What is IT?

Objectives

Identify tasks that computers can complete more effectively than humans.
Know that there are a range of computer systems with different functions, including communication, entertainment, creativity, research and for controlling other technology.

Resources

A device with internet access (to view the slides or mind map tool if using) | A4 or A3 paper | Pens or pencils | IT or not IT? | Mind map template

Vocabulary

Today's Lesson

What to Get Ready

Gather a few everyday items that are and are not information technology (e.g. a TV remote, tablet, book, plant pot, USB stick).

Open the slides on screen if possible or print any key ones in advance.

Print IT or not IT? (or prepare plain paper)

Print Mind map template (or prepare plain paper)

Introduction

Watch Lesson video with your student and follow the instructions as it talks through some of the following tasks:

Start by saying to your student:
“Today, we’re going to think about computers – the ones you see around you and what we use them for.”

Point to a device in your environment, like a tablet or laptop, and ask:
“Have you seen or used one of these before? Can you tell me where? What did you do on it?”

Encourage your student to name other computers they know – phones, desktops, tablets, even tills in shops or consoles at home.

Ask:
“What do all these things have in common?”
Guide them to spot similarities such as:

They all have a screen
They can be used for different jobs
They have buttons or touchscreens

Then ask:
“How are they different from each other?”
Help them notice things like:

Some are portable
Some need plugging in
Some have a keyboard, some don’t

Explain:
“All of these are types of computers. We use different parts of the computer, like the buttons or the screen, to tell it what to do. The computer uses things like sounds, lights, or screens to tell us what it’s doing.”

Main Activity

Say:
“Now let’s think about what we can do with computers, especially at school or in learning.”

Ask your student:
“What are some things you’ve done on a computer before?”
You could suggest: writing, drawing, playing games, watching videos, learning, looking things up.

Give your student the Mind map template sheet or a blank sheet.

Ask them to write or draw different ways we can use computers. They can use pictures or words, or both.

If needed, show some logos or icons (e.g. a paintbrush icon, typing cursor) to prompt ideas.

You can say:
“Can you draw yourself doing something on a computer?”
“What’s something fun or helpful you’ve done with a computer?”

Now say:
“We’ve talked about computers, but there’s also something called ‘information technology’. That means anything that is a computer or works with a computer.”

Show your student a mix of items or pictures (real or printed). Include things like:

USB stick
Mouse
Headphones
Notebook
Pencil
Game controller
Ask:
“Which of these do you think are used with computers?”
Help your student understand that a USB stick or mouse aren’t computers on their own but are part of information technology because they connect to computers.

Say:
“Information technology includes computers – and also things that help a computer work or connect to it.”

Apply

Now ask your student to help you find examples of information technology around your environment. They might point out the microwave, phone, tablet, printer, TV remote, etc.

Ask:
“Which things do you think are computers or work with computers?”
“Why do you think that?”

Then complete the IT or not IT? sheet together. If you don’t have the printed version, draw a grid with two columns: IT and Not IT. Ask your student to list items into each column.

When completed, say:

“Now let’s use a computer or tablet to show what we’ve learned about computers and information technology.”

Key prompts to ask while your student works on the task:

Step-by-step:

Open a simple tool such as Microsoft Paint, Google Drawings, or a basic online whiteboard.
Draw or add pictures (stick drawings or clipart) of:

One thing a computer can do better than a human (e.g., search the internet quickly).
One example of a computer system for communication, entertainment, creativity, research, or controlling other technology.

Add labels next to each drawing (either typed or written by hand on the device using a stylus/mouse).
Save the picture and give it a name like “Computers We Use”.

“What is your computer in this picture doing?”
“How is this task easier with a computer?”

“Is this an example of communication, entertainment, creativity, research, or controlling?”

Extra support

If your student finds it hard to think of ideas in the mind map, show pictures of apps or real-life devices they know and ask:
“What do we do with this?”
“What do you like using this for?”

Let your student draw instead of write, and help scribe their words if writing is tricky.

Extra challenge

Ask:
“Can you explain how you know something is information technology?”
“Can you think of anything you use that works with a computer even if it doesn’t look like one?”

Encourage your student to give reasons for why they like or dislike using computers for different tasks.

Unplugged Activity (screen-free)

Look around your learning environment together. Ask:
“Can you find 3 things that are information technology and 3 things that are not?”
You could turn it into a scavenger hunt, using a checklist or taking photos (if available).

Have a discussion:
“Which item do you think is the most useful, and why?”