Lesson video

Hello, my name's Mrs. Jones, and I'm really pleased you've decided to learn with me today.

In this lesson, we're going to look at the operating system and why it's used in a computing system.

So let's get started.

Welcome to today's lesson.

Today's lesson is called "Operating systems" from the unit Computer systems. And by the end of this lesson, you'll be able to define what an operating system is and explain its functionality in a device.

There are three keywords to today's lesson.

Operating system software.

Operating system software is the main software that manages computer hardware and lets other software run.

User interface.

User interface is how you as a human can interact with a device.

Peripheral device is an external hardware component that can be attached to another device.

There are two sections to today's lesson.

The first is Describe the purpose of an operating system, and the second is Explain the main functions of an operating system.

So let's start with Describe the purpose of an operating system.

A computer has different types of software.

System software manages and controls the hardware and allows application software to run.

The operating system software is one example of system software.

The operating system is launched as part of the start-up process of a computer.

It acts as the bridge between the hardware and the software.

It allows a user to interact with the computer.

Sofia asks, "Is the operating system the same on all devices?" No, there are different operating systems for different devices.

For example, on a computer or a mobile phone.

On a computer, some examples are Windows, macOS, Linux.

On a mobile phone, Android or iOS.

Let's have a quick check.

What is the purpose of the operating system? Is it A, to manage the computer's hardware without allowing user interaction; B, to control only the input and output devices of a computer; C, to manage hardware and software, allowing users to interact with the computer; or D, to provide access to all files and data without managing hardware resources? Pause the video to consider your answer and then we'll check it.

Let's check your answer.

The answer is C, to manage hardware and software, allowing users to interact with the computer.

Well done if you got that correct.

The operating system provides a user interface to allow you as the user to interact with the computer.

This can be through visual elements like menus and icons or text commands.

There are different types of user interfaces: graphical user interface, a GUI; command line interface, CLI; or natural language interface.

A graphical user interface, a GUI, uses windows, icons, menus, and pointers.

It is visual and allows the user to interact with the computer.

Examples include moving the pointer to select an icon, opening a window or browsing a menu.

And you can see on the image on the right here, the window, the pointer, the icon, and the menu.

A command line interface, CLI, uses specific text commands called command prompts.

There are no visuals, and the command prompts are used to execute a specific command.

Natural language interface allows the user to use text or their own voice.

This is using natural language as it is using how you naturally speak instead of set commands.

Example here, the man in the room saying, "Turn on the lamp." Let's do an activity.

You'll need your worksheet.

Can you explain why an operating system is important in a computer? Pause the video, go back through the slides, consider your answer and then we'll check it.

Let's check your answer.

The operating system acts as the bridge between the hardware and the software.

It allows a user to interact with the computer.

There are different operating systems for different devices.

For a computer, it could be Windows, macOS, or Linux.

For a mobile phone, it could be Android or iOS.

Well done if you got that correct.

The next part of the activity, again you'll need your worksheet, is to complete the table to identify the differences between the user interfaces.

You have a table with the user interfaces on the left, graphical user interface, command line interface, and natural language interface, and then next to it you have a column to answer, how does the user interact with it? Pause the video, go back through the slides, and then we'll check your answers.

Let's check your answer.

A graphical user interface: the user interacts with it using windows, icons, menus, and pointers.

A command line interface: the user interacts using specific text commands called command prompts.

A natural language interface: the user interacts using text or their own voice, using natural language instead of set commands.

Well done if you got that correct.

Let's move to the next section of today's lesson, Explain the main functions of an operating system.

The operating system has many functions within a system: memory management and multitasking, peripheral device and driver management, user management, and file management.

When you start a computer, different tasks require different instructions to be run.

Instructions require main memory, and this is allocated and managed by the operating system.

Memory management is required so that you can run more applications or open more documents at once.

When you open a software application, the operating system allocates space in RAM for it.

The operating system looks at the priority of tasks, moves and manages them.

It controls where each piece of data is stored in RAM, allocating memory space to programmes currently in use.

A peripheral device is hardware that is plugged into a computer to extend how you can use it, like a keyboard or a mouse.

The operating system may detect when a peripheral device has been connected and configure the system to accept and use it.

Once connected, the operating system can manage the data transferred.

For example, the keys you press on a keyboard.

A device driver is software that can be added to a computer to control a piece of hardware.

This may be required when a peripheral device is connected to the computer.

The operating system has basic drivers already, but sometimes specific ones need to be installed.

Let's have a quick check.

Which of the following best describes how an operating system manages memory? Is it A, it organises files into folders and subfolders for easy access? Is it B, it allocates space in RAM for running applications? Is it C, it connects external devices to the computer and manages data transfer? Or is it D, it encrypts files to prevent unauthorised access? Pause the video to consider your answer and then we'll check it.

Let's check your answer.

The answer was B.

It allocates space in RAM for running applications.

Well done if you got that correct.

Let's have another check.

Which of the following best describes how an operating system manages a peripheral device? Is it A, it organises files into folders and subfolders for easy access? Is it B, it allocates space in RAM for running applications? Is it C, it connects external devices to the computer and manages data transfer? Or is it D, it encrypts files to prevent unauthorised access? Pause the video to consider your answer and then we'll check it.

Let's check your answer.

The answer was C.

It connects external devices to the computer and manages data transfer.

Well done if you got that correct.

When using a computer, you have a user profile.

The operating system manages this to give you specific access rights to the computer.

Permissions and restrictions are set up when creating a new user profile.

For example, restricting specific files from some users.

Admin rights belong to users who can manage other users' profiles.

They have full access to the computer.

When you are on a computer, you can create, store, and manage your files.

The operating system controls how files are stored.

The user interface set by the operating system allows you to access stored files easily.

Let's look at an activity.

You'll need your worksheet.

You are asked to complete the table to describe the different functions of an operating system.

The functions on the left are: memory management, peripheral device and driver management, user management, and file management.

And you need to add what does the operating system do for each of those functions.

Pause the video, go back through the slides, and then we'll go through the answer.

Let's check your answers.

For memory management, the operating system, what does it do? The instructions require main memory, and this is allocated and managed by the operating system.

It looks at the priority of tasks, moves and manages them.

It controls where each piece of data is stored in RAM, allocating memory space to programmes currently in use.

For the function peripheral device and driver management, this time for what does the operating system do, when a new peripheral device is connected to the operating system, it will configure the system to accept it, use drivers installed, or update the system once a new driver is installed, manage the data transferred once a peripheral device is set up to use.

For the function user management, this time, what does the operating system do? It creates and manages user profiles to give specific access rights to the computer.

It also has admin rights, which belong to users who can manage other users' profiles.

They have full access to the computer.

For the function file management, this time it controls how files are stored.

The user interface set by the operating system allows you to access stored files easily.

Well done if you got those correct.

Let's look at another activity.

Look at the different scenarios and explain which operating system function is being used.

You have two scenarios, and for each, you need to define which function of the operating system is required and explain how the operating system is working.

The first scenario is a student tries to log into a school computer but receives a message saying their account is locked.

The second scenario is a teacher connects a projector to their laptop, but the display is not showing.

Pause the video to consider your answers.

Go back through the slides, use your worksheet, and then we'll check your answer.

Let's check your answers.

For the first scenario, a student tries to log into a school computer but receives a message saying their account is locked, the operating system function required here is the user management.

And how is it working? The operating system verifies the login credentials, checks for restrictions on the account, and prevents unauthorised access.

For the second scenario, a teacher connects a projector to their laptop but the display is not showing, the function here is the peripheral device management.

The operating system detects the projector, instals the correct driver, and sends display data to the external device.

Well done if you got those correct.

In summary, the operating system software is launched as part of the startup process of a computer.

It acts as the bridge between the hardware and the software.

The operating system provides a user interface to allow you as the user to interact with the computer.

Most common is a graphical user interface with windows, icons, menus, and pointers.

The operating system has many functions, including the management of memory, files, peripheral devices, drivers, and user access rights.

Well done for completing this lesson on the operating system.