Introduction to Computer Technology

The purpose of this course is to understand “why.”  But before you can understand why, you must understand “how.”  For example, you are reading the words I stored in the computer.  How does the computer store and retrieve these characters so that you can view them in this description?  If you don’t know "how" the computer stores and retrieves what I am writing, then if your aspirations are to be a programmer, you may not understand “why” the instructor is telling you to use one method over another.  If you want to study Network Engineering and don’t know “how” data is processed in a computer, you may have difficulty understanding “why” you need to use a certain protocol to transfer the data to another computer.  This course covers the fundamentals of computer technology.  Just like any other area of study, it is best to have a solid understanding of the fundamentals in order to advance to more specialized fields of study.  In this course we will cover the evolution of the modern day computer, the types of computers, and "how" computers actually work.  It includes lessons including but not limited to:

Ø  How computers use a base 2 numbering system

Ø  How computers manipulate data using Boolean logic

Ø  How a CPU processes data

Ø  How memory actually stores and retrieves data

Ø  What are input/output devices

Ø  How software is used to manage hardware resources

On completion of this course, you should be able to think like a computer; and with this knowledge, you will be better equip to know “why” you should select one method of operation over another.