What is a computer?

This week in our Informatics class we had to search for information about the question: What is a computer?, and then make a mind map using a website called Mindomo. In this website you can create mind maps about a specific theme and then select the topics, subtopics and insert a relationship between them.

 Everybody has used a computer before or at least everybody knows what is it, so to answer to the question: What is a computer?, the teacher said that we had to think divergently, that means not only look for the definition of the word, but to think outside the box. Convergent thinking is about searching for the basic information, you have to begin thinking convergently and then jump to the divergent thinking.

 My partner and I started with the basics: the definition, the types of computers, and so on; and than we thought that we all know that computers are essential for science and physics; but what about humanitarian services? With this in mind we started searching for uses that people give to the most scientific and high-quality computers to help other people. we found that Social Sciences and Humanity researchers use supercomputers to find historical records that point out the presence of black women, which had the courage to stand up and fight for their rights. Social scientists are using supercomputers and Big Data to revolutionize humanities research. 
We also found that scientists are using Simulation to provide a most accurate weather forecasts, they have created a model that focuses on triggers for seasonal ice breakup that could improve accuracy of sea-level rise predictions. 
After that we searched for interesting facts about computers and we decides to add something about the first type of computer. We also asked ourselves: What happens if a computer gets infected by a Virus?, then we added it in our mind map along with the answer.

Our mind map

This was an interesting project for me, because it thought us to not only focus on the basics of the question, but to think outside the box. We learned how to use a knew website (Mindomo) which I did not know and it helped me to create a mind map using the computer, and in the process of doing it I learned a lot of things about computers that a didn't  knew. 

By clicking here you can view our mindomo