Learning Objectives / Whāinga Ako

Supports DDDO Progress Outcome 1; CT Progress Outcome 1 

• Define what a "digital device" is.

• Identify common examples of digital devices in everyday life.

• Understand the basic purpose of different digital devices.

• Explain that digital devices are human-made (DDDO PO1).

• Demonstrate understanding of how to identify digital devices and their purposes. (Added for summative focus)

Getting Started / Whakataki (Prior Learning Required)

You don't need any special prior knowledge to begin this topic! Just bring your curiosity about the technology you see and use every day. This is a great place to start your Digital Technologies journey. 

What is a Digital Device?

A digital device is any tool or object that uses electricity to process information and do a job for us. These devices are made by humans to help solve problems or make our lives easier.

Think about a simple light switch. It has two positions: ON or OFF. Digital devices use tiny, tiny switches inside them that can be ON or OFF very, very fast. By changing these switches very quickly, they can understand information and do amazing things!

Examples of Digital Devices you might see:

• Smartphones (like your parent's phone)

• Tablets (like an iPad)

• Computers (at school or home)

• Calculators (for math)

• Digital Cameras (for taking photos)

• Smart TVs (that connect to the internet)

• Some traffic lights (that decide when to change)

• Gaming Consoles (like PlayStation or Xbox)

All these devices use special instructions inside them to work, but the most important thing to know right now is that they are all tools that help us work with information.

How It Works / Me Pēhea te Mahi

At a very basic level, every digital device does three simple things:

1. Takes Information IN (Input): It gets information or instructions.

   • Example: When you tap a button on a remote, the TV takes that information IN.

2. Does Something with Information (Process): It uses its tiny switches and instructions inside to think or work with that information.

   • Example: The TV "thinks" about which channel you want to change to.

3. Gives Information OUT (Output): It shows you the result or does something.

   • Example: The TV screen changes to the new channel, showing you the picture.

This simple "Information IN → Do Something → Information OUT" is how almost every digital device works!

Activities / Ngā Mahi 

Activity 1: Digital Device Scavenger Hunt:

• Task: Look around your home or classroom. Find at least five different digital devices.

• Activity: For each device you find:

  1. Write down its name.

  2. Briefly describe what its main job or purpose is.

  3. Explain why you think it's a digital device (because it processes information).

• Why this activity helps: This helps you identify digital devices and understand their purposes (DDDO PO1).

• Evidence: Create a Google Doc or Google Slide with a list of your five devices and your descriptions. You could even include photos of the devices (taken with another digital device!) if you like!

Activity 2: My Favorite Digital Device:

• Task: Think about your favorite digital device.

• Activity:

  1. Draw a picture of your favorite digital device.

  2. Write down its name.

  3. Describe what its main purpose is and what makes it your favorite.

  4. Explain (in your own words) how a human (like you!) uses this device.

• Why this activity helps: This helps you identify digital devices and their purposes (DDDO PO1).

• Evidence: Create a Google Drawing, Google Doc, or Google Slide with your drawing and descriptions.

Assessment / Te Aromatawai

This section is your opportunity to demonstrate your overall understanding of Digital Devices, as required by the Progress Outcomes.

Task: Create a short presentation (e.g., 2-3 slides in Google Slides) or a simple report (e.g., 1 page in Google Docs) about "Digital Devices in My Day."

Activity:

1. Choose three different digital devices you use or see in a single day (e.g., an alarm clock, a tablet, a traffic light).

2. For each device, identify:

   • What the device is.

   • Its main purpose (what job does it do?).

   • Why it is a "digital" device (it processes information).

3. For one of your chosen devices, explain how humans use it and why it is helpful.

Why this assessment helps: This assesses your ability to identify digital devices and their purposes, and to understand that humans make them (DDDO PO1). It also shows your foundational understanding of how digital devices work.

Evidence: Submit your Google Doc report or Google Slide presentation to Google Classroom as instructed by your kaiako.

Key Takeaways / Mātauranga

• A digital device is a human-made tool that processes information using electricity.

• They all follow a basic Information IN → Do Something → Information OUT cycle.

• Digital devices help us do many jobs and make our lives easier.

What's Next?

Now that you understand what digital devices are, you're ready to explore their basic parts and how they communicate. Remember, all these concepts are also part of your foundational learning in Curriculum Levels 1-2.

• Input & Output (CL1-2): Discover how you talk to devices and how they talk back.

• End-User (CL1-2): Learn about the people who use digital devices and why they are important.

• Decomposition (CL1-2): Start breaking down tasks into simple steps.

Continue your journey by clicking on the links to these exciting topics within your current module!