Learning Objectives / Whāinga Ako

Supports DDDO Progress Outcome 1, 2; CT Progress Outcome 1, 2 

• Define what a "digital device" is and identify common examples.

• Understand the basic purpose of different digital devices and that they are human-made.

• Explain how digital devices work by taking in, processing, and giving out information.

• Understand that digital devices impact on humans and society, and that both the devices and their impact change over time (DDDO PO2).

• Demonstrate understanding of how digital devices impact humans and society.

Getting Started / Whakataki (Prior Learning Required)

You don't need any specific prior learning to begin this topic within this module! This page will cover all the foundational knowledge about Digital Devices needed for Curriculum Level 3.

Quick Check: Think about a time before smartphones. How did people find directions, take photos, or talk to friends far away? How have smartphones changed those things?

What is a Digital Device?

What is a Digital Device? (Review from CL1-2)

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. They use tiny, tiny switches inside them that can be ON or OFF very, very fast to understand information.

Examples of Digital Devices you might see:

• Smartphones, Tablets, Computers

• Calculators, Digital Cameras

• Smart TVs, Traffic Lights, Gaming Consoles

All these devices use special instructions inside them to work, and 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: Takes Information IN (Input) → Does Something with Information (Process) → Gives Information OUT (Output).

But beyond just doing a job, digital devices have a big impact on how humans live and how our society works. This impact can change over time.

How Digital Devices Impact Us:

1. Changing How We Connect:

   • Then: People used letters or landline phones to talk to family far away.

   • Now: Smartphones and tablets let us video call family instantly, share photos with friends, and connect with people all over the world through social media. This changes how we build relationships.

2. Changing How We Learn:

   • Then: We mostly learned from books in libraries or from teachers in classrooms.

   • Now: Digital devices give us instant access to information online, educational apps, and videos, allowing us to learn almost anything, anywhere.

3. Changing How We Live and Play:

   • Then: Games were often board games or outdoor play. Finding directions meant using a paper map.

   • Now: Gaming consoles and apps provide immersive digital games. GPS devices on phones help us find our way easily. Smart home devices can turn lights on or off with our voice.

How the Impact Changes Over Time:

The impact of digital devices isn't fixed; it changes as technology gets better and as society uses it in new ways.

• Example: Early mobile phones were just for calls. Then they could send texts. Now, smartphones combine cameras, internet, games, maps, and more, completely changing daily life. This means the impact of a "phone" has changed dramatically over time.

Understanding this impact is part of being a good digital citizen and thinking about Digital Ethics & Society (Link to Digital Ethics & Society (CL3) page). It helps us make good choices about how we use and create digital tools.

Assessment / Te Aromatawai

Task: Choose one digital device that you use or see often (e.g., a tablet, a computer, a smart speaker, or a gaming console).

Activity: Create a short report (e.g., 1-2 pages in Google Docs) or a concise presentation (e.g., 3-5 slides in Google Slides) that:

1. Clearly names your chosen digital device.

2. Explains its basic purpose and how it works (takes in information, processes it, gives out information).

3. Describes at least two significant ways this digital device has impacted humans or society (e.g., how it changed communication, learning, or entertainment).

4. Discusses how the impact of this device has changed over time, or how the device itself has changed to have a different impact.

Why this assessment helps: This assesses your ability to understand that digital devices impact on humans and society and that both the devices and their impact change over time (DDDO PO2). It also reinforces your foundational understanding of digital devices (DDDO PO1).

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

Key Takeaways / Mātauranga

• Digital devices are human-made tools that process information.

• They operate through Input → Process → Output.

• Digital devices have a big impact on humans and society, changing how we live, work, and connect.

• The impact of digital devices changes over time as technology evolves.

What's Next?

Now that you understand more about digital devices and their impact, you're ready to explore how they communicate and the ethical considerations of their use. All these concepts are part of your learning in Curriculum Level 3.

• Digital Ethics & Society (CL3): Dive deeper into the good and bad impacts of technology and how to be a responsible digital citizen.

• Input & Output (CL3): Revisit how devices communicate, now with a deeper understanding of their role in systems.

• Computer Program (CL3): Start learning how to create simple instructions for computers.

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