Post #3

Chapter 4 was quite a bit more technical than the other chapters, and that made it more confusing for me. A system unit is a boxlike case that houses the electronic components a computer uses to process data. Most computers only understand the states "on" and "off" because they are digital. A 0 is used to represent the electronic state of off (absence of an electric charge), and a 1 is used to represent the electronic state of on (presence of an electric charge). This numbering system is referred to as the binary system, and each on or off digital value is called a bit. When eight bits are grouped together, they are called a byte. There are many components of a system unit. This includes: the motherboard, the Central Processing Unit(CPU), the control unit, the system clock, the arithmetic/logic unit, memory, random access memory(RAM), read-only memory(ROM), flash memory, expansion slots and cards, removable memory devices, and ports and connectors. Each of these components have many internal components as well. Input is what you enter into the memory of a computer. Examples of input devices are keyboards, mouses, digital cameras, audio/video input, etc. On the other hand, output is data that has been processed into a useful form called information. Examples of output devices are display devices, televisions, printers, projectors, speakers, etc. Storage stores data, instructions, and information when they are not being processed. Chapter 4 ends with lots of information on the different storage and media devices.

I have learned several interesting things with technology this week. Last week in class, we learned about the program Inspiration. I have been goofing around with it, and doing my assignment of course, and it really is a lot of fun. I really find it helpful, and it will be a great teaching tool to use when I begin teaching. Also, I listened to one of the podcasts, but I didn't really focus on it. For some reason I don't really like the idea of podcasts? Oh well!

Wow, what to talk about here? Well, I have this paper that I need to write for my Intro to Education class. I'm not really sure what my topic is yet, but my ideas are class size, home-schooling or alternative teaching certification. I must look at the topic as a problem, and describe it from a teacher's perspective. Also, I need to address how the administration, school district and community are also involved, or not involved, with the issue. I better get to writing!