Term
| Information technology (pg. 4) |
|
Definition
| A general term that describes any technology that helps to produce, manipulate, store, communicate and/or disseminate information |
|
|
Term
| Communications technology (pg. 5): (telecommunications technology) |
|
Definition
| Consists of electromagnetic devices and systems for communicating over long distance |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A communications system connecting two or more computers; The internet is the largest such network |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Something is created, simulated, or carried by means of a computer or a computer network |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Encompasses not only the online world, and the internet, in particular, but also the whole wired and wireless world of communications in general |
|
|
Term
| Internet (pg. 17): (“The Net”) |
|
Definition
| A worldwide computer network that connects hundreds of thousands of smaller networks. These networks link educational, commercial, nonprofit, and military entities, as well as individuals |
|
|
Term
| World Wide Web (pg. 18): (“Web” or “web”) |
|
Definition
| An interconnected system of internet computers (called servers) that support specially formatted documents in multimedia form |
|
|
Term
| digital assistant (PDA) (pg. 23): (handheld computer or palmtop) |
|
Definition
| mbines personal organization tools- schedule planners, address books, to-do lists- with the ability in some cases to send email and faxes |
|
|
Term
| Microcontroller (pg. 23): (embedded computer) |
|
Definition
| Tiny, specialized microprocessors installed in new “smart” appliances and automobiles |
|
|
Term
| Server (pg. 24): (network server) |
|
Definition
| A central computer that holds collections of data (databases) and programs for connecting or supplying services to PDs, workstations, and other devises, which are called “clients”. These clients are linked by a wired or wireless network. The entire network is called a client/server network” |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| PCs, workstations, and other devices that are connected or supplied services by a server |
|
|
Term
| Primary storage (pg. 25): (memory) |
|
Definition
| The internal computer circuitry that temporarily holds data waiting to be processed |
|
|
Term
| Secondary storage (pg. 26): (storage) |
|
Definition
| The devices and media that store data or information permanently |
|
|
Term
| Processor chip, or central processing unit (CPU) (pg. 28) |
|
Definition
| A tiny piece of silicon that contains millions of miniature electronic circuits |
|
|
Term
| Memory chip (RAM) (pg. 28): (random access memory) |
|
Definition
| Represents primary storage, or temporary storage; they hold data before processing and information after processing, before it is sent along to an output or storage device |
|
|
Term
| Motherboard (pg. 29): (system board) |
|
Definition
| The main circuit board in the computer |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| For expanding the PC’s capabilities- which give you a place to plug in additional circuit boards |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A storage device that stores billions of characters of data on a nonremovable disk platter |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Helps the computer perform essential operating tasks and enables the application software to run |
|
|
Term
| Application software (pg. 33) |
|
Definition
| Enables you to perform specific tasks- Solve problems, perform work, or entertain yourself |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Refers to the connection of computers to one another by a communications line in order to provide online information access and/or the sharing of peripheral devices |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Refers to two-way communication; the user can respond to information he or she receives and modify what a computer is doing |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Refers to technology that presents information in more than one medium- such as text, pictures, video, sound, and animation- in a single integrated communication |
|
|
Term
| 1. What are the two components of information technology? (pgs. 4-5) |
|
Definition
Communication technology
Computer technology |
|
|
Term
| 2. How do computers provide interactive and individualized learning? (pgs. 5-6) |
|
Definition
E-learning
Virtual tutors via avatars |
|
|
Term
| 3. Describe ways in which information technology is being used in health and medicine. (pgs. 6-8) |
|
Definition
Calculate risks
Bio-engineering (prosthetic limbs, et cetera)
Implants (pacemakers, computer chips, et cetera) |
|
|
Term
| 4. What are some of the changes that information technology is making in banking and money? (pg. 8) |
|
Definition
Digital money (PayPal)
Direct deposit of funds into bank accounts
Micropayments (iTunes’ 99 cent songs) |
|
|
Term
| 5. What are two benefits that make internet users more likely to contact government than nonusers? (pg. 10) |
|
Definition
Ease of finding information online
Ease of contacting officials through email |
|
|
Term
| 6. How is information technology changing the job market? (pgs. 12-13) |
|
Definition
Hotels (computerized reservation systems)
Law enforcement (computers for searching criminal databases) |
|
|
Term
| 7. How is email distinctive from earlier forms of communication? (pg. 16) |
|
Definition
| The technology was the quickest to catch on. No technology has ever become so universal so fast. |
|
|
Term
| 8. Distinguish between the internet, the web, and cyberspace. (pgs. 16-18) |
|
Definition
Internet: worldwide computer network (hundreds of thousands of smaller networks all connected)
The web: interconnected system of servers (multimedia part of the internet)
Cyberspace: All online/wired/wireless world of communications in general. |
|
|
Term
| 9. Describe the characteristics of the five general sizes of computers. (pgs. 20-23) |
|
Definition
Supercomputer: high-capacity, thousands of processors, several trillion calculations per second
Mainframe: often used by large organizations; process millions of transactions
Workstation: expensive, powerful, personal computers; used for complex mathematical purposes/complex scientific purposes
Microcomputer: personal computer (PC)
Microcontrollers: embedded computer; used in cell phones, et cetera. |
|
|
Term
| 10. In terms of computer networks, contrast clients and serves. (pg. 24) |
|
Definition
Server: large central computer; provides connectivity to clients
Client: connects to the server |
|
|
Term
| 11. Describe what occurs during each of the five basic computer operations. (pgs. 25-26) |
|
Definition
1. Input: user puts data of some sort into a computer
2. Processing: computer manipulates to transform data into information
3. Storage: either stores data/information temporarily, or permanently.
4. Output: the results of processing, usually information
5. Communications: sharing of data |
|
|
Term
| 12. Identify the types of computer operations of each of the following devices performs: (pg. 27-32) |
|
Definition
a. Keyboard and mouse
Keyboard: input device; converts letters, numbers, and characters into electrical signals readable by the processor.
Mouse: input device; used to manipulate the objects viewed on the screen (computer display)
b. Power supply, processor chip, memory chip, and motherboard
Power supply: provides power
Processor chip: tiny piece of silicon; contains millions of miniature electronic circuits
Memory chip: represents primary storage, or temporary storage; they hold data before and after processing
Motherboard: the main circuit board in the computer
c. Floppy drive, hard drive, and CD/DVD drive
Floppy drive: storage device; 3.5-inch-diameter diskettes
Hard drive: storage device; stores billions of characters of data on a nonremovable disk platter.
CD/DVD drive: storage device; uses laser technology to read data from optical disks
d. Video, sound card, monitor, speakers, and printer
Video card: converts the processor’s output information into a video signal that can be sent through a cable to the monitor
Sound card: enhances the computer’s sound-generating capabilities by allowing the sound to be output through speakers
Monitor: display device that takes electrical signals from the video card and converts them into an image
Speakers: plays sound transmitted as electrical signals from the sound card
Printer: output device’ produces text and graphics on paper
e. Modem
A device that sends and receives data over telephone lines to and from computers |
|
|
Term
| 13. What are the “brains” of a computer? (pg. 28) |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| 14. Describe the two basic categories of software. (pgs.32-33) |
|
Definition
System software: helps the computer perform essential operating tasks and enables the application software to run
Application software: enables you to perform specific tasks- solve problems, perform work, or entertain yourself |
|
|
Term
| 15. What is connectivity? (pg, 35) |
|
Definition
| Refers to the connection of computers to one another by a communications line in order to provide online information access and/or the sharing of peripheral devices. |
|
|
Term
| 16. Explain how convergence, portability, personalization, and collaboration will affect future computer developments. (pgs. 36-37) |
|
Definition
Convergence has led to electronic products that perform multiple functions.
Portability has resulted in predictions that small, powerful, wireless, personal electronic devices will transform our lives far more that the personal computer has done so far.
Personalization is the creation of information tailored to your preferences.
Collaboration allows for the enhancement of systems. |
|
|
Term
| 17. Describe the ethical concerns in computing regarding: (pg. 37) |
|
Definition
a. Speed and scale
Great amounts of information can be stored, retrieved, and transmitted at a speed and on a scale not possible before. Data security and personal privacy may become compromised.
b. Unpredictability
Computers and communications are pervasive, touching nearly every aspect of our lives. Compared to other technologies, information technology seems a lot less predictable and reliable.
c. Complexity
Computer systems are often incredibly complex. Some are so complex that they are not always understood even by their creators. This may result in the production of massive foul-ups or spectacularly out-of-control costs. |
|
|
