Republic of the Philippines

POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE OF BOTOLAN

(Formerly Botolan Community College)
Botolan, Zambales
E-mail: polytechniccollegeofbotolan@[Link]
Website: [Link]
Contact Number: 0968-307-5040

INSTITUTE OF COMPUTING STUDIES

STUDENT LEARNING MODULE (SLM)

COURSE CC112 - INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTING

SEMESTER & YEAR 1st Sem 2025-2026
YEAR LEVEL 1
MODULE No. PR-WK-01
LESSON Information Technology, the Internet, and You
MODULE MODEL TORCH
NO. OF PAGES

INSTRUCTOR Kristel Joy D. Salinas

Royssan L. Salinas
Eddynith R. Dilag
ID 23-011
21-012
24-006
EMAIL kristeljoysalinas@[Link]
royssansalinas@[Link]
eddynithdilag@[Link]
DATE SUBMITTED August 07, 2025

NOTE

Do not write anything on this module. There are answer sheets provided, use separate paper
if necessary.

1st Semester A.Y. 2025-2026 PR-WK-01 CC112 – Introduction to Computing

Lesson 1
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, THE INTERNET, AND YOU

Learning Objectives:
By the end of this module, students should be able to:
 Identify and describe the components of an Information System.
 Explain the role of people in an Information System.
 Enumerate and differentiate the two major types of software.
 Understand the importance of data and how it is presented using application software.
 Explain the impact of connectivity and the Internet on communication and productivity.

Information Systems

An information system has five parts: people, procedures, software, hardware, and data.

People: end users like us and information technology staff

Procedures: the rules or guidelines people follow when using software, hardware, and data.
Procedures are written in manuals by computer specialists and these manuals are provided
by software and hardware manufacturers with their products.

Software: programs consisting of step-by-step instructions that tell the computer how to do
its work – they process data to convert it into information

Hardware: the equipment that processes the data to create information. It includes keyboard,
mouse, monitor, system unit, and other devices. Hardware is controlled by software.

Data: the raw, unprocessed facts including text, numbers, images, and sounds. Examples
are hours worked, pay rate. Data after processed by computer is known as information.

An additional part of information systems is connectivity.

Connectivity allows computers to connect and share information by using telephone lines,
or cables or wireless.

Information Technology (IT) includes software, hardware, and data.

People in Information Systems

People are considered the most critical component of an Information System. People
imagine information systems, develop information systems, supports information systems,
and, perhaps most importantly, people use information systems.

 People are the most important part of any information system

 Examples include people in education, business, medicine, entertainment.

Their roles include:

 End Users (Operators): People who use the system directly, such as students using
an LMS or employees using an HR portal.
 IT Professionals: System analysts, developers, and network administrators who
develop, manage, and maintain IS.
 Decision Makers: Managers and executives who rely on processed information to
make strategic decisions.
 A system without people has no value; it is people who interpret and utilize information for
various purposes.

Software
Software is a set of instructions that tells the hardware what to do. Software is
created by developers through the process of programming. Without software, the hardware
would not be functional.
It is categorized into:

 System Software:

 System software enables the application software to interact with the

computer hardware.
 System software is “background” software that helps the computer manage
it’s own internal resources

a) Operating Systems
 Most important system software program that interacts with the application
software and the computer.
 It handles programs execution (running), storing data and programs, and
processing data.  Programs that coordinate computer resources, provide an
interface between the user and computer.
 Examples include Windows XP and the Mac OS X

b)Utilities (service programs)

 Perform specific tasks related to managing computer resources, such as de-
fragmenting disks, checking for viruses, etc.

c)Device Drivers
 Specialized programs to allow particular input and output devices to
communicate with the rest of the system, for example, a printer driver.

 Application Software:
Application software is “end user” software
a) Basic applications or General-purpose programs
o Widely used in almost all career areas and most people use them
o Examples include:
o Browsers: to connect to websites and display web pages
o Word Processors: to create and edit documents
o Spreadsheets: to analyze and summarize numerical data
o Database Management Systems (DBMS): organize and manage data
and information
o Presentation Graphics: communicate a message

b) Special-purpose applications
 Include thousands of applications that are narrowly focused on a specific
profession or occupation.
 Some of the best known are graphics, audio and video, multimedia, web
authoring, and artificial intelligence programs.

Hardware
 Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer system that are used to
input, process, store, and output data in an Information System (IS). Without hardware,
software would have no platform to operate on.

Types of computers

a) Supercomputers
 The most powerful type of computers
 These machines are special high-capacity computers used by very large
organizations.
 Example: NASA uses supercomputers to track and control space explorations.

b) Mainframe computers
 Not quite as powerful as supercomputers, they still have great processing speeds and
storage capacity.
 Often fill up a specially wired and air-conditioned room.
 Typically used for business applications such as insurance companies that process
thousands of policy holder billing statements.

c) Minicomputers
 Also known as midrange computers
 Typically the size of a desk
 Used by medium-sized companies or departments of large companies for specific
purposes.
 A production department may use a minicomputer to monitor manufacturing
processes and assembly line operations.

d) Microcomputers
 The least powerful, but most widely used computers.
 There are four main types of microcomputers:
 Desktops: small enough to fit on top or along side your desk, yet too big to carry
around
 Notebooks (or laptops): portable, lightweight, fit in most briefcases
 Personal Digital Assistants – PDAs (Handheld computers or palm computers,):
the smallest microcomputers, typically combine pen input, handwriting recognition,
personal organizational tools, and communications capabilities in a very small
package.

Microcomputer hardware

a) System unit
 Also known as the system cabinet or chassis
 Holds most of the electronic components that make up the computer, including:
 Microprocessor (or processor, Central Processing Unit – CPU): controls and
manipulates data to produce information
 Memory (or primary storage, Random Access Memory – RAM): holds data and
program instructions for processing the data and also stores processed
information before it is output. Memory is sometimes referred to as temporary
storage as its contents will be lost if power to computer is switched off.
 b) Input/Output devices
 Input devices translate data and programs that humans can understand into a
form that computer can process and include such things as the keyboard and
mouse
 Output devices translate processed information from the computer into a form
that humans can understand and include such things as the monitor (video
display screen) and printers

c) Secondary Storage
 Unlike primary memory, secondary storage holds the contents even when the
power is switched off.
 Typical storage media includes:
 Floppy disks: thin flexible plastic disks used to store and transport smaller files
of data.
 Hard disks: hard metallic platters with much greater storage capacities used to
store programs and very large data files and can also access information much
faster than floppy disks.
 Optical disks: use laser technology and have greater capacity and two basic
types are: Compact Discs (CDs) and Digital Versatile Discs (DVDs) typically
used to store and transport multimedia files

Data
Data is raw, unorganized facts that need to be processed to become meaningful. In
an IS, data is input, and when processed, becomes information.

Data is stored in document, worksheet, database, and presentation files.

Importance of Data:
 It helps in decision-making.
 It is used to generate reports, forecasts, and trends.

Four common types of files include:

1. Document files: created by word processors to save documents like memos, letters.
2. Worksheet files: created by electronic spreadsheets to save analysis of things like budget.
3. Database files: created by database management programs to contain highly structured
and organized data like an employee database file that contains all the worker’s names, id
numbers, job titles, salary, date of birth.
4. Presentation files: created by presentation graphics programs to save presentation
materials like speaker notes, electronic slides.

How Data is Presented:

Using Application Software, data can be visualized and processed through:
 Spreadsheets (e.g., MS Excel): Charts, tables, and graphs.
 Databases (e.g., MS Access, MySQL): Organized records with relationships.
 Presentation Software (e.g., PowerPoint): Visually appealing slides.
 Data Analytics Tools (e.g., Power BI): Real-time dashboards and insights.

Processes
A process is a series of actions or steps taken to achieve a particular outcome or goal.
In the context of technology, computing, programming, and communications, a process
refers to the execution of a program or a task on a computer system.
Connectivity, The Wireless Revolution, and the Internet
Connectivity refers to the ability to connect computers and devices via
communication links (wired or wireless).

The Wireless Revolution:

 Enabled mobile communication.
 Increased accessibility through Wi-Fi, 4G/5G, and Bluetooth.

The Role of the Internet:

 Global communication and information sharing.
 Cloud storage, email, social media, and e-commerce.

How Connectivity Changed Processes:

 Remote Work: Access to company systems from anywhere.
 Online Learning: Learning Management Systems (LMS), virtual classes.
 Real-Time Communication: Messaging apps, video calls, collaboration tools.
 Automation & Integration: Smart systems and IoT (Internet of Things).

Improved productivity, efficiency, and real-time operations in both personal and

professional settings.

 The Internet is the largest computer network in the world

 Single biggest change in the last five years is the use of mobile (or wireless)
communication devices.
 The Wireless Revolution is expected to dramatically affect the way we communicate
and use computer technology
 Networks (or Computer Networks) are central to the idea of connectivity that connects
two or more computers that can be very close to few meters and as far as halfway
around the globe.
 The Web (aka World Wide Web) provides a multimedia interface to resources on the
Internet.

References:

[1] Awati, R. (2024, November 22). What is an information system (IS)? WhatIs.
[Link]

[2] Libretexts. (2022, January 21). 8: The people in information systems. Engineering
LibreTexts.
[Link]
cepts_in_Computing/08%3A_The_People_in_Information_Systems#:~:text=People%
20are%20involved%20in%20information,importantly%2C%20people%20use%20infor
mation%20systems.

[3] Bourgeois, D. (2019, August 1). Chapter 3: Software. Pressbooks.

[Link]
information-systems-introduction/