SS 1 First Term

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

Cognitive	i. Distinguish between software and hardware. ii. Describe system software and application software. iii. Explain utility software, firmware and drivers. iv. Describe the main types of software licence.
Affective	i. Appreciate the value of Computer Software in school, at home and in the community. ii. Show willingness to use digital tools carefully, safely and responsibly.
Psychomotor	i. Group a list of programs into system and application software. ii. Draw a table comparing system and application software. iii. Name three types of software licence and one rule of each. iv. Explain why a driver is needed for a printer.

Rationale: Computer software is a collection of instructions, data, and programs that tell the hardware what to do. Understanding software vs Hardware, utility Software, Firmware, and Drivers, software Licensing, system Software Categories versus Application Software helps learners use digital technology confidently, safely and responsibly.

Pre-requisite Knowledge: In Week 6, learners studied Storage and Memory, including main Memory (RAM, ROM, and Cache), secondary Storage Devices, memory vs Storage and Capacity Units. 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 Software, 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 7); 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 6 (Storage and Memory) with two quick oral questions, and asks what they already know about Computer Software. Elicits responses and writes the topic on the board.	Recall the previous lesson and share what they already know about Computer Software.	Connecting prior knowledge to Computer Software.
Step 1 6 MINUTES	Covers Software vs Hardware: Computer software is a collection of instructions, data, and programs that tell the hardware what to do. Hardware is the physical body of the computer; software is the mind that gives it purpose. Covers Utility Software, Firmware, and Drivers: Utility software helps maintain, configure, optimise, or protect the computer.	Listen, take notes and answer oral questions on "Software vs Hardware" and related points.	Understanding: Software vs Hardware; Utility Software, Firmware, and Drivers.
Step 2 6 MINUTES	Covers Software Licensing: A software licence is a legal agreement between the software creator and the user. It defines how the software may be used, copied, and distributed. Covers System Software Categories versus Application Software: System software is the set of programs that runs and manages the computer itself, while application software is the set of programs that users operate to perform specific tasks.	Copy the key points, give examples from school and everyday life, and ask questions on "Software Licensing" and related points.	Understanding: Software Licensing; System Software Categories versus Application Software.
Step 3 6 MINUTES	Covers Software Acquisition and Licence Types: Software reaches users through several channels. It can be bought as a boxed product, downloaded from the internet, bundled with new hardware or obtained as open-source code. Each method affects the licence under which the software is used.	Discuss in pairs, then report one point on "Software Acquisition and Licence Types" to the class.	Understanding: Software Acquisition and Licence Types.
Step 4 6 MINUTES	Covers How Software Controls Hardware: Software controls hardware through a chain of instructions that begins at the operating system and ends at the physical component.	Respond to questions, complete the examples on the board and note down "How Software Controls Hardware".	Understanding: How Software Controls Hardware.
Practical Work 6 MINUTES	Guides learners through the practical work: (i) Group a list of programs into system and application software. (ii) Draw a table comparing system and application software. (iii) Name three types of software licence and one rule of each. 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. Distinguish between software and hardware. ii. Describe system software and application software. iii. Explain utility software, firmware and drivers. iv. Describe the main types of software licence.	Respond verbally and in writing to the evaluation questions.	Assessment and consolidation of the lesson content.
Conclusion 2 MINUTES	Recaps the main points: software vs Hardware, utility Software, Firmware, and Drivers, software Licensing, system Software Categories versus Application Software, software Acquisition and Licence Types. Links them to the assignment and previews Week 8: Operating Systems.	Listen, ask questions and copy the assignment.	Reinforcement of key concepts and a preview of the next lesson.

Assignment: i. A cash-strapped school installs Linux and LibreOffice on all its computers. Identify the category of software each belongs to, and explain why the open-source licence makes this cheaper than Windows and Microsoft Office while still being legal. ii. After a system update, the school printer refuses to print and the operating system says it cannot control the printer. Predict the missing software and explain how a device driver lets the OS and the printer work together.