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Computers & Digital Literacy · Grade 5

How Computer Systems Work Together

Learners trace data through a computer system (input, processor working with memory, storage, output, all managed by the operating system), compare devices' processor, memory, storage and battery for different tasks, and explain bigger systems: embedded computers that use sensors and actuators, and clients that request information from servers.

  • 4 lessons
  • About 75 minutes
  • Computer systems check: 8 questions
  • Ways to answer: choose an answer, match pairs, type a number, put in order, sort into groups and write a short answer
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What learners will discover

  • Trace data through a computer system: input, the processor working with memory, storage and output, managed by the operating system.
  • Compare devices for a task using processor speed, memory, storage and battery life, and explain the trade-offs.
  • Explain how embedded computers (sensors, controller, actuators) and clients and servers work together in larger systems.

Lessons

  1. Follow the data 4 steps2 practiceabout 18 min
  2. Compare devices 4 steps3 practiceabout 19 min
  3. Embedded systems 3 steps2 practiceabout 18 min
  4. Clients and servers 4 steps3 practiceabout 20 min
  5. Computer systems check 8 questions at the end

Keep exploring

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Guide for grown-ups