Digital systems
About this assessment task
Using the school network as an example, students create a concept map or mind map demonstrating their understanding of digital systems and the how the components within the system connect to form a network. the school network as an example.
Year band: 5-6
Achievement StandardAchievement Standard
Explain the fundamentals of digital system components (hardware, software and networks) and how digital systems are connected to form networks.
The highlighted section indicates coverage of the relevant parts of the standard.
By the end of Year 6 students:
- develop and modify digital solutions, and define problems and evaluate solutions using user stories and design criteria. They process data and show how digital systems represent data. Students design algorithms involving complex branching and iteration and implement them as visual programs including variables. They securely access and use multiple digital systems and describe their components and how they interact to process and transmit data. Students select and use appropriate digital tools effectively to plan, create, locate and share content, and to collaborate, applying agreed conventions and behaviours. They identify their digital footprint and recognise its permanence.
Description
This task can be used for formative assessment purposes or as a summative assessment to assess what students have learned as a result of investigating digital systems and the way they are connected to form networks.
Ask students to think about the school network and how they use the network for a range of purposes. After allowing time for an initial individual brainstorm, set the task of creating a mind map or concept map to describe aspects of the network including types of digital systems, components and their function, , benefits of the network and other ideas that come to mind.
Formative assessment
Use the mind map or concept map to find out what students know about digital systems. Use the following questions or ones similar to these to guide discussion:
- Who uses the school network?
- How do users access the school network?
- Is this the same process for visitors to the school? If not, how is the process different and why?
- Why do users need a password to access the network?
- What digital systems do you use at school? (encourage students to include both hardware and software)
- Which components of the digital system include hardware? (desktop computer, tablet, laptop, Chromebook) What function do they play within the network.
- How do these hardware components connect to the network?
- What software do you use? How can you access this software?
- Can you connect your digital system to other networks? How?
Summative assessment
- Students can:
- identify and name digital systems such as a desktop computer, tablet, laptop or Chromebook?
- identify, name and group hardware and software?
- explain how components are connected to form a network?
- Use technical language appropriately in their explanations e.g. cable, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
- identify and explain the benefits of the components within a network. and are able to explain?
Use the assessment checklist provided to record comments for each student.
Relevant Revised Blooms taxonomy
Understanding
- Explain: Make (an idea or situation) clear to someone by describing it in more detail or revealing relevant facts (ACARA).
Assessment Checklist
This assessment checklist provides a guide to record the student’s demonstrated skills and knowledge.
Word and pdf versions of the checklist can be dowloaded in the resources section.
| Demonstrated knowledge/skills | Yes/No or progressing | Comments |
|---|---|---|
|
The student creates a concept map or mind map that includes the fundamentals of digital system components such as:
The student includes reference to benefits of a network.
The student includes reference to security measures.
|
||
|
The students use their concept map or mind map to explain such things as:
|
||
|
The student can: |
||
|
The student would benefit by working towards a stronger understanding of: next work on: |
||
Resources
- Digital systems assessment checklist (PDF version)
- Digital systems assessment checklist (Word version)