Objective

Students will learn the basic concepts of computer hardware and software, understanding the difference between the two.

Prerequisites

Students should know about the…

• computer and parts of a computer
• different types of computers
• input and output devices
• basic motor skills for using a mouse or touchscreen
• paint software
• familiar with the concept of listening and watching demos before trying it themselves.
  

Goal

Operational Definition

All – This gives the goal, which is the minimum that the teacher must achieve for all students in the classroom.
Some – This gives the goal that the teacher may try to achieve for some students in the classroom who can achieve the suggested goal over and above the goal stated for ‘All’.
Few – This gives the goal that the teacher may try to achieve for a few students in the classroom who can achieve the suggested goal over and above the goal stated for ‘Some’ and ‘All’.

Materials Required: 

Technology

• An audio-enabled computer with an internet connection, smartboard projector and screen.
• All devices like laptops, tablets and desktop computers with accessibility features enabled.
• Screen readers like JAWS and NVDA.
• Large keyboards, built-in screen magnifiers, hearing aids, text-to-speech and speech-to-text software.
• Voice recognition software like Siri, Windows Speech Recognition, etc.
• Headsets.
• Student writing or typing tools.

Teacher Materials

• Whiteboard and markers or blackboard and chalk.
• Pre-teach vocabulary cards, sight words, communication cards and worksheets.
• Lesson videos.

Student Handouts

• Handout 1: Communication Cards
• Handout 2: Vocabulary Cards
• Handout 4: Trace and Learn Card
• Handout 5: Yes or No Cards
• Handout 6: Thumbs Up and Down Card
• Handout 7: Worksheets

Print Preparation

• Communication Cards for students 
• Trace and Learn Cards for students 
• Vocabulary Cards for students
• Thumbs up and Thumbs down Card for students
• Yes or No Cards for students
• Pre-teach vocabulary cards, sight words cards
• Worksheets for students

Preparation for the Activity:

1. All the learning and teaching materials needed for this lesson plan must be ready before the lesson begins.
2. Ensure that there are enough copies for all children. Multiple copies can be made by photocopying too.
3. Please have the assistive technologies and accessibility features ready for your inclusive classroom.

Setup for transacting the lesson:

This topic must be taught in the computer lab.

Notes to the teacher:
Begin the topic with a pre-assessment worksheet and pre-teach the vocabulary.

1. Expected Prior Knowledge

Awareness of the extent of student’s prior knowledge of the topic will help the teacher plan and deliver the lesson appropriately.  
This could be assessed through the provided worksheet.

Worksheets, Vocabulary Cards, Sight Words:

Worksheet: Pre-Assessment

LTM: Concept Card

LTM: Hardware and Software Display A4 Poster

LTM: Hardware and Software Display A4 Horizontal Poster

LTM: Hardware and Software Display A3 Poster

2. Introduction

Welcome students and ask if they know what a computer is.
Show a picture or point to a computer in the classroom, asking, “What do you think a computer needs to work?”

Guided Watching
Bring attention to the screen, “Let’s watch this lesson
Ask students to give a thumbs up whenever they hear and see the words Hardware and Software in the video
Play video

Introduction to Hardware and Software:
Explain using concept cards that a computer has two main parts: hardware and software.
Use simple language: ‘Hardware is what we can touch, like the keyboard and mouse. Software is what we see on the screen, like games or drawing programs.’
Show posters of hardware and software to reinforce the concepts.

Exploring Computer Hardware:
Show pictures or real examples of common hardware parts: monitor, keyboard, mouse, CPU and speakers.
Explain the basic function of each part (e.g., ‘The monitor shows us pictures and words,’ ‘The keyboard helps us type letters and numbers’).
Let students touch and explore the hardware parts if a physical computer is available.

Video: Input Devices

Video: Output Devices

Video: Storage Devices

Exploring Computer Software:
Explain that software is like the programs or games we play on the computer.
Show examples of software on the screen, such as paint, a simple game, or a word processor.
Explain how software helps us do different things, like drawing, writing, or playing games.

Video: Software 

Video: System Software

Video: Application Software

Informal Assessment (After playing videos)

Ask, “What is a Hardware?” 
Ask, “What is a Software?”
If needed, prompt the children to come up with a definition using language from the video.
Example:
Write the term and definition on the board after student responses.
Ask, “Can we touch hardware?” (The answer is yes)
Ask, “Can we touch the software?” (The answer is no)
Ask, “Is Paint a software?” (The answer is yes)
Ask, “Is Keyboard a software?” (The answer is no)
Ask, “Do we need hardware and software to operate a computer?” (The answer is yes)

Worksheet: Informal Assessment

Worksheets and Communication Cards:

Worksheet: Vocabulary

Worksheet: Trace and Learn

LTM: Thumbs Up and Down

LTM: Yes or No Cards

3. Chandras’ Confused Computer

Video: Chandras’ Confused Computer

4. Interactive Sorting Activity

Aim: To differentiate between hardware and software.

Materials required: Large chart paper, printed pictures of various hardware and software

Procedure:

i) Create two columns on the interactive whiteboard or on a large chart paper: Hardware and Software.
ii) Hand out printed pictures of various hardware and software components to students.
iii) Have students come up one by one to place their picture in the correct column.

Observation: Students take turns and sort the pictures as hardware or software.

Conclusion: This activity will help the students to differentiate between hardware and software.

Group Discussion:
Discuss why each item belongs in the hardware or software column.
Ask questions like, “Can you touch this part? Is it something you see on the screen?” to guide their thinking.

LTM: Hardware and Software Sorting Activity

LTM: Hardware and Software – Sorting Activity Printables

5. Drawing Activity

Aim: To understand the difference between hardware and Software

Materials required: Drawing paper and crayons

Procedure: 
i) Give each student a piece of paper and crayons for drawing.
ii) Ask them to draw a picture of a computer, including at least one hardware part and one software part.
iii) Encourage them to label their drawing with simple words like “monitor,” “keyboard,” or “game.”

Observation: Students draw pictures of software and hardware as per their understanding.

Conclusion: This activity will help the students differentiate between a computer’s hardware and software.

Notes to the Teacher: 

Sharing and Reflecting:
Invite a few students to share their drawings with the class.
Review the main ideas: “Hardware is what we can touch and software is what we see on the screen.”
Ask a few WH questions to reinforce understanding (e.g., “What is hardware? Can you give an example of software?”).

6. Assessment

Observation: Monitor students during the sorting activity and drawing task to see if they understand the difference between hardware and software.
Participation: Note students’ engagement during the lesson and their responses during group discussions.
Drawing Assessment: Assess students’ drawings to ensure they have correctly identified and represented both hardware and software components.

Worksheet: Wh Cards

Wordwall: Hardware or Software

Try Me: Input Output and Storage Device

Try Me: Software

7. Adaptations and Modifications

• Visual Aids: Provide additional visual aids or hands-on models for students who need more concrete examples.
• Peer Assistance: Pair students who may need extra support with a buddy.
• Extended Time: Allow extra time for activities if needed.
• Sensory Considerations: Provide headphones for students who may be distracted by noise or need a quieter environment to focus.

Follow-Up Activities

Hardware and Software Hunt: Organise a classroom scavenger hunt where students search for real-life examples of hardware and software.
Simple Software Exploration: Let students spend some time exploring simple software programs on the computer, like Paint, to reinforce the concept of software.
Technology in Our Lives: Discuss how hardware and software are used in everyday life, at home, or in school.

8. Assistive Technologies

Video: Assistive Technologies

Teacher Resource Document

Source and Attribution of images: All images used in the above Assets and Aids are originally created.

This digital material has been developed by the Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Vahini Inclusive Education Project, a unit of Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, Prasanthi Nilayam, as a collaborative offering in the service of our nation.