SS 1 First Term

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: BY THE END OF THE LESSON STUDENTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO:

Cognitive	i. State the main characteristics of a computer. ii. Describe the motherboard and the system unit. iii. Explain the roles of the CPU, the ALU, the control unit and the registers. iv. Describe the buses, RAM and ROM.
Affective	i. Appreciate the value of Computer Hardware Architecture in school, at home and in the community. ii. Show willingness to use digital tools carefully, safely and responsibly.
Psychomotor	i. Label a diagram of the system unit and the motherboard. ii. List the parts of the central processing unit and state the role of each. iii. Draw a table comparing RAM and ROM. iv. Trace how data travels along the system bus.

Rationale: A computer has several distinctive properties that set it apart from other machines and make it a powerful tool. Understanding characteristics of a Computer, the Motherboard and the System Unit, the CPU, ALU, Control Unit, and Registers, buses, RAM, and ROM helps learners use digital technology confidently, safely and responsibly.

Pre-requisite Knowledge: In Week 2, learners studied History and Evolution of Computing, including early Calculating Devices, charles Babbage and Ada Lovelace, the First Electronic Computers. The knowledge from that week is used again in this lesson.

Learning Material/Teaching Aid: Whiteboard, markers, computer or laptop where available, printed notes and charts on Computer Hardware Architecture, practical task sheets, learners' notebooks and pens.

Reference Materials: Digital Technology for Senior Secondary Schools (SS 1); NERDC Digital Technology Curriculum; Digital Technology SS 1 First Term Notes (Week 3); First Term examination and Continuous Assessment question papers.

LESSON DEVELOPMENT

Stage/Step (Time)	Teacher's Activities	Student's Activities	Learning Points
Introduction 5 MINUTES	Welcomes learners, revises Week 2 (History and Evolution of Computing) with two quick oral questions, and asks what they already know about Computer Hardware Architecture. Elicits responses and writes the topic on the board.	Recall the previous lesson and share what they already know about Computer Hardware Architecture.	Connecting prior knowledge to Computer Hardware Architecture.
Step 1 6 MINUTES	Covers Characteristics of a Computer: A computer has several distinctive properties that set it apart from other machines and make it a powerful tool. These characteristics work together to handle tasks that would be impossible or impractical for humans to do alone. Covers The Motherboard and the System Unit: The motherboard is the main circuit board inside the system unit. Every major component connects to it either directly or through cables.	Listen, take notes and answer oral questions on "Characteristics of a Computer" and related points.	Understanding: Characteristics of a Computer; The Motherboard and the System Unit.
Step 2 6 MINUTES	Covers The CPU, ALU, Control Unit, and Registers: The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the brain of the computer. Inside the CPU are three main parts, namely the Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU), the Control Unit, and Registers. Covers Buses, RAM, and ROM: A bus is a shared pathway that carries data, addresses, and control signals between components. The three main types are the data bus (carries the data itself), the address bus (carries the location or address in memory), and the control bus (carries commands such as read and write).	Copy the key points, give examples from school and everyday life, and ask questions on "The CPU, ALU, Control Unit, and Registers" and related points.	Understanding: The CPU, ALU, Control Unit, and Registers; Buses, RAM, and ROM.
Step 3 6 MINUTES	Covers System Unit Characteristics and the Motherboard: The system unit is the box that houses the main working parts of the computer. Its key characteristics are its form factor (desktop tower or slim laptop profile), its power supply, its cooling system and the space it provides for expansion. Covers CPU and Control Unit Responsibilities: The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is responsible for executing the instructions of every program. The control unit is the director of this process.	Discuss in pairs, then report one point on "System Unit Characteristics and the Motherboard" and related points to the class.	Understanding: System Unit Characteristics and the Motherboard; CPU and Control Unit Responsibilities.
Step 4 6 MINUTES	Covers ALU Operations and CPU Registers: The Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU) carries out all the calculations and comparisons the CPU needs. Covers The System Bus Matrix: A bus is a set of parallel electrical pathways on the motherboard that carries information between the CPU, memory and devices.	Respond to questions, complete the examples on the board and note down "ALU Operations and CPU Registers" and related points.	Understanding: ALU Operations and CPU Registers; The System Bus Matrix.
Practical Work 6 MINUTES	Guides learners through the practical work: (i) Label a diagram of the system unit and the motherboard. (ii) List the parts of the central processing unit and state the role of each. (iii) Draw a table comparing RAM and ROM. Moves round the class to check progress and correct unsafe or careless use.	Carry out the practical tasks individually or in pairs and record what they did in their notebooks.	Applying the lesson through hands-on practice.
Evaluation 3 MINUTES	Asks learners to: i. State the main characteristics of a computer. ii. Describe the motherboard and the system unit. iii. Explain the roles of the CPU, the ALU, the control unit and the registers. iv. Describe the buses, RAM and ROM.	Respond verbally and in writing to the evaluation questions.	Assessment and consolidation of the lesson content.
Conclusion 2 MINUTES	Recaps the main points: characteristics of a Computer, the Motherboard and the System Unit, the CPU, ALU, Control Unit, and Registers, buses, RAM, and ROM, system Unit Characteristics and the Motherboard. Links them to the assignment and previews Week 4: Input Devices.	Listen, ask questions and copy the assignment.	Reinforcement of key concepts and a preview of the next lesson.

Assignment: i. A technician opens a desktop system unit and finds the CPU, RAM, graphics card, and storage drives all connected to one large circuit board. Name that board and explain why replacing it with a damaged board would stop the whole machine from working. ii. A student asks how the CPU manages to add 5 and 7. Using the ALU, the control unit, and registers, walk through the four steps of the machine cycle and state which part does each job.