Time needed: about 2 to 3 hours (1 hr theory, 1 hr practical, 30 min questions)
PART A: THEORY
1. What is hardware?
Hardware means every physical part of a computer that you can see and touch: keyboard, mouse, screen, cabinet, wires. Parts you cannot touch (programs) are software (Day 3).
2. Input devices
Devices that send data into the computer.
Device
Use
Keyboard
Type letters, numbers, commands
Mouse
Point, click, select, drag
Scanner
Converts paper or photo to digital
Microphone
Records sound
Webcam
Captures video
Touchscreen
Touch to give commands
Barcode reader
Reads product codes in shops
3. Output devices
Devices that show results from the computer.
Device
Use
Monitor
Shows text, pictures, video (soft copy)
Printer
Prints on paper (hard copy)
Speaker / Headphones
Plays sound
Projector
Shows screen on a wall
Trick: Touchscreen and headset are both input and output devices.
4. The CPU - the brain
The Central Processing Unit does all calculations and controls other parts. It has three parts:
ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit): does maths (+, -, x, /) and comparisons (>, <, =).
CU (Control Unit): directs and coordinates all work, like a traffic police.
Registers: tiny, very fast memory inside the CPU.
CPU speed is measured in GHz (gigahertz). More cores (dual, quad, octa) means more tasks at once. Popular makers: Intel, AMD.
5. Memory
Memory
Meaning
Keeps data when power off?
RAM
Temporary working space for running programs
No (volatile)
ROM
Permanent start-up instructions (BIOS)
Yes
Cache
Very fast memory near CPU
No
Hard disk / SSD
Permanent storage of files
Yes
Analogy: RAM is your study table (small, fast, cleared later). The hard disk is your cupboard (big, permanent). The more table space, the more books you can use at once.
6. Motherboard and other parts
Motherboard: main circuit board joining all parts.
SMPS (power supply): converts AC mains to DC power for parts.
Graphics card (GPU): handles pictures, games and video.
Cabinet: the box that holds everything.
UPS: gives backup power during cuts.
7. Ports
Port
Used for
USB
Pen drive, mouse, keyboard, phone
HDMI
Monitor, TV, projector (video + sound)
Audio jack
Headphones, speakers, mic
Ethernet (LAN)
Wired internet
Power
Electricity cable
Safety: Always switch off and unplug before opening a cabinet. Never touch internal parts with wet hands.
PART B: PRACTICAL
Do every task on a real computer. Doing is the only way to learn.
Task 1: Sit at a computer (or look at pictures online) and label: monitor, keyboard, mouse, cabinet, power switch. Draw them in a notebook.
Task 2: Find the USB, HDMI and audio ports on a laptop or PC. Note how many of each.
Task 3: On Windows, press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager, click Performance and write down CPU speed, RAM size and disk type.
Task 4: Make a two-column chart of 10 devices: Input vs Output vs Both.
Task 5: Compare two laptops online (e.g. 8GB vs 16GB RAM) and write which suits a student and why.
PART C: QUESTIONS
Multiple choice (click an answer)
Q1. Which is the brain of the computer?
Answer: The CPU processes all data.
Q2. Which loses data when power is off?
Answer: RAM is volatile memory.
Q3. Scanner is a(n)?
Answer: A scanner feeds images in.
Q4. ALU performs?
Answer: ALU = Arithmetic Logic Unit.
Q5. Which port carries both video and sound?
Answer: HDMI carries video and audio.
Q6. CPU speed is measured in?
Answer: Gigahertz.
Short and long questions (write in your notebook)
Differentiate between input and output devices with 4 examples each.
Explain the parts of the CPU.
Differentiate RAM and ROM.
What is a motherboard? What is SMPS?
Name any five ports and their use.
Why is RAM called volatile memory?
Summary
Input, output, CPU, memory and storage devices explained. Revise today's headings, redo any task you found hard, and then mark the day complete.