Computers And You

Introduction

We all love surfing the Internet! We love chatting, playing games and down loading data to print. Where did these information highway vehicles come from? Who invented them and how long have they been around?

The Task

Once all research is completed, the student should be able to do the following:

• Answer a series of questions regarding the origin of computers.
• Answer a series of questions regarding the origin of and consistency of all four computer generations 1945-1956, 1956-1963, 1964-1971 and 1971-present.
• Be able to write a report giving the history of the computer from 1623 to present.
• Be able to explain why computers are so much a part of our lives today.

Resources

The following resources will be used via Infoseek:

• Perspectives of the Smithsonian: Smithsonian Computer History
• Computers: History and Development
• Computer History and Folklore
• The Historical Collection
• MITRE: Computer History Internet Picture Service
• Home Page of Marat Fayzullin
• A Chronology of Computer History: 3000 BC: Dust abacus is invented
• CHAC History Pages
• VanNatta's Computer History

The Process

In order to accomplish this goal, follow the following steps:

• All students will be assigned in groups of four.
• There will be 1 efficiency expert, 1 affiliator, 1 altitudinist and 1 technophile.
• Within each group, examine the specified sights.
• After all sights have been reviewed:

1. Each student gives input and evaluation of the sites he/she reviewed.

2. Write an essay giving:

a) The History of Computers.

b) How computers have improved/evolved.

c) How Computers have become so much a part of our life.

Evaluation

You will be evaluated on content, creativity and the ability to show how computers are a benefit within our society.

Conclusion

Upon completion of this assignment, you will have learned the history of the computer, how computers have been used over the past centuries, what actually constitutes a computer, and how much our lives are effected by computers.