History of Computers – Early Computing Devices and Modern Computers

WEEK 2 LESSON NOTE

TOPIC: History of Computers
SUBTOPIC: Early Computing Devices and Modern Computers
CLASS: Primary 2
AGE: 7 years
DATE: ____________________
PERIOD: ____________________
DURATION: 40 minutes

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

1. Mention examples of early computing devices.
2. Identify modern computers.
3. State differences between old and new computers.

KEY VOCABULARY WORDS: History, Computer, Abacus, Modern, Old.

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS:

• Picture of an abacus
• Picture of a modern laptop
• Flash cards with old and new devices

CONTENT OF THE LESSON:

Early Computing Devices:
A long time ago, people used simple tools to count and calculate. Examples are the Abacus and Counting Stones.

Modern Computers:
Today, we have desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

Differences Between Old and New Computers:

• Old devices were slow, new ones are fast.
• Old devices could only count, new ones can store, send, and receive information.

INTRODUCTORY ACTIVITY:
Teacher shows an abacus and a laptop, asks pupils to say which is older.

CLASS EXERCISE 1:
Write 2 examples of old computing devices.

CLASS EXERCISE 2:
Draw a laptop in your book.

CLASS EXERCISE 3:
State 2 differences between old and modern computers.

ASSIGNMENT (Multiple-Choice Questions):

1. The abacus is an example of an (a) old computing device (b) new computing device (c) toy (d) book.
2. Which is faster? (a) Abacus (b) Laptop (c) Counting stones (d) Slate.
3. Which one can send an email? (a) Abacus (b) Laptop (c) Counting frame (d) Stones.
4. Modern computers are (a) slow (b) fast (c) lazy (d) small.
5. The counting frame is used for (a) singing (b) cooking (c) counting (d) washing.