Discussion: Use a diagram such as the one shown (use PPT 1.1) as a starting point. Leave space in the boxes to write a one-sentence definition. Computer system
Brainstorm: What devices can students name to create a list under the two types of ‘Hardware’ box? Can they invent a question that allows them to decide whether some software is applications or system? Form lists under the two ‘Software’ boxes.
Software
Hardware
Internal
External
Applications
System
The difference between hardware and software is straightforward: if you can touch it, it’s hardware; if you cannot, it is software. Student task: Ask students to complete Worksheet 1.5 and discuss choices with another student. Discussion: Do all students agree with choices made for Worksheet 1.5? Student task: Ask students to carry out Activity 2 using Worksheet 1.6. Discussion: Do all students agree with choices made for Worksheet 1.6? Remember that sometimes students confuse what it is they are looking to identify. Some students may say that a floppy disk is square (because of its packaging). Similarly, if you show them a CD with some software stored on it, saying, ‘Here’s some anti-virus software’, they may get confused if your next question is, ‘Is this hardware or software?’ The difference between hardware and software is clear; ensure that your presentation is as well. Student task: Working in pairs, students should complete Worksheet 1.7. Ask them to list all the different applications software available on the computer they are using, identifying the type of software it is and its name. You could display a completed sheet to the class towards the end of the session so that students can check their findings. Give extra support by having pictures of all the devices that you will introduce in Unit 2 (Input and output devices) and Unit 3 (Storage devices and media) available so that if suggestions for the peripheral list start drying up, you can prompt a response. Give extra challenge by asking students to make a list of all the hardware devices and components that they have identified in Worksheet 1.4 and those from the pictures of devices in Unit 2 and Unit 3 that you have available. Alongside each device ask students to state whether it is an input device, an output device or one that fulfils both functions.
Plenary suggestions Round class quiz: You start by naming a peripheral. The first student to identify it correctly as hardware then names either another peripheral or an item of software. The next student who correctly identifies this as hardware, applications software or system software then gets to name another item, and so on. Have a variety of pictures and labels on an interactive whiteboard and students take turns to drag images to correct labels.
IGCSE ICT Teacher Guide
4
© HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd 2015