Flow of Activities
Activity Input and output
How is data input into a digital system, and how might it be output?
Australian Curriculum Alignment
- Digital systems (ACTDIK014)
What's this about?
Input devices allow us to enter raw data into a computer. A digital system, such as a tablet or desktop computer, processes the data. It then produces outputs that are communicated using an output device. Input devices can be manual or automatic.
Data such as text, images, sound and numbers are input into a digital system using a range of digital devices. The output is communicated using different components; for example, a speaker for sound.
To enable data input, specific software may be required; for example, to gain audio and video input from a webcam the digital system requires suitable software. This software is also used to output the webcam data to a screen.
Learning tasks
- Review the way in which the internal and external components of digital systems are coordinated to handle data; for example, how a keyboard, central processing unit and monitor work together to accept, manipulate and present data and information. Provide opportunities to include sensors to cover automated data input.
- Digital systems such as a computer can be programmed to respond to input devices such as sensors. For example, in a water heater sensors are used to react to a drop in temperature and to tell an output device, such as a heating element, to heat up the water.
- Students create a visual representation such as a labelled diagram to show how a digital system of interest works, showing inputs, how data is processed and the output. They may include specific software that is required as part of the system.
- Students share completed representations to help answer the question: ‘How is data input into a digital system, and how might it be output?’
Supporting Resources
What are input and output devices?
View this resource to find out about the many different peripheral devices that enable us to input data; and to find out about devices that display the output.
Controlling physical systems
View this resource to find out about peripheral devices that perform automated tasks and how sensors are used in a digital system to perform tasks automatically.
Inside your computer: Bettina Bair
This video describes the parts of the computer and how they interact with one another so that the computer works in the way that it does.
Exploring digital systems unplugged: networks
Simple ideas for learning about a digital systems such as a network, unplugged.
Assessment
Suggested approaches may include
- Presentation or demonstration
- Labelling diagram
Assessment Resources
Work Sample: Presentation: School System
Annotated work samples on presentations on classroom networks.
Digital Systems
Students create a concept map or mind map that demonstrates what they know about digital systems, how different components are connected and the role they play, using the school network as an example.
Activity Input devices
What do different input devices enable us to do?
Australian Curriculum Alignment
- Digital systems (ACTDIK014)
What's this about?
Users of digital systems need to have the ability to enter data into computers. Various peripheral devices have been created to fulfil this need and this process of invention continues.
Learning tasks
- Explore a range of input devices developed over time and how they work. These could include paper tape, punch cards, keyboard, joystick, game controller, accelerometer, microphone and speech recognition, intelligent assistants, graphics tablet, scanner, stylus, touchscreen and webcam.
- Each group prepares a short presentation. In particular, groups should identify the need(s) fulfilled by each of the devices. With a focus on different peripheral devices students present ten ways to input data into a digital computing device. Include a range of data types text, numeric, image and sound. The task could be set around creating a 'how to’ guide for the particular usage.
- Makey Makey is a simple circuit board that lets you turn any conductible surface into an input device for your computer. Students can explore and use different materials to test ways to provide an input.
Supporting Resources
Talk to me
The first part of this lesson provides guidance to investigate different input devices.
Makey Makey
Makey Makey provides lessons, video tutorials and how-to guides for the Makey Makey circuit board.
Assessment
Suggested approaches may include
- Presentation or demonstration
Activity Bluetooth enabled devices
How can you control devices remotely?
Australian Curriculum Alignment
- Digital systems (ACTDIK014)
What's this about?
Bluetooth low energy is an emerging low-power wireless technology developed for short-range control and monitoring applications.
Learning tasks
- Students control devices remotely via Bluetooth and a wireless network. Devices may include:
- electronic kits such as littleBits that include a Bluetooth component; these can be used with a smartphone or tablet to control electric motors, buzzers or LEDs (lights) that are connected in a circuit
- robotic devices such as Sphero, Lego EV3 or similar that are Bluetooth enabled
- BBC Micro:bit and app; the app allows you to send code to your Micro:bit wirelessly using Bluetooth.
- Ask students to demonstrate how to control a device remotely and explain the role Bluetooth technology plays. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of Bluetooth technology and some potential applications. This technology could also be contrasted with the devices that use cabled connections. Identify parts that are for different purposes; for example, USB charging and Bluetooth for control, as opposed to continuous cable connection for control.
Supporting Resources
Micro:bit: Start coding with the JavaScript Blocks editor
This resource provides support to code the Micro:bit. This lesson could be done in conjunction with a unit on programming. The Micro:bit program can be downloaded via Bluetooth. Students can program two or more BBC Micro:bits to interact and transmit data.
littleBits
Explore the Bluetooth capabilities using an electronics kit such as littleBits.
Robots in the 2016 Australian classroom
This document provides details of relevant robotic devices that have Bluetooth capability. There are various robotic devices and drones that are controlled via Bluetooth and suitable for this year level; for example, Sphero, Dash and Dot, and mBot.
Assessment
Suggested approaches may include
- Digital capture: Take a photo or video of the way the device is controlled via Bluetooth
Activity A digital solution
How can I apply what I know about digital systems?
Australian Curriculum Alignment
- Digital systems (ACTDIK014)
- Investigating and defining (ACTDIP017)
- Producing and implementing (ACTDIP020)
What's this about?
As students design a digital solution, they can apply their understanding of the way in which data is input and output by digital systems. Students empathise with the target audience, going through a process of ideation and then design. Creating enables students to test whether their design works as expected.
Learning tasks
- Students design a digital solution that incorporates data being transmitted via an input device or network for a particular purpose or to meet a particular need.
- Students plan their design and identify the data and functional requirements.
- If time permits, students create a digital solution by implementing their design.
Supporting Resources
Makey Makey Orchestra
Students explore an orchestra and use Makey Makey to make a musical instrument for an ensemble.
Programming robots with Sphero
Design a maze for a robotic device to navigate. The robot is controlled via Bluetooth and programmed via an app.
Talk to me
The second part of this lesson provides guidance to support students to create their own input device for a smartphone while exploring virtual reality applications.
Assessment
Suggested approaches may include
- Artefact analysis
- Design plan, including algorithm development