17.2 The checkout terminal The first computer block represents the checkout terminal. The processes at the checkout (receiving, storing, retrieving, manipulating and sending data to the user), are the same as I described earlier. However, the checkout terminal also sends data via the supermarket's network. 17.1 Introduction I'm going to pause here to try to put together some of the ideas we have encountered so far. I deliberately chose the example of a supermarket to illustrate some of the key processes involved in an ICT system. Figure 15 is a modified version of the block diagram for computers in a network (Author(s): 13.3 Optical storage
A CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory) uses a laser-based optical form of storage. This type of disk has been used for many years to distribute music and computer software. A CD-ROM drive is needed to read the disks. Data is locked into the disk during manufacture, and cannot afterwards be changed. There are two other types of CD device for computers: CD-R (CD-recordable) and CD-RW (CD-rewritable). With the right sort of CD drive in your computer, you can 'burn' data (that is, 4.1.2 The network The network is a communication channel in that it conveys data from the transmitter to the receiver. The network may also manipulate data in some way, and it may also store or retrieve data. In a mobile phone system, the network conveys the message from User l's handset to User 2's. It will also store the identity of User 1 and the duration of the call. This data is used to work out the amount to charge User 1, which is a form of manipulation of data. A network can be very comple 3.2 Looking into the 'means of conveying a message' The diagram in Figure 6 shows that, for communication to take place, there needs to be some means of conveying the message between the sender and the recipient. I am now going to look at the essential components of 'means of conveying a message'. In other words, I shall treat 'means of conveying a message' as a system and look at 6.4 Using music to good effect Music in UIs is relatively undeveloped, except in games and specialist packages designed for composers and musicians. Some operating systems have a signature tune that is played automatically when they are loaded. This informs the user that the operating system has loaded correctly and creates a sense of identity, but can be annoying for the user if they have to listen to it repeatedly. A development on this use might be to signpost different parts of the program using musical clips. 1.6.1 The role of sound The use of sound is becoming increasingly common, particularly for the following types of application. Applications where the eyes and attention are required away from the screen. Relevant examples include flight decks, medical applications, industrial machinery and transport. If you are a runner, you may have a heart rate monitor that allows you to monitor how fast your heart is beating. This is often indicated by an auditory beep, which speeds Keep on learning   There are more than 800 courses on OpenLearn for you t 2.5 Bookmarking websites Most browsers allow you to keep a record of links to websites that you have found useful. These are called 'Bookmarks' in Firefox and 'Favorites' in Internet Explorer, and may have other names, such as a 'Hot List', in other browsers. For convenience I've chosen to call them bookmarks. Browsers usually offer the facility for organising the bookmarks into folders and sub-folders so that you can keep track of them as your collection grows. You may well have a collection of bookmarks alrea 2.3 Searching for information on the Web What do you do if you don't know the URL of the website you are looking for, or haven't been able to browse to it? The Web is not like a library – it isn't carefully organised and catalogued, and it is growing all the time. Luckily, there are search sites that can help you find what you want. Information on the web Liz Bennett and Jon Rosewell 2 Conclusion The versatile tiny transistor is now at the heart of the electronics industry. In the video clips you have seen the history of the incredible shrinking chip, its Scottish connections, and an explanation of the physics that make chips work as well as a reconstruction of making a transistor using the crude techniques of yesteryear. Further reading Conclusion This free course provided an introduction to studying Education, Childhood & Youth qualifications. It took you through a series of exercises designed to develop your approach to study and learning at a distance and helped to improve your confidence as an independent learner. 2.4 Auction sites These are sites on the web which run conventional auctions. There are two types of auction: those that are carried out in real time, where participants log in to an auction site using a browser at a specified time and bid for an article until the highest price is reached and no other bids are forthcoming. The other type of site – and the most common – is where an item is offered for sale and a date advertised after which no more bids are accepted. Such sites make a profit from two sources Learning outcomes After studying this course, you should be able to: detail what is meant by the term ‘e-commerce’ examine some typical distributed applications detail some of the problems that are encountered when developing distributed applications describe briefly some of the technologies that are used to support distributed applications show how some of the technologies detailed in the course are used in concert to realise a typi Introduction This course draws attention to the value of a sociocultural understanding of spoken language in the processes of teaching and learning. It focuses upon how language can be used for persuasion, control and argument, and how dialogue can act as an aid to development. Along with some background reading and activities this course offers opportunities for the evaluation of some selected classroom talk. This OpenLearn course provides a sample of postgraduate study in Author(s): Chartered teachers in Scotland Key skill assessment: Communication Teaching secondary music
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Teachers often have little spare time to reflect on the day's lessons and challenges. However, this evaluation of teaching and learning experiences is vital to their professional development. This free course, Chartered teachers in Scotland, is an extract from the OU's Chartered Teacher Programme for Scotland and will help teachers to evaluate their practice and development opportunities.
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Communication is part of everyone's life. Being able to communicate clearly and effectively orally, visually and in writing underpins nearly everything we do. This free course, Key skill assessment: Communication, will help you recognise your strengths as well as the areas where you could improve. In developing and assessing your communication skills, you will learn to recognise, adapt and use your skills confidently and effectively in different situations and contexts.
This free course, Teaching secondary music, will identify and explore some of the key issues around teaching music in secondary schools. Through coming to understand these issues and debates, you will reflect on and develop your practice as a music teacher and develop a greater awareness of the wider context of music education and how this affects music in the secondary school curriculum.
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