UNIT PLAN (INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY)

Unit Title
Fundamental of Hardware and Software
Unit Summary
This unit deals with the skills and knowledge required to have an understanding storing and
representing numbers.
Curriculum Links
The curriculum areas it is linked to are hardware and software.
Year Level
Form 4 CSEC
Approximate Time Needed Total (4) lessons spread over (4) 3 x 35-min periods
Standards/Syllabus Outcomes
On completion of this Unit, students should have an understanding of how computers store and
represent numbers.
Curriculum-Framing Questions
Essential Question

How is data stored in a computer?

Unit Questions

How does the computer know numbers and letters?

Why does a computer use 0s and 1s

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UNIT PLAN (INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY)

Content Questions

What are positive and negatives numbers?

What are the different ways of representing positive and
negative numbers on the computer?
How are positive and negative numbers converted on the
computer?
How are letters converted on the computer?

Before Unit Work Begins

While Students Work After Unit Work

on Unit
Ends

K-W-L chart

Questioning

Peer assessment

Group discussion

Self assessment
Checklist

Unit Details
1. Lesson 1- Introduction to the
term Binary and Base 2
numbers

This lesson focuses on the use of a K-W-L chart where

students will be taught how to list what they know already
about Base 2 numbers, under the K column, what they
want to know under the W column and later in the class
they will list what they have learnt under the L column.
A K-W-L chart used at the beginning of the lesson to find
out students knowledge on Base 2 numbers

2. Lesson 2 Adding and

Explain how data is stored on a computer

Explain the term Binary and give examples of

Base 2 numbers

Explain the difference between Base 2 numbers

and Base 10 numbers.

Explain the steps and rules involved in adding

Binary numbers

Explain the steps and rules involved in subtracting

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UNIT PLAN (INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY)

Subtracting Decimal numbers

Binary numbers

3. Lesson 3 - Conversion of
decimal numbers to Base 2
numbers

Explain the steps in converting decimal numbers

into base 2 numbers.

Explain the steps in converting base 2 numbers

into decimal numbers.

4. Lesson 4 - Representing
Positive and Negative numbers
using Sign and Magnitude

Define positive and negative integers

State the different methods of representing positive

and negative integers: sign and magnitude and
twos complement.

Describe the sign and magnitude method for

representing integers and how its converted.

Describe the twos complement method for

representing integers.

Outline the steps necessary to convert integers to

twos complement.

Converting twos complement integer to decimal.

Perform calculations using twos complement.

Define and Explain the acronym BCD

Converting decimal values to BCD

Converting BCD values to decimal

Revise how data is stored on a computer

Define and explain the term ASCII

5. Lesson 5 - Representing
positive and negative numbers
using twos complement

6. Lesson 6 - Representing
positive and negative numbers
using BCD

7. Lesson 7 Representing letters

using ASCII

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UNIT PLAN (INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY)

Student Prerequisite Skills

Explain and outline the steps necessary conversion

of digits to letters in ASCII

Literacy skills
Numeracy skills
Computer literacy skills

Students Prior Knowledge

Fundamentals of computer hardware and software

components.

Teachers Processional Learning

Fundamentals of computer hardware components

Mathematical operations

Teaching and Learning Activities

Students work in groups and individually to complete assessment activities with the guidance of
the teacher.
Strategies
Students allowed sharing ideas in a group then as a class. Teacher uses questioning. Students
brainstorming, group activities, collaborative learning, active learning
Accommodations for Diverse Needs
Students with Special Needs will be included in groups with stronger students. Teacher will also
provide individual and pair conferencing during student free periods.
Gifted Students
Students will be assigned to take the lead role in activities and assist their peers where necessary.
Materials and Resources Required for Unit
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UNIT PLAN (INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY)

Technology Hardware

Multimedia projector
Computer
Laptop

Technology Software

Ms Office (word, Powerpoint)

Printed Materials

Brainstorming sheets
K-W-L charts
Activity sheets
Assessment sheets

Other Resources
Unit Author
First and Last Name

Leena Balkaran

School District

Victoria

School Name

San Fernando West Secondary School

School Address

Farah Street, Les Effort West, San Fernando

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