SS 2 First Term

Lesson objectives

By the end of the week, learners should be able to:

1. Restate the operating-system functions developed this term.
2. Explain software licensing types such as freeware, shareware and open source.
3. Name at least three licence types and give one example of each.
4. Compare freeware and paid software on cost, update and support.
5. Judge which licence type suits a school teaching environment.

Key vocabulary

• Licence: permission terms governing how software may be used.
• Freeware: free to use with restricted commercial rights.
• Shareware: trial software nagging users before payment.
• Open source: source code visible and modifiable by users.
• Paid software: commercial software requiring a licence fee.
• Update: a newer release fixing bugs and adding features.
• Support: help services provided by the publisher.
• Restricted commercial rights: limitations on selling or reselling.
• Suit: choosing a licence for a specific context.

Common misconceptions

• "Freeware is always safer than commercial software." Freeware often has weaker updates and support.
• "Open source costs nothing forever." Open source still requires administration and patching effort.
• "Schools must always pay for licensed software." Schools may use free alternatives to suit budgets.

Teacher activities

1. Starter: hold up two licences, one freeware and one paid, and ask which your school prefers.
2. Restate the operating-system functions from prior terms.
3. Name at least three licence types and give one example each.
4. Compare freeware and paid software on cost, updates and support.
5. Explain why schools consider licence type alongside budget.
6. Close with the licence-choice task and exit question.

Student activities

1. Pick the preferred licence from the starter and explain the reason.
2. Restate five operating-system functions in their own words.
3. Name at least three licence types and give one example each.
4. Compare freeware and paid software on three criteria.
5. Explain why licence type matters for school budgeting.
6. Choose which licence suits your school classroom and justify it.

Practical / learning evidence

A five-licence function sheet, a freeware versus paid comparison table and a school-choice justification paragraph. Submit all three for marking.

Resources and preparation

Printed licence cards and blank comparison tables. Offline route: paper cards and tables, no device needed. Provide accurate commercial licence terms and avoid recommending unsupported software packages.

Assessment for learning

Inspect the licence sheet for at least three distinct types with examples. Mark the freeware versus paid comparison for equal criteria. Check the school choice for a defensible budget rationale. Flag any learner who dismisses paid software advantages.

Inclusion and homework

Provide the licence cards prelabelled for learners who need scaffolding and allow oral comparison. Extend confident learners with five licence types and a sixth comparison. Homework: name one real school software that is open source and one that is commercial.