Unit Overview

The unit wil help you to understand that technology is used to control many everyday events, such as the operation of traffic lights and the raising of car park barriers. You will use software to simulate a range of familiar scenarios and to develop and refine flowcharts for control programs. The efficiency of the programs is enhanced through loops and subroutines. In the final lesson of the unit you will consider how the systems controlling a lighthouse could be adapted to help, for example, a person with impaired hearing at home.

Lesson outlines

LESSON 1
Understanding control in everyday life

1 Starter: Checking pupils’ knowledge and understanding
2 Everyday control: traffic lights
3 Using instructions to control events
4 Improving sequences
5 Plenary: Merits of using ICT to control events
Homework: Comparing manual and automated road crossings

LESSON 2
Using flowchart symbols and writing instructions

1 Starter: Sequencing instructions
2 Flowchart symbols
3 Writing efficient instructions
4 Using software to control events
5 Plenary: Matching instructions to actions
Homework: Creating a flowchart

LESSON 3
Using a sensor as a switch in a control model

1 Starter: Using a webcam to sense and log movement
2 Loops
3 Using software to control events
4 Plenary: How a loop can improve the efficiency of a system
Homework: Control systems that use a loop

LESSON 4
Creating and testing control models

1 Starter: Linking flowcharts to systems
2 More complex systems
3 Using control software for a simulation involving more than one variable
4 Monitoring two variables at once
5 Plenary: Advantages of using a computer for control
Homework: Controlling greenhouse conditions

LESSON 5
Creating an efficient system to monitor an event

1 Starter: Identifying the characteristics of a model
2 Developing the model and the use of the software
3 Using procedures to build a program
4 Plenary: Understanding a system
Homework: Using control in different environments