Basic 8 · Computing · Term Preparation

Preparing for the Term in Computing

In this topic you will review the key ideas of computer components, computer systems, technology in the community, health and safety, and presentation software from Basic 7, and plan for this term's digital work.

By the end of these notes you should be able to:

Recall the components and generations of computers
Recall file management, health and safety and PowerPoint skills
Set goals and rules for safe, productive computer use this term

What you already know

Computing, Basic 7

Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.

Lesson 1

Strand: Introduction to Computing
Sub-strand: Term Preparation

Introduction

Computing builds on what you already know. Before learning about the fifth generation of computers and new software skills, let us refresh the foundations from Basic 7.

1. Generations and Components

Review of components

Topic	Key points
generations	1st vacuum tubes; 2nd transistors; 3rd integrated circuits; 4th microprocessors (VLSI); 5th artificial intelligence
input devices	manual (keyboard, mouse, touchscreen) and automatic (barcode reader, sensors)
output devices	soft copy (monitor, speakers) and hard copy (printers, plotters)
storage devices	HDD, SSD, flash drives, memory cards, optical discs
processing	the CPU (microprocessor) follows program instructions

Remember the basic cycle of a computer: input devices take in data, the processor works on it, output devices show the results and storage devices keep data for later use. Every topic this term fits somewhere in this cycle.

2. Computer Systems Review

In Basic 7 you explored the Windows desktop, the Start menu, the taskbar, preview thumbnails and user accounts. You practised file management: creating, renaming (F2), copying (Ctrl + C), cutting (Ctrl + X), pasting (Ctrl + V), deleting and restoring files from the Recycle Bin. This term you will learn about the Charms bar from Windows 8 and managing whole drives.

Students working at computers in a school laboratory

Figure 1: Computer laboratory Draw the input-process-output-storage cycle with examples.

3. Practical Warm-Up

Log in to your account.
Create a folder named "JHS2 Computing" in Documents.
Inside it, create subfolders for each topic of the term.
Save a short document describing your Basic 7 Computing highlights.
Copy the folder to a flash drive and eject it safely.

4. Why the Review Matters

Skills fade when they are not used. A quick review reveals what you remember well and what needs more practice. The teacher can then plan lessons that build on your strengths and fill any gaps before moving on to new topics.

5. Computers in Ghanaian Life

Think about how computers touched your life this week. A mobile money transfer, a school report printed by the teacher, an online result check, a hospital record or a bank alert all depend on computers. Understanding computers well is no longer only for IT professionals; it is a basic skill for every citizen, just like reading and writing.

New words

generation: A stage in the development of computers.
input-process-output: The basic cycle of how computers work.
file management: Organising files and folders.
subfolder: A folder inside another folder.

Summary

Computers have developed through five generations, from vacuum tubes to artificial intelligence.
Input, processing, output and storage form the basic computer cycle.
File management skills from Basic 7 prepare you for drive management this term.

Class activity: Folder Set-Up

Create a folder structure for this term's Computing work.
Save a short review document inside it.
Back it up to a flash drive.

You need: Desktop computer, Keyboard, Mouse

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

1. Fourth-generation computers use…
- A. microprocessors
- B. vacuum tubes
- C. transistors only
- D. punched cards
Show answer
Answer: microprocessorsVLSI chips.
2. Which shortcut renames a file?
- A. F2
- B. F5
- C. Ctrl + P
- D. Ctrl + Z
Show answer
Answer: F2Rename.
3. A barcode reader is an automatic input device.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueReads data directly.
4. A folder inside another folder is a ______.
Show answer
Answer: subfolderNested folder.
5. Describe the input-process-output-storage cycle.
Show answer
Answer: Input devices take data in, the CPU processes it, output devices show results and storage keeps data.Cycle.
6. Why is it useful to create a folder structure at the start of the term?
Show answer
Answer: It keeps files organised by topic, making them easy to find and back up.Organisation.

Lesson 2

Strand: Introduction to Computing
Sub-strand: Term Preparation

Introduction

Computers are powerful tools, but they must be used safely and responsibly. Let us review what you learned about technology in the community, health and safety and PowerPoint.

1. Technology and Safety Review

Review of technology and safety

Topic	Key points
technology tools	calculators, Scratch, Lightbot, GeoGebra, e-books, simulations
e-waste	contains lead, mercury and cadmium; dispose of at certified centres; Act 917
health hazards	eye strain, RSI, back pain, hearing damage
posture	back straight, feet flat, wrists straight, screen at eye level
safety	no food or drink, no overloaded sockets, CO₂ extinguisher for electrical fires

2. PowerPoint Review

You learned that presentation software creates slide shows. In PowerPoint, you used the ribbon, themes, the Insert tab for pictures, shapes, tables and special characters, and the Font group to format text. This term you will use similar skills in Microsoft Word to create tables and hyperlinks.

A laptop showing a slide presentation

Figure 2: Presentation skills List five PowerPoint skills you remember.

3. What You Will Learn This Term

The fifth generation of computers and quantum computing.
Direct data entry devices and output devices.
Storage systems and capacity.
The Charms bar and drive management.
Technologies that improve accessibility for people with special needs.
Issues with online services such as social media, wikis and blogs.
Health issues and safety measures at workstations.
Creating and formatting tables and hyperlinks in a word processor.

4. Rules for the Computer Laboratory

Agree on laboratory rules as a class: enter quietly, log in with your own account, keep food and drinks outside, sit correctly, save work often, use the internet only for learning tasks, do not install software, report faults and shut down properly. Display the rules where everyone can see them.

5. Setting Goals

Write three goals for this term, such as "I will learn to touch-type 20 words per minute", "I will create a table with hyperlinks in Word" and "I will explain quantum computing to my family". Specific goals help you focus your practice and measure your progress at the end of the term.

New words

e-waste: Discarded electronic equipment.
ergonomics: Designing workplaces to fit the human body.
presentation software: Programs for creating slide shows.
hyperlink: A link that opens another location when clicked.

Summary

Technology tools aid learning, and e-waste must be disposed of responsibly.
Good posture and safety rules prevent health problems and accidents.
PowerPoint skills prepare learners for word-processing tables and hyperlinks this term.

Class activity: Laboratory Rules Poster

Agree on ten laboratory rules.
Design a poster of the rules.
Display it in the computer laboratory.

You need: Desktop computer, Keyboard, Mouse

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

1. Which extinguisher is safe for electrical fires?
- A. CO₂
- B. water
- C. sand only for oil
- D. foam on live wires
Show answer
Answer: CO₂Non-conductive.
2. Ghana's e-waste law is Act…
- A. 917
- B. 651
- C. 843
- D. 1038
Show answer
Answer: 9172016.
3. The top of the screen should be at eye level.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TruePosture.
4. A link that opens another location when clicked is a ______.
Show answer
Answer: hyperlinkLink.
5. State four computer laboratory rules.
Show answer
Answer: No food or drink, save work often, sit correctly, shut down properly.Any four.
6. Why are laboratory rules important?
Show answer
Answer: They protect learners' health, prevent damage to equipment and keep the laboratory safe and orderly.Safety and order.

Homework

Write three goals for this term in Computing.