After I recovered from the initial feelings of dread relating to the requirements for Assignment 3, the second part of Lecture 6 focused on How Computers Work and was delivered by Rob Phillips.  Being a Digital Immigrant and still learning about computers and the Internet, I really enjoyed this part of the lecture.  Rob was really proficient in explaining technical jargon in a way that I could understand.  I had no idea what CPU, RAM, HDD, imput and output devices actually meant, however his explanation relating to computer components was brilliant!
  • Imput Devices (keyboard, mouse) are the senses of the computer - like our five senses.
  • CPU (Central Processing Unit) are the brain of the computer that registers the information given from the imput devices/senses.
  • RAM (Random Access Memory) is the short term memory.
  • HDD (Hard Disk Drive) is the long term memory.
  • Ouput Devices (screen, printer) let us know what information the computer has received/registered - like talking.

This laymen explanation held my attention and made the information easier to understand because Rob used concepts I could relate to.  This was not the only time he used this method during the lecture. 

Prior to this lecture I had no idea what a router was other than you needed one to access the Internet.  Rob gave an explanation that was easy to relate to and, therefore, understand:-  A router is like a post office sorting 'electronic envelopes' and deciding the best 'route' to send them! 

I really did enjoy this part of the lecture.  Thank Rob!