Computer Awareness Programme (Module 1) － Joy to the Computer World

Unit 2: Master of My Computer

Introduction

This unit is divided into three parts. Part [I], “A Computer’s Soul” is mainly about
learning the uses of computer software and becoming familiar with the Windows
operating environment through the use of some simple applications. Part [II],
“Computer Family aims to introduce the relationship between computer hardware,
their functions, input, processing and output. Part [III], “File Manager” mainly aims
to provide students with file management experience so that they can effectively
manage their own files.

[I] “A Computer’s Soul”

1. Computer software

The teacher explains that even if a computer has been connected with hardware,
it cannot operate if suitable software has not been installed. We use software to
command the computer to work, and we usually refer to software generally as
programs. The relationship between hardware and software is just like the
relationship between a game console and the game program within the game
disk. The game console is the hardware and the game software within the disk is
the software. To play different games, we can use different game disks without
changing the game console. The relationship between hardware and software is
just like this. We use different software (e.g. to draw diagrams, we use a diagram
drawing software; to record audio, we use an audio-recording software) to handle
different tasks without having to change the hardware devices (such as the main
unit).
A computer essentially needs two types of software to operate effectively: one is
the operating system software and the other is application software.
A computer must be installed with an operating system to operate properly.
Currently, the most commonly used operating system is Microsoft Windows, and
a user can execute relevant tasks by following the instructions on the computer
monitor, e.g. activating relevant devices or programmes. Microsoft Windows can
simultaneously run different programs, allowing exchanges of information,
which makes it very convenient.

[Enrichment] If students have enough ability, the teacher can briefly explain
how computers operate: to ensure normal operation of computers, once a
computer is connected to the power source, the computer will automatically
run some basic commands, such as to inspect whether various devices are
operating normally.

Application software is akin to the students’ learning. At school, teachers teach

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students different knowledge and skills, such as how to write, calculate and sing.
These different knowledge and skills are equivalent to the application software of
a computer. The difference is that computer software can be installed and
uninstalled, while children’s memories are usually more secure. Application
software has different characteristics based on different needs: They each have
their own features; some are used to draw (e.g. Paint), some are used for word
processing (e.g. MS Word), while some are used for calculating (e.g. Calculator).
Teachers can also immediately demonstrate how to operate some software.
Teachers can remind students: while a lot of software is available, many of them
have overlapping functions so students shouldn’t install too many software in
case it affects the computer’s operation. Students should install appropriate
software based on their work needs. On the other hand, when buying and using
software, students should be aware of copyright problems to avoid violating the
law.

2. Windows Magic

3. Trying out simple programs

Teachers select some simple programs and demonstrate to students some basic
Windows operations, such as opening new files, opening old files, saving files,
saving new files and printing. With regards to reducing/enlarging windows, the
icons for minimizing and closing windows can be taught according to student
ability.

Tip:
 Teachers should place the icons for Notepad, Calculator and the audio
recording program on the Desktop
 General Windows operations can be carried out from the toolbar. The basic
steps are as follows:
 Create new file: File  Create a new file
 Open old file : File  Open old file
 Print : File  Print
 Save : File  Save file or File  Save as new file
 Close file : File  Close

(i) Notepad
Teachers can demonstrate how to open a new file, writing some words, such
as a self-introduction, and then print and save this. After the demonstration,
teachers can encourage students to enter their names or write down how they
feel about learning about computers. They can then save this file on the
Desktop.

(ii) Audio recording program

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(iii) Calculator
Teachers can allow students to make their own investigations on how to use
the calculator, or encourage them to use the calculator to carry out some
mathematical activities. Below are some examples of activities:

Regarding recommended mathematical activities for calculator in the second

stage of learning, please refer to:
“Using a Calculator Mystery of Numbers Key Stage Two Learning”
Mathematics Division, Curriculum Development Institute, Hong Kong
Education Bureau, 1999

Tip:
Calculator can be run in two modes: Standard and Scientific.
It is generally recommended that students use the Standard mode. To choose
Standard mode: View  Standard

(iv) Teachers can select some computer-aided software and computer awareness
courses or web pages for students to improve their ability to learn this
discipline. For details, please refer to “Learning Resources” (Resource Room
\ Learning Resources.doc) in Resource Room.

(v) Teachers can encourage Key Stage 2 students to comprehensively apply

the IT knowledge (such as Paint, Word, Excel and the Internet) they have
learned to create some IT project designs. For details, please refer to the “IT
- Project-based Learning” web page in HKed City
(http://resources.edb.gov.hk/project_work/).

[II] Computer Family

1. “Input, process and output”

2. “How much do you know about computer equipment?” This section aims to
introduce computer accessories and devices to students. Teachers can use the web
page (Junior Primary page and the Senior Primary page) or the physical objects
to introduce computer devices and their functions to students.

Junior Primary page

Senior Primary page

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Type Example Function

Inp I am an important input device. Apart from having keys for English
ut Keyboard letters, I also have number keys and special keys, etc., up to a total of
100 and more keys.
devi I am a small input device. When you move me, the cursor in the
ce window also moves. I typically have two buttons. The left one is used
the most. When you single-click or double-click this button, I will
Mouse send different messages to the main unit to command it to execute
different tasks. The right button is an access key. For example, in a
web page, single-clicking the right button will open a menu which is
convenient when you want to copy or save pictures, etc.
I am mainly used to scan images or text from a printed object, but
some of my relatives can be used to scan actual film. Different
Scanner scanners have different resolutions. In principle the higher the
resolution of a scanner, the clearer the printed image.
I am an input device and I make it easy for humans to enter words or
Stylus draw. I am even used as a mouse. Children, have you used me before?
I am an input device capable of converting sounds into signals which
are entered into a computer. By using me, humans can use computer
Microphone software to convert their words into text which can be displayed on a
monitor.
I am an input device and I can convert music signals into a digital
format. Apart from me, some other electronic musical instruments,
MIDI such as electronic keyboards with MIDI function, or this electronic
Keyboard synthesizer [ 電 子 合 成 器 transliterate] can also do the same task.
After music is inputted into a computer, humans can use computer
software to modify the music or add in other sound effects.
I am an input device as well as a computer game accessory. However,
Game some children hold onto me for long periods of time and shake me
controller left and right, so I lose my bearing!
I am a camcorder, but the special thing about me is that I can be
connected directly to a computer. Some people place me at a high
spot above the highway, so my lens can capture the road traffic
situation and immediately send it to the Internet or television through
Webcam a computer for the convenience of motorists. As the computer
network constantly improves, I’m often busy with commercial video
conferences and family chats, etc. I’m so busy I don’t have time for a
break!
Stor Floppy disk I usually live inside the computer and my partner is the floppy disk.
age My main job is to read and save information from floppy disks.
drive Floppy disks and I used to be very popular.
devi
ce Hard disk I am an important storage device of computers. You cannot find me
easily because I am hidden inside the main unit. I help humans
rapidly search for, save and access a large amount of data. I have two
parts: the hard disk drive and hard disk. The hard disk drive has an
extremely solid shell to protect the hard disk contained inside. The
hard disk drive can read the contents of the hard disk. The hard disk is
used to store information and its function is like that of a read and
writeable disk.

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Type Example Function

I am an optical disk drive. Although I was born a little later, I can read
data from circular optical disks. Humans often place games or music
CD-ROM disks in me, and I am their good friend. As for how I operate, I rely on
receiving the light reflected from disks to read and send information. I
drive can only read data on disks, but some relatives of mine have more
powerful functions and can write data onto disks, which makes it
more convenient for humans to save and access more information.
Stor I have a thin rectangular plastic shell, containing a 3.5” round film,
age and humans store data in me. I was once very popular, but many new
med Diskette read and writeable storage media not only have a large capacity, but
are also very small, so they have become the mainstream storage
ia media.
I am a small portable storage device that uses a USB interface and
engages in data storage via my internal flash memory. I have a
number of merits: I am small, lightweight and can be used to write
and rewrite data; therefore I quickly became popular and replaced the
traditional floppy drive and floppy disk after I was born.
USB Flash (Teachers can explain to students the many names given to USB Flash
memory drives, such as USB flash memory [USB 快閃記憶體
memory drive transliterate], USB memory [USB 記憶體 transliterate], USB memory
stick [USB 記憶棒 transliterate], USB finger [USB 手指
transliterate], USB flash drive [USB 隨身碟 transliterate], U disk [U
盤 transliterate] and flash drive [閃存盤 transliterate], and that in this
syllabus, USB flash memory drive will be used to collectively refer to
all of the above).
Although I was born a bit later than the floppy disk, I have a larger
storage capacity than floppy disks. One of me has a capacity
equivalent to 450 floppy disks, aren’t I great? Humans often place
games or music in my, and I am their good friend. As for how I
operate, I have a very smooth surface, but I actually have many
uneven grooves which reflect light differently. This is how I transmit
information.
I am called CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read-only-Memory) and I am
what children most commonly see. Data can only be read from me.
CD-ROM Moreover, I have two younger brothers who have more powerful
functions. The elder one is called CD-R (Compact Disc Recordable)
and humans can write data on it, but the places in which data is
written becomes read-only and cannot be rewritten, so it operates in
the same way as me. The other one is called CD-RW (Compact Disc
Rewritable) and can be rewritten multiple times, allowing more
flexible operations. Although my two younger brothers are more
powerful functionally, humans still need a CD burner [ 光碟燒錄機
transliterate] to write data onto them.
I am a digital storage device and I come in different shapes, but I am
generally not larger than a small flattened battery. Don’t look down
Memory card on me for being small because I actually have a storage capacity of
more than 10 disks. I am used to store images, and can be used by
digital cameras and computers!

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Type Example Function

Out I am an output device capable of printing documents, images, and
put even photos and stickers. Over these 20 years, we have changed a lot.
Printer Our ancestors used to print via a dot matrix style, and then the inkjet
devi style, and now our generation – the laser printer – is significantly
ce better in terms of colour, clarity and speed.
I am a basic computer output device. My ancestors were monochrome
monitors [單色屏幕 transliterate], but after years of development, we
have improved greatly in terms of colour, size and clarity. This is the
Monitor fruit of human’s efforts over these 20 years. The newest generation is
the LCD Monitor which is already used extensively. It has a light and
compact size and will not have any static or harmful radiation in
theory.
I am an output device capable of converting computer signals into
Speaker sounds and playing them. If you don’t want to disturb other people,
you can wear headphones instead of using me.
You will need me to clearly show your whole class the work you’ve
done on your computer. I can project information onto a larger surface
Projector (e.g. a screen or a wall), so that the audience will feel like they are
watching a large TV.
When blind people browse web pages, they will use the up and down
key on the keyboard to navigate to a certain part of the web page.
Once they get to where they want, they need to depend on me to
Braille display immediately convert the information into touchable Braille characters.
This is how they obtain data from computers. To these people, I am an
indispensable output device.

Other devices Mainly introduces the Central Processing Unit and other
commonly seen devices such as the modem and touch screens.
Other devices Function
Central Processing I am the brain of a computer and I am responsible for interpreting,
Unit computing and executing tasks.
Don’t look down on me just because I look like a small circuit board
[線路板 transliterate]. I make it possible for other computer users on
the network to find and contact you. At the same time, through me
Network card you can send information accurately to a specified location. It is
already possible now for me to be reduced to the size of a small chip
and installed on a computer mainboard.
I am a message conversion device [ 訊 息 轉 換 裝 置 transliterate]
computers sometimes need to go through me to connect to the
Modem Internet with the broadband service. Children can learn more
knowledge from the Internet and visit different organisations to find
information and communicate with people from different places.
Don’t think that I am a normal monitor. I actually have more powerful
Touch screen functions. To enter commands or select a screen, all you need to do is
to touch my face gently with your hand.
I am used to record and capture images. People like to use me to take
Digital camera images and then enter these images into a computer so they can add
other effects. Many AV companies currently produce goods like me.
Camcorder [數碼 I am used to record and capture videos. Tapes and memory cards

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inside me, as well as internal memory, can simultaneously store

images and sounds. Humans like to enter these videos into a computer
攝錄機 transliterate] to facilitate modifications and organization. Many AV companies
currently produce goods like me.

Tip:
 Teachers can choose to explain certain devices based on students’ abilities
and interests.
 The web pages come with recorded audio or short clips to make it easy for
students to engage in self-learning (after clicking “play”, select “open this
file from the current file location” in the dialog box and then click
“confirm”). When teachers use this software in class, they should personally
explain this to achieve the maximum interaction effect, so as to improve
students’ interest in learning. Regarding data storage, please refer to:
1 TB = 1024GB
1 GB = 1024MB
1 MB = 1024KB
1 KB = 1024B
1B is needed to save one English letter
2B is needed to save one Chinese word
Storage capacity of 1 floppy disk  1.44MB
Storage capacity of 1 CD-ROM disk  650MB
Storage capacity of 1 single-sided, single-layer DVD disk  4.7GB

3. “Assembly Game”

4. “Click to Learn”

This section aims to reveal the internal structure of a main unit. A web page is
used to display the various devices and their functions (Reference Room \ Click
to learn \ Click to Learn Web page \ Click to Learn.htm). This is an enrichment
component and it is appropriate to place this folder (Reference Room \ Click to
Learn) in a computer in the self-learning corner for self-learning use by
interested senior primary students. (For relevant information, see Reference
Room \ Click to Learn \ Click to learn.doc

[III] “File Manager”

1. This section is mainly to provide key stage 2 students with file management
experience.

Teachers can use public folders to store students’ worksheets as an example to

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explain the importance of effective file management.

Teachers can open “File Explorer” to demonstrate the steps to saving students’
files. If necessary, the skills for creating a new folder, moving files (dragging
relevant files) and deleting folders can be demonstrated.

Teachers should copy the necessary files onto the Desktop beforehand, divide
students into groups to create folders sort files and report on them. This Unit also
provides some files for use. The relevant files are contained inside the folder of
the kit (Unit 2 \ File Manager) .The files are as follows:
race.bmp
The food I like.doc
Watermelon.bmp
Primary 6A Sports Contest Awards.xls
Foods loved by Primary 6 students.xls
Future Computer World.doc
Healthy eating habits.doc
Joy to the Computer World.doc
My Journal on Computer Use.doc
Unforgettable Sports Contest.doc

There is no one correct answer to this section. Students can classify the following
according to file type or nature. The following is an example of classification
based on nature:
Folder name File
race.bmp
Sports contest Primary 6A Sports Contest Awards.xls
Unforgettable Sports Contest.doc
The food I like.doc
Watermelon.bmp
Eating Healthy eating habits.doc
Foods loved by Primary 6 students.xls
Future Computer World.doc
Computer Joy to the Computer World.doc
My Journal on Computer Use.doc

Steps for operation in Windows:

 Creating a new folder: Click the place you wish to work on (e.g. Desktop or
a relevant folder), then select “New Folder” in the toolbar  Type in a name
for the folder
 Deleting a folder: Select a folder, then click “Organize” in the toolbar 
“Delete”
 Moving a file or folder: Select the relevant file or folder and then drag it to

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the desired location with the mouse

Using the “File Manager” to handle files is just one example. Teachers can also
use other methods to handle files based on the situation.

2. Right-clicking with the mouse

If students have enough skills, the teacher can demonstrate how to right-click
with the mouse (such as to summon the menu and open, copy or delete a file,
etc.) and explain that the benefit of this is that it provides the user with a fast and
convenient shortcut to execute commands.

Steps for operation in Windows:

Select the relevant file, press the right-button of the mouse, and then choose an
action from the menu.

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