New
New
Year 10
AQA

Operating system

I can define what an operating system is and explain its functionality in a device.

New
New
Year 10
AQA

Operating system

I can define what an operating system is and explain its functionality in a device.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Operating systems (OS) regulate interactions between software and computer system hardware.
  2. An operating system enables a user interface like Windows to run.
  3. Security management enables different users to use a device with different access rights and file storage.

Keywords

  • Operating system software - the main software that manages computer hardware and lets other software run

  • User interface - how you as a human can interact with a device

  • Peripheral device - an external hardware component that can be attached to another device

Common misconception

All computers use the same operating system.

Different devices can run different operating systems, for example Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS.


To help you plan your year 10 computer science lesson on: Operating system, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

It may be useful to explore the operating systems pupils are aware of on the computers in school and mobile devices they have seen to highlight different types.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Pupils do not require any specific equipment for this lesson.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the type of software with its purpose.
Correct Answer:utility software,maintains and improves system performance

maintains and improves system performance

Correct Answer:application software,performs tasks for the end user

performs tasks for the end user

Correct Answer:embedded software,controls specific functions in a device

controls specific functions in a device

Correct Answer:operating system software,manages hardware and software resources

manages hardware and software resources

Q2.
What is a general purpose computer system designed to do?
perform a single specific task
control hardware devices like sensors
Correct answer: perform multiple tasks defined by user interaction
improve computer performance
Q3.
Which of the following is an example of application software?
Correct answer: word processing software
antivirus software
disk defragmenter
device driver
Q4.
Arrange these steps to use application software on a general purpose computer:
1 - Turn on the computer.
2 - Open the application software.
3 - Perform the task (e.g. write a document).
4 - Save your work.
Q5.
Which utility software helps organise files on a hard drive to improve performance?
Correct Answer: disk defragmenter, defragmenter
Q6.
Which of the following is not true about embedded computer systems?
They are built into devices to control specific functions.
Correct answer: They can be used for a wide variety of tasks.
They are smaller than general purpose systems.
They are found in devices like microwaves and cars.

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the term with its definition.
Correct Answer:operating system software,manages hardware and allows other software to run

manages hardware and allows other software to run

Correct Answer:peripheral device,an external hardware component connected to a computer

an external hardware component connected to a computer

Correct Answer:user interface,the way humans interact with a device

the way humans interact with a device

Correct Answer:security management,allows different users to have unique access rights

allows different users to have unique access rights

Q2.
What is the term for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS?
Correct Answer: operating systems, operating system
Q3.
What does "security management" in an operating system allow?
the installation of new hardware
the creation of user interfaces
the connection of peripheral devices
Correct answer: different users to have different access rights and file storage
Q4.
How does an operating system manage hardware?
Correct answer: by regulating interactions between software and hardware
by providing updates for hardware components
by creating new hardware drivers
by connecting to the internet
Q5.
Match the operating system to its device.
Correct Answer:Windows,desktop or laptop computer

desktop or laptop computer

Correct Answer:Android,smartphone or tablet

smartphone or tablet

Correct Answer:macOS,Apple computers

Apple computers

Correct Answer:Linux,servers or specialised devices

servers or specialised devices

Q6.
Arrange these steps to set up multiple users on a device.
1 - Open the operating system settings.
2 - Add a new user account.
3 - Set access rights and permissions.
4 - Save the changes.