This is where your computer’s memory comes into play. Hard drives use magnetic storage to write data “persistently.” By persistent, we mean that if you turn your computer off, the data will still be stored on the hard drive and ready to access once you power it back on. There are two parts of your computer which are responsible for memory. Please note: Text within images is not translated, some features may not work properly after translation, and the translation may not accurately convey the intended meaning. The graphics card (also called the video card or display adapter) is the part of a computer that handles everything to do with the display. As your children get older and older, they will slowly become more interested in computers. These disks include CDs and DVDs. We’ll describe what each part of your computer does, what it looks like and where you’ll find it. You can unsubscribe anytime. 20 ways to explain cloud computing to a five-year-old. radios. Move them into the refrigerator/RAM when you’re ready to do something with them. Why isn't that done by the central processing unit? But work through the components slowly and logically and it all starts to make sense. Store things on the hard drive for a long time, but not if you want to do anything with them. There's a growing hobbyist movement, linked Your kid probably doesn’t understand the concept of databases or processors, but they do know how a toy box or bookshelf works, and what a brain is for. Or even mention data speeds. After translating an article, all tools except font up/font down will be disabled. The instructions consist of algorithms, which are a series of steps that are used to solve a problem. was that you had originally wanted to do (writing the letter). It will typically have an on switch on the front, along with several ports you can use to plug in a variety of cables (which is a whole separate topic in itself). Six decades later and "Coding" computers—but they're just super-scaled up versions of the one A computer stores complex sets of instructions called programs and uses them to do much more interesting things. It plugs directly into your computer’s motherboard (the big base of circuitry which all the other parts of a computer plug into). And of course, if you have any questions, you can always call a friendly nerd at 916-306-5817. Give it a try. Application software gives the computer instructions for doing specific tasks, such as word processing or playing games. Each of these layers is relatively independent so, for example, the same Windows operating system might run on laptops running a different BIOS, while a computer running Windows (or another operating system) can run any number of different applications. Thankfully, there's been a recent In this machine, there are two external fans (colored green and blue) just to the left, cooling both the power supply and the mainboard. The computer then works Photo: USB ports on computers are very robust, but they do break from time to time, especially after years of use. She puts soon, people started selling programs like word processors to save you used a mind-boggling collection of different connectors for linking We’ve been busy, working hard to bring you new features and an updated design. They are built into such things as airplanes, robots in factories, cars, and even household appliances. all by itself. This is not a race to teach them. one peripheral plugged into each of your USB sockets or using USB hubs Always show what you are doing as you are explaining it. So a word processor and a chess game are two different applications that both rely on the operating system to carry out their basic input, output, and so on. while the inner pins carry the data. A computer is a machine composed of hardware and software components. Computers can process huge amounts of data very quickly. the global population of computers has now risen to something like one billion machines! If you’re new to computers, (or even if you’re not and you just don’t have much interest in tech details!) by, say, 10 percent to make the entire image brighter. When teaching your child how the computer works and how to use … Kaczanowski asked the group questions about computers, databases, and programming languages. Open your favourite web browser and surf around for a while. The Internet, which is a huge network of linked computers, provides information from all over the world. which is a shame, because it's great fun and a really useful skill. Then again, if we all rely on computer programs and apps, someone has to The computer will return to the user screen. a standard way of connecting together called USB (universal serial bus). A microprocessor had many tiny transistors on one small wafer, or chip. So, for example, your Lenovo PC or Asus laptop might have a Toshiba hard drive, an Nvidia graphics card, a Realtek sound card, and so on. It’s simply a protective casing surrounding various components which, when combined, make up your computer. desk until she RAM is a small stick of plastic circuitry with a number of contacts along one edge. Suppose you have a friend who's The Memory. recognizable as such: they are embedded in everything from microwave ovens to cellphones and digital People use computers every day at work, at school, and at home. To flip a digital photo, the computer simply reverses the From there he was able to discuss what qualifies as a computer and how a programmer would interact with computers like laptops, cars, and smartwatches. It doesn’t “do” any of the computing itself. Teach them how to log out. Let’s run you through the individual parts of a computer. They cost millions of dollars. Show them what it looks like by clicking "Start" and hovering over "All Programs.". A tower is basically a hard protective case for your computer’s various components. The word “algorithm” may not seem relevant to kids, but the truth is that algorithms are all around them, governing everything from the technology they use to the mundane decisions they make every day. the top of the pile, studies the problem, works out the They're "soft" in the sense that they are not fixed: they can be These users were entered when the computer was first bought or were added onto whenever needed. But people find it hard to work with long number patterns. Today, most computer users rely on prewritten programs like That was a big problem for programmers because it meant they had to rewrite all their programs each time they wanted to run them on different machines. the bottom, the BIOS connecting the hardware to the operating system, and the applications you actually use (such as word processors, complex electronic machines they have to pre-program. Explain and show the file layout. That's the basic idea behind an operating system: it's the core software in a computer that (essentially) controls the basic chores of input, output, storage, and processing. So when explaining a concept like programming, it’s hugely helpful to make it relatable to what they already know. Restrict Internet access to a few hours at certain intervals in the day and make sure they are not able to get on the Internet without asking. You’re dealing with kids here, so you should expect to repeat yourself quite a few times. These days, CPUs are actually made up of a number of “cores” which can work together. Computers use strings of 0s and 1s to stand for letters, sounds, and all of the other data they handle. The CPU is the Central Processing Unit. These are loaded when the computer turns on, preventing the user from having to input the same specifications each time. You can read more of that story in our article on the history of computers.). To share with more than one person, separate addresses with a comma. that the world would need no more than "about five computers." Talk about how an "Application" or "Program" is something used to make a certain task easier, such as writing. Back in the 1970s and 1980s, if you wanted a home computer programming. the next letter in the pile. How Computers Work The Evolution of Technology, Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution, Accidental Empires : How the Boys of Silicon computer image by Ewe Degiampietro from Fotolia.com. A computer receives data through an input unit based on the instructions it is given and after it processes the data, it sends it back through an output device. In this photo, the processor is directly underneath the black fan with the red central spindle. Don’t explain how an internet router works. don't really think of it this way, the computer can be reprogrammed as When teaching your child how the computer works and how to use it, it is crucial to keep the lessons basic and fun. All you Input devices let the user enter data or commands into the computer. minute—and then a photo-editing program five seconds later. At the beginning of the school year, every writing assignment, certificate and work of art that…. Then move them into the (food)processor to work with them, and back into the refrigerator for leftovers, freezer for long-term storage. Kids love asking and answering questions, and asking them is a great way to figure out what they know.