Chapter 1 Nature of Technology Year 4

The Nature of Technology:
Computers Around Us

What you will learn ?

1. Computer power improves how devices such as TVs & cars work.

2. How computers & technology improves the way people work.

3. Computer storage & why it is important.
   
   

• ​1969 era.

• ​Heavy & hard to carry anywhere.

• Cannot connect to internet.

Old Days Television

• ​Present

• ​Light & easy to carry anywhere.

• Able to connect with internet.

​​Nowadays Televison

1.1 The Power of Computers

You will learn :

• How computers help us to work

• ​How important a microprocessor is to a computer

• Microprocessors are small enough to be used in other devices.

People use a word processor to produce documents such as reports, plans & letters.

Spreadsheets show how much money a business is making

Attractive presentations give information to staffs & customers.

1. Produce Documents

Computers help people to find information they need to do their jobs.

It can store a lot of data.

You can find information quickly.

2. Find Information

Computers send emails & messages to customers & work colleagues.

Voice & video conversations mean people can communicate wherever they are.

3. Communications

The most important part of a computer is called a Microprocessor.

A microprocessor is the computer's brain.

It controls all of the device performances.

It is small in size.

Microprocessors make devices more powerful and easier to use.

What makes a computer so powerful?

Question ?


1.1 Activity Session

Multiple Select

What are the 3 main things that computer helps people in works?

• To produce documents such as reports, plans and letters.

• To fasten works and make it more comfortable.

• To perform an increasing variety of tasks with a high level of technical skills.

• To find information they needs to do their jobs.

  Find information quickly.

• To communicates with people wherever they are.

1.2 Microprocessors at Home

You will learn :

How microprocessors improve how devices work at home and car.

Microprocessors let us pause programmes / record them to watch later.

TVs have remote controls to change channels & adjust volume.

Can control TVs with your voice.

1. TV

Microprocessors in Home

Microprocessors make sure you can wash your clothes without damaging them.

Can control the time and the speed of the washing machine.

2. Washing Machine

Microprocessors in Home

Microprocessors allow devices to connect to the internet.

A device that is connected to the internet is called a smart device.

Smart refrigerators can warn us if food is out of date.

Can check what is in your smart refrigerator using your smartphones while you are at supermarket.

3. Fridge

Microprocessors in Home

Microprocessors are used in home alarm & heating systems.

Sensors be installed in rooms to detect movement.

The microprocessor uses information from the sensors to sound alarm / turn on lights & heating when someone enters the room.

4. Home Systems

Microprocessors in Home

Modern cars can have 60 embedded microprocessors.

Each microprocessor does a special job.

Microprocessor in car

Microprocessor make car :

1. Easier to drive - satellite navigation helps driver get to their destinations.

2. Passengers more comfortable - The temperature in the car was kept at the right level.

3. safer - brakes can be applied if cars get too close to another vehicle.

You will learn :
How microprocessors are used to improve the way people work.

1.3 Microprocessor at work

Doctors

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) & Computerised Axial Tomography (CAT) scanners create 3D picture inside patient.

Manufacturing

Modern car factories use robots to assemble cars. A car moves from one stop to another & at each stop the robots will complete work on part of the car. Robots are used for repetitive & also dangerous works.

Retail

Goods are scanned using a barcode reader. This creates detailed receipts for the customer.

This helps the supermarket decide what items to order from their suppliers.

Customers pay via debit & credit card, money is transferred automatically from the customer to the shop.

A computer uses a device called a storage drive to save files. A storage drive can save a large amount of information.

Example :
- 150,000 photographs
- 8500 hours of music
-300,000 books.

Computer storage

1.4 Computer Storage

All types of media used on a computer are stored in files. A file stored on a computer is called a data file.

Example :
-Text documents (homework / assignment)
- Pictures & photographs
- Videos
- Music

Network storage

A network storage drive usually connects computers in schools & offices. Everyone using it can use it to save their work. It allows you to use/search your data on any computer

Flash drive

Is a small portable storage device. Can be used to move files from one computer to another. A flash drive is plugged into a computer so that a data file can be saved to it.

Choose a name that describes the information in your file.

Example: You have just completed a science homework. You must save the file as your name_science_class

1. Use a helpful name

Tips for saving files

Saving work correctly is important. Failing to save work correctly could mean :

- You will lose work & must start again
- You may not be able to find your work when you need it.

2. Use folders to organize your work

Folders help to organize your files. You can create a folder to hold all of your Science work. Your file just now can be kept under this folder named Science.

3. Save your work often

Please save your work regularly & often. Don't wait until you have finished a piece of work before saving it. To avoid lose of data when suddenly your laptop turns down.

Rules when saving files: