Practical Computer Studies Book 1 [antikvár]

PrefaceThis is the first of two books designed to introduce computer studies. The books aim to give a prartical approach to this very important subject. Computers are fascinating machines, and many people want to learn about them and how to operate them. Computers are part of modern technology and they have a glamour that appeals to young people. This book tries not to dampen this excitement by overemphasis on the technical nature of computers. But it also tries to give enough technical help to enable the reader to achieve some understanding of how a computer works. Like all subjects, computer studies can be treated in schools as both a body of knowledge to be learnt for an exam and as a lively and useful part of living. I have tried not to overemphasize the exam aspect of the subject, while recognizing that often in schools this is an important consideration for both pupils and teachers. To do this, the first book gives a general introduction and the second book gives a more detailed coverage of the different aspects needed for exam courses. Computers are too important, pupils have too much initial enthusiasm and the subject is changing too fast for it to become a static list of facts to be digested. To make the books topical, I have included projea work and practical work where applicable, so that pupils can use magazines, newspapers and other resources to gain up-to-date news.It is expected that pupils will be able to get quite a ot of experience using computers, and a part of the text outlines the BASIC language. The approach is not aimed at any one type of computer, but it will be especially useftil to schools with microcomputers. Elsewhere in the text there is prartical work in the form of pencil and paper projerts simulating the computer, although guidance is given on how to relate the theoretical work to the real machine. TTie style of the book is such that pupils can work through the books at their own pace, but each section could also be used for class teaching or group work. It is tempting to restritt work to the areas of the subjert that are not suffering quite such a rapid change, but this defeats much of the object of studying computer studies. Anyone who writes such a book must reconcile themselves to the fart that before it reaches its audience further developments will have taken place. I therefore apologize beforehand for this, but I believe it is important to look closely at the place of computers now in the world, and to examine the future and their probable influence in changing people's lives. To ignore this would be to ignore important issues and to do a disservice to pupils eager to learn about an exciting and changing subjert of direct relevance to themselves.Peter AvisNoteThe questions and tasks in this book are open ended and they can either form a basis for discussion or written projert work or the answers can be recorded in a workbook.They often deal with subjects that cannot be answered simply by studying the immediately preceding page(s). So if you get stuck with a question:(a)read on a bit further;(b)look in the index to see whether the topic is dealt with elsewhere;(c)look at other books or magazines to see if they give an answer.It is important to remember that no single book can provide you with all the answers.