Skip to 0 minutes and 1 second You probably use a computer every single day. From smartphones, to laptops, games consoles, to cars. Even your fridge might have a computer inside it. Have you ever wondered how computers work? Perhaps you’re an educator teaching computer science to your own students. If so, this course can help. (SINGING) Yeah! So join us for the next four weeks as we explore the mathematics, electronics, and history of computing. Sign up now at rpf.io/howcomputerswork.
How Computers Work: Demystifying Computation
Explore the fundamentals of computing: computer architecture, binary logic, data processing, circuits & more. Supported by Google
Duration
4 weeksWeekly study
2 hours100% online
How it works
How Computers Work: Demystifying Computation
Understand computation, the basis of every computer system
On this course, you’ll gain an understanding of how computers work at a fundamental level.
You’ll explore system architecture, along with how computers use binary and logic. Once you’ve examined the von Neumann model of computer architecture and the Fetch-Execute cycle, you’ll learn to build a range of simple circuits for maths, and then simulate various logic gates.
Ultimately you’ll complete the course with an understanding of the processes that underpin every modern computer – from supercomputers to smartphones, and everything in between.
What topics will you cover?
- How computers use binary arithmetic
- How transistors can act as digital switches and be combined to create logic gates
- Creating truth tables for AND, NOT and OR gates, individually or combined
- How logic gates can be combined to produce digital circuits that can perform a calculation
- Von Neuman Architecture and the Fetch-Execute cycle
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Explain how transistors can act as digital switches and be combined to create logic gates
- Produce truth tables for AND, NOT and OR gates, individually or combined
- Explain how computers use binary arithmetic
- Describe how logic gates can be combined to produce digital circuits that can perform a calculation
- Describe Von Neuman Architecture and the Fetch-Execute cycle
Who is the course for?
This course would suit teachers of KS3 and GCSE Computer Science - plus educators from other countries that teach at an equivalent level.
What do people say about this course?
It really helped join some parts of my learning together
"I enjoyed the course, even the really challenging part about logic gates in the middle. I'm undertaking the CAS for teachers and this really helped join some parts of my learning together. "
Who will you learn with?
Who developed the course?
Raspberry Pi Foundation
The Raspberry Pi Foundation works to put the power of digital making into the hands of people all over the world, so they are capable of understanding and shaping our increasingly digital world.
National Centre for Computing Education
This course is part of our professional development teacher programme for the National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE). Our nationally-recognised certificates cater for all levels of teaching.
Funded by the Department for Education and supporting partners, we aim to transform the way computing is taught in schools across England, and enable more young people to benefit from studying this important subject.
Endorsers and supporters
supported by
| Recommended | |||
Ways to learn | Buy this course | Subscribe to Unlimited | Join with limited access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choose the best way to learn for you! | $49 One-off payment | $27.99/month Automatically renews | Free |
| Unlock your expertise | Access hundreds of courses | Try this course - with limits | |
| Access to this course | tick | tick | Limited to 4 weeks |
| Access to ALL eligible courses | cross | tick | cross |
| Learn at your own pace | tick | tick | cross |
| Discuss your learning in comments | tick | tick | tick |
| Certificate when you're eligible | Printed and digital | Digital only | cross |
Ways to learn
Subscribe to Unlimited to access this course and hundreds of other short courses or buy just this course for extra benefits. Or, join with limited access.
Subscribe to Unlimited
$27.99/month
Automatically renews
Access hundreds of courses
- Access to this course
- Access to ALL eligible short courses
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Digital certificate when you're eligible
Buy this course
$49
One-off payment
Unlock your expertise
- Access to this course
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible
Join with limited access
Free
Try before you buy
- Limited access to course content for 4 weeks
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades) | |||
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn
Learner reviews
Learner reviews cannot be loaded due to your cookie settings. Please and refresh the page to view this content.
Do you know someone who'd love this course? Tell them about it...
You can use the hashtag #RPiLearn to talk about this course on social media.
More courses you might like
Learners who joined this course have also enjoyed these courses.
Browse more in Teaching and IT & Computer Science
