Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 2

COMPUTER HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE

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Subject: Computing

Class: SHS 2

Term: 1st Term

Week: 8

Grade code: 2.1.2.LI.2

Strand code: 1

Sub-strand code: 2

Content standard code: 2.1.2.CS.1

Indicator code: 2.1.2.LI.2

Theme: COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE & ORGANISATION

Subtheme: COMPUTER HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

Identify and explain the different types of software.
Describe the functions of various software applications.
Demonstrate how to download and install basic software.
Understand the importance of software in everyday life.

Lesson summary

This lesson introduces the concept of computer software, the invisible set of instructions that brings computer hardware to life. In Ghana today, we interact with software constantly—from the Mobile Money app on our phones to the programs we use in the school's computer lab. Understanding the different types of software and what they do is a fundamental skill for any 21st-century learner. It helps us become smarter users of technology, enabling us to choose the right tools for a task, troubleshoot basic problems, and stay safe online.

Lesson notes

Introduction (5 mins) Start with an analogy. Ask the students: "Think of your favourite musician, like Sarkodie or Stonebwoy. The microphone, the speakers, the stage—that's the hardware. You can see and touch it. But what makes the show exciting? The lyrics, the rhythm, the performance! That is the software. It’s the set of instructions and the creativity that makes the hardware useful."

Similarly, a computer without software is just a box of metal and plastic. Software is the set of instructions that tells the hardware what to do.

Definition of Software: Software is a collection of instructions, data, or programs that enables a user to interact with a computer, its hardware, or perform specific tasks. Unlike hardware, you cannot physically touch software. The Two Major Types of Software (25 mins)

There are two main categories of software that work together to make a computer functional.

Evaluation guide

Explain the types of Software and their functions.
Using Problem -Based Learning Approach : Task learners to identify and explain the types
of software and state their functions.
Using the Problem -Based Learning Approach: Group learners according to their mixed