Hi, I’m Nat! I was one of the original designers of the Xbox, and I’ve been fascinated by computers since I was about seven years old. Nowadays, I work on virtual reality. Computers are everywhere around us—they’re in our pockets as smartphones, in cars, and even on our wrists as smartwatches. You might even have one in your backpack right now. But what exactly makes a computer a computer, and how does it work?
Throughout history, humans have created tools to help solve problems. Think about a wheelbarrow, a hammer, or a printing press. These tools help us with physical tasks, like moving heavy objects or printing books. But as time went on, people started to wonder if machines could help us with mental tasks too, like solving math problems or tracking the stars in the sky. To do this, these machines would need to work with information, not just physical objects.
The first computers were quite different from what we have today. They were made from wood and metal, using mechanical parts like levers and gears. By the 20th century, computers started using electrical components. These early computers were huge and slow. Imagine a computer the size of a room that took hours just to solve a simple math problem!
At first, computers were mainly used as calculators, which was a big deal back then because they could handle numbers much faster than humans. But now, computers can do so much more! We use them to communicate with friends, play video games, control robots, and explore endless possibilities. The computers we use today look very different from those early machines, and it’s exciting to think about what future computers might be like.
Who knows what the computers of tomorrow will look like? My hope is that you will be part of shaping the future of computers. Maybe you’ll invent something amazing that changes the way we use technology. The possibilities are endless, and the future is yours to create!
Imagine you are a computer designer like Nat. Create a drawing or a model of what you think a computer of the future might look like. Consider what new features it might have and how it could help people. Share your design with the class and explain your ideas.
Research the history of computers and create a timeline that shows the evolution from early mechanical computers to modern devices. Include key inventions and milestones. Present your timeline to the class and discuss how each development has impacted our lives.
Learn about the electrical components that make computers work by building a simple circuit. Use a battery, wires, and a light bulb to create a basic circuit. This will help you understand how electricity powers computers and other electronic devices.
Go on a scavenger hunt to identify different parts of a computer. Find items like a keyboard, mouse, monitor, and CPU. Learn about the function of each part and how they work together to make a computer operate. Share your findings with the class.
Try your hand at programming by creating a simple game or animation using Scratch. This activity will introduce you to the basics of coding and show you how computers follow instructions to perform tasks. Share your project with classmates and explain how you made it.
Hi, I’m Nat. I was one of the original designers of the Xbox. I’ve been working with computers since I was about seven years old, and now I work on virtual reality. Computers are everywhere—they’re in our pockets, in cars, and even on our wrists. You might have one in your backpack right now. But what makes a computer a computer? And how does it even work?
As humans, we’ve always built tools to help us solve problems—tools like a wheelbarrow, a hammer, or a printing press. All of these inventions have assisted us with manual work. Over time, people began to wonder if a machine could be designed to help us with the cognitive tasks we perform, like solving equations or tracking stars, rather than just moving physical objects like dirt and stone. These machines would need to be designed to manipulate information.
The earliest computers were made out of wood and metal, using mechanical levers and gears. By the 20th century, computers began to incorporate electrical components. These early computers were large and slow; a computer the size of a room might take hours to solve a basic math problem.
Initially, computers served as basic calculators, which was impressive at the time, as they only manipulated numbers. Now, we can use them to communicate, play games, control robots, and explore countless possibilities. The computers we use today look very different from those early machines, and who knows what the computers of tomorrow will be like? My hope is that you will have a role in shaping what the computers of the future will look like.
Computer – An electronic device that can store and process information to help us perform various tasks. – Example sentence: “I used the computer to write my science report and create a presentation for class.”
Coding – The process of writing instructions for a computer to follow, using a special language. – Example sentence: “In our coding class, we learned how to create a simple game using Scratch.”
Tools – Programs or applications that help us perform tasks on a computer more easily. – Example sentence: “We used different tools like a text editor and a debugger to write and fix our code.”
Machines – Devices that use electricity and technology to perform tasks, like computers and robots. – Example sentence: “Robots are machines that can be programmed to help with tasks like cleaning or assembling products.”
Information – Data that is processed and organized to be useful and understandable. – Example sentence: “The internet is a huge source of information where we can learn about almost anything.”
Calculators – Electronic devices or software used to perform mathematical calculations quickly. – Example sentence: “We used calculators on our computers to solve the math problems faster.”
Numbers – Symbols or words used to represent quantities and used in coding to perform calculations. – Example sentence: “In coding, numbers are often used to set the size of objects or to count loops.”
Communicate – To share or exchange information using computers, like sending emails or chatting online. – Example sentence: “We use email to communicate with our teacher about homework assignments.”
Technology – The use of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in computers and electronics. – Example sentence: “Technology helps us connect with friends and family through video calls and social media.”
Future – The time that is yet to come, where technology might be even more advanced and helpful. – Example sentence: “In the future, we might have computers that can understand and talk to us like humans.”
