Session 1

Learning targets

I know what the different components of a computer do and how they work together

I can draw comparisons across different types of computers

  • Begin the main part of the session by talking about and/or showing the main inputs/outputs of a desktop computer - monitor, mouse, keyboard, speakers

  • Tell them that today they are going to consider a laptop. What do they think is on the inside of a laptop? Give them time to discuss and make a note of what they suggest

  • the children should suggest key board, mouse/touchpad and screen, but they may also suggest camera, microphone and speakers. This is a great start as these are all peripherals. You may wish to recap which of these are inputs and outputs

  • Explain that the children are going deeper into the laptop. We are no longer just thinking about peripherals, but what actually makes the laptop work


  • Give the children time to brainstorm – do they know anything else that is inside the computer? You may find that you get suggestions of wires, battery and fan, these are great ideas as they have started to decompose what they already know that makes the laptop work



Inside a laptop activity

  • Hand out to each child the Computer template sheet. Explain to the children that they are going to be making their own laptops by cutting out the pieces and sticking them inside their computer so that it will work.and see the inside the laptop.

  • Set the children off on creating their own laptop, encouraging them to discuss the parts with their partner as they go.

  • Once they have finished, ask the children what they think each of these parts do. They may not have any idea – that’s fine!


Learning the parts

CPU – is the processor. It’s very smart and fast at calculating things and bossy, telling the other components what to do.

Hard Drive – is slow, but keeps good care of your pictures and games.

RAM – remembers all immediate things and runs between the CPU and the hard drive but it forgets everything once the computer is shut down.

ROM – remembers all the important things and stuff that you don’t want to accidentally remove or have disappear when the computer is shut down.

GPU – shows things on the computer screen, but has a bad memory and needs help from ROM and RAM.


Key questions

  • What is inside a laptop?

  • Are there any inputs and outputs on the laptop that weren’t on the desktop computer?

  • What else is inside a laptop?

  • How are all of those things connected?