Introduction

Start with the broad question, what is a computer? Ask the students to spend a minute or two discussing this with a partner and then gather some of their ideas together on the board without commenting on their answers at this point.

 

(refer to the image below in the teacher presentation) Is this a computer?  Yes.... and no, well not all of it anyway. It’s very common for this collection of things to be a normal perception of a computer, but this is not quite right. What we have is:

• A mouse (an input device) - not a computer
• A keyboard (an input device) - not a computer
• A monitor screen (an output device) - not a computer
• Speakers (an output device) - not a computer
• A PC tower - Which does contain the computer! 

 

 

But what are inputs and outputs? And do all computers look like this? These two questions are going to be a big part of the next two lessons. So let’s start with an excellent introduction to the topic from code.org. Take a look at this video which explains some of the key concepts we should know about. 

 

 

So all those inputs and output devices plug into the tower on a desktop PC. If you take the cover off the tower and you’ll find the actual computer which is made up of many separate parts, we’ll come back to this later and find out what they are and what their jobs are.

 

 

So a ‘computer’ is not just a traditional desktop or laptop PC, they are what we’d class a personal computer; but a computer in general terms is any device that accepts input, stores the information, processes it according to a stored program, and produces an output. 

 

 

Main task

So what else is a computer? Ask the class to take a look at these images

 

 

Clarify what each object is, then put the students into groups of three, give each group any three items from the board. Their job is to answer the question is it a computer? but also; how do you know? Can you prove it is? Or can you prove it’s not?

They need to research the item and be prepared to present back to the class at the end of the next lesson about their findings, with proof either way that it is or is not a computer. 

This can be done however you like; with pens and paper, collaboratively with Google Docs or Slides or any other appropriate app. A fancy presentation isn’t essential, but they will need to present their findings to the class in some way, even if that’s just standing up and talking about it, but it must be based on research and be backed up with evidence.

Some seem more obvious than others, but there is more to some than meets the eye, so encourage them to look deeper, beyond the specific photo that is on the screen and think broadly about each item. Points can be awarded for creative thinking! 

Ask them to complete the first parts of this group research sheet and then get researching. We want to know who’s investigating which item and what their gut feeling is at the beginning.

 

 

Some are more debatable than others, but here are some thoughts on each of the items. It might give you some ideas of hints you can give if your students are struggling.

 

Soft toy

 

Is it a computer?

No, but....

A normal soft toy like this one is not a computer, but you can get bears and dolls that do contain computers with plenty of powerful technology like touch sensors and voice recognition software so you can interact with them.

 

 

TV

Is it a computer?

It can be.

There is memory inside a digital TV to buffer frames before they are displayed. There is also a processor which tracks and converts the input signal you are feeding the TV to fit the screen. 

Smart TVs (which are fairly standard now) certainly have a computer in them, they run software like apps and web browsers and they connect to the internet to allow streaming and other services.

 

 

Toilet

 

Is it a computer?

No but...

Obviously most toilets do not have any computing power. However, believe it or not, you can now get toilets with micro-computers in them. It started in Japan (they love their gadgets!). You can now buy smart toilets that allow you to use your smartphone to remotely control them to open and close, flush, self-clean, stream music, and release fragrances.

 

 

Robots

Is it a computer?

Yes.

The actual robotic arm in the picture may not be considered a computer but robots definitely need computers to make them work, some have one in-built, others need to be connected to an external computer. This allows the operator to either remotely control the robot or program it to carry out a sequence of actions, such as lifting and moving an object in a factory, or building something like a car.

 

 

USB drive

Is it a computer?

No.

A USB drive is only a storage device for digital data. We can connect them to a computer, but it has no processor so cannot be considered a computer itself. It is both an input and output device as it can read and write data to and from a computer.

 

 

Bee-Bot

Is it a computer?

Yes.

A Bee-Bot, and many other programmable toys can be considered robots as they have a variety of input buttons that the user can press, a processor then considers these inputs and delivers an output via the motors attached to the wheels as well as sounds and lights in the robot. It also has a memory to store instructions. The newer Blue-Bot now has Bluetooth capabilities to allow control from a smartphone or tablet. 

 

 

Self-checkouts

Is it a computer?

Yes

Self-checkout machines are now really common in supermarkets. They are definitely computers that receive inputs from things like the barcode reader, bagging area scales, the touchscreen and the payment systems, they process the customer’s inputs and output audio or on-screen messages as well as dispensing money, receipts and vouchers.

 

 

Carrots

Is it a computer?

No, but...

A carrot is definitely not a computer! Perhaps one of the more straightforward items in this list! 

However, they probably interact with computers a lot on their journey from the field to our plates. Farming is becoming increasingly automated from soil sensors, climate controlled growing environments, robot planters and pickers. Then the carrots may be sorted, weighed and bagged by machines with computers in them, sold at the checkout (another computer) and perhaps cooked in a microwave oven (which also might have a computer in it).

 

 

Fridge

Is it a computer?

No, but it can contain one.

Like the TV above, many household appliances now have ‘Smart’ versions that are internet enabled and as a result have a small computer inside them. Fridges are one of the latest devices to get the Smart treatment. This Samsung model comes with a large touchscreen display that gives you grocery shopping, entertainment, recipes and more! It also has cameras and sensors inside to tell your phone app when you need more shopping! 

Traffic lights

Is it a computer?

No, but...

The actual lights here are just an output device. But traffic lights and other management systems wouldn’t be much use without a computer to control them. These are fully automated, programmed systems. A computer will control a set of lights and pedestrian crossings together to ensure the timings are correct for each one being red or green. Some just run on time, others also react to inputs such as a pedestrian pressing the ‘wait’ button, or higher traffic flows at busy times. Sensors in or above the road can detect lots or little traffic and adjust timings as necessary.

 

 

Phones

Is it a computer?

The phone in this picture is analogue and therefore not a computer. It is just connected to a phone line and does not process any data. However, more broadly, many phones these days obviously do have a lot of computing power. Smartphones today have more computing power than the whole of NASA in 1969 when they first put a men on the moon! And they are just getting more and more powerful. The iPhone 12’s processor chip is around 100 times faster than the first iPhone that came out in 2007 and it’s predicted that for many people smartphones will become our only computer in the next few years.

 

 

Video game consoles

Is it a computer?

Yes.

A video game console functions like a PC and is built with the same essential components, including a central processing unit (CPU), graphics processing unit (GPU) and random access memory (RAM). It responds to many inputs from the game controller and, these days, complex sensors such as Xbox’s Kinect system which have voice, gesture and movement sensors. Inputs go through the processor and are outputted to allow interaction with the game which is displayed on a screen and through speakers. 

 

 

Monitor

Is it a computer?

No.

As previously described, a monitor is just an output device and not a computer itself. You can however, now get many computers that are built into the monitor unit so there is no external tower. Apple’s beautiful iMac is the best example of this.

 

Cars

Is it a computer?

No, but it can contain one.

Not all cars, especially very old ones, have computers, but all modern cars now have elements of computers in them that use sensors to monitor and control a huge range of systems in the vehicle from anti-lock braking and engine temperature to climate control and GPS systems. When you take newer cars to the garage these days the first thing they do is connect them to a diagnostic computer to read their computer and look for faults shown in the data.

 

 

Tablets

Is it a computer?

Yes.

A tablet, like smartphones, also function just like a PC and are built with the same essential components, including a central processing unit (CPU), graphics processing unit (GPU) and random access memory (RAM). The biggest difference to most PCs is that tablets are designed to function with a touchscreen as the primary input.

 

 

Watch

Is it a computer?

They can be.

The watch in this picture is not a computer, but watches with computing capabilities have been available for some time. Watches with functions like calculators, alarms, calendars, fitness sensors and even remote controls for your TV have been available since the 1980s and 90s. Newer Smart watches are now trying to take wearable tech to the next level as they now connect to your smartphone. These have inputs, processors and outputs making them tiny computers.

 

 

Dogs

Is it a computer?

No, but...

Hopefully you worked out that a dog is not a computer, but its collar might be. Yes, even our pets can now get the ‘Smart’ treatment. The WÜF is described as a “Smartphone for Dogs", giving GPS tracking, activity tracking, a microphone that gives you insights into your dog’s barking habits, a speaker to deliver you voice, vibration or white noise to soothe or help train your dog and gamified training exercises via the smartphone app. There is a microcomputer inside devices like these to respond to the inputs, process the data and deliver outputs to the speaker or phone screen.

 

Plenary

Gather the students together and don’t ask for any answers at this stage, but check they are all on track with their research and in planning their presentation. Let them know that they may have a bit more time available at the start of the next lesson. 

Recap that a computer in general is any device that accepts input, stores the information, processes it according to a stored program, and produces an output. 

 

 

Ask the class:

• Who has already changed their mind from their initial gut instinct answer that they put on their planning sheet? (don’t ask for details)
• Who has been surprised by things they have found with their research?
• Who still hasn’t made up their mind about any of their objects?