Module 2:
What is a Computer?
When computers first came out, we envision the biggest building you know of, and seeing it full of huge, noise, hot processors that could take a hard card and punch holes in it. If the stack of cards dropped and got out of order, you started over. It was only through reading the holes punched in the cards (Keypunch) that the 'computer' knew what the command was.
From there, businesses went to 'dummy terminals' that allowed a cable to connect from a monitor to the huge computer in another building. These Wang dummy terminals could also connect through a special phone line with special equipment. Thanks to advancements, those clumsy, slow machines were replaced with a personal computer that had the power to process word documents and communicate through the Internet. In today's world, most people don't even think about NOT having some type of personal computing device; whether it is a desktop computer at home or work, or a smart phone that makes texting and audio accessible world-wide. Who knows where the 'computer' will go next?
See what Thomas Suarez, a 6th grader, is doing with his iPad and iPhones.
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