Ada Lovelace, the woman who imagined computers
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe what Ada Lovelace imagined machines could do.
Key learning points
- Ada Lovelace loved maths and had a strong imagination.
- She worked with Charles Babbage on a new kind of machine.
- She wrote notes that became the first ideas about computers.
- Few women studied science then, but Ada did.
- Her ideas inspired the computers of today.
Keywords
Idea - a thought for something new
Machine - an object that does work for us
Inventor - a person who makes something new
Gears - metal wheels with teeth that fit together and help machines move; in Babbage’s machine, the gears turned one another to add or change numbers
Change-maker - someone whose ideas or actions help make the world a better place
Common misconception
Pupils may think that Lovelace built the first working computer.
Remind pupils that Ada did not build a real computer, but she did write clever notes and ideas explaining how Babbage’s machine could work, even though it was never finished. Her imagination helped people understand the first ideas of a computer.
Teacher tip
You could give pupils a “pattern code” activity, e.g., using shapes to instruct a friend, to model how coding works. Furthermore, when discussing the barriers Ada faced, reassure pupils that today everyone can study science and maths, no matter who they are. Ada helped change those old beliefs.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What did Copernicus spend many evenings doing?
Q2.What did most people believe about the Earth during Nicolas Copernicus' time?
Q3.Which word means 'finding out something important for the first time'?
Q4.Copernicus noticed that the moved in strange loops that did not match the old belief.
Q5.Match each word to the correct description.
Q6.Which of these was Copernicus’ brave new idea?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What did most girls not study when Ada was growing up?
Q2.Match each person or thing to its correct description.
Q3.What made Ada’s writing so important to others?
Q4.Ada thought the machine could do more than and subtract.
Q5.Which word matches this definition: 'someone whose ideas or actions help make the world a better place'?
Q6.Which statements are true about Ada Lovelace?
To help you plan your 2 history lesson on: Ada Lovelace, the woman who imagined computers, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 2 history lesson on: Ada Lovelace, the woman who imagined computers, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 1 history lessons from the Significant individuals: how did they change the world? unit, dive into the full primary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.