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Digital Systems

Assessment ideas

Years 5-6

Students create a concept map or mind map that demonstrates what they know about digital systems, how different components are connected and the role they play, using the school network as an example.


Digital Systems
Digital Systems

Description

This task can be used for formative assessment purposes or as a summative assessment to assess what students have learned as a result of investigating digital systems and the way they are connected to form networks.

Ask students to think about the school network and how they use the network for a range of purposes. After allowing time for an initial individual brainstorm, set the task of creating a mind map or concept map to describe aspects of the network including types of digital systems, components and what role they play, benefits of the network and other ideas that come to mind.

Formative assessment

Use the mind map or concept map to find out what students know about digital systems. Use the following questions or ones similar to these to guide discussion:

  • Who uses the network and how do they access the network?
  • What digital systems do you use? Do they identify digital systems as such as a desktop computer, tablet, laptop or Chromebook? How do these connect to the network?
  • Which components would you identify hardware? What role do they play in the network? What software do you use and how can you access these?

Summative assessment

  • Do they identify digital systems such as a desktop computer, tablet, laptop or Chromebook?
  • Have they identified and grouped hardware with a separate group for software?
  • Can they explain how components are connected to form a network? Do they mention and use the terms cable, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth appropriately?
  • What benefits have they identified and are able to explain?

Use the assessment checklist provided to record comments for each student.

Relevant Revised Blooms taxonomy

Understanding

  • Explain: Make (an idea or situation) clear to someone by describing it in more detail or revealing relevant facts (ACARA).

Assessment Checklist

This assessment checklist provides a guide to record the student’s demonstrated skills and knowledge.

Word and pdf versions of the checklist can be dowloaded in the resources section.

Demonstrated knowledge/skills Yes/No or progressing Comments

The student creates a concept map or mind map that includes the fundamentals of digital system components such as:

  • input devices eg keyboard, mouse and microphone
  • output devices eg monitor, speakers, printer
  • hardware (all the physical components) and software (programs that instruct computer) look for day-to-day software students are familiar with and use
  • connections via cables, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
  • types of digital systems eg desktop computer, laptop/Chromebook, tablet, smartphone, server (file storage)

The student includes reference to benefits of a network.

  • Share and store files
  • Share printer
  • Use of a router to connect to the internet
  • Wi-Fi use devices wirelessly (ease of use)

The student includes reference to security measures.

  • Passwords and log in restrictions
  • Restricted access to files

The students use their concept map or mind map to explain such things as:

  • How digital systems are connected to form a network.
  • Why digital systems are connected via a network.
  • How a network enables you to connect to the internet.
  • Who is allowed or not allowed to use the network?
  • What being connected to a network allows you to do.
  • What would happen if your school didn’t have a computer network.
  • Any suggested improvements to the school network.

The student can:
(list key ideas explained confidently)

The student would benefit to next work on:
(list key ideas that were not evident or not demonstrated to a sufficient level)

Resources