Topic title: System architecture, memory and storage
Year group: 10
When taught: September to December
What are we learning?
- The component parts of a computer, their purpose and characteristics.
- The pros and cons of the technology used for storage options including magnetic, optical, solid state and cloud.
- Binary patterns including decimal numbers, hexadecimal, character sets, bitmap images and sound.
Why is this important to know?
- To enable students to select the most appropriate computer systems for their applications and use.
- It helps students to understand how a computer works and therefore its strengths and weaknesses.
- To enable students to work with characteristics such as file size and quality in relation to images and sound files.
- To properly understand how binary is the language of computers.
Where does this link into our past and future learning?
- This links to learning in KS3 when students consider computer systems as consisting of inputà processà
- Our next topic looks specifically at establishing different types of computer networks, an understanding of computer systems is a prerequisite.
- This topic strengthens writing skills by e.g. comparing and evaluating computer systems and storage for particular purposes.
How will we be assessed on this topic?
- There is a topic assessment in the Autumn term and then this topic will form part of the end of year 10 exam.
What makes a strong piece of work in this topic? What are teachers hoping to see?
- Referral to scenarios provided in the questions.
- Recognising and using key terms in questions.
- The ability to compare and justify the use of certain computer systems and storage devices in different scenarios.
- An ability to discuss different file types and the impact of different file sizes.
What key words are there in this topic?
What can I try if I want to stretch and challenge myself on this topic?
- Develop your understanding of the associated theory using sites such as Teach-ICT and CSNewsb
- Visit shops such as PC world/Currys to broaden your understanding of different system specifications.
