Dutch Hill Elementary
Snohomish, Washington
December 10, 1999
For more information,
Please contact:
Denise Wilson
Assistant Professor
206-221-5238
M222 EE/CSE Bldg.
Box 352500
University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195
wilson@ee.washington.edu
University of Washington
Department of Electrical Engineering
How Computers Make Decisions
What is a computer? What is inside a computer?The most widely available computer in the world is not made by Intel or by Motorola or by Gateway. The human brain is as much of a computer as any computer made of integrated circuits, but how is it different from digital computers. The brain is an analog computer, while the PC is digital. What does this mean?
Basic differences between how people (analog computers) and personal computers (digital) make decisions are explained. The two states of a digital computer (0,1) are used to make simple decisions relating to practical situations. Students experiment with basic electrical logic gates (computer chips) and with mechanical analogs to determine how these devices are making decisions and which of five decisions they are making (XOR, OR, AND, INVERT, BUFFER)
Demonstration Materials:
General Information and Tutorial (pdf)Student Worksheets (pdf)
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