Flow of Activities
Activity Exploring peripheral devices
What is a computer without peripheral devices?
Australian Curriculum Alignment
- Digital systems (ACTDIK007)
What's this about?
A computer is an example of a digital system.
A peripheral device is typically a device that is external to a computer and connected either via a wireless network or a cable.
A digital system, such as a tablet device, often has internal hardware components such as a camera, microphone and keyboard; however, on other digital systems these components might be considered peripheral devices because they need to be added to the digital system.
Learning tasks
- Introduce students to peripheral devices. Start with a desktop computer with no other devices connected. Progressively add devices as the different user needs are introduced. Use guiding questions to identify the need for a device to:
- type (keyboard)
- see what has been typed (monitor)
- select onscreen data (mouse)
- make a paper copy of onscreen data (printer)
- listen to audio (speakers or headphones)
- record your voice (microphone)
- take video of you to communicate with others online (webcam)
- store a file from the computer (USB flash drive).
- Discuss how computers; for example, to create documents the computer relies on software provided on the computer system.
- Students draw, or photograph and print, peripherals. They label their diagram showing the connections such as ports, wired and wireless (Bluetooth or WiFi) connections; for example, a printer connected through a wireless modem.
Supporting Resources
Lesson Ideas
Understanding digital systems
Simple ideas for learning about digital systems in the classroom.
Digital systems cards
This resource comprises two sets of printable cards. They can be used for activities to support building knowledge and understanding of digital systems with a focus on the components of digital systems; in particular, hardware and peripheral devices.
Assessment
Suggested approaches may include
- Refer to students’ labelled diagram.
Activity Peripheral devices categories
What do peripheral devices do?
Australian Curriculum Alignment
- Digital systems (ACTDIK007)
What's this about?
A keyboard is the most common input device that allows a user to enter characters (letters, numbers and symbols) and some functions.
A mouse is an input device that allows the user to select and hover over information.
A digital camera is an input peripheral that records and stores still and moving images and can transmit data wirelessly or through a cable.
An external hard drive or USB flash drive is a storage device that stores many files, photos and videos. Files can be uploaded from these drives or downloaded from the computer.
A printer is an output device that allows a user to make a paper copy of what is on the screen.
These are all devices that may be located in the classroom through a ‘digital treasure hunt’ (see below).
Learning tasks
- Organise a ‘digital treasure hunt’ in search of peripherals that are input and/or output, or storage devices. Typical examples may include a printer, keyboard, USB memory stick, digital microscope, digital camera, interactive whiteboard, stylus, speakers and data projector.
- Give a series of descriptions and ask students to guess which peripheral you are talking about. Students develop their own ‘What am I?’ questions to share in small groups, including the category of input, output or storage.
- Students reflect on their learning. Ask students questions to get them to think about what the peripheral actually did and how data was transferred.
Lesson Ideas
Assessment
Suggested approaches may include
- Students should be able to describe the different purposes of each peripheral device and the type of data transferred.
- Using the recording sheet as evidence complete the following checklist:
- Name common peripherals.
- Give an example of how each peripheral is used.
- Explain if data is sent or received by the computer or the peripheral.
- List types of data/information transferred by each peripheral.
- Students classify a list of peripheral devices on the basis of function (input, output, storage) and describe how the data is transferred between devices.
Activity Using peripheral devices
What do peripheral devices do?
Australian Curriculum Alignment
- Digital systems (ACTDIK007)
What's this about?
Peripheral devices are additional parts of a digital system designed to perform a specific function over and above what the digital system can do. For example, if sound needs to be broadcast in a large area, speakers are added to the computer. Similarly, if text on a screen needs to be annotated, a stylus can be used to input this information.
Tablet devices often contain internal hardware components such as a camera, microphone and keyboard; however, on other digital systems these components might be considered peripheral devices because they need to be added to the digital system. A tablet’s primary input is via a touchscreen. Some laptops also have touchscreen capabilities. Laptops however differ from tablet devices in that they have a physical keyboard.
Students may use tablet devices that perform multiple tasks such as recording video via internal camera and microphone, images with camera and entering text using a screen keyboard. Laptops may also have an inbuilt camera.
Learning tasks
- Create task cards that require students to use specific peripheral devices to complete the task. Sample tasks may include:
- Take a digital photograph and incorporate it into a document to create a printed sign for the classroom.
- Communicate via video call using a webcam to share information. Take a screen shot of your call and record some dot points of your discussion.
- Work with three other students to create a combined story. One student starts the story. The next student uses a stylus to edit and add to the story. The third student uses a digital camera as the input.
- Create a presentation on a chosen topic. Share the presentation to the class on a large screen using a data projector as the peripheral device.
- Use a drawing package to draw on screen with a stylus (touchscreen). Share a paper version of the completed piece of artwork.
- Students identify the input, output and storage hardware and software components as well as the peripheral devices used to complete given tasks. They organise the items into a table with the headings ‘hardware’ and ‘software’.
- Use a device with camera to input images to create their own AI model using an AI tool such as Teachable machine. Students can train and test their model and see how well the AI recognises objects based on the training data.
Supporting Resources
Assessment
Suggested approaches may include
- Refer to students’ labelled diagram and table showing software and hardware used in the task.
- Provide students with a range of peripherals and ask students to correctly identify the ones required to complete a task card.
Assessment Resources
Activity Evaluating peripherals
What is a better digital system solution?
What's this about?
A Bluetooth keyboard and mouse provides portability (within a certain distance) and cross-device compatibility. There are no cords to get tangled or that confine the user to very limited distance from the computer; however, Bluetooth versions require batteries and may cost slightly more.
A tablet device is an example of a device that has inputs that are also outputs. For example, the screen can be a virtual keyboard for input of data while also displaying the data.
Tablets have devices available internally rather than externally; for example, a microphone and camera. These interact with the tablet’s software. Peripheral devices such as digital microscopes or Bluetooth speakers can be added to tablets to enhance their functionality.
Learning tasks
- Compare wireless keyboards and mouses to their cabled counterparts. What are some benefits and sustainability issues that may arise (eg batteries are required for wireless peripherals)?
- Compare two digital systems with peripheral devices that serve similar functions, such as:
- a joystick and a mouse when playing games
- outputting information to a group of 50 people using a data projector or providing them with printed materials.
- Compare storage devices such as a cabled hard drive and a USB flash storage device. Discuss the use of transferring files or longer term storage of large files; for example, images or video.
Supporting Resources
Assessment
Suggested approaches may include
- Refer to students’ discussion around comparisons made between digital systems. Ask students to create a ‘Y-chart’.
- Students select one of two technical options to meet a scenario and describe the key features of the preferred peripherals