Intermediate
60 mins
Teacher/Student led
+65 XP
Teacher-led from the board — pupils need no device

What Does Technology Do for Us?

Explore what technology is by looking at everyday objects like spoons and calculators. Learn to sort them into digital and non-digital groups, discuss good points and not-so-good points, and record your findings.

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    1 - Getting Started ~5 mins

    Illustration for Getting StartedThree everyday things are about to be held up in front of you: a spoon, a torch and a calculator. Look at each one and think about the job it does for us. Can you imagine life before someone invented it?

    2 - What Counts as Technology? ~8 mins

    Key point

    Today's big word is technology. Technology is something people make to do a job or solve a problem.

    Look at this spoon. People made it so we can lift food without burning our fingers. So is a spoon technology? What about a calculator? Why might both count?

    3 - Handle the Tray ~12 mins

    Illustration for Handle the trayIn your group, carefully handle each object on the tray. For every object, say out loud: what job does this do? Who might use it?

    4 - Sort Digital and Non-digital ~12 mins

    Sort each object into two groups: digital or non-digital.

    Key point

    Use this quick test: does it need a tiny computer inside (a chip) or a screen to do its main job? If yes, it is digital. If no, it is non-digital — even if it uses batteries.

    Example

    Try the torch first: a plain torch uses a battery and a bulb, not a chip or screen, so it sits with non-digital. Then sort the rest. Name one job each object does, and be ready to say why you put it there.

    5 - Record on Your Investigation Journal Page ~10 mins

    On your Investigation Journal page, record each object under digital or non-digital and write the job it does. Add one extra technology from the classroom if you have time.

    Pupil practice · Investigation Journal
    Module 4 · Technology: What Technology Does, IPO and Coding Foundations
    Lesson 24 · What Does Technology Do for Us?
    Download Investigation Journal sheet (PDF)
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