Introduction
The hardware topic deals with a computer system consisting of input devices, output devices, a central processing unit and storage. ITGS students are required to understand the meaning of the terms and concepts listed here and, where appropriate, briefly describe how they work.

The increasing tendency to develop hardware in modular units raises a range of social impacts and ethical issues such as the use of non-renewable natural resources, the global transportation of manufactured components and their eventual disposal by individuals, organizations and governments. Students are expected to discuss possible solutions and evaluate their effectiveness.

Possible scenario
A computer user is planning to upgrade their current computer system to a newer model and must use their knowledge to:
·understand the specifications of the proposed new system
·evaluate other physical considerations that may influence the choice of the physical environment of the proposed new system, such as ergonomics and other health-related issues
·suggest upgrades to the computer system to take advantage of improvements in components, such as processing speed
·describe how the proper disposal of the old computer system can take place and whether the choice of computer may be affected by the manufacturer’s policies on disposal

 

Edmodo pages for this topic(includes assignment, more links and PTT;log in required).