1 true computer literacy and core concepts for non-majors kurt f. lauckner department of computer...
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True Computer Literacy and Core Concepts for Non-majors
Kurt F. Lauckner
Department of Computer Science
Eastern Michigan University
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- Historical Notes -
Computer Literacy:
Programming Show & Tell Business Uses Ethics & Society Problem Solving Tools Concepts Approach
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- Historical Notes -
The Tools:
Word processing Electronic Spreadsheets Data Base Systems Communications and the Web Web Page Development Programs
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Comparison with other Fields
Economics Political science Physics Psychology Chemistry
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What are concepts?
Not skills
They are fundamental
They are pervasive
They have a lasting quality
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A Fundamental Concept:
Bit Mapped vs Object Graphics
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A Fundamental Concept:
Why is the binary system used in digital computers?
Is it because binary is equivalent to the “on” and “off” of a switch? NO!
The real reason: Binary is cheap Binary is reliable
Quantum computers and the future
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A Pervasive Concept:
Audio Information Cassette tapes/ CDs DATs Internet Talk
Visual information Television/digital TV Internet video
Digital vs. Analog
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A Pervasive Concept:
How many times can an audio tape be copied before it sounds terrible?
How many times can an image be copied before it falls apart?
Digital vs. Analog
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A Pervasive Concept:
Analog vs. Digital
Humansdigital!
are
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A Pervasive Concept: Humans are digital?
Digital in what sense? We move in an analog fashion We digest food in an analog fashion
Every living thing has a digital base DNA and the double helix Base four
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A Pervasive Concept: Humans are digital!
The DNA in the cells of a human are copied millions of times during their lifetime.
Only a digital process could do this with the accuracy needed.
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A Lasting Concept:
Many examples Stonehenge Link trainers Wind tunnel
Current examples Virtual reality Artificial intelligence
Simulation
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Simulation Science
Predicting the derivatives market
Evolutionary programming
Information system agents
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Concepts Approach: Theory
Five kinds of information Storage of the information The stored program computer Using the computer (Operating Systems) Humans communicating with the computer Computers communicating with computers
(Networks)
The how and why of computers
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Core Concepts: Applications Category
Network communication, the Internet Information Systems Visual Communication Audio Communication Simulation Artificial Intelligence/Genetic Programming Education and Training Real Time/Process Control Entertainment
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Appendix: Concepts for Consideration
Introduction
Defining a computer
Structure of a computer
Hardware vs computer software
Electronic and mechanical
Special purpose vs general purpose
Analog vs digital computersRepresentation & Storage of Info.
Reason for the binary system
Representing information in binary
Five basic categories (numbers, symbols, images, audio, programs)
The binary & hexidecimal numbers
RAM & ROM (permanent & nonperm.)
Primary vs secondary memory
Basic Structure / Software
An algorithm
A computer program
The process of writing a program
The von Neumann computer
Fetch/execute and "clock" speed
Parallel processing /supercomputer
Controlling the Computer
Operating systems
Information flow
Booting up the computer
The user interface
Organization of files & directories
Input/output information
Multitasking
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Appendix: Concepts for Consideration
Progr. Languages & Software The communication cycle
Human & computer languages
Program translators
Generations of Languages
Software development
Networks
Communications channel
Connecting computers
Direct vs indirect connections
Networking software (e.g., browsers, TCP/IP)
Internet and World Wide Web
The Internet
Hypertext and hypermedia
Browsers
Electronic mail
Conferencing
Data Bases & Info. Systems
Gathering information
Storing information
Accessing information
Analyzing information
The data base and DBMS
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Appendix: Concepts for Consideration
Visual Communication
Digitizing images
Manipulating existing images
Creating original images
Bit mapped vs object graphics
Animation
Visualization of information
Audio Communication
Speech synthesis
Speech recognition
Natural language communication
Digitized sound
MIDI
Simulation
Predictable vs probabilistic
Continuous vs discrete
Models
Biases in models
Virtual reality
Artifical Intelligence &Genetic Sys.
Knowledge represent. & acquisition
Reasoning
Neural networks
Expert systems
Intelligent agents
Genetic programming
Complex adaptive systems
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Appendix: Concepts for Consideration
Education and Training
Cognitive learning
Pyschomotor skills
Social interaction learning
Distance learning
Learning over the Internet
Ethics & Privacy
False information
Computer security issues
Trojan horses, worms, & viruses
Monitoring in the workplace
Signature authentication
Government vs individual privacy
Cryptography
Word Processing
Fonts
Support progr.(spelling & grammer)
Spreadsheets
Cells
Support Programs (graphing, statistics)
Data Base
Basics (fields, records)
Support Programs (report generators)
Communications
Basics (modems, PPP, IP, browsers)
Graphics
Basics (lines, fills, object vs bit map.)
Support Programs (presentation sys.)
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References
• National Research Council, Report of the Computer Science and Telecommunications Board, Being Fluent with Information Technology, 2000.
• Denning , Peter J., A Commentary On Fluency in Information Technology, Inventio, 2, 1 (Feb.2000)
• Hillis, Danny, The Pattern on the Stone. Perseus Books, 1999.
• Lauckner, Kurt and Lintner, Mildred. The Computer Continuum, Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 2001.