Process

1. Review the information at the following links.
1. Review this 10-types-of-computers slide show from How Stuff Works.
2. View the following video, the antics at the beginning only last a few seconds just be patient - Overview Video
2. You are going to break up into four research groups composed of five students and review the general computer information at the below links. Thereafter, attempt to name the elements depicted on the Computer Drawing. You do not have to complete or thoroughly understand the computer drawing at this time. Your understanding will develop during the lesson. Later in the lesson, after you meet with your second project group, you will be able to complete and add information to the Computer Drawing.
   1. Read these paragraphs about computer hardware; and
   2. Browse through this interactive diagram of a computer - interactive diagram from Britannica
3. Next, your research group will learn more about a specific part of a computer. Look below for the name of your research group in bold and follow the directions.


CPU Group - Review the information at the following links. With the information you have learned, each of you complete the questions on Summary Page - CPU
1. Microprocessor summary from the Computer Documentation Project
2. CPU summary from Britannica
3. On the following video, view from 25:30 to at least 26:54 or even 28:25: Anatomy of a Computer by Eli
4. Great work! Next, you will take your completed summary page to a new project group where you will meet experts on other computer elements and you will be the CPU expert.
RAM Group - Review the information at the following links. With the information you have learned, each of you complete the questions on Summary Page - RAM
1. What is Hardware?
2. View from 28:35 – 31:12 on the following video: Anatomy of a Computer by Eli
3. Cache memory from Britannica
4. Great work! Next, you will take your completed summary page to a new project group where you will meet experts on other computer elements and you will be the RAM expert.
Nonvolatile Memory Group - Review the information at the following links. With the information you have learned, each of you complete the questions on Summary Page - Nonvolatile Memory
1. What is Hardware?
2. Dictionary of Computing
3. Hard drive construction from the Computer Technology Documentation Project
4. Great work! Next, you will take your completed summary page to a new project group where you will meet experts on other computer elements, and you will be the nonvolatile memory expert.
I/O Interface and Devices Group - Review the information at the following links. With the information you have learned, each of you complete the questions on Summary Page - IO.
1. Basic definition of interface
2. Definition of interface from techterms
3. Input/Output devices
4. More on Input/Output devices
5. For a detailed look on a specific input or output device or if you have unanswered questions, see Detailed articles on specific Input/Output Devices. There is a great article on a the brain-computer interface listed in the "Other peripherals" section. It is worth a peak!
6. Great work! Next, you will take your completed summary page to a new project group where you will meet experts on other computer elements, and you will be the expert on I/O interfaces and devices.
4. Now we are ready to form your second group, the project group. One of you from each previous research group (the previous research groups were CPU group, RAM group, Nonvolatile Memory Group, I/O interface and devices group) will form a new project group of four students. Your newly formed project group will create the final product, but first, share with your new project group your completed summary page and details about how your element functions.   Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand!


5. Individual Pre-Brainstorming Activity - After your project group has shared information and you understand each other's elements, individually prepare so you can contribute to your group's brainstorming session. During your group's brainstorming session, your group will choose a system that mimics the functions of a computer system. To help you get ideas for your own system, please review the Example System Poster and the examples on the Brainstorming Page. Then, after you think for a bit, on the bottom of your summary page write an initial idea for your element and theme for a system. Don't worry about that it may be wrong. All ideas are correct during brainstorming, just participate!


6. In your newly formed project groups, brainstorm ideas for your system using the directions on the Brainstorming Page. At the end of your brainstorming session, your project group should have chosen your own system that mimics the functions of a computer system. Your project group will then prepare an electronic or paper poster and present your system to the class.
   1. The poster will be graded using the rubric at the Evaluation of Student Page.
   2. For an electronic poster, we can project your poster to the class screen for your presentation. Please use Word, Pages, a Web page, or a Flash file. If you want to use another application, please see me for approval first. I want to make sure I can support your efforts with that application.
   Each of you are responsible for the entire project and you should work together throughout the project providing constructive criticism as you move along. Your role in the project group will be graded by each other using the Evaluation of Teammate and Self Rubric. Also, do a self assessment of your project group role using the same rubric. In addition, you are responsible for the content about your device, and you should choose one of the following additional roles:
   
   
   1. Technical Person – responsible for making presentation work
      
   2. Visual coordinator – responsible for the look of the presentation
      
   3. Writer – responsible for making the content flow together and for adding any supporting organization
      
   4. Leader and lead presenter – responsible for keeping people on track, helping wherever requested, and making the general presentation. Individuals may also present their expert content.