Lesson Objectives

•All understand basic computer architecture and name the components.

•Most be able to give the function for the components of a basic computer.

•Some explain in detail what the purpose for each part of basic computer architecture is.

Guide to presentation

10 mins

A rough guide to how long you spend on an activity is given on specific slides.

Collaberation with other members of the course will occur when gold links are seen.

Computer Architecture – What is it?

http://stoodle.ck12.org/class/52d16a5ba450a

Follow this link in order to complete what you know

about computer architecture.

10 mins

Basic Computer Architecture

Input

Process

Main Memory RAM

Output

Auxiliary Memory

Think about computer architecture being like a kitchen:

Recipes are the instructions (input),

Preparation and cooking are the process

Finished meal is the output.

The main parts of the architecture:

Computer Part Purpose Part of the body

Case

Holds all parts of the computer together, just

like skeleton of a human.

Plug (power supply)

Gives life to the computer just like our

heart pumps blood around our body.

We can relate the parts to the human body to make it easier to understand.

Cont.Computer part Purpose Part of the body

Processor

This is where all processes take place; like how our

brain tells our bodies what to do.

Motherboard

This sends the messages across the system, to

ensure that the processes happen. Just like our

nervous system, which sends messages around our

body.

Hard driveThis stores information so it can be retrieved again at a later date. This is like our

long term memory

RAM (Random Access Memory)

This where current processes are stored. The computer does not save these, so they are only

accessible at that time. Just like short term memory

Computer part Purpose Part of the body

InputThis is an action used to

ensure a process can happen and in turn

produce an output. Just like how we humans eat.

Output

Something that occurs due to an output and

process being completed. Like our bodies digesting

the food we eat and realising energy

Cont.

Activity• http://www.kubbu.com/a1/51246_machine_architecture

• Follow this link. It will take you to a fill in the blank quiz, related to something you will be involved in next week.

• Print screen your results, and upload to Moodle, so I can see how you are getting on.