In this section:

… allows us to manipulate all types of information as digits (1s and 0s) in order to store and manage the information more efficiently and effectively.

DigitalTechnology

• Digital Literacy• Computing Platforms

CT3 > Concepts > Digital Technology

In this section:

An understanding of how computers represent different types of data with digits, and how the usefulness of that representation assists people in leading productive lives.

DigitalLiteracy

• Computer• Computer Literacy• Bits and Bytes• Digitization

CT3 > Concepts > Digital Technology > Digital Literacy

• ASCII• Binary Number

System• Digital Convergence

Computer A computer is a digital electronics device that combines hardware and software to accept the input of data, and then process and store the data to produce some useful output.

Links:CNET Laptop Reviews

Apple Mac Web siteIBM Servers and Systems

National Geographic/IBM Genographic projectiRobotCT3 > Concepts > Digital Technology > Digital Literacy > Computer

Key termsHardware, software, input, processing, output, data, information, general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer

5 Primary Functions:1. Computation2. Automation3. Communication4. Entertainment5. Information Management

Computer Literacy

Computer literacy refers to a functional understanding of the fundamentals of computers and their uses.

Links:Being Fluent with Information Technology

Information LiteracyComputer literacy standards

Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC³)CT3 > Concepts > Digital Technology > Digital Literacy > Computer Literacy

Computer fluency captures the essence of business expectations.

Knowledge workers should have more than a functional understanding of computers and be swift to pick up new computer skills.

Bits and BytesA bit—short for binary digit—is a digit that can be 1 or 0. A bit is the smallest unit of information that a digital electronics device can manipulate.

Links:Internet connection speed testCT3 > Concepts > Digital Technology > Digital Literacy > Bits and Bytes

A group of eight bits is called a byte.

Understanding bits and how they represent information is key to understanding the workings of computers and other digital electronic devices.

Bits on a CD

KB = KilobyteKb = Kilobit

DigitizationDigitization, also called digitizing, is the process of transforming information, such as text, images, and sounds, into digital representation (1s and 0s) so that it can be stored and processed by computers.

Links:American Memory

The Universal LibraryDigital personalized radio from Pandora

Digital scents from TriSenxCT3 > Concepts > Digital Technology > Digital Literacy > Digitization

Analog information such as sights and sounds continuously vary over time. If what we see and hear is broken down into their fundamental elements at very short time intervals, it is possible to describe them as values, store them digitally, and reproduce them in a manner that fools our senses into believing they are exact copies of the original.

ASCIIThe American Standard Code for Information Interchange, ASCII, pronounced “asskee,” is the standard used to represent keyboard characters in digital form—with 1s and 0s.

CT3 > Concepts > Digital Technology > Digital Literacy > ASCII

Binary Number SystemThe binary number system, also called the base 2 number system, is a number system with only two digits: 0 and 1.

Links:Binary/decimal converter

Binary DigitsIntroduction to Binary Numbers

YouTube Video - Mastering Binary NumbersYouTube Video - Binary Numbers in 60 SecondsCT3 > Concepts > Digital Technology > Digital Literacy > Binary Number System

The hexadecimal number system, or base 16, is used in digital graphics as a shorthand for color representation. Also known as Hex, this number system includes 16 digits: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, A, B, C, D, E, F.

Digital ConvergenceDigital convergence takes advantage of the fact that digitization standardizes all types of data to 1s and 0s to create devices that combine the functionality of several digital electronics devices into one.

Links:HTC Shift

Comcast Triple Play Bundles from Verizon

VoIP from Vonage Mobile TV from Verizon,

TV on the Web from HuluCT3 > Concepts > Digital Technology > Digital Literacy > Digital Convergence

As processors become smaller and faster, and telecommunications networks become increasingly pervasive, we can combine the functionality of several devices and technologies.

In this section:

…. describe a computer’s architecture in terms of hardware and software.

ComputingPlatforms

• Personal Computer• Mobile Computing• Synchronization

CT3 > Concepts > Digital Technology > Computing Platforms

• Server• Supercomputer• Special-Purpose Computer

Personal Computer (PC)A personal computer, or PC, is any general-purpose computer designed to meet many computing needs of one individual.

Links:PC Reviews

MacWorld (Apple experts)Tablet PC reviews and news

Handheld computer and smart phone reviews Ultramobile PC portal

Intel’s Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs) CT3 > Concepts > Digital Technology > Computing Platforms > Personal Computer (PC)

Notebook PC

Desktop PCTablet PC

Mobile Internet Device (MID)

SmartPhone

Mobile computing refers to the use of battery-powered mobile computing devices that provide access to computing, communication, information, and/or entertainment anywhere, anytime.

CT3 > Concepts > Digital Technology > Computing Platforms > Mobile Computing

Links:BlackBerry Bold

HTC Shift

Vocera communication badge

BMW augmented reality

Mobile Computing relies on technology including…• Wireless networks• Servers

Mobile Computing

• Storage• Synchronization

• Rechargeable batteries

Synchronization is the process of maintaining common files and data across multiple devices so that all copies are up to date.

Links:Google Docs

Microsoft Office Live Workspace

Microsoft ActiveSyncCT3 > Concepts > Digital Technology > Computing Platforms > Synchronization

Synchronization

Being able to access all of our data and files anywhere, anytime, from any computer is a challenge. Computer and media companies are all working to develop solutions that will entice users to buy their brands.

• Application server• Communications server• Database server• Email server• File server• Print server• Game server• Web server

A server is a powerful computer that often utilizes many processors to provide services to many users simultaneously over a network.

Links:Sun Microsystems servers

IBM servers

HP blade servers

IBM grid computingCT3 > Concepts > Digital Technology > Computing Platforms > Servers

Server

Supercomputers are the most powerful type of computer, often utilizing thousands or even tens of thousands of processors to solve the world’s most difficult problems.

CT3 > Concepts > Digital Technology > Computing Platforms > Supercomputer

Links:IBM’s Roadrunner supercomputer

Top 500 supercomputers

Pringles potato chips were designed using a supercomputer so that they wouldn’t fly off the conveyor belt while being manufactured.

Supercomputer

Special-purpose computers are computers designed to meet a specific need and are more prevalent, yet less noticeable, than general-purpose computers.

CT3 > Concepts > Digital Technology > Computing Platforms > Special-Purpose

Links:The Embedded Systems Institute

Embedded System News

Intel embedded systems

Special-Purpose ComputersA kiosk is a computer station that provides the general public with specific and useful information and services.

A kiosk is usually equipped with a touch screen, kiosks provide everything from online store catalogs to maps and exhibit information.