History of Computers

A WebQuest for Technology Students

Redesigned by
Mrs. Miller
 millerlc@insightbb.com

Designed by
Mrs. Carr
pcarr@sau21.k12.nh.us

 

 
Charles Babbage the "Father of Computing"
(1791-1871)

Introduction | task | process | Evaluation | Conclusion

 


Introduction

What was the most significant computer advancement in modern history? 

As a computer technology student and a future educator it is important to understand the history of computers.  You will be learning about the important, people, places and inventions in computer history.  You and your group will decide as a group how to answer the Essential Question and create a PowerPoint presentation.

This assignment is designed to get you to study the past to understand the present and prepare for the future in computer technology, familiarize you with the WebQuest structure, and give you practical application of PowerPoint. These presentations will be shared with elementary/middle school students as a component of a computer course. Presentation groups should focus on a grade range (K-1, 2-3, 4-6, or 7-8 [indicate on title slide grade appropriate group --- don't forget about readability, attention span, and interest)

Curriculum Standards

Technology Standards Addressed

  • Technology Standard 1: Use technology to create and publish documents

  • Benchmark: Import, export, and merge text and graphics, audio and video, to create multimedia presentations


The students will meet this standard with the Web Quest when they complete the PowerPoint presentation that will go along with the Quest.

  • Technology Standard 2: Use technology to access information

  • Benchmark 1: Conduct research using electronic encyclopedias, almanacs, indexes, and catalogs.

  • Benchmark 2: Create presentations using research from a variety of sources (e.g., CD-ROMs, the Internet, and electronic databases)

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The Task

By finding the answers to the following questions you will have the historical and current information you need to work with your group to and create a well thought out PowerPoint Presentation on the History of Computers. Use the graphic organizer to keep track of your notes. 
 

  1. What are the Five Generations of computers? (Time periods)

  2. What people were most important to the development of computers before the "First Generation?"

  3. What happened during each of the generations? (people, places, things)

Once you have answered these questions by filling out the graphic organizer, use this Matrix to help you compile your information to answer the ESSENTIAL QUESTION:

 

What was the most significant computer advancement in modern history? 


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The Process

Part 1 – Research

Using the Internet find information about your topic.  You are required to complete at least 9 slides on your topic with at least 2 facts on each slide.  When you are researching and taking notes make sure that you are keeping track of your sources.  You will need to add a bibliography to your presentation. (This should be a 10th+ slide)

 

You can use your favorite search engine to find the information, or the following web sites have a lot of historical links that might help.

 

Charles Babbage Institute
About.com
The Machine that Changed the World
University of Pennsylvania Library John W. Mauchly 
and the Development of the ENIAC Computer
Computing Machines
People and Pioneers

 

Charles Babbage this site contains biographical information.
Ada Byron King Countess of Lovelace contains biographical information and pictures.
John W. Mauchly an Exhibition in the Department of Special Collections at the University of Pennsylvania Van Pelt Library, University of Pennsylvania
A Short History of Computing history of computing report by an eighth grader.
Blaise Pascal French mathematician who invented first calculator


Stonehengethis site contains biographical information and pictures.
Computers: From the Past to the Presentlecture presented by Michelle A. Hoyle.
History of Computing/The Abacuselectronic computers made simple.
Dr. John Von Neumann this site contains biographical information.

Computing History Slide Show a great slide show on the history of computing.
Jacquard's Loom this site contains biographical information.
Past Notable Women of Computing & Mathematics a site devoted to notable women of computing history.
A Chronology of Computer History: a timeline on the history of the computer.
The Virtual Museum of Computing take a peak at this museum and take a look at the past.

A Brief History of Computer Technology a great site for information.
John Atanasoff a look at this pioneer's life and contributions to the history of the computer.
John Louis von Neumann this site contains information biographical information.
Computer Images great site for ancient computer images.
Charles Babbage this site contains more information on his life.

http://www.nova.edu/~robint/edl550/comphistory.html

 

http://www.wvec.k12.in.us/swms/history_of_computers_webquest_re.html

http://library.thinkquest.org/22522/

http://www.computer.org/computer/timeline/

 

Part 2 – Plan

It is helpful to have a plan before you begin your presentation.  On paper create an outline for each slide.  What facts will be on each slide, any pictures you would like to use, music that might be appropriate and the order in which they should go in.

 

Part 3 – PowerPoint Presentation

Now that you have all of the information you can start creating your slides.  Remember that spelling and grammar are important as well as accuracy of information.  All of the slides will contain facts about your topic that are presented in YOUR OWN WORDS. 

 

Details:

Organize this information into a PowerPoint presentation.  Your presentation must contain at least 9 slides.  Each slide must contain pertinent text and graphics.  The presentation must include:

  1. A title slide

  2. A pre-computer age slide (pre 1930’s) discussing a person or device

  3. A slide on one of the first electronic computing devices or the people responsible for the device

  4. A slide on developments in the 1960’s (a person or device)

  5. A slide on developments in the 19760’ (a person or device)

  6. A slide on developments in the 1980’s (a person or device)

  7. A slide on recent developments (1990’s and beyond)

  8. A slide on a woman in the history of computing

  9. A concluding slide describing your groups beliefs about the future of computing

  10. Bibliography – make sure you cite your information resources and any images utilized.

Additional slides may be needed.

Think about how you can make this engaging for students?  Are there ways to help them be interactive? Can you set the stage in an engaging way? How can you interest students that are visual learners? auditory learners? kinesthetic learners? What about students with different learning styles: logical/musical, linguistic, mathematical, naturalistic, spatial, bodiy-kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal?

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Evaluation

Printable Version of PowerPoint Presentation Rubric (sample from original Webquest not for our project.)
 


Conclusion

This lesson is a great way to integrate the history of computers, researching using the Internet, and the technology of putting together a PowerPoint presentation.  By completing this WebQuest you will also gain an understanding of how the past connects us to the future. 


Credits & References

 Picture of Charles Babbage taken from the Charles Babbage found at http://www.cbi.umn.edu/exhibits/cb.html  

 

Rubric created with the help of the University of Northern Iowa Professional Development Websites found at 
http://www.uni.edu/profdev/rubrics/pptrubric.html  

 


(Teacher Page from original WebQuest)

 

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ORIGINAL Last updated on May 28, 2002. Based on a template from The WebQuest Page