Class: Senior Secondary School 1 (SS1, SS 1, SSS1, SSS 1)
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 11
Age: 15 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Computer Studies
Curriculum Theme: Computer Studies
Previous Lesson: Basic Programming Language: BASIC Arithmetic operator & BASIC Arithmetic expressions.
Topic: BASIC PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE
Subject Matter: evaluation of arithmetic expressions, writing simple BASIC programs, running BASIC programs on a computer

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain:

Define BASIC programming language.
State the rules for evaluating arithmetic expressions in BASIC.
List the steps involved in writing and running a simple BASIC program.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the importance of programming in solving real-world problems.
Show interest in learning and using BASIC for simple tasks.

Psychomotor Domain:

Write simple BASIC programs involving arithmetic expressions.
Run simple BASIC programs successfully on a computer.

Collaborate with peers to debug simple BASIC programs.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

9 Years Basic Education Curriculum for Computer Studies.
State Unified Scheme of Work for Senior Secondary School Computer Studies.
Adewale, S. T. (2018). Computer Studies for Senior Secondary Schools 1. Learn Africa Plc.

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

A computer with a BASIC interpreter (e.g., QBasic, GW-BASIC) installed.
Projector (optional, for demonstration).
Whiteboard and markers.
Prepared BASIC program examples.

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson introduces pupils to the fundamentals of computer programming using BASIC, which helps them understand how instructions are given to a computer. It enables pupils to develop logical thinking and problem-solving skills by writing and executing simple programs.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils are expected to have basic knowledge of computer operations, an understanding of algorithms, and some familiarity with mathematical expressions.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

BASIC PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE

Introduction to BASIC

BASIC stands for Beginner’s All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code. It is a high-level programming language designed for ease of use, particularly for beginners. It allows users to write simple instructions for computers to perform tasks.

Evaluation of Arithmetic Expressions in BASIC

Arithmetic expressions in BASIC use operators to perform calculations. The order of operations determines how an expression is evaluated.

The following are common arithmetic operators in BASIC:

+ (Addition)
– (Subtraction)
* (Multiplication)
/ (Division)
^ (Exponentiation – raising to a power)

The order of precedence for evaluating expressions is:

Parentheses (expressions inside brackets are evaluated first)
Exponentiation (^)
Multiplication (*) and Division (/) (from left to right)
Addition (+) and Subtraction (-) (from left to right)

Example:

Mathematical: 5 + (3 * 2)^2 / 4
BASIC: 5 + (3 * 2)^2 / 4
Evaluation: 5 + (6)^2 / 4 = 5 + 36 / 4 = 5 + 9 = 14

Writing Simple BASIC Programs

BASIC programs consist of a series of numbered lines, each containing an instruction. Common instructions include:

REM: Used for comments (remarks) that are ignored by the computer.
PRINT: Used to display text or values on the screen.
INPUT: Used to get input from the user.
LET: Used to assign a value to a variable (optional in modern BASIC versions).
END: Marks the end of the program.

Example 1: Displaying a message

10 REM This program prints a greeting
20 PRINT "Hello, SSS 1!"
30 END

Example 2: Calculating sum of two numbers

10 REM This program adds two numbers
20 INPUT "Enter first number: ", A
30 INPUT "Enter second number: ", B
40 LET SUM = A + B
50 PRINT "The sum is: "; SUM
60 END

Running BASIC Programs on a Computer

To run a BASIC program, follow these general steps:

Open the BASIC interpreter (e.g., QBasic).
Type the program code line by line.
Save the program (e.g., using “File” -> “Save As”).
Execute the program (e.g., press F5 or use “Run” -> “Start”).

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them what they think a computer does when it performs a task, leading to the idea of giving instructions. The teacher then introduces BASIC as a language used to give these instructions.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to questions and listen attentively to the introduction.
Learning Point: Pupils are introduced to the concept of programming and BASIC as a programming language.

Step 2: Introduction to BASIC

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines BASIC, explains its full meaning (Beginner’s All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code), and discusses its purpose as a simple programming language for beginners. The teacher writes key definitions on the board.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, take notes, and ask questions for clarification.
Learning Point: Pupils learn the definition and purpose of BASIC.

Step 3: Evaluation of Arithmetic Expressions in BASIC

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Illustration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains how arithmetic expressions are written in BASIC, highlighting the operators and their order of precedence. The teacher provides several examples on the board, demonstrating step-by-step evaluation.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the examples, copy notes, and attempt to solve simple expressions given by the teacher.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the rules for evaluating arithmetic expressions in BASIC.

Step 4: Writing Simple BASIC Programs

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the basic structure of a BASIC program, including line numbers and common commands like PRINT, INPUT, LET, and END. The teacher writes simple program examples on the board, explaining each line.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, observe the program structure, and copy the examples.
Learning Point: Pupils learn how to write basic commands and structure a simple BASIC program.

Step 5: Practical Demonstration of Running BASIC Programs

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Practical
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates on a computer how to open a BASIC interpreter, type in a simple program (e.g., one that prints “Hello World” or calculates a sum), save it, and then run it. The teacher highlights common errors if any.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the demonstration carefully, asking questions about the steps.
Learning Point: Pupils see the practical steps involved in running a BASIC program.

Step 6: Pupils’ Practical Session (if resources allow)

Time: (Flexible, can be integrated with Step 5 if time is short or done in a lab session)
Teaching Skill: Guided Practice
Teacher’s Activity: If computers are available, the teacher guides pupils to individually or in pairs type and run the simple BASIC programs demonstrated earlier. The teacher provides assistance and feedback.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils practice writing and running simple BASIC programs on the computers.
Learning Point: Pupils gain hands-on experience in writing and executing BASIC programs.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

What does BASIC stand for?
State the order of precedence for arithmetic operators in BASIC.
Write a simple BASIC program to print your name.
List two steps involved in running a BASIC program on a computer.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: Remaining minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the key learning points about BASIC, arithmetic expressions, and program execution. The teacher assigns homework: “Write a BASIC program that asks for your age and then prints ‘You are [age] years old!'”.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy the homework.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their understanding and are given an opportunity to practice.

Lesson Keywords

BASIC – Beginner’s All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code, a programming language.
Program – A set of instructions given to a computer to perform a task.
Expression – A combination of values, variables, and operators that the programming language interprets and computes to produce another value.
Operator – A symbol that represents a specific operation, such as addition (+), subtraction (-), multiplication (*), division (/), or exponentiation (^).
PRINT – A BASIC command used to display output on the screen.
INPUT – A BASIC command used to accept data from the user during program execution.
RUN – The command or action to execute a BASIC program.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp the concepts quickly, the teacher can challenge them to write programs with more complex expressions or introduce additional BASIC commands like GOTO or IF…THEN. For pupils who are struggling, the teacher will provide more one-on-one assistance, simplify the program examples, and encourage peer tutoring.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Ensure that the computer with BASIC installed is functional before the lesson. If a projector is not available, gather pupils around the computer for the demonstration. Emphasize hands-on practice as it is vital for understanding programming concepts. Encourage pupils to experiment with different values and expressions in their programs.