Digital Technology Foundations: Course Introduction

• UR5: Foundations of Digital Technology is the title of the course.
• Dr. Rashad Ragab from the Math Department at Helwan University is the instructor.
• Email address is [email protected].

Course Outline

• Introduction to computer and information systems will be covered.
• Types of computers will be taught.
• Computer hardware and software components will be examined.
• Introduction to networking will be provided.
• Introduction to the Internet will be covered.

Lecture Outlines

• The parts of an information system include people, procedures, software, hardware, data, and the Internet.
• A distinction can be made between system software and application software.
• The three kinds of system software programs can be differentiated.
• General-purpose, specialized, and mobile applications can be defined and compared.
• The four types of computers and the five types of personal computers can be identified.
• The different types of computer hardware include the system unit, input, output, storage, and communication devices.
• Data definitions and descriptions include document, worksheet, database, and presentation files.
• Computer connectivity, the wireless revolution, the Internet, cloud computing, and IoT will be explained.

Grading

• Homework and practical assignments are worth 20% of grade.
• Projects and attendance comprise 10% of grade.
• Midterm exam 1 is 10% of grade.
• The final exam is 60% of grade.

Reasons for Taking This Course

• Powerful software and hardware systems are transforming human interaction daily.
• The course is designed to provide the skills and concepts to navigate digital environments.

Introduction to Digital Technology

• Computer competency refers to acquiring computer-related skills.
• Information systems have become pervasive in daily life.
• Microcomputers are common in all areas of life.
• New forms of learning provide educational alternatives without physical attendance.
• The Web facilitates purchasing, communication, and interest sharing.

General Concepts

• A computer is a general-purpose, programmable device that calculates and stores results.

Basic Computer Components

• Input involves feeding data into the computer.
• Processing is what the computer does with the data.
• Output is the result of the data.

Hardware, Software, IT

• Hardware refers to the physical parts of a computer, such as the system unit, monitor, keyboard, and mouse.
• Software is a set of instructions that dictates how a computer behaves.
• Software can reside on a hard disk, CD-ROM, DVD, or diskette.
• Software is loaded from the disk into the computer's RAM when needed.
• Information Technology (IT) encompasses all technologies for creating, storing, exchanging, and using information in various forms.
• IT includes business data, voice conversations, images, multimedia, and future technologies.
• IT includes both telephony and computer technology.

Parts of an Information System

• Key components are people, procedures, software, hardware, data and connectivity.
• People are the end users who operate computers to enhance productivity.
• Procedures are guidelines for computer operations.
• Software provides step-by-step instructions for the computer hardware.
• Hardware includes devices like the keyboard, mouse, monitor, and system unit.
• Data consists of raw facts, including text, numbers, images, and sounds.
• Connectivity enables computers to share information and access the Internet.

The Importance of IT Professionals

• The most important element of any system is the people involved.
• Computer use is direct or indirect though entertainment, business, medicine and education.

System Software

• System software enables application software to interact with computer hardware.
• Background software manages resources.
• System software is a collection of programs, including operating systems, utilities and device drivers.
• Operating system does three things: coordinates computer resources, provides the user interface and runs applications

Types of Computers

• Varieties include supercomputers, mainframe computers, midrange computers, microcomputers, servers, and workstations.

Microcomputer Types

• Options include desktop, notebook, tablet PC, and handheld devices.

Connectivity & The Internet

• Connectivity enables information sharing.
• Wireless communication is very common.
• Computer networks are connected communication systems.
• The largest network is the Internet.
• Cloud computing allows users to shift computer activities from their devices to computers on the Internet.

Future IT Developments

• The future may see changes in the Internet, the Web, software, hardware, security, privacy, organizations and changing times.