Computer Competency - Tutorial

Computer Competency - Tutorial
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Section I - Computer Basics
Section I provides an overview of computers with a basic understanding of how computers work and some computer vocabulary.

Computers and the internet have transformed the way we live, work, and play. They have become an integral part of the way we
communicate with each other.

The word “computer” has been around since 1646, and prior to 1940 they were referred to as calculators and tabulators. In the early stages,
a computer was defined as a person who performs calculations. The first electronic computing device was developed in the 1940’s, and
with it the modern term “computer” emerged.

A computer is an electronic device that accepts input (data), processes data, stores data, and produces output according to specified rules
and instructions. Computer input is whatever is typed in the form of numbers, text, images, audio, and video or transmitted to computer
system. Computers manipulate data, and this is referred to as processing. The series of instructions that tell a computer how to process
tasks is referred to as a computer program or software that sets up a computer to do a specific task. The processing of tasks such as
calculations, sorting data, modifying documents and pictures, and drawing graphs (charts) take place in the part of the computer that is called
the ...