Computer Skills Assignment: Hardware, Software and MS Applications

This assignment provides an introduction to computer skills, detailing the components of hardware such as the CPU, memory, and input/output devices. It defines software, distinguishing between system and application software, and highlights the functionalities of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The assignment emphasizes the utility of these applications in both personal and professional contexts, focusing on features like document creation, data analysis, and presentation design. It also touches upon technological advancements in the workplace, including cloud computing and email communication, illustrating how these tools have transformed work processes and information exchange. The document incorporates references to relevant journals and books, providing a comprehensive overview of the subject matter.

INTRODUCTION TO
COMPUTER SKILLS

Table of Contents
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
Covered in excel sheet................................................................................................................1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................1
1).................................................................................................................................................1
2).................................................................................................................................................1
3).................................................................................................................................................2
4).................................................................................................................................................2
5).................................................................................................................................................3
6).................................................................................................................................................4
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................5

TASK 1
Covered in excel sheet
TASK 2
1)
Hardware refers to the physical aspect of the computer, telecommunication and for the
other electronic devices. It is mainly the physical components of the computer which together
constitute a computer system. At times it is also known as the machinery or the main equipment
of the computer. It includes the parts such as monitor, keyboard, hard disk drive, motherboard,
graphic card, sound memory etc. These all are the tangible physical objects which forms the
computer system (Taylor, Fritsch and Liederbach, 2014). This is directed by the software for
executing the command and the instruction. Thus the functioning of the computer is enabled by
the combination of hardware and software together. It implies the permanence and the
invariability in the computer. Hardware is mainly limited to a specific designed task and are been
taken independently and in a simple manner.
2)
There are several components of hardware in the computer system. Some of them are
been stated in detail below:
 Processor (CPU)- It is considered as the main component of the computer system which
determines the circuitry which is very important to interpret and execute the instructions
of the program. It mainly includes the control unit, arithmetic unit and controller. In
addition to this, it is the brain of the computer system.
 Main memory- In the computer, Random Access Memory (RAM) is considered as the
main memory. It is mainly associated with the integrated circuits and requires electrical
power for maintaining the information (Campbell and Wynne, 2011).
 Secondary memory- It refers to the memory in which the programs and data are been
stored for keeping it for longer time. The main examples of secondary memory are hard
disk and optical disk.
 Input devices- The means by which the data or information and also to control the
signals into the computer system is known as input devices. For example- digital camera
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which helps to take photographs in the digital data format and can be stored in the
computer.
 Output devices- These refers to the devices which can convert the results of the
processed data to a information which is understandable by the people. For example-
computer display which shows the data to the users. It is main component which assist in
presenting the visual information in the virtual form. Audio speakers are the other output
devices, there function is to convert the electronic programming into the human-audible
sound.
3)
Computer software is a part of system which includes the encoded information and
instructions for the computer system. It mainly includes the computer programs, libraries and
other non-executable data which mainly include online documentation and digital media. It is the
set of instructions which are used for managing and controlling several functions of the device.
Further, the computer software are been divided into two parts- system software and application
software (Samuels, Witmer and Schaffner, 2012). The former one refers to one of the basic
requirement of the computer which is responsible for controlling all the major functions of the
computer and integrates with all the other parts forming a unitary system. Further, the later one
serves with more specific purpose in the computer system as it assist in creating databases and
spreadsheets. It is available as the single programs, software suits and packages.
4)
Microsoft Word- It is been used by many people on the regular basis. This is an efficient
document for preparing a report. There are several features of Microsoft word: Find & Replace Inserting Watermarks Mail Merge- It assist in sending bulk emails by considering all the individual unique
features. For example, with the help of this the individual is able to develop a series of
labels for the purpose of large mailing, letter etc. which includes the name and address of
the people to be sent (Mayer, 2013).
 Spelling check- With the help of this feature the spelling of the words can be checked in
the whole document. Further, it can be used by running the word spell check icon which
will do the proofing of the group, spelling errors and the grammar of the document.
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Microsoft Excel- It is an application which helps to do the calculations and the mathematical
works. The following are the core features of Microsoft excel: Conditional formatting Basic maths Pivot tables- It assist in summarizing the large amount of Excel data from the information
available. It is formatted in a proper manner which includes the first row with the
headings and the other rows which includes the other categories and the values. It is
highly flexible.
 Sorting and filtering- It helps in finding the data which is been required. It can be done on
the parameters which is been set on the excel sheet. Further, it helps to save time and
making the spreadsheet more effective.
Microsoft PowerPoint- It assist in developing a virtual slide show presentation for displaying
the text, images, shapes and the videos. The following are the main features of Power Point are: Inserting Shapes Inserting an Image Adding Smart Art- It is a comprehensive and flexible diagram tool which is used to create
professional diagrams that includes a combination of picture and the text.
 Adding Animation- It assist in giving animations to every object on an individual slide. It
includes like putting smart art graphics, putting each paragraph in a text box and putting
charts etc. This makes the slides more attractive (Schneider, 2013).
5)
In the present time, the applications such as Microsoft word, excel and power point are
very useful to the individuals for doing the personal and professional work. It assist storing,
managing and sorting the data in an efficient manner. Further, with the help of the Microsoft
Word people can prepare a report or jot down the data in an efficient manner. Microsoft Excel
helps to perform the mathematical calculations in an easy manner (Fiorini, 2010). The basic
formulas are been there in the document which makes the calculation easy. Further, Microsoft
Power Point is an efficient tool for displaying the data in an virtual manner. This is highly
helpful to display the plan or for marketing a product.
6)
The following are the technological advances which are been developed at the workplace:
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 Cloud computing- It is based in the internet based computing which assist in providing
with the shared processing resources and the information to the other computers as well
as the devices as per the demand. It helps for enabling the on demand access to the shared
pool of computer resources.
 Exchanging mails- With the technological advancement, the people at the workplace are
able to send mails among themselves as well as to others sitting at other place. This have
the assisted the people to circulate the information, files, data etc. to other individuals
working in the same organization (Göranzon and Josefson, Eds., 2012).
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REFERENCES
Journals and books
Campbell, J. B. and Wynne, R. H., 2011. Introduction to remote sensing. Guilford Press.
Deursen, A. V. and van Dijk, J. A., 2010. Measuring internet skills.International Journal of
Human-Computer Interaction. 26(10). pp.891-916.
Fiorini, M., 2010. The effect of home computer use on children’s cognitive and non-cognitive
skills. Economics of Education review. 29(1). pp.55-72.
Göranzon, B. and Josefson, I. Eds., 2012. Knowledge, skill and artificial intelligence. Springer
Science & Business Media.
Hoc, J. M. ed., 2014. Psychology of programming. Academic Press.
Hughes, W. and Lavery, J., 2015. Critical Thinking: An Introduction to the Basic Skills-
Canadian Seventh Edition. Broadview Press.
Kebritchi, M., Hirumi, A. and Bai, H., 2010. The effects of modern mathematics computer
games on mathematics achievement and class motivation. Computers & education. 55(2).
pp.427-443.
Lazakidou, G. and Retalis, S., 2010. Using computer supported collaborative learning strategies
for helping students acquire self-regulated problem-solving skills in mathematics.
Computers & Education. 54(1). pp.3-13.
Mayer, R. E., 2013. Teaching and learning computer programming: Multiple research
perspectives. Routledge.
Michalski, R. S., Carbonell, J. G. and Mitchell, T. M. Eds., 2013. Machine learning: An
artificial intelligence approach. Springer Science & Business Media.
Samuels, M. L., Witmer, J. A. and Schaffner, A., 2012. Statistics for the life sciences. Pearson
education.
Schneider, D. I., 2013. An Introduction to Programming Using Visual Basic 2012. Prentice Hall
Press.
Taylor, R. W., Fritsch, E. J. and Liederbach, J., 2014. Digital crime and digital terrorism.
Prentice Hall Press.
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