The eLearning Center for Gatlin Education Services

Overview

The goal of this 1-hour online course is to provide a basic understanding of what's inside the Personal Computer that you use every day. Much of this knowledge will even apply to much larger computers. The content is geared for design professionals, but is understandable and usable by anyone. After completing this course, you should have a better understanding of your Personal Computer and how it works. More specifically, you will:

  · Have an understanding of the rapid evolution in computing that lead us to where we are today.
  · Know the basic components that make up a computer.
  · Understand the purpose of BIOS and the Operating System.
  · Understand how the computer uses "bits" and "bytes", and how this influences the precision of calculations.
  · Understand the basic differences between 8, 16, 32, and 64-bit processors.
  · Understand the basic strengths of computers.

I know some of this sounds complex, but we'll take it one step at a time, and explain it in English, rather than "computerese"! But, if you want to be able to converse with the "computer geek" in your office, you will find plenty of computer terms defined here to add to your vocabulary.

The student must take a multiple-choice quiz consisting of twelve (12) questions at the end of the course to obtain PDH credits.

This course cannot be taken to fulfill your continuing education requirements in the state of New York since the course does not fall under the category of "Areas of Practice" or "Law/Ethics".

Specific Knowledge or Skill Attained

This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills:

  · History of the personal computer
  · Basic computer components, including CPU, memory, storage, I/O devices, Bus, and operating software
  · What are bits and bytes and how are they used to perform tasks in a PC
  · "Counting" in computer binary vs. real world base-10
  · Microprocessor historic and present capabilities for performing binary calculations, including handling floating-point numbers

State Board Acceptance

This course can be used by professional engineers to fulfill PDH requirements mandated by state and provincial licensing boards. Decatur Professional Development is an approved provider of continuing education in all states that pre-approve course providers. In all other states that mandate continuing education for engineers, it is the individual engineer's responsibility to determine the suitability of activities for PDH credit. The state boards typically accept online* courses that cover technical, managerial** or ethical content and which are relevant to the practice of engineering. The course must have a clear purpose or objective with a content that will maintain, improve or expand the skills and knowledge of the licensee's field of practice. For questions about your mandatory PDH requirements, visit the website of your state licensing board.

This course cannot be taken to fulfill your continuing education requirements in the state of New York since the course does not fall under the category of "Areas of Practice" or "Law/Ethics".

*Online courses are accepted by all state licensing boards that mandate continuing education. Other than New York (which limits online courses to 18 PDH) and Iowa (which limits online courses to 6 PDH), there are no limits placed by other states on the number of hours that can be earned through online continuing education. Consult with your state licensing board if you have any questions about the acceptability of online courses.

**The New York State Board of Engineers does not accept general office management courses, but will accept project management courses that are offered by an approved provider and that are technical in nature and contribute to the engineer's professional practice.