Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 1
COMPUTER HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE
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COMPUTER HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Ghana app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Subject: Computing
Class: SHS 1
Term: 1st Term
Week: 15
Grade code: 1.1.2.LI.2
Strand code: 1
Sub-strand code: 2
Content standard code: 1.1.2.CS.1
Indicator code: 1.1.2.LI.2
Theme: COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE AND ORGANISATION
Subtheme: COMPUTER HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE
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Welcome, learners! Every day, we use devices like smartphones to chat on WhatsApp, computers in the ICT lab to do research, or see Mobile Money (MoMo) agents use their POS devices. All these powerful tools are made of physical parts that you can see and touch. These parts are called Computer Hardware. Understanding the different categories of hardware is like a mechanic understanding the different parts of a car engine. It helps us know how computers work, how to choose the right parts, and how to solve problems when they arise. This lesson will break down the "body" of the computer into its main parts so you can understand what each one does.
What is Computer Hardware?
Computer Hardware refers to all the physical, tangible parts of a computer system that you can see and touch. Think of it as the body of the computer. Just like a human body has hands, a brain, a mouth, and memory, a computer has different hardware parts to perform different jobs. The software, on the other hand, is like the thoughts or instructions that tell the body what to do. You cannot have one without the other for a computer to function.
There are five main categories of computer hardware, and they all work together. The Five Categories of Computer Hardware
Let's explore each category with examples you can easily find in Ghana. Input Devices These are the "senses" of the computer. Their job is to take data and instructions from the outside world (from you, the user) and send them *into* the computer for processing. Function: To enter data into the computer. Analogy: The computer's eyes, ears, and hands. Examples: Keyboard: Used for typing text and numbers, like when you type your name at a cyber café. Mouse: Used to point, click, and select items on the screen. Microphone: Captures sound and voice. Used for voice notes on WhatsApp or recording a school announcement. Webcam: Captures video images. Used for online classes or video calls with family. Scanner: Converts a physical document (like a birth certificate or a drawing) into a digital image. Biometric Scanner: Captures unique human features. The fingerprint scanner used for Ghana Card registration is a perfect example. Touchscreen: On your smartphone or a bank's ATM, you input commands by touching the screen. It acts as both an input and output device. Processing Devices This is the "brain" of the computer. It takes the raw data from the input devices and processes it into useful information. It performs all the calculations and makes all the decisions. Function: To process data and execute commands. Analogy: The computer's brain. Key Components: Central Processing Unit (CPU): This is the main processor. It's a small chip that does most of the work. The speed of the CPU (measured in Gigahertz, GHz) determines how fast the computer can "think". Brands like Intel (Core i3, i5, i7) and AMD are common. Motherboard: This is the main circuit board that connects all the hardware components together. It's like the skeleton and nervous system, allowing the CPU, memory, and other parts to communicate. Graphics Processing Unit (GPU): A specialised processor that handles complex graphics and video. It is very important for playing games, watching high-definition videos, and video editing. Output Devices Once the processing is done, the result needs to be presented to the user. Output devices take the processed information from the computer and convert it into a human-understandable form. Function: To present processed data (information) to the user. Analogy: The computer's mouth, face, or hands (for printing). Examples: Monitor (or Screen): Displays text, images, and videos. This is the primary output device for most computers. Printer: Creates a physical copy (a "hard copy") of a digital document, like printing your homework or a church programme. Speakers/Headphones: Produces sound, music, and voice. Projector: Takes a display from a computer and projects it onto a larger screen or wall, often used for presentations in class or church. Storage Devices These devices act as the computer's memory. They are used to save and store data and information for later use. Without storage, all your work would disappear the moment you turn off the computer. Function: To store data, instructions, and information permanently or temporarily. Analogy: The computer's memory and filing cabinet. Types: Primary Storage (Main Memory): This is the computer's short-term memory. RAM (Random Access Memory): It is a temporary workspace for the data and programs the computer is currently using. It is very fast but volatile, meaning its contents are erased when the power is turned off. Think of it as your desk—you put what you're working on there, but you clear it when you're done. Secondary Storage (Auxiliary Storage): This is the computer's long-term memory. It is non-volatile, meaning it keeps your data even when the power is off. Hard Disk Drive (HDD): A traditional storage device with spinning disks. It can store large amounts of data cheaply. Solid-State Drive (SSD): A modern, faster, and more durable storage device with no moving parts. Most new laptops use SSDs. Pen Drive (or Flash Drive): A small, portable device used to transfer files between computers. Very common among students in Ghana. Memory Card: Used in smartphones, cameras, and other portable devices to expand storage. Communication Devices These devices allow a computer to connect to a network (like the internet) and communicate with other computers. Function: To enable data transmission between computers. Analogy: The computer's "phone line" or ability to talk to others. Examples: Modem: Connects your computer to the internet over a telephone line or fibre optic cable. The Wi-Fi devices from MTN, Vodafone, or Telesol are types of modems/routers. Router: A device that directs traffic between your local network (e.g., your school's Wi-Fi) and the internet. Network Interface Card (NIC): A card inside a desktop computer that allows it to connect to a network with a cable. Bluetooth Adapter: Allows for short-range wireless communication with devices like headphones, speakers, or other phones.