Objectives
- Identify the basic parts within a computer
- Explain the function of each identified part, and each part's relation to other parts
Competencies
- 6670-020 Identify the basic parts of a computer system and the relationships among components
- 6670-021 Describe characteristics and functions of CPUs, motherboards, random access memory (RAM), expansion connections, floppy drives, hard drives, and CD-ROM drives.
- 6670-022 Explain the functions and characteristics of system expansion devices (e.g., graphics cards, sound cards, and modems)
Materials / Resources Required
- Maddog account
- Desktop computer
- Digital Camera
- Basic image editing software
Procedure
- Unplug your computer. Unplug all devices connected to your computer.
- Remove/open the side panel form your computer case. All computers are designed differently, but usually there will be tabs which you must press in to expose the inside of your computer.
- Using your digital camera, take a photograph of the inside of your computer. [Example]
- Transfer the pictures to your computer.
- Using your favorite image editing program, outline and number each of the following parts in red. [Example]
- Hard Drives(s)
- CD/DVD Drives
- Random Access Memory (RAM)
- Mother board
- Central Processing Unit (CPU)
- Power Supply
- Graphics Card (if not integrated
- Sound Card (if not integrated)
- Create a website using your maddog account and upload your new image.
- On the webpage, below the image, make a numbered list of the components listed above, with each component corresponding to the correct number described in the image. Then, briefly describe what each listed component does. [Example]
- For students that complete this lesson before others, pick one of the following extensions to complete (students finishing this activity early and failing to complete one of the following extensions will have points deducted from their score.)
- Write a paragraph summery on how each of the above parts interact with each other.
- Repeat step 5 above, identifying and briefly describing the following additional components:
- CPU Heat sink
- GPU Heat sink
- CMOS Battery
- IDE Connection
- PCI Slots
Evaluation
| Component | Points |
|---|---|
| Completion of Activities | /4 |
| Correctly identified each hardware component | /3 |
| Show you understand the function of each of the major hardware compoents | /3 |
| Total | /10 |