Embedded Files
Hardware
Hardware
Nau mai, haere mai ki te whārangi "Hardware"! This page will explore the physical parts that make digital devices work.
Learning Objectives / Whāinga Ako
Learning Objectives / Whāinga Ako
Supports DDDO Progress Outcomes 1, 6; CT Progress Outcomes 7, 8
Supports DDDO Progress Outcomes 1, 6; CT Progress Outcomes 7, 8
Define what "hardware" is in the context of digital devices.
Identify key internal and external hardware components of common digital devices.
Understand the basic function of major hardware components (e.g., CPU, Memory).
Explain how hardware allows digital devices to perform their functions.
Getting Started / Whakataki (Prior Knowledge Required)
Getting Started / Whakataki (Prior Knowledge Required)
To get the most out of learning about Hardware, it's essential to have a clear understanding of:
Digital Devices: Can you define what a digital device is and identify common examples?
Quick Check: Think about your mobile phone or a laptop. Can you name any part of it that you can physically touch? This is a great start to understanding hardware! If you're unsure, please review the 'Digital Devices' page first.
What is a Hardware?
What is a Hardware?
Hardware (taputapu) refers to all the physical components of a digital device that you can see and touch. It's the "stuff" that makes up the machine – the circuits, chips, wires, screens, cases, and all the tangible parts.
Think of a human body: the hardware is like your bones, muscles, and organs. They are the physical structures that allow your body to function. Just like a body needs its parts to work, a digital device needs its hardware.
Hardware needs software (instructions) to tell it what to do, but without the physical hardware, there's nothing for the software to run on!
Common Hardware Components:
Every digital device has different hardware, but here are some examples of what you might find:
Central Processing Unit (CPU): The "brain" of the computer. It processes instructions and performs calculations.
Memory (RAM - Random Access Memory): Where the computer temporarily stores data and instructions it's currently using. It's like your short-term memory.
Storage (Hard Drive/SSD): Where data is permanently saved, even when the device is turned off (e.g., photos, documents, games). It's like a long-term memory or a filing cabinet.
Motherboard: The main circuit board that connects all the other components together.
Input Devices: (e.g., Keyboard, Mouse, Microphone, Camera) - Covered more deeply on the Input & Output page.
Output Devices: (e.g., Screen, Speakers, Printer) - Covered more deeply on the Input & Output page.
Power Supply: Provides electricity to all the components.
How It Works / Me Pēhea te Mahi
How It Works / Me Pēhea te Mahi
Hardware is directly involved in every step of the Input → Process → Output cycle:
Input: Input hardware (like a keyboard or touchscreen) physically registers your actions or data from the environment and sends it as electrical signals into the device.
Process: The CPU and Memory are the main processing hardware. The CPU fetches instructions and data from memory, performs operations, and temporarily stores results back in memory. All these operations happen physically within the electronic circuits.
Output: Output hardware (like a screen or speakers) takes the processed electrical signals and converts them into something humans can perceive (light, sound) or a physical action.
Example: Playing a Game on a Phone
Input Hardware: Your finger (physical input) touches the touchscreen (input hardware).
Processing Hardware: The phone's CPU and Memory quickly process your touch input according to the game's software instructions.
Output Hardware: The screen (output hardware) physically displays your character moving, and the speakers (output hardware) play game sounds.
All these physical parts work together in a coordinated way to make the digital experience possible.
Activities / Ngā Mahi
Activities / Ngā Mahi
Activity 1: Hardware Hunt & Label:
Task: If possible and safe, look at a laptop, desktop computer, or even open a broken digital device (with adult supervision if necessary!).
Activity:
Identify at least five different hardware components.
For each, briefly describe its function.
Classify it as either a primary processing component (like CPU/Memory), an input device, or an output device.
Why this activity helps: This helps you identify computing devices and hardware (DDDO PO6), and understand how mechanisms underpin concepts (CT PO7, PO8).
Evidence: Create a Google Slide presentation. Include a picture of your chosen device (or a diagram found online if you can't safely access one) and label your identified hardware components, along with their functions and classifications.
Activity 2: Build a "Human Computer":
Task: This is an unplugged activity! With a small group (or imagine a group of friends), assign roles to represent different hardware components of a very simple computer.
Activity:
CPU: Person who processes instructions.
Memory: Person who temporarily holds information (e.g., writes numbers on a small whiteboard).
Storage: Person who holds long-term information (e.g., looks up answers in a book).
Input Device: Person who receives commands (e.g., listens to spoken instructions).
Output Device: Person who shows results (e.g., writes answers on a large board, says "done").
Scenario: Work through a simple problem, like "Add 5 + 3" or "Tell me your favourite colour." The CPU asks Memory, Memory asks Storage if needed, and Input/Output handle communication.
Why this activity helps: This helps you understand the specific role of components and how they work together (DDDO PO2), relating to how mechanisms underpin digital concepts (CT PO7).
Evidence: In a Google Doc, reflect on the role play. What did the "Operating System" do to manage the "Applications" and "Hardware"? What challenges did the "OS" face?
Assessment / Te Aromatawai
Assessment / Te Aromatawai
Check your understanding of Hardware.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is an example of computer hardware?
a) A video game's software code
b) A document saved on your computer
c) The physical mouse you use
d) An app on your phone
Short Answer: Explain the main difference between a CPU and Storage (like a Hard Drive).
Scenario: A smart watch tracks your steps throughout the day and displays them on its screen.
Name one piece of input hardware in the smart watch.
Name one piece of output hardware in the smart watch.
What kind of processing hardware would be inside the watch?
Key Takeaways / Mātauranga
Key Takeaways / Mātauranga
Hardware is all the physical parts of a digital device.
Key hardware components include the CPU, Memory, and Storage.
Hardware enables the Input → Process → Output cycle.
Hardware requires software to tell it what to do.
What's Next?
What's Next?
Now that you understand the physical building blocks of digital devices, you're ready to explore what tells these physical parts what to do, and how specialized hardware fits into larger systems:
Operating Systems: Learn about the essential software that manages hardware and runs all other applications on a digital device.
Embedded Systems: Dive into a special type of digital device where hardware and software are tightly integrated to perform very specific tasks within a larger product (e.g., in a car or appliance).
Continue your journey by clicking on the links to these exciting topics!
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse