History of Computers Computer Studies Primary 2 First Term Lesson Notes Week 2
Detailed Lesson Plan
Subject: Computer Studies
Class: Primary 2
Term: First Term
Week: 2
Age: 7 years
Topic: History of Computers
Sub-topic: Origin of Computers and Inventors
Duration: 40 minutes
Behavioural Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
- Describe the origin of computers.
- Identify early computers and their inventors.
- Recognize the importance of early computers in today’s technology.
Key Words
- Computer
- Origin
- Inventor
- Abacus
- Charles Babbage
- Alan Turing
Set Induction
Ask the pupils: “Who knows what a computer is and how it started?”
Entry Behaviour
Pupils are aware of using computers for different tasks.
Learning Resources and Materials
- Pictures of early computers
- Flashcards with names of inventors and their inventions
- Timeline chart showing the history of computers
Building Background / Connection to Prior Knowledge
Discuss the basic parts of a computer and their uses, which were covered in the previous lesson.
Embedded Core Skills
- Historical Understanding
- Recognition
- Association
Learning Materials
- Lagos State Scheme of Work for Computer Studies
- Reference Books: Lagos State Scheme of Work, Computer Studies for Primary Schools
Instructional Materials
- Pictures
- Flashcards
- Timeline Chart
Content
Explanation of the Topic
- Origin of Computers:
- Abacus: One of the earliest devices used for calculations.
- Charles Babbage: Known as the “father of the computer,” invented the first mechanical computer.
- Alan Turing: Created the Turing Machine, a theoretical model that influenced modern computers.
- Important Computers and Inventors:
- Abacus: Used in ancient times for arithmetic operations.
- Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine: An early mechanical general-purpose computer.
- Alan Turing’s Turing Machine: A foundational concept in computer science.
Questions
- The _______ was one of the earliest devices used for calculations.
- a) Monitor
- b) Abacus
- c) Keyboard
- d) Mouse
- _______ is known as the “father of the computer.”
- a) Alan Turing
- b) Charles Babbage
- c) Steve Jobs
- d) Bill Gates
- The _______ was invented by Alan Turing.
- a) Abacus
- b) Analytical Engine
- c) Turing Machine
- d) Mouse
- The _______ was an early mechanical general-purpose computer.
- a) Abacus
- b) Analytical Engine
- c) Turing Machine
- d) Monitor
- _______ created a theoretical model that influenced modern computers.
- a) Charles Babbage
- b) Alan Turing
- c) Steve Jobs
- d) Bill Gates
- The Abacus was used for _______ operations.
- a) Writing
- b) Arithmetic
- c) Drawing
- d) Painting
- The Turing Machine is a foundational concept in _______.
- a) Biology
- b) Chemistry
- c) Physics
- d) Computer Science
- The _______ is known as the “father of the computer.”
- a) Keyboard
- b) Monitor
- c) Mouse
- d) Charles Babbage
- The Turing Machine was a theoretical model created by _______.
- a) Charles Babbage
- b) Steve Jobs
- c) Alan Turing
- d) Bill Gates
- The Analytical Engine was an early _______ computer.
- a) Mechanical
- b) Electrical
- c) Digital
- d) Analog
Class Activity Discussion
- What is the Abacus?
- An early device used for calculations.
- Who is Charles Babbage?
- He is known as the “father of the computer.”
- What did Charles Babbage invent?
- The Analytical Engine.
- Who is Alan Turing?
- A mathematician who created the Turing Machine.
- What is the Turing Machine?
- A theoretical model that influenced modern computers.
- Why is the Abacus important?
- It was one of the first tools used for calculations.
- What did the Analytical Engine do?
- It was an early mechanical general-purpose computer.
- How did Alan Turing influence computers?
- His Turing Machine laid the groundwork for modern computing.
- What is the origin of computers?
- It started with devices like the Abacus and evolved with inventions by Babbage and Turing.
- Why is it important to learn about early computers?
- Understanding their history helps us appreciate today’s technology.
Presentation
Step 1
The teacher revises the previous topic, which was “Basic Computer Concepts.”
Step 2
The teacher introduces the new topic, “History of Computers: Origin and Inventors.”
Step 3
The teacher allows the pupils to give their own contributions and corrects them when and where necessary.
Teacher’s Activities
- Ask questions about what pupils know about the history of computers.
- Show pictures of early computers and inventors.
- Explain the importance of each invention.
- Correct pupils’ answers and provide further explanations.
Learners Activities
- Answer questions from the teacher.
- Identify early computers from pictures.
- Discuss their own understanding of the history of computers.
- Recognize the names of important inventors.
Assessment
- Observe pupils identifying early computers and their inventors.
- Ask pupils to explain the origin of computers.
- Watch pupils associate computers with their inventors.
Evaluation Questions
- What was one of the earliest devices used for calculations?
- Who is known as the “father of the computer”?
- What did Charles Babbage invent?
- Who created the Turing Machine?
- What does the Turing Machine represent in computer science?
- Why was the Abacus important?
- What was the Analytical Engine?
- How did Alan Turing influence modern computers?
- What is the origin of computers?
- Why is it important to know about early computer inventions?
Conclusion
The teacher goes around to mark and does the necessary corrections on the topic.