The objectives in this lesson are to enhance perceptual ability and perceptual awareness of blind and visually impaired people by informing and training use of computers for communication, independence, employment, Education, Health and Fun ...
This technology or computer training has designed to be at your own convenient time, place, and pace; therefore, develop your own workable strategy by planning, organizing, directing, controlling and evaluating your learning process to insure your objectives have met.
In addition, this learning module has introduced basic computer terminologies and concepts and it has described physical layout of a computer and its parts. Therefore, familiarize yourself with these computer basics. Read the page contents carefully and then click on your chosen topic. After you have learned that desired module, press alt + left-arrow to go back to the table of content, or continue to learn by pressing down arrow. If you do not have any clues about computers, you might need knowledgeable person to help you go over or familiarize you with the physical shape or components of that computer's hardware and keyboard layout. These instructions works with PCS, Windows platform 7 / 8 / 10 , and JAWS 15 or above. However, it is up to you what type of assistive technology or operating system you should use.
A Computer is composed of hardware and software, and it is a programmable electronic device that performs mathematical calculations and logical operations, especially one that can process, store and retrieve data. Computer has employed for manipulating text or graphics, accessing the Internet, or playing games or media. Furthermore, personal computer is one of the most common types of computer due to their multifold purposes and relatively low price. PCS and laptops satisfy the same purpose; however, laptops are small and use lower power. In addition, PCS is composed of hardware and software. Computer hardware is the collection of physical elements that constitutes a computer system. all of which are physical objects that can be touched are called hardware. In contrast, software is instructions that can be stored and run by hardware. Software is any set of machine-readable instructions that directs a computer's processor to perform specific operations. A combination of hardware and software forms a usable computing system. PCS hardware components includes but not limited to the following:
The first devices to aid with calculations were simple devices like tally sticks and counting rods, as well as the Abacus. More complex devices capable of performing a single kind of calculation existed, like the Antikythera mechanism and the Astrolabe. Analog computers were used for more difficult calculations, like those found in ballistics.
Von Neumann architecture scheme
The template for all modern computers is the Von Neumann architecture, detailed in a 1945 paper by Hungarian mathematician John von Neumann. This describes a design architecture for an electronic digital computer with subdivisions of a processing unit consisting of an arithmetic logic unit and processor registers, a control unit containing an instruction register and program counter, a memory to store both data and instructions, external mass storage, and input and output mechanisms.
Input/output is a communication between an data processing system such as a computer, and the outside world. Inputs are the data or signals go into the system for processing. Furthermore, an input devices are computer hardware equipment used to provide data and control signals to an data processing system such as a computer or other information appliance. Examples of input devices are:
Keyboards
Mouse
Microphone
Scanners
Digital cameras and
Joysticks.
Conversely, outputs are the data or signals sent from the system to outside world. An output devices are computer hardware equipment used to communicate the results of data processing carried out by an data processing system such as a computer which converts the electronically generated information into human-understandable or readable form. An example of output devices are:
The keyboard-101 has six set of keys and they are the Function or F keys, special keys, alpha/numeric keys, six keys, arrows keys, and the numeric pad keys.
The special keys
The special keys that are left side on the keyboard have lined up from top to bottom. The bottom special keys start from the left control key to the right control key, at the right side from the right control key up to the top row. At the top row, there are three more special keys from function (f) keys to the right.
The left side special keys top to bottom are:
Escape, Accent, (JAWS says it, "`") or ~, Tab, Cap lock, Shift, Control.
The bottom special keys left to right are:
Control, Windows logo, Alt, Spacebar, Right-alt, Application, Right-control.
The special keys from the right side of alpha numeric and function keys bottom to top are:
Right-control, Shift, Enter, \, Backspace,
The three special keys located on right from function keys are:
Print-screen, Scrollock, Pause.
The six keys below the three special keys and the first row are:
Insert, Home, PageUp.
The second row:
Delete,. End, PageDown.
The arrow keys are located under the six keys, and the bottom row:
Left-arrow, Down-arrow, Right-arrow.
The numeric pad keys are located at most right side on the keyboard, which means right from the six keys and arrow keys. These are five rows and the first row keys are:
The first row:
Num lock, /, *, -.
The second row:
7, 8, 9, +.
The third row:
4, 5, 6, +.
The fourth row:
1, 2, 3, Enter.
The fifth row:
0, 0, ., Enter.
The function (f) keys are located on top of a keyboard at the first row between the escape and three special keys, and the first group are:
F1 F2 F3 F4; F5 F6 F7 F8; F9 F10 F11 F12.
In the second row between the accent and backspace keys, there are the number and operator keys:
'1 and !' '2 and @' '3 and #' '4 and $' '5and %' '6 and ^' '7 and &' '8 and *' '9 and (' '0 and )' '- and _' '= and +' 'Backslash'
The third row is between the tab and the \ keys and here are they:
In the next section, the Microsoft keyboard layout has described in a form of table in order to help perceive the locations of each keys. First, let us learn JAWS navigation commands for tables as Freedom Scientific Company provides it, and then you would practice how to navigate tables.
T = Move To Next Table
SHIFT + T = Move To Prior Table
F8 = Select Table
CTRL + INSERT + T = List Tables
CTRL + WINDOWS Key + J = Jump to Table Cell (from within a table)
CTRL + SHIFT + WINDOWS Key + J = Return to Previous Cell
CTRL + ALT + NUM PAD 5 = Read current cell
CTRL + ALT + RIGHT ARROW = Move to and Read Next Cell
CTRL + ALT + LEFT ARROW = Move to and Read Prior Cell
CTRL + ALT + UP ARROW = Move to and Read Cell Above
CTRL + ALT + DOWN ARROW = Move to and Read Cell Below
CTRL + ALT + HOME = Move to and Read First Cell
CTRL + ALT + END = Move to and Read Last Cell
WINDOWS Key + ALT + DOWN ARROW = Read Next Row
WINDOWS Key + ALT + UP ARROW = Read Prior Row
ALT + WINDOWS Key + COMMA = Read Current Row
INSERT + SHIFT + HOME = Read from Beginning of Row to Current Cell
INSER T+ SHIFT + PAGE UP = Read from Current Cell to End of Row
ALT + WINDOWS Key + PERIOD = Read Current Column
INSERT + SHIFT + END = Read from Top of Column to Current Cell
INSERT + SHIFT + PAGE DOWN = Read from Current Cell to Bottom of Column
WINDOWS Key + ALT + RIGHT ARROW = Read Next Column
WINDOWS Key + ALT + LEFT ARROW = Read Prior Column
Now practice the following exercises using JAWS the screen reader as your Assistive Technology (AT).
Press the letter "T". It will take you to the beginning of the table.
Press the JAWS key + Num-pad 8 which is say or read line and you will hear JAWS say, "Row one"
Press control + alt + right arrow keys until you hear JAWS say, end of row .
After you hear end of row , press control + alt + left arrow until you hear JAWS say, beginning of row again.
Press control + alt + down arrow to go to the next row you will hear JAWS say, second row .
Press again control + alt + right arrow until you hear JAWS say, end of row .
Follow the same procedure until you hear JAWS say, row six .
Description of Microsoft Keyboard-101 Layout for blind.
A Computer is composed of hardware and software, and it is a programmable electronic device that performs mathematical calculations and logical operations, especially one that can process, store and retrieve data. Computer has employed for manipulating text or graphics, accessing the Internet, or playing games or media.
A program or a software:
A program or a software is list of written instructions that tell the computer what to do, and designed to perform a specific task. .
Word-process
A word-process is a software program for creating, saving, retrieving, editing, and printing a document or a file as it is needed.
Browser:
A browser is a software that displays content of the webpage. It is a viewing engine for multiple content of the web.
Spreadsheet:
A spreadsheet is a program operates on data represented as cells of an array, organized in rows and columns. Each cell of the array is a element that can contain either numeric or text data, or the results of that automatically calculate and display a value based on the contents of other cells
Database:
A software program for creating tables, storing data, retrieving and manipulating data and providing needed information in a given point in time.
A program or a software is list of written instructions that tell the computer what to do, and designed to perform a specific task. Software, or program refers to the non-tangible components of computers. Computer hardware and software require each other and neither can be realistically used without the other.
It refers to all computer programs regardless of their architecture; for example, executable files, drivers, libraries, system configuration files, and scripts are computer software. Software consists list of instructions that instructs hardware to perform the tasks for its purpose. Software is stored in computer memory; therefore, it cannot be touched. Executable code such as machine language instructions are specific to a central processing unit (CPU). The instructions are carries out by a processor in the order they are provided, unless it is instructed to go to a different instruction. Nowadays, software is written in high-level programming languages. High level languages are easier and more understandable for humans like natural language. High-level languages are compiled or interpreted into machine language object code. Software may be written in assembly language. Even though there are many type of software, for the purpose of this training I will introduce the system and application software.
System Software or Operating system (OS)
An operating system (OS) is a collection of program or software that acts as an intermediary between programs and the computer hardware. The OS is a computer system software that manages computer hardware resources and provides services for computer application programs. The application programs and hardware cannot function without the operating system.
The OS provides:
Access to the hardware
Moderates access to system resources
Allocate system memory to running programs
and
Manages storage.
In short, the OS functions are managing input / output hardware, memory allocation, time-sharing operating systems, schedule tasks efficient use of the system, processor time, mass storage and printing etc.
All type of computers like personal computers, mainframe, cellular phones, video game consoles, supercomputers, web servers have operating systems that acts as interface between their hardware and application software. The following Examples are popular modern operating systemsUNIX
Linux
Microsoft Windows
Windows Phone
Android
BSD
IOS
OS X
QNX
IBM z/OS.
Motherboard
The motherboard is the main component inside the case. It is a large rectangular board with integrated circuitry that connects the other parts of the computer including the CPU, the RAM, the disk drives (CD, DVD, hard disk, or any others) as well as any peripherals connected via the ports or the expansion slots.
Components directly attached to the motherboard include
The CPU (Central Processing Unit)
The CPU (Central Processing Unit) performs most of the calculations which enable a computer to function, and is sometimes referred to as the "brain" of the computer. It is usually cooled by a heat sink and fan. Most newer CPUs include an on-die Graphics Processing Unit (GPU).
The Chipset,
The Chipset which includes the north bridge, mediates communication between the CPU and the other components of the system, including main memory.
Random-Access Memory (RAM)
The Random-Access Memory (RAM) stores the code and data that are being actively accessed by the CPU.
Read-Only Memory (ROM)
The Read-Only Memory (ROM) stores the BIOS that runs when the computer is powered on or otherwise begins execution, a process known as Bootstrapping, or "booting" or "booting up". The BIOS (Basic Input Output System) includes boot firmware and power management firmware. Newer motherboards use Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) instead of BIOS. Buses connect the CPU to various internal components and to expansion cards for graphics and sounds
Expansion card
The expansion card in computing is a printed circuit board that can be inserted into an expansion slot of a computer motherboard or backplane to add functionality to a computer system via the expansion bus.
Computer data storage
Computer data storage, often called storage or memory, refers to computer components and recording media that retain digital data. Data storage is a core function and fundamental component of computers.
Fixed media
Data is stored by a computer using a variety of media. Hard disk drives are found in virtually all older computers, due to their high capacity and low cost, but solid-state drives are faster and more power efficient, although currently more expensive than hard drives, so are often found in more expensive computers. Some systems may use a disk array controller for greater performance or reliability.
Removable media
To transfer data between computers, a USB flash drive or Optical disc may be used. Their usefulness depends on being readable by other systems; the majority of machines have an optical disk drive, and virtually all have a USB port.
Application Software
Word-processor
A word-process is a software program for creating, saving, retrieving, editing, and printing a document or a file as it is needed.
Browser
A browser is a software that displays content of the webpage. It is a viewing engine for multiple content of the web.
Spreadsheet
A spreadsheet is a program operates on data represented as cells of an array, organized in rows and columns. Each cell of the array is a element that can contain either numeric or text data, or the results of that automatically calculate and display a value based on the contents of other cells
Database
A software program for creating tables, storing data, retrieving and manipulating data and providing needed information in a given point in time.
Answer the following questions! If you answer them and you feel comfortable with the content of this training module, go to the next learning step, which is the operating system.
What are your objectives for getting this training?
What is a computer?
Describe the concept of hardware and software!
Tell what are the meaning of input / output devices, and provide examples of each!
What is RAM?
What is CPU?
Define the differences between system software and application software!
How many key sets are there in Microsoft keyboard-101? Could you name them?
What are the names of the six keys located as one set in the keyboard-101?
What is an operating system?
Describe four main functions of the operating systems!
Define the following words and give example of each!
Word processor
Database
Spreadsheet
Browser
Assistive technology related questions What are JAWS combination keys to perform the following tasks?
Read line
read window title
List running program
Go to beginning of table in vertual cursor mode
Go bacward to beginning of table
Read row from left to right in a table.
read row backward in a table.
read column downward in a table.
read column upwrd in a table.
Go to end of a table
Go to beginning of a table.
During computer booting process time, blind person cannot have access of that computer! Why?
