INTRODUCTION

APPLIED BUSINESSTOTOOLS
COMPUTING
AND TECHNOLOGIES 3

Course Code HPC-5 Week/Day Week 3

Course Description Applied Business Tools and Technologies Duration 1 Week
Lesson Topic Computer Hardware Lesson No. 3
Learning Outcome/s 1. Develop an understanding on the definition of hardware and its functions.
2. Identify the different internal and external hardware components of the
computer.
3. Discuss the function of each computer hardware components.
Values Integration Service-oriented Learning 2
Reference/s Technology and Employment Skills Training
Ministry of Education, Fiji, “Computer Education”,2013.
Course Coach Claire O. Carpio

A. ACTIVATION OF PRIOR KNOWLEDGE

Hardware is one of the most important components of a computer. Can you share with me your personal
understanding about hardware? You may cite examples to highlight your points. Write your answer on the answer
sheet provided on page 7.

B. Engagement in Relevant Content and Appropriate Learning Activity/Activities

Read and develop an understanding on each section as

discussed in this module. At the end of this module you
will be asked to work on an activity and answer a short
evaluation. Good luck and have a fun learning.

LESSON 3: COMPUTER HARDWARE

Hardware is everything in, or connected to, a computer that’s part of the physical world and can be touched. This
includes the computer itself, with a screen, keyboard, and mouse. It also includes devices connected to a computer,
such as speakers and memory cards. The computer’s internal components are considered hardware as well.

Hardware devices are grouped into several categories. They can either be integral to the computer (such as a
motherboard) or attached to it via cables, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth. Hardware devices that aren’t an integral part of the
main computer unit, such as keyboards, mice, screens, printers, and scanners are called peripherals.

1
 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTING
3.1 INSIDE THE COMPUTER (Internal Hardware)
The components inside a computer are fairly similar, regardless of the type of Motherboard
Hard drive
A computer’s software,
3
computer it is. The parts may look a bit different, but they fulfill the same functions. The computer’s main circuit board is called documents, and other files are
Understanding what the various parts do and how they work can help users the motherboard. It allows the other stored on its hard drive as binary
troubleshoot problems or decide whether it is time to upgrade their hardware. components to communicate with each other. code. It holds data, even if the
The motherboard is a thin plate that holds the computer is switched off or
CPU, memory, connectors for the hard drive unplugged. The quicker the hard
and optical drive, expansion cards to control drive, the faster the computer can
Central processing unit the video and audio, and connections to a start up and load programs.
The central processing unit (CPU), also known computer’s ports. It holds all the circuitry that
The motherboard connects either ties the functions of the computer components
as a microprocessor, acts as the brain of the
directly or indirectly to every part of the together.
computer. It controls most of the machine’s
computer
operations and carries out commands.
Instructions are sent to the CPU by pressing a The CPU is a ceramic
key, clicking the mouse, or starting an square with a silicon chip
located inside. A computer system generally
application, or file.
has between one and seven
expansion slots.

RAM
This is the system’s
short-term memory.
Whenever a computer
performs calculations, it
temporarily stores the The RAM is slotted into a reader on the
data in the random- motherboard. RAM can be removed and upgraded if
access memory (RAM) more is needed.
until it is needed. The Chips provide extra Expansion slots
data on the RAM is processing power These slots allow the user to add various
cleared when the for specific parts of types of expansion card, which help to
computer is turned off. the computer. boost or update the performance of a
Ports are color-
computer. Expansion cards can upgrade
coded for clear
identification.
the sound or video, or enable the
computer to connect to networks or
Ports Bluetooth.
Computers have an array of ports that allow users to connect external Power unit
devices to the motherboard. Common ports include universal serial This converts the power from the wall outlet to the
bus (USB), Ethernet (used to connect computers together to form a type of power needed by the computer. Power is sent
network), video-graphic array (VGA), high-definition multimedia to the motherboard and other components through
interface (HDMI), and ports for headphones and microphones. cables. The power unit also regulates overheating by
controlling voltage, which may change automatically
or manually depending on the power supply.
2
3.2 PERIPHERAL DEVICES
INTRODUCTION (External Hardware)
TO COMPUTING Router
Any piece of hardware that enables users to interact with a computer is called a peripheral device. Without them, Routers send and receive data packets
there would be no way to unlock a computer’s potential. A peripheral is a device that connects to the computer’s between computers, and as such, they are
motherboard. They are generally classified into three categories: input devices, output devices, and storage both input and output devices. Routers can
devices. connect devices within a home together, or
Camera they can be used to connect a home
Headphones and microphone A computer camera, commonly called a “webcam”, is an input device network to the internet. It is common for
The three sections on the jack that captures video and audio signals. Though most webcams are most home devices to connect to a home
send power to the left and right integrated into the computer’s casing, they are still considered a router via Wi-Fi, but if there is a problem
Usually connecting to the computer
audio, and ground the device. peripheral device. with the Wi-Fi signal, an Ethernet cable can
by a 3.5mm (0.14 inch) jack,
often be used.
headphones and microphones allow
Ethernet cables control
users to hear audio from and send the passing of
audio to the computer. Some information between
companies are eliminating physical computers to avoid
headphone connections from their simultaneous
devices in favor of Bluetooth transmission.
connections.
Most modern
printers connect to
the computer via a
USB cable.

Keyboards and mouses are

connected to the computer via
USB cables.
A keyboard turns
key presses into
characters on the
monitor.

Printer Monitor, keyboard, and mouse

A printer is an output device that creates physical documents from These three are perhaps the most common peripheral devices. Monitors
computer files. Many printers enable users to scan documents to visually display information processed by the computer. A keyboard and a
allow them to be manipulated on the computer. mouse are input devices that allow users to interact with a computer.
Removable hard drive
Sometimes a touch-sensitive panel called a touchpad can be used instead of
If a computer is low on storage space, or if a user
a mouse.
needs to work on different computers at different
locations, a removable hard drive is often the
most efficient solution. It works just like an
internal hard drive, but is portable.
3
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTING
HDMI Port

High-Definition Media Interface or HDMI port is another

widely used interface for transferring data. What
differentiates it from VGA is the ability to transfer both
video and audio data. With HDMI you can easily connect
your computer to a monitor; however, you can connect it
Basically
to a TV as well, since most TVs thatevery computertoday
are available in the existence today supports
have an HDMI port. several different ports. Without them our computing
experience would be completely different. We use the ports
to connect many external devices such as keyboard, mice,
printers, scanners, speakers etc. 

USB Port

Universal Serial Bus or more commonly USB port is probably

the most popular port in the world. It is used to connect
different computer peripherals such as keyboards, mice,
external hard disk drives, smartphones, iPods, digital
cameras and many others.

VGA Port

Video Graphics Array or VGA port is the oldest and probably

the most widespread way of connecting your monitor to a
video card or so called graphic card. It features 15 holes, and
was designed back in 1987. 

4
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTING

Ethernet Port

Ethernet port is used to easily connect your computer to

a high speed Internet via an external DSL/cable modem.
Almost every desktop computer or a laptop has one of
these ports, and data can travel at the speed of
anywhere from 10 megabits per second up to 1000
megabits per second in case of Gigabit Ethernet.

Expansion Slots

Expansion slots are receptacles inside a system unit on

which printed circuit boards (expansion boards) are C. REFLECTION AND RESPONSE/ACTION
plugged into. Computer buyers need to look at the Activity 1: Explain the importance of motherboard in a computer unit? Why is it called “motherboard”? Write your
number of expansion slots when they buy a computer, answer on the answer sheet provided on page 7.
because the number of expansion slots decides future
D. SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
expansion. In microcomputers, the expansion slots are
directly connected to the bus. In anagrams, alphabets in a word are presented in jumbled order. You have to set it in correct order to form the
word. For instance, an anagram as ‘D R E’ would mean ‘RED’.

a. Following are some computer hardware components. Solve the anagrams. Write your answer on the
answer sheet provided on page 7.

1. OCOPMISSOCRRRE
2. ODARNM CSSECA EMYMRO
3. OUMSE
4. PTCOMEUR
5. HARD SKID
6. ROPST
7. MRATBDEROOH
8. SONAIXNEP STSLO
9. EROPW UNIT
10. RCMAEA
11. UEOTRR 5
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTING

6
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTING

Name:______________________________________ Course and Set: _________________________________

Lesson: ______________________________________ Module No: _____________________________________

(This sheet should be returned to your course coach)

E. FEEDBACK

As your course coach on this course, I will appreciate it if you can share with me your thoughts about the context of
the module. If there are learning gaps or concerns this module failed to address, please let me know by writing
your views on the spaces provided below. Thank you and see you on our next module. 7
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTING

8
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTING

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT

Name:______________________________________ Course and Set: _________________________________

Lesson: ______________________________________ Module No: _____________________________________

F. ANSWER SHEET

ACTIVATION OF PRIOR KNOWLEDGE

___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________

REFLECTION AND RESPONSE/ACTION

___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
(This sheet should be returned to your course coach)

1.
2.
9
3.