How computers work
Before you can understand how a computer learns, it helps to know how it works. Nine short lessons with pictures and things to play with, starting from a single on-or-off switch. No experience needed, and every lesson ends with a few questions to check yourself.
Your learning path
About 52 minutes in total
What is a computer, really?
A computer takes in information, changes it by following instructions, and gives back a result. Meet the idea behind every phone, game console and laptop.
Bits: why computers count in ones and zeros
Everything inside a computer is a tiny switch that is on or off. See how ones and zeros can count, and try it with a live binary counter.
Everything is numbers: text, pictures and sound
Letters, colours and music all become numbers inside a computer. Paint pixels and see the ones and zeros behind a picture.
Logic gates: how switches make decisions
AND, OR and NOT are tiny decision makers built from switches. Combine them and a computer can even add numbers.
Inside the machine: CPU, memory and storage
The processor, memory and storage each have a different job. See how they work together, using a kitchen as the picture.
Algorithms: step-by-step instructions
An algorithm is a clear list of steps that solves a problem. Learn sequence, choice and repetition, and a guessing trick that is always fast.
Programs: talking to a computer
A program is an algorithm written in a language a computer can follow. See variables, if, loops and functions, and why bugs happen.
Data: turning the world into a table of numbers
Rows, columns, features and labels: how information is arranged so that a computer can find patterns in it.
When rules run out: why computers need to learn
Some jobs are too messy to write rules for. See why, and how that leads to machine learning.
Then: machine learning
Ready for the next step.
What is machine learning?
Computers that learn from examples and experience, instead of following instructions step by step. The big idea in plain words.
GameTrain the Puppy
Train a virtual puppy to find its treat. You set the rewards and penalties, and watch it learn by trial and error. Five missions plus a maze builder.
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