- (abaci) from the Greek or Latin 'abax" for counting board-a tool for calculating numbers
algorithm
- an organized set of steps to solve a math problem
arithmetic
- the use of numbers to make calculations
ARPANET
- Advanced Research Projects Agency Network, the original internet-used by government and department of defense
B
ballistics
- the science of projectiles, such as bullets, missiles, etc.
binary
- two
binary symbols/code
- the system for writing all digital data, using only 0s and 1s
byte
- unit of measure equal to one character, digit, letter, or space
C
calculation
- to count or to compute numbers
census
- a total of a population
cloud based memory
- a data storage system in which outside systems are used over the internet
COBOL
- Common Business Oriented Language is one of the first computer programming languages
coding
- writing the code or programs for computers
compact disc
- a small plastic disk that uses laser light to read digital information stored there
constants
- information that does not change
CPU
- central processing unit-the main portion of a computer
cursor
- blinking line on a computer screen that identifies a location
D
data
- items of information
digital citizenship
- the responsible use of technology to interact with data and other people; internet behavior that is smart, safe and kind
digitize
- to convert an image or text into digital data
drive
- computer equipment that plays disks or CDs to be read by a computer
F
flash drive
- small data storage device about the size of a person's thumb-also called a thumb drive, memory stick, jump drive and others
floppy disk
- data storage device made of Mylar, very thin and floppy
FORTRAN
- Formula Translation-a computer language used for scientific computation
G
graphic interfaces
- tool that allows us to "see" images that a computer shares; a monitor, a radar screen, a gauge, etc.
H
hardware
- physical components of a computer system, such as the input and output devices and CPU
horizontal
- running the same direction as the horizon; flat, level with the ground, running left to right, etc.
I
input devices
- devices that send data to the computer, such as a mouse, keyboard, microphone, etc.
integrated circuit
- silicon chips that contain millions of circuits, transistors and other electronic components that work together -- the building blocks of computer hardware
interactive whiteboard
- tool for sharing the same information as the monitor, but in a larger format for audiences or classes
internet
- network of information which spans the world
K
keyboard
- tool that allows entry of letters and digits
kilobytes
- about 1000 bytes
L
laptop
- computer designed to sit on a person's lap-portable
laser
- concentrated light used as a tool
M
magnetic
- having the properties of a magnet
megabytes
- about 1,000,000 bytes
meteorologists
- scientist who studies weather
microprocessor
- the central processing unit of the computer that handles and executes all instructions it receives to perform tasks
MIT
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology-a university devoted to science
monitor
- screen used to see computer images-a graphic interface
mouse
- tool used for moving around a monitor
O
optical
- related to sight
output devices
- devices that send data to the computer, such as a monitor, speakers, printer, etc.
P
peripherals
- accessories to a computer such as a printer, scanner, speakers, etc.
pixels
- the smallest part of an image
printers
- tool for printing words and images to paper
professionals
- an expert
program
- information that tells the computer what to do, also called software
programmable
- able to run a program
programmer
- person who writes code or a program
punch card
- old method of data storage-a card that had holes punched in it
R
resolution
- ability to determine details of an image-clarity-number of pixels
S
scanner
- device that captures images from photographs, documents, etc. and converts those images into digital information that can be stored, displayed and edited on a computer
Scratch
- computer writing language intended for use by beginners
SD card
- small data storage device-portable-used in phones, cameras, etc.
slide rule
- ruler with a slide attachment used to calculate up until the early 1970s
smartphones
- any one of several types of telephone that has other functions besides phone calls-including texting, camera, calculator, calendar, maps, etc.
software
- the coded computer program which tells a computer how to perform various functions
speakers
- device which converts electricity into sound
storage devices
- place where data is stored until needed
T
tablet
- small computer composed of a touch screen-larger than a smartphone, but smaller than a laptop
tabulating
- to sort and organize, to count
tally marks
- method of keeping track by making four marks and then crossing the four to denote the fifth item-making it easy to count by fives
TCP/IP
- Transfer Control Protocol/Internet Protocol-one of the first languages of the internet
touch screen
- a monitor that utilizes a person's finger in place of a mouse
transistor
- device which controls the current of electricity
Tynker
- software that teaches coding
typewriters
- mechanical device for putting print to paper, one letter at a time
V
variables
- information that changes
video graphics
- the part of a computer system which sends images to be displayed on a monitor
visual
- related to sight
voice recognition
- computer software and/or hardware with the ability to decode the human voice, so instructions can be given aloud without having to use a keyboard, mouse, etc.
W
word processing
- the use of software which allows a person to write information, rearrange it, change it, store it; Microsoft Word is an example of a word processor
Z
zip disk
- high capacity data storage system-thicker than a floppy disk-held between 100 KB and 750 KB of data
