Computers, part of your life – Grade 10

Flashcards covering hardware, input, output, storage, connecting devices, and health/environmental issues related to computers.

Hardware

The physical components of a computing device that you can touch.

Peripherals

Devices that you can connect externally to a computer.

Information Processing Cycle

The cycle consisting of input, processing, output, and storage.

Input Device

Receives instructions and data to work on.

Output Device

Gives feedback on the results of processing, usually as pictures, text, sound, or printing.

Processing

Works on the data, such as calculating, sorting, and searching.

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

The part of the computer that does the processing.

Communications

Enables devices to interact with users and other devices, providing input and output.

Storage

Keeps a permanent record of work, receiving output and providing input.

Input

Data and instructions given to a computing device.

App

A set of instructions loaded into memory when you run it.

Data

Data that computing devices need to process, including text, numbers, graphics, audio, and video.

Mouse

A common input device used for interacting with graphics on the screen.

Keyboard

The most commonly used input device, also used to give instructions to a computer.

Click

Select an option or an object such as a file or folder.

Double-click

Start a program or open a file or folder.

Right-click

Opens a pop-up menu with options or actions relevant to the object.

Drag

Move an object from one location to another.

Scroll

Use the mouse wheel to move in lists, long documents or web pages without using the vertical scrollbar.

Output

Whatever the computing device produces to provide us with the results of its processing.

Monitor Size

Measured diagonally in inches, from one corner to the other.

Resolution

Refers to the number of pixels (small dots) used to form the screen image, measured horizontally and vertically.

Graphics card

Specialized circuitry used to generate the image on a monitor.

Inkjet/Ink tank printers

Work by spraying microscopic dots of ink onto the paper.

Laser printers

Transfer toner to the paper, using static electricity, heat and pressure and are fast and cost efficient.

3D printers

Creating physical three-dimensional objects by melting plastic wire (filament) and squeezing thin amounts out of a fine nozzle.

Default

The setting or value that a computer will use, unless the user changes it.

Printer queues

Where print tasks are temporarily stored on the computer’s main storage until the printer is ready.

Storage

Device to keep data and programs; it's permanent and non-volatile.

Electronic Storage

Storage that uses SSD, flash drive, memory card.

Magnetic Storage

Storage that uses HDD and external/portable hard drives.

Kilobyte (KB)

1000 bytes.

Megabyte (MB)

1000 KB.

Gigabyte (GB)

1000 MB.

Terabyte (TB)

1000 GB.

Cloud

Computers and storage space made available through the internet.

Portable storage

Used to easily back up data and connected to the computer via a USB port.

Wired connections

Use a cable that plugs into a port.

Ports

The sockets on a computer that you use to connect peripherals to your computer.

USB (Universal Serial Bus)

The most common and versatile wired connection for peripherals.

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface)

Transmits high-definition video and audio signals for connecting monitors.

Bluetooth

A wireless communication standard that allows devices to exchange data over short distances using radio waves.

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)

Injuries resulting from fast, repetitive actions.

Ergonomics

The study and design of the workplace for the comfort and safety of people.

Electronic waste (e-waste)

Outdated or broken electronic equipment that gets dumped.

Green computing

Using computers in a way that is sensitive to the environment.