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Lauren Hyams,
Ross Exton,
Michael Conterio,
Mac Bowley,
Rebecca Franks,
and
Martin O'Hanlon
Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course is for GCSE computing teachers as well as teachers from other countries at an equivalent level.
Topics Covered
Read more
Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course is for GCSE computing teachers as well as teachers from other countries at an equivalent level.
Topics Covered
Read more
Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course is for GCSE computing teachers as well as teachers from other countries at an equivalent level.
Topics Covered
- The functions of different parts of hardware in a computer system
- The factors affecting startup performance
- The variety of storage, input, and output devices, and when they are appropriate
- Operating systems: what they do, why you need them, and the importance of virtual memory
- The different types of software: application, system, and utility
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/oiz1vl/understanding
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Reviews summary
Foundational computer systems for educators
According to learners, 'Understanding Computer Systems' is a well-structured course primarily designed for educators teaching computing fundamentals. Students praise its clear explanations of complex topics like operating systems and virtual memory, making foundational concepts digestible and accessible. Many found it a valuable resource for solidifying their pedagogical approach. While some learners with prior technical backgrounds felt the pacing was a bit slow or the depth was introductory, the consensus is that it excels at providing a strong, relevant understanding for its target audience. Key features like the lectures on hardware functions and software types are frequently highlighted.
Well-organized progression through topics.
"The structure is very logical, moving from hardware to software types smoothly."
"It covers all the essential topics thoroughly and clearly."
Provides a solid basis for understanding computer systems.
"Excellent course for understanding the foundational elements of computer systems."
"Provided a very clear understanding of core computer systems."
"It truly helped me bridge gaps in my knowledge for teaching computer science."
Complex concepts are broken down into digestible parts.
"It broke down complex topics like operating systems and virtual memory into digestible chunks."
"The explanations of hardware functions were so clear."
"The explanations are concise, and the use of examples makes complex ideas accessible."
Course content precisely meets the needs of teachers.
"As a teacher new to computer science, this course was an absolute godsend."
"Pitched perfectly for educators who need to teach GCSE computing."
"This course is incredibly well-designed for its target audience."
"It definitely strengthened my ability to explain these concepts to my students."
Some found it too basic, others perfect for their needs.
"I did find some parts a bit basic, given my prior experience..."
"The course content is solid, but I felt it was a bit slow-paced for someone with a basic IT background."
"Disappointed with the depth. I have an engineering background and found this far too simplistic."
"It felt a little too introductory at times..."
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Learners who complete Understanding Computer Systems will develop knowledge and skills
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Reading list
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Comprehensive textbook on operating systems. It covers a wide range of topics, from basic concepts to advanced topics such as concurrency and security. The authors are well-known experts in the field, and the book is widely used in universities around the world.
Comprehensive textbook on computer networking. It covers a wide range of topics, from basic concepts to advanced topics such as network security and network management. The authors are leading experts in the field, and the book is widely used in universities around the world.
Comprehensive textbook on artificial intelligence. It covers a wide range of topics, from basic concepts to advanced topics such as machine learning and natural language processing. The authors are leading experts in the field, and the book is widely used in universities around the world.
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Comprehensive textbook on machine learning. It covers a wide range of topics, from basic concepts to advanced topics such as deep learning and reinforcement learning. The author leading expert in the field, and the book is widely used in universities around the world.
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Comprehensive textbook on deep learning. It covers a wide range of topics, from basic concepts to advanced topics such as convolutional neural networks and recurrent neural networks. The authors are leading experts in the field, and the book is widely used in universities around the world.
Comprehensive textbook on natural language processing. It covers a wide range of topics, from basic concepts to advanced topics such as machine translation and question answering. The authors are leading experts in the field, and the book is widely used in universities around the world.
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Comprehensive textbook on computer graphics. It covers a wide range of topics, from basic concepts to advanced topics such as 3D modeling and animation. The authors are leading experts in the field, and the book is widely used in universities around the world.
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Comprehensive textbook on computer vision. It covers a wide range of topics, from basic concepts to advanced topics such as image segmentation and object recognition. The author leading expert in the field, and the book is widely used in universities around the world.
Offers a comprehensive overview of computer systems, ideal for students or professionals in the field. The author, J.D. Philips, goes through the basic hardware components of a computer to in-depth analyses of operating systems and networking.
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Provides a comprehensive and integrated view of computer systems from a programmer's perspective. It covers hardware, compilers, operating systems, and networking, showing how they all impact program performance and correctness. It's an excellent resource for gaining a broad understanding and is often used as a textbook in undergraduate programs.
A widely recognized textbook covering the fundamental concepts of operating systems. It delves into process management, memory management, storage, and distributed systems. is essential for deepening understanding of a core component of computer systems and common reference in academic settings. The 10th edition includes contemporary examples.
Offers a broad and detailed overview of operating systems, covering everything from fundamental concepts to modern distributed systems. It is known for its clear explanations and historical context. It serves well for both gaining a broad understanding and deepening knowledge, and is frequently used as a textbook. The latest edition incorporates recent developments.
Considered a classic in the field, this book provides an in-depth, quantitative approach to computer architecture. It's crucial for those looking to deepen their understanding of how hardware is designed and impacts performance. While challenging, it's an invaluable reference for graduate students and professionals.
Provides a foundational understanding of computer organization and design, focusing on the hardware/software interface. Using the RISC-V instruction set architecture, it's suitable for undergraduates and helps solidify understanding of how software interacts with hardware. It's often used as a textbook.
This unique book takes a hands-on approach, guiding the reader through building a complete computer system, from hardware to software. It's invaluable for solidifying understanding across multiple layers of the computing stack and is often used in project-based courses. The second edition is recently published.
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This popular textbook provides a comprehensive introduction to computer networking, starting from the application layer and working down. It's excellent for gaining a broad understanding of networking concepts and protocols, crucial for understanding interconnected computer systems. The 8th edition was published in 2020.
While not solely about computer systems hardware, a strong understanding of algorithms and data structures is fundamental to building efficient systems. comprehensive and widely used reference in the field of algorithms. It's essential for deepening the understanding of the software layer of computer systems.
Often referred to as the 'Dragon Book,' this classic text on compiler design. Understanding how compilers work provides deep insight into the relationship between programming languages and the underlying hardware, crucial for a complete computer systems understanding. It's suitable for advanced undergraduates and graduate students.
Classic textbook on computer architecture. It provides a detailed overview of the design and implementation of computer systems. The authors are leading experts in the field, and the book is widely used in universities around the world.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/oiz1vl/understanding
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Time
6 hours
Via
FutureLearn
Institution
Raspberry Pi Foundation
Instructors
Lauren Hyams
Ross Exton
Michael Conterio
Mac Bowley
Rebecca Franks
Martin O'Hanlon
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