Class: Senior Secondary School 1 (SS1, SS 1, SSS1, SSS 1)
Term: 1st Term
Week: 6
Age: 15 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Computer Studies
Curriculum Theme: Computer Studies
Previous Lesson: Computing Devices I.
Topic: Computing Devices II (20th Century to Date)
Subject Matter: ENIAC, EDVAC, UNIVAC I, features/components/uses of each device

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

Explain what 20th century computing devices are and why they were developed.
Describe ENIAC, EDVAC, and UNIVAC I.
State at least three features of each device.
State main components of each device.
State at least two uses of each device.

Affective Domain:

Show interest in the development of computers from large early machines to modern devices.
Appreciate the role of invention and technology in solving real problems.

Psychomotor Domain:

Identify each device from pictures/charts and match it with its key feature.
Arrange ENIAC, EDVAC, and UNIVAC I in the correct historical order.
Label basic parts shown on diagrams of early computers (input, processing, memory, output).

Work in groups to discuss one computing device and present findings.
Participate in class discussion and respond to questions politely.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
State Unified Scheme of Work
New Computer Studies for Senior Secondary Schools (SSS 1)
Encyclopaedia Britannica: ENIAC
Computer History Museum: Birth of the Computer
Encyclopaedia Britannica: UNIVAC

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Desktop computers and laptops (for comparison with early devices)
Charts and pictures of ENIAC, EDVAC, and UNIVAC I
Timeline chart (20th century to date)
Flashcards showing device names, features, components, and uses
Whiteboard/marker

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand how computers developed from very large machines into smaller and faster devices used today. It also helps pupils relate computer development to real uses such as calculations, data processing, and business records.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have basic knowledge of early computing devices and understand that computers are used to process data and produce information.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Computing Devices II (20th Century to Date)

Meaning of 20th Century Computing Devices

20th century computing devices are early electronic computers developed to perform calculations and process data faster than manual and mechanical methods.

ENIAC

ENIAC means Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer. It was one of the earliest general-purpose electronic digital computers.

The following are features of ENIAC:

Electronic and digital.
Very large size; occupied a large room.
High power consumption and produced much heat.
Programming involved switches and plugboards.
Fast for its time compared to mechanical calculators.

The following are major components of ENIAC:

Vacuum tubes for electronic switching.
Switches and plugboards for setting operations.
Control panels and wiring connections.
Input/output units (e.g., card-based devices in related setups).

The following are uses of ENIAC:

Complex calculations, including military and scientific calculations.
Solving numerical problems that required repeated computation.

EDVAC

EDVAC means Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer. It improved computer design by using the stored-program idea.

The following are features of EDVAC:

Stored-program concept (instructions stored in memory).
Binary system used for operations.
Improved organization of processing and memory compared to earlier designs.
Electronic processing using switching components of the time.

The following are major components of EDVAC:

Memory unit for storing data and instructions.
Control unit for directing operations.
Arithmetic and logic unit for calculations and logical operations.
Input and output units.

The following are uses of EDVAC:

General data processing and scientific calculations.
Improved programming because instructions could be stored and changed more easily.

UNIVAC I

UNIVAC I means Universal Automatic Computer. It was one of the first commercially produced computers used for business and government work.

The following are features of UNIVAC I:

Commercial use for offices, business, and government agencies.
Used magnetic tape for storing and processing large data.
Faster data handling than manual office methods.
Better suitability for large record processing.

The following are major components of UNIVAC I:

Central processing unit for calculations and control.
Memory and storage units.
Magnetic tape drives for data storage.
Input/output devices for entering and producing results.

The following are uses of UNIVAC I:

Processing large business records such as payroll and inventory.
Government and statistical data processing.

Comparison of ENIAC, EDVAC, and UNIVAC I

The following are key points of comparison:

ENIAC used plugboards and switches for programming, while EDVAC introduced the stored-program concept.
EDVAC improved how instructions and data were handled by storing them in memory.
UNIVAC I focused on commercial data processing and used magnetic tape for large data storage.

Link to Modern Computers

The following are ways these devices relate to modern computers:

They introduced electronic processing and faster computation.
They established key computer parts: input, processing, memory, and output.
They led to improvements in storage, programming, speed, and size reduction in later computers.

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 displays a laptop/desktop and asks pupils to describe how it is used today, then shows pictures of large early computers and introduces the topic of 20th century computing devices.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to questions and observe pictures of early computers.
Learning Point: Computers have developed from large early machines to modern devices.

Step 2: Explanation of Meaning and Historical Order

Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the meaning of 20th century computing devices and guides pupils to place ENIAC, EDVAC, and UNIVAC I on a simple timeline.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils copy the meaning and arrange the devices in order on the timeline chart.
Learning Point: Early electronic computers developed over time with improvements in design and use.

Step 3: Teaching ENIAC

Time: 9 minutes
Teaching Skill: Presentation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains ENIAC, stating its features, components, and uses, using charts and pictures.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify ENIAC from pictures and list its key features and uses in their notes.
Learning Point: ENIAC was an early large electronic computer used for heavy calculations.

Step 4: Teaching EDVAC

Time: 9 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation and Illustration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains EDVAC and highlights the stored-program idea, then lists features, components, and uses on the board.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils copy notes and mention how storing instructions in memory makes programming easier.
Learning Point: EDVAC improved computer design by storing instructions and data in memory.

Step 5: Teaching UNIVAC I

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains UNIVAC I and focuses on commercial use and magnetic tape storage, listing features, components, and uses.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify areas where UNIVAC I could be used (records, payroll, statistics) and copy notes.
Learning Point: UNIVAC I supported large record processing for business and government.

Step 6: Group Work and Comparison

Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Cooperative Learning
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher groups pupils to compare the three devices and report one key difference and one common feature.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils discuss in groups and present brief points to the class.
Learning Point: Early computers shared basic functions but improved in programming, storage, and use.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

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

Define 20th century computing devices.
List ENIAC, EDVAC, and UNIVAC I in their correct historical order.
State three features of ENIAC.
State two uses of UNIVAC I.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 0 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the devices and their features, components, and uses, and links them to modern computers. Assignment: write a short note on each of ENIAC, EDVAC, and UNIVAC I, stating three features and two uses for each.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils copy the summary points and assignment.
Learning Point: Early electronic computers led to improvements that produced modern computers.

Lesson Keywords

ENIAC – An early large electronic digital computer used for heavy calculations.
EDVAC – An electronic computer that introduced storing instructions in memory.
UNIVAC I – A computer used mainly for commercial and government data processing.
Stored Program – Keeping instructions in memory so a computer can run them without rewiring.
Magnetic Tape – A storage medium used to keep and process large amounts of data.

Differentiation

Pupils who need support will use picture labels and guided notes to identify each device, while advanced pupils will compare all three devices using a table showing features, components, and uses.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Emphasize short, examinable points: definition, features, components, and uses of each device. Use clear pictures and a simple timeline, and connect the stored-program idea and data storage to modern computers.