Build PC Using Paper - Teaching Method [Paper PC]

"Hands on" teaching method for students learning about the computer hardware. Students will "build" a desktop computer using paper. They will then look up parts using online tool www.pcpartpicker.com, write the parts which they have selected on each piece of paper. Students can be given goals for a particular build, ie: $300 max, $400 max with 2 hard drives, $500 max with $150 video card, etc.

This process will help with spatial arrangement practice, assembly sequence muscle memory, tactile engagement with components, parts research and understanding component relationships. Using paper will allow students from all income levels and skills to participate in the process.

1. Three pieces of paper.
2. Pen or pencil.
3. 1 or more students eager to learn about computer hardware.

1. Take one piece of paper
2. Write "Motherboard" on lower right hand corner.
3. Draw box around "Motherboard"
4. In center of paper write "CPU Slot" and draw box around it.
5. This is the spot where we are going to place the CPU.

1. With the 2nd piece of paper fold in half and tear into 2 pieces. Turn them so that the long sides are vertical.
2. On one piece write "Video Card" towards center bottom and "GPU" on upper right hand corner. Draw box around both.
3. On the "Video Card" paper, make folds about .5 cm or .25 inch wide on the long sides. These will act as stabilizers.
4. Fold down the center widthwise so that the video card can stand up. Set this aside.
5. On the 2nd piece Write "Hard Drive" in the center and draw box around it.
6. Make folds about .5 cm or .25 inch wide on the long sides. These will act as stabilizers.
7. Make folds about 2 inch or 4 cm on each of the wide sides.
8. Fold into 3D square so that it stands up. Set this aside.

1. Take 3rd piece of paper and fold in half.
2. Tear paper in half and set one half aside for later use.
3. On the other half, write the words "Power Supply" in the center.
4. Draw square around "Power Supply".
5. Make a fold about .5 cm or .25 inch wide on the long sides; these will act as legs
6. Make folds about 2 inch or 4 cm on each of the wide sides.
7. Fold into 3D square so that it can stand up. Set this aside.

1. Take 2nd half of paper from previous step.
2. Fold in half and tear into 2 quarters.
3. Write "RAM Module One" on 1 quarter piece of paper.
4. Write "RAM Module Two" on 2nd quarter piece of paper.
5. Fold each down the center lengthwise and set aside.
6. Take the other 2 quarter squares, fold both in half and tear into eighths.
7. On the first piece of paper write: "CPU" and draw a box around it.
8. On the 2nd piece write: "CPU Heatsink" and draw a box around it.
9. The 3rd piece, write: "Heatsink Paste" and draw squiggly lines around it, similar to a cloud diagram.
10. For the "CPU" and "CPU Heatsink" fold along the long edges about .25 cm or .1 inches to act as stabilizers.
11. Next, fold widthwise about 1 cm or .25 inches.
12. Fold into 3D squares.
13. Leave the "Heatsink Paste" flat.

1. Place CPU over CPU Slot.
2. Place Heatsink Paste flat on top of CPU.
3. Place CPU Heatsink on top of Heatsink Paste.
4. Place Video Card on top left.
5. Power Supply goes on top right.
6. Put Hard Drive on lower left.
7. RAM modules go on lower right.

1. At this point, student should research parts on www.PcPartPicker.com.
2. Use the final piece of paper to list part specs.
3. Write down name and/or specs on each part, ie: 250 GB on hard drive, 4 GB on RAM, etc.
4. For additional exercises, set strict limits for each build ie: $300 total, $400 total with 8 GB RAM, $500 total with $150 graphics card etc
5. More advanced students could use card stock, cardboard or wood to build the components.