Module 1 Lesson 1 - History of Computers and Programming Languages

Python 1 Module 1 Lesson 1 Banner

Overview_icon.png   Overview

The student will consider the following...

In order to understand the present, it is oftentimes necessary to review the past. Exploring the history and evolution of computing systems - both hardware and software - allows us as programmers to understand why we are where we are in computer science now. Do you know when the modern computer was birthed? Do you know what the first programming language was and when it was created? Do you know why computers were needed in the first place?

In this lesson, students will learn about and discuss the evolution and history of programming languages and computer hardware.

objective_icon.png   Objectives

The student will be able to...

  • Understand when, why and how computers were created
  • Understand the evolution of computers
  • Understand the history and evolution of programming languages

keyword-search-icon.png   Key Terms

The student should know the following vocabulary...

  • computer science
  • computer
  • programming language
  • high level language
  • low level language
  • machine code
  • mechanical device
  • electro-mechanical device
  • first generation computers
  • second generation computers
  • third generation computers
  • fourth generation computers
  • fifth generation computers
  • abstraction
  • drag and drop

activity_icon.png   Activities

The student will perform the following activities...

  • Explore the notes For this Lesson - Day 1
  • Watch the Computer History Video Together - Day 1
  • Complete the Module 1 Discussion Activity - Day 1
  • Complete the Famous Machines / Languages of Computer Science Activity - Day 2
  • Complete the Module 1 Lesson 1 Quiz - Day 2
  • Explore the Module 1 Lesson 2 Notes (Click on Day 3 and hit the next button 1 time. This is the flipped part of the class for Module 1 Lesson 2.)