 2011.