Difference Between Hardware And Software In Educational Technology
We aim to throw light on what is computer hardware and software, how to best define hardware and software, the features of software and hardware, and the difference between hardware and software in this article. Once you know the exact hardware and software difference, you will find it easy to go about their selection and use. Read on for a closer look.
Difference Between Hardware And Software In Educational Technology
Some common examples of hardware include GPU, mouse, motherboard, monitor, keyboard, CD-ROM, printer, video card, hard drive, memory, sound card, motherboard, and so on. The easiest way to differentiate between hardware and software is that hardware is tangible or perceptible to touch. Very useful for making any computerized system function well, hardware can be operated with the help of a set of instructions referred to as software.
Hardware is physically connected to computers or any other device that can be physically touched. Monitor, mouse, keyboard, printer, scanner, router, modem, video card, sound card, etc. are all examples of computer hardware. Hardware and software have to interact consistently with each other and have to function in unison. The software is responsible for telling the hardware about the sequence and method of the tasks to be performed.
Technically referred to as computer software, the software is a collection of instructions, programs, procedures, documentation, etc. used to direct computer systems to perform and execute specific actions. The software encompasses computer programs, libraries, digital media, non-executable data, etc. It is easy to distinguish between hardware and software as the software is primarily non-tangible but operates around the hardware.
The software can be written in different programming languages, which, when compiled or interpreted correctly, provides users with software that is effective, easy, and efficient to use. Software applications function in diverse ways. While some software components are not readily used or applied daily, many others cannot be done without and are used regularly by hardware systems for their in-time and accurate performance.
The system software is obligatory as hardware cannot function without the same being installed. In case the interpreter or operating system cannot be found, no information is retrieved, and error messages start coming to the fore. In other words, the operating system serves as an essential link between the software and user and helps in the proper use of computer hardware. Apart from the system software and operating system, there are many other software programs and applications that can be added to provide a computer with additional capabilities. For instance, the installation of MS Office gives you access to its word processor that is very useful for creating and saving documents and letters.
Several terms have emerged in recent years that describe similar though somewhat distinct design concepts. The terms accessible design, usable design, and universal design are all approaches to design that can result in products that are easier for everyone to use, including people with disabilities. These concepts apply to design of the built environment, of customer services, and the other products and environments, including information technologies such as hardware, software, multimedia, distance learning courses, websites, curriculum, and instruction.
In 1998 an amendment to Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was passed. The amendment mandated that the Access Board develop accessibility standards for software, hardware, websites, videos, and other information technology. Although these standards apply directly to the development, procurement, modification, and use of information technology of U.S. federal agencies, many states, educational institutions, and other entities have adopted them as one way to meet their ADA obligations. The Web Accessibility Initiative of the World Wide Web Consortium has also developed guidelines and comprehensive resources for designing accessible web pages.
In the case of information technology, products that are universally designed are accessible to and usable by people with a wide variety of characteristics, including different types of disabilities. These products are often designed to eliminate or minimize the need for assistive technologies. At the same time, they are compatible with common assistive hardware and software devices. For more information about applications of universal design, consult DO-IT's Applications of Universal Design.
'As a service' refers to the way IT assets are consumed in these offerings - and to the essential difference between cloud computing and traditional IT. In traditional IT, an organization consumes IT assets - hardware, system software, development tools, applications - by purchasing them, installing them, managing them and maintaining them in its own on-premises data center. In cloud computing, the cloud service provider owns, manages and maintains the assets; the customer consumes them via an Internet connection, and pays for them on a subscription or pay-as-you-go basis.
IaaS is on-demand access to cloud-hosted computing infrastructure - servers, storage capacity and networking resources - that customers can provision, configure and use in much the same way as they use on-premises hardware. The difference is that the cloud service provider hosts, manages and maintains the hardware and computing resources in its own data centers. IaaS customers use the hardware via an internet connection, and pay for that use on a subscription or pay-as-you-go basis.
Typically IaaS customers can choose between virtual machines (VMs) hosted on shared physical hardware (the cloud service provider manages virtualization) or bare metal servers on dedicated (unshared) physical hardware. Customers can provision, configure and operate the servers and infrastructure resources via a graphical dashboard, or programmatically through application programming interfaces (APIs).
The main benefit of SaaS is that it offloads all infrastructure and application management to the SaaS vendor. All the user has to do is create an account, pay the fee and start using the application. The vendor handles everything else, from maintaining the server hardware and software to managing user access and security, storing and managing data, implementing upgrades and patches and more.
As a hardware engineer, you primarily need to enjoy working with physical components. However, you also have to understand computer software development to ensure that hardware systems work with the software that a company or consumer will use.
Because it considers the different types of knowledge needed and how teachers themselves could cultivate this knowledge, the TPACK framework thus becomes a productive way to consider how teachers could integrate educational technology into the classroom. Then too, TPACK can also serve as a measurement of instructor knowledge, potentially impacting both training and professional development offerings for teachers at all levels of experience. Finally, the TPACK framework is useful for the ways in which it explicates the types of knowledge most needed in order to make technology integration successful in the classroom. Teachers need not even be familiar with the entire TPACK framework as such in order to benefit from it: they simply need to understand that instructional practices are best shaped by content-driven, pedagogically-sound, and technologically-forward thinking knowledge.
Earning this certification validates an understanding of the most common hardware and software technologies in business and certifies the skills necessary to support complex IT infrastructures. A+ certified professionals have mastered the technologies found in today's extensive and varied IT environments, from mobile to traditional devices and operating systems.
In this class, students learn how to build and repair a personal computer. The lecture focuses on the steps involved in building a computer from scratch. Lab time includes extensive teacher involvement with the student. The student is responsible for purchasing the computer components specified in the parts list, vendor information provided at the first class, and a tool kit. Learn how to differentiate between hardware and software-related problems.
Four years ago, we asked members of the Education World Tech Team to tell us about the hardware and software they considered essential to their teaching and/or professional lives outside the classroom. The responses were published in the article Learn to Accessorize: Hardware and Software Essentials. Recently, we wondered how many of the technology tools our experts identified in 2003 were essential in todays classrooms, and how many new tools our experts had added to the list. So once again, we asked our Tech Team: What hardware and/or software do you consider essential -- or invaluable -- for todays educator? This is what they said:
PersonnelThis is the first year I dont have an assistant in my lab, and every day I realize how valuable she was to me and to the work I do with kids. So, it's nice to have good software and good hardware, but a good helper is worth her weight in gold!"
Educational technology specialists, also known as instructional technology specialists or EdTech specialists, collaborate with teachers and school administration to facilitate the use of technology in classrooms and the school as a whole. An educational technology specialist should be well-organized with proficiency in technology and an aptitude for teaching. With the increasing use of various technologies in schools, instructional technology specialists are rapidly becoming key participants in reshaping the learning process. This guide provides further information on what educational technology specialists do, how to become one, and their salary and job outlook. 041b061a72