Introducing computing and IT

Course Descriptions

This free course, Introducing computing and IT, provides a general overview of how digital technologies have come to dominate virtually every aspect of the modern world and some guidance on how to prepare for this digital life. It raises awareness of the importance of data security and online safety. It also provides an explanation of the internal structure and workings of a typical computer and describes hard and solid state drives in some detail.

Course learning outcomes

After studying this course, you should be able to:

understand the idea of a ‘digital world’
explain the role of computing and information technology (IT) in a digital world
understand the importance of keeping safe online
understand how the use of online search engines can influence your beliefs and actions
describe how data are stored on and deleted from a hard disk drive (HDD)
describe how data are stored on and deleted from a solid state drive (SSD).

You can start this course right now without signing-up. Click on any of the course content sections below to start at any point in this course.
If you want to be able to track your progress, earn a free Statement of Participation, and access all course quizzes and activities, sign-up.

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See fireworks from space in dazzling video of Lunar New Year celebration

Feb. 19, 2026, 12:59 p.m. ET The fireworks were part of the Lunar New Year festivities celebrating the Year of the Horse. Astronaut Chris Williams shared the video on social media from 260 miles above Earth. “I was fortunate to be looking out of the Cupola while we were passing over Beijing, and saw the

19 February 2026

Poland bans Chinese cars from military bases • The Register

Poland’s Ministry of Defence has banned Chinese cars – and any others include tech to record position, images, or sound – from entering protected military facilities. A Tuesday announcement from the country’s Ministry of Defence says the decision came after risk analysis of the potential for the many gadgets built into modern cars to allow

19 February 2026

Jeff Bezos says ‘the hardest thing I’ve ever done’ was raising the first million dollars for Amazon

But about three decades ago, in 1995, getting the first million dollars in seed capital for Amazon was more grueling than any challenge that would follow. One year ago, at New York’s Dealbook Summit, Bezos told Andrew Ross Sorkin those early fundraising efforts were an absolute slog, with dozens of meetings with angel investors—the vast

19 February 2026

💥New row: La Liga appeals decision on Rayo-Oviedo

The tension between Spanish football institutions has erupted once again. LALIGA has issued a strong statement following the recent decision by the RFEF’s Sole Competition Judge, claiming that this resolution violates the current legal framework. The conflict arises from the suspension of the match between Rayo Vallecano and Real Oviedo, due to the poor condition

19 February 2026

The new Publix location opening on January 10, 2024 at 2500 Terra Crossing Blvd.

Publix announces new Louisville-area location. What we know

A new Publix grocery is coming to Shelbyville. A nearly 50,400-square-foot location of the Florida-based grocer, Publix at Saddlebred Point, will be built at the northwest corner of Freedom’s Way and The Pointe Boulevard. Publix announced the lease signing Feb. 19, but did not detail an opening timeframe. The new Publix location opening on January

19 February 2026

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman: Progress of Chinese tech firms is 'remarkable'

Chinese tech companies progress remarkable

The progress of Chinese tech companies across the entire stack is “remarkable,” OpenAI’s Sam Altman told CNBC. Altman’s comments come as China races against the U.S. to develop artificial general intelligence (AGI) — where AI matches human capabilities — and roll out the technology across society. The pace of technological advance in “many fields,” including

19 February 2026

Why Coeur Mining Stock Popped Again Today

Coeur Mining (NYSE: CDE) stock jumped 7.7% through 11:15 a.m. ET Thursday after beating on Q4 earnings last night. Heading into the report, analysts forecast earnings of $0.32 per share on $617.1 million in sales. The gold mining company actually earned $0.34 per share and reported sales of $678.8 million. Where to invest $1,000 right

19 February 2026

How China plays the long game in the global auto…

He is a leading expert on international competitiveness, regional economic development, and international business strategy and his article on the subject was published last year by the Hinrich Foundation. https://www.hinrichfoundation.com/research/article/fdi/china-auto-policies-playing-the-long-game “It was the subject of China’s first specific national development plan after its economic opening in the 1980s and continues to receive close attention

19 February 2026

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Police Flood Ex-Prince Andrew’s Estate Following Arrest — See the Scene

The location of ex-Prince Andrew’s arrest is coming into focus — and new photos show the scale of police presence on the morning of February 19, when he was taken into custody. Andrew, the third child of the late Queen Elizabeth II, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He had been temporarily

19 February 2026

Rivian’s Apple Watch app is now available.

Posted Feb 19, 2026 at 5:44 PM UTC Rivian’s Apple Watch app is now available. Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates. Andrew Liszewski Close Andrew Liszewski Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and

19 February 2026

Strengthening the Bridge Between Hong Kong Tourism and United Kingdom Trade Partners

Published on February 19, 2026 Image generated with Ai The announcement regarding a significant leadership shift within the Hong Kong Tourism Board has been officially shared, marking a pivotal moment for the organization’s presence in the United Kingdom. It has been confirmed that Joelle Watkins has been selected to occupy the role of UK Trade

19 February 2026

Inside the rise of robotics firm Unitree, glimpse into China’s tech ambitions

A Unitree Robotics humanoid robot takes part in a 400m race at the inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing on August 15, 2025. | Photo Credit: Reuters It’s been an eventful week for the Chinese robotics firm Unitree, which has managed to find itself at the centre of

19 February 2026

Elon Musk responds to Music City Loop progress with Nashville airport

Updated Feb. 19, 2026, 11:30 a.m. CT The Metro Nashville Airport Authority unanimously approved a $34 million, 40-year deal with The Boring Company on Feb. 18, marking a major step toward a tunnel system to connect Nashville International Airport with downtown. Hours after the board meeting concluded, The Boring Co. and its founder Elon Musk

19 February 2026

Real Madrid reveal UEFA ‘collaboration’ as club continue to support Vinicius Junior investigation

Game halted following accusations of racist abuse A knockout phase play-off clash between Spanish and Portuguese giants was halted for 10 minutes early in the second half. Vinicius had registered the only goal of the game in the 50th minute, as he crashed a shot from just inside the penalty area into the top corner.

19 February 2026

Lamelo Ball during a game against the Detroit Pistons at Spectrum Center on Feb. 9, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina David Jensen/Getty

NBA Star LaMelo Ball Uninjured After Crashing His Custom Hummer Head-On Into Another Car After Team Practice

NEED TO KNOW LaMelo Ball was involved in a two-car crash in uptown Charlotte, North Carolina on Feb. 18 The 24-year-old Charlotte Hornets star appeared uninjured after the collision, according to reports Ball’s custom 2022 GMC Hummer EV Edition 1 was reportedly missing a wheel after clipping another vehicle head-on at an intersection Charlotte Hornets

19 February 2026

Texas sues TP-Link for allegedly allowing China to hack into routers, says: Nearly all of its products …

Texas has sued networking equipment company TP-Link Systems, accusing it of allowing the Chinese Communist Party to hack into consumers’ devices while marketing its products as secure and private. Attorney General Ken Paxton announced the lawsuit this week, describing it as the first in a series of actions to be filed this week against companies

19 February 2026

6 Top Investing Lessons From Stock-Market Pros

There are some investing tips that you hear over and over, but are light on specifics. Diversify your portfolio. Don’t let emotion — whether it be fear or greed — guide your decisions. Invest early and often to take advantage of compounding. But a new book of interviews with top investors from around the world

19 February 2026

‘A Load of Rubbish’—Arsenal, Liverpool Given Explicit Premier League Transfer Answer

Newcastle United forward Anthony Gordon has laughed off rumours of a move to Arsenal or Liverpool, explicitly labelling the transfer talk as “a load of rubbish.” Gordon has been spuriously linked with a Tyneside exit for months. Arsenal hold the attraction of being Premier League leaders while defending champions Liverpool are the club the Liverpudlian

19 February 2026

Chicago Bears are ‘committed’ to Indiana move. Here’s what would need to happen

There is now a “shared commitment” to bring the Chicago Bears to Indiana. Indiana lawmakers announced Feb. 19 that they’ve struck a deal to potentially locate the football team’s new stadium in northwest Indiana, pending the passage of a bill that provides the framework for a financial package and any due diligence at the proposed

19 February 2026

Luke Cage’s Mike Colter Gives MCU Return Update, Talks Dream Story

If Mike Colter ever returns to the MCU as Luke Cage, he has several goals for his character. What is Mike Colter’s MCU return update? Colter appeared as Luke Cage in several Marvel shows on Netflix, with Jessica Jones Season 1 marking his first appearance as the Harlem-based superhero with superhuman strength and unbreakable skin.

19 February 2026