Computer Systems

In this lesson, we will discover two types of computer systems: general purpose and embedded. Following this, we will explore the need for system software to facilitate communication between software and hardware in computer systems. We will explain the role of an operating system in controlling a computer while it is running.

In this lesson, we will be introduced to the CPU and von Neumann architecture. We will learn about the individual components of the CPU and their roles in computation, along the way finding out about von Neumann and his theories that form the basis of modern computer architecture.

In this lesson, we will extend our knowledge of the components that make up the CPU by introducing the fetch-decode-execute cycle (FDE). We will observe a program running and will connect the parts of the CPU to their role in executing instructions.

In this lesson, we will be introduced to main memory, RAM and ROM, as well as cache. This lesson builds on the core knowledge from the previous lesson about CPU components.

In this lesson, we will be introduced to secondary storage and take an in-depth look at solid-state storage. We will discover the need for secondary storage, through assessing the devices we have learnt about already. By the end of the lesson, we will be able to explain how solid-state storage works, and describe the advantages and disadvantages of such devices.

In this lesson, we will build on what we learnt in the previous 'Secondary Storage' lesson; this lesson involves exploring optical and magnetic storage devices. We will learn how each type of storage operates, and explain how data is written and read from each device. We will then actively rank the storage device in a number of key areas of comparison.

In this lesson, we will systematically compare and select storage devices for a given situation. The second half of the lesson explores the limits of physical storage and how cloud storage can fill the gaps. We will examine cloud storage and explore questions about the impacts of cloud storage.

In this lesson, we will learn how to evaluate a computer based on its specifications. We will discover the factors that limit a CPU's performance: clock speed, cache, and the number of cores. The end of this lesson will involve us choosing the right computer for a given task.

In this lesson, we will discover logic gates: the building blocks of processors at the heart of a computer system. Through the activities we will build an understanding of how logic gates are used to address real-world problems.

In this lesson, we will be introduced to the concept of three-input logic problems, and will be taught how to construct a three-input logic diagram, truth table, and expression.

In this lesson, we will learn how to write and debug our own assembly language program. The lesson will build us up to this task, first modelling how to translate a piece of Python code into assembly language and examining the types of commands used in assembly language.

In this lesson, we will complete one last project for the unit: we will be given a set of requirements and tasked with designing an assembly language program to meet the requirements.