Computer Basics
Q: A computer mainly takes input, follows ________, and produces output.
A: Instructions
Q: Which computer is designed to stay in one place, often used in offices/labs?
A: Desktop
Q: Hardware is something you can ________.
A: Touch
Q: Point to one piece of hardware in front of you.
A: Monitor / keyboard / mouse / cables / system unit
Q: “Line upon line” means learning happens ________.
A: Step by step
Q: True or False: A computer “thinks” like a human.
A: False
Q: Which computer is portable and folds closed?
A: Laptop
Q: Software is the set of ________ or programs that tell the computer what to do.
A: Instructions
Q: If the mouse is missing, is that hardware, software, or user?
A: Hardware
Q: When you don’t understand something yet, the best next step is to ________ it (not fix it).
A: Name / identify
Q: Give one example of “input” to a computer.
A: Keyboard typing / mouse click / touch / voice / camera
Q: A server is a computer that mainly ________ other computers.
A: Serves
Q: The most important part of any computer system is the ________.
A: User
Q: Without clicking anything: name one software that must exist for the computer to work.
A: Operating system (Windows/macOS/Linux), drivers (keep it simple: “operating system” is enough)
Q: True or False: Making mistakes is evidence you are learning.
A: True
Q: In one sentence, what is a computer?
A: A machine that receives input, follows instructions, and produces output.
Q: True or False: A server is always physically bigger than a desktop.
A: False (it can be small; purpose matters more than size)
Q: If an app freezes, that is most likely a ________ issue.
A: Software
Q: The screen shows something unexpected after a click. Which category helps you stay calm first?
A: User (learning moment) (then identify software/hardware as needed)
Q: Finish the phrase: “Confidence comes before ________.”
A: Skill (or “mastery”—accept either)
Q: A computer follows instructions, but it still needs something from the user to begin. Name two things a user can do that count as “input.”
A: Examples: typing, clicking, touching the screen, speaking (voice input), scanning, taking a photo, pressing the power button.
Q: In one sentence each, explain how a desktop, laptop, and server are different based on their main purpose (not size or power).
A:
Q: You press the power button, and the computer turns on, but you cannot open a program and it keeps freezing. What are the two most likely categories involved, and why?
A: Most likely software (program/system issue) and user (user is observing and naming what’s happening, not causing it).
Alternate acceptable: software + possible hardware (if they explain “storage/RAM could be involved” without going deep).
Q: Look at your workstation and name three pieces of hardware and one piece of software you are confident exists on the computer (without clicking anything).
A: Hardware examples: monitor, keyboard, mouse, system unit/CPU, headphones, cables
Software examples: operating system (Windows), login screen/system, drivers
Q: Complete this sentence using our Week 1 mindset:
“When something goes wrong on a computer, my first job is to ________ it, not ________ it.”
A: Name/identify it, not fix it.