Computers Honor

Recreational Activities

Requirements

1. Explain the purpose of each component:
   • Computer system;
   • Monitor / screen;
   • "Mouse";
   • Keyboard;
   • Central processor;
   • Hard drive;
   • "Scanner";
   • "CD ROM";
   • "Modem";
   • Printer;
   • Network card;
   • Floppy disk.

   Answer: 1) Computer system: it is the set that makes everything work together (machine + programs). 2) Monitor/screen: shows the images and text for you to see. 3) Mouse: you move the little arrow and click on things. 4) Keyboard: used to type letters and numbers. 5) Central processor: it is the "brain" that thinks and does the calculations. 6) Hard drive: stores your files even when the computer is turned off. 7) Scanner: makes a digital copy of papers and photos. 8) CD-ROM: reads discs (CDs) with games or programs. 9) Modem: connects the computer to the internet. 10) Printer: puts onto paper what is on the screen. 11) Network card: connects the computer to other computers and to the internet. 12) Floppy disk: it stored a few files to carry from one place to another (very old). — Each part of the computer has a function and they all work together to make it run.

2. Know what computers can be used for:
   • Documents
   • Information center
   • Operations / accounts
   • Various communications
   • Research
   • Entertainment

   Answer: Computers help with many things: 1) Documents: writing letters, schoolwork, and texts. 2) Information center: storing and organizing data, like names and lists. 3) Operations/calculations: doing math and calculations quickly. 4) Various communications: sending messages and emails to talk with people far away. 5) Research: looking up and learning new things on the internet. 6) Entertainment: playing games, listening to music, and watching videos. — The computer is a tool that helps you work, study, communicate, and have fun.

3. Do one of the following activities:
   • Write and print a thank-you note.
   • Play an educational game.

   Answer: Choose one and do it with an adult. Thank-you note: 1) open a writing program (like the text editor); 2) type a short message thanking someone; 3) read it over to see if it looks nice; 4) ask the adult to help send it to print; 5) get the paper from the printer and deliver it. Educational little game: 1) the adult opens a learning game (letters, numbers, or memory); 2) you play following the rules; 3) have fun learning! — Doing it in practice helps you really use the computer and learn while having fun.

4. Do one of the following activities:
   • Visit an office and observe how computers help in carrying out the work;
   • Watch a presentation by a computer specialist demonstrating the latest developments in this field.

   Answer: Choose one and do it with an adult. Visit to an office: 1) arrange the visit with the responsible adult; 2) observe people using the computer; 3) notice what they do (writing, storing data, printing); 4) ask polite questions; 5) afterward tell your leader what you saw. Specialist presentation: 1) attend the talk attentively; 2) pay attention to the new things they show; 3) write down or draw what you liked most; 4) share it with the group. — Seeing up close how computers are used shows you what they are for in everyday life.

5. Get to know the keyboard well:
   • Show the correct position of the hands on the keyboard;
   • Explain why the correct hand position is important.

   Answer: 1) Correct hand position: rest your fingers on the middle row of the keyboard (the home row). The left hand has its fingers over the letters A, S, D, F and the right hand over J, K, L, Ç; both thumbs rest on the space bar. Your back stays straight and your wrists relaxed. 2) Why it is important: because this way you type faster, make fewer mistakes, don't need to look at the keyboard as much, and your hands don't get tired or sore. — The right hand position makes you type better and protects your fingers and wrists from getting tired.

6. Use a basic program to type texts and demonstrate that you know how to use it.

   Answer: With an adult's help: 1) open a simple writing program on the computer; 2) place your hands in the correct position on the keyboard; 3) type a short sentence, like your name and a message; 4) use the space bar between words and the Enter key to go to a new line; 5) erase a mistake with the "Backspace" key if you need to; 6) save what you wrote; 7) show your leader what you typed and tell how you did it. — Practicing typing in a simple program shows that you have learned to use the keyboard and the computer.