1.2
Hardware and software
Assessment objectives
0417 syllabus
Define hardware and software, giving examples of each.
Describe the difference between hardware and software.
1.1a 1.1b 1.1c 1.1d 1.1e 1.1f 1.1g
Define hardware, giving examples. Identify internal hardware devices. Identify external hardware devices. Define software, giving examples. Identify application and system software. Define applications software, giving examples. Define systems software, giving examples.
Differentiated learning outcomes
Resources
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Student Book: pages 11-12
Worksheets:
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All students must use the key words highlighted in the Student Book in context; be able to state the difference between hardware and software; be able to identify different peripheral devices; be able to describe application and systems software types (Grade E/D). Most students should confidently use the terminology in the session; describe the difference between hardware and software; identify internal and external hardware components; distinguish between different software types (Grade D/C). Some students could confidently use the terminology in the session to describe different peripheral devices; identify and describe the use of internal and external hardware components; identify and describe different software types and uses (Grade B/A).
Key concepts
1.4 Identifying hardware 1.5 Hardware and software 1.6 Application or system software? 1.7 Applications software
PPT: 1.1
The fact that computers need instruction (in the form of programs), as well as physical devices.
Starter suggestions This session will help students name peripheral devices (hardware) and be able to make a distinction between different types of program (software). Students will be familiar with particular peripheral devices (mouse, printer, joystick and so on), so have as many unfamiliar ones available as you can (such as a barcode reader and tracker ball). Try and get hold of the boxes for a variety of software: Office, anti-virus, anti-spyware and graphics, as well as Windows. Students will probably be unfamiliar with internal hardware, so have a good selection of pictures available. Ideally see if the IT team will let you have an old computer tower that can be explored. See how many peripherals they can name. Can they give an application name for the software? What application is Windows?
Main lesson activities This is a very simple and self-contained lesson that requires students to understand how to distinguish been the main categories of hardware vs software, and applications vs system software.
Student task: Ask students to carry out Activity 1 using Worksheet 1.4. (The answers are provided on the Teacher Guide CD-ROM – see Worksheet 1.4 Answers.) IGCSE ICT Teacher Guide
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