Second Grade Computing Systems Lesson
Overview
Students will learn about what hardware and software they might encounter in the world. They will further think about the problems that might happen with that hardware and software as well as some possible solutions.
Objectives
Students will be able to:
Identify different kinds of hardware and software.
Describe basic problems using accurate terminology.
Purpose
Problems with computing systems have different causes. Students at this level do not need to understand those causes, but they should be able to communicate a problem with accurate terminology (e.g., when an app or program is not working as expected, the device is frozen, the link doesn't work, the internet is not connecting.
Standards
2.CS.T.1 - Describe basic hardware and software problems using accurate terminology.
Vocabulary
Hardware - The computer's physical parts.
Software - The programs, or instructions, that tell the hardware what to do.
Warm Up (5 minutes)
Discuss the vocabulary and create a two-column list of what constitutes hardware and software. Some examples of hardware include monitor, keyboard, mouse, laptop, speakers, headphones, etc. Some examples of software include Google Docs, Microsoft Word, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Firefox, various educational websites used in your classroom, etc.
Main Activity (5 minutes)
In order to build students' knowledge about some ways to troubleshoot, watch the following video as a class: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oYdHs6uS9g.
Choose students to role play the three scenarios in the slide deck. Possible solutions students might come up with are in the notes for each of slides 7-9 in the slide deck.
Wrap Up (5 minutes)
Lead a student discussion with the questions on slide 11. You might choose to role play these student-generated ideas as well.