Section: Introduction to Computers | 2026 - Computer Applications Technology - Grade 10 | 2026 - Computer Applications Technology

What a computer actually is, how it turns raw data into useful information, and where you already meet computers every day without noticing them.

By the end of this module you will be able to:

Define a computer. Explain in your own words what makes a device a computer, and give three examples that are not laptops.
Describe the cycle. Describe the four stages of the information processing cycle and give an example of each.
Separate data and information. Explain the difference between data and information using an example from your own school day.
Identify the five parts. Name the five parts of a computer system and explain why people and procedures count as parts.

These four objectives are what the end-of-module quiz measures. The full subject syllabus for this module is listed separately in Full syllabus.

Select activity Learning objectives
Learning objectives
Duration 4 lessons
Recommended dates Monday 17 August – Friday 4 September 2026
Additional resources Computers, Part of Your Life – Grade 10, 3rd Edition
Lessons
Lesson 1 — What is a computer?
Lesson 2 — Types of computers and features
Lesson 3 — Standard features of applications
Lesson 4 — Checkpoint
- Collapse Expand
  Videos
  
  Select activity Recorded lecture — Introduction to Computers
  
  ▶ Recorded lecture — Introduction to Computers — ≈ 3 min · the whole topic in one sitting
  
  Select activity Worksheet: Recorded lecture — Introduction to Computers
  
  Worksheet: Recorded lecture — Introduction to Computers File DOCX
  
  37.5 KB
  
  Select activity What counts as a computer
  
  ▶ What counts as a computer — ≈ 2 min · Lesson 1 — the definition, and why a calculator fails it
  
  Select activity Worksheet: What counts as a computer
  
  Worksheet: What counts as a computer File DOCX
  
  37.5 KB
  
  Select activity Six types, one question
  
  ▶ Six types, one question — ≈ 2 min · Lesson 2 — the six categories and what separates them
  
  Select activity Worksheet: Six types, one question
  
  Worksheet: Six types, one question File DOCX
  
  37.6 KB
- Collapse Expand
  Lesson 1 — What is a computer?
  
  Select activity Lesson objectives
  
  Objectives. By the end of this lesson you can:
  Define a computer in your own words and give three examples that are not laptops.
  Explain the difference between data and information using an example from your own day.
  Name the five parts of a computer system and explain why people and procedures count.
  Instructional content. 8 slides with speaker notes, plus a printable handout — So what is a computer · Data is not information · A computer system has five parts.
  
  Select activity Slides: What is a computer?
  
  Slides: What is a computer? File PPTX
  
  56.8 KB
  
  Select activity Handout: What is a computer?
  
  Handout: What is a computer? File PDF
  
  80.0 KB
  
  Select activity Interactive: From data to information
  
  Interactive: From data to information H5P
  
  Five slides that take six raw numbers all the way to a decision, ending with one question to check you followed. Not marked — click through it as often as you like.
  
  Select activity Activity 1: The definition defence
  
  Activity 1: The definition defence Assignment
  
  Select activity Activity 2: From data to information
  
  Activity 2: From data to information Assignment
- Collapse Expand
  Lesson 2 — Types of computers and features
  
  Select activity Lesson objectives
  
  Objectives. By the end of this lesson you can:
  Classify any device as embedded, mobile, personal, server, mainframe or supercomputer.
  Justify a classification by purpose, processing power and number of simultaneous users.
  Compare the features of three device types in a table.
  Instructional content. 8 slides with speaker notes, plus a printable handout — Not all computers look like computers · The five features that separate them · Where you already meet computers.
  
  Select activity Slides: Types of computers and features
  
  Slides: Types of computers and features File PPTX
  
  56.7 KB
  
  Select activity Handout: Types of computers and features
  
  Handout: Types of computers and features File PDF
  
  76.9 KB
  
  Select activity Activity 1: Six types, six features
  
  Activity 1: Six types, six features Assignment
  
  Select activity Activity 2: The odd one out
  
  Activity 2: The odd one out Assignment
- Collapse Expand
  Lesson 3 — Standard features of applications
  
  Select activity Lesson objectives
  
  Objectives. By the end of this lesson you can:
  Identify the interface features shared by nearly all applications: title bar, ribbon or menu bar, toolbars, scroll bars, status bar, view and zoom controls.
  Use the commands that behave identically everywhere: New, Open, Save, Save As, Print, Undo, Redo, Cut, Copy, Paste, Find, Replace.
  Read a dialog box: tabs, drop-downs, check boxes, radio buttons, spin boxes, and the difference between OK, Apply and Cancel.
  Complete a set task in an application you have never opened before.
  Instructional content. 9 slides with speaker notes plus a printable handout — The furniture of an application window · The commands that never change · How to read a dialog box · Sitting down in front of software you have never used.
  
  Select activity Slides: Standard features of applications
  
  Slides: Standard features of applications File PPTX
  
  61.6 KB
  
  Select activity Handout: Standard features of applications
  
  Handout: Standard features of applications File PDF
  
  106.1 KB
  
  Select activity Activity 1: Label the window
  
  Activity 1: Label the window Assignment
  
  Select activity Activity 2: The unfamiliar application
  
  Activity 2: The unfamiliar application Assignment
- Collapse Expand
  Lesson 4 — Checkpoint · 25 marks
  
  Select activity How this Checkpoint works
  
  25 marks. This Checkpoint assesses Lessons 1–3 together, not only the last lesson. The lesson activities above are formative and carry no marks; the marks for this topic are all here.
  Revision challenge — branching scenarios with immediate feedback. Not marked, retake it as often as you like.
  Knowledge check — 10 marks. Unlimited attempts, best attempt counts, feedback after every answer during the attempt.
  Marked task — 15 marks, with a due date that is already in your calendar.
  The marked task deliberately pulls from all three lessons rather than only the last one: ten devices classified by type, the five parts identified for one of them, and the interface features of the application used to write it up.
  Feedback. Automatic per-answer feedback in the quiz; written feedback on the marked task within five school days.
  
  Select activity Revision: Spot the Computer Challenge
  
  Revision: Spot the Computer Challenge File PPSX
  
  50.9 KB
  
  Select activity Quiz: Knowledge check
  
  Quiz: Knowledge check
  
  Select activity Marked task: The thirty-computer hunt
  
  Marked task: The thirty-computer hunt Assignment
  
  Opened: Monday, 17 August 2026, 8:00 AM
  
  Due: Friday, 4 September 2026, 11:59 PM
Select activity Module materials

Module materials
The complete subject syllabus for this topic — everything the lessons cover and, where it applies, what they deliberately do not. Slides and handouts are inside each lesson, one set per lesson.
Select activity Full syllabus

Full syllabus Page
Select activity Discussion

Discussion Forum
Select activity Q&A

Q&A Forum

Duration	4 lessons
Recommended dates	Monday 17 August – Friday 4 September 2026
Additional resources	Computers, Part of Your Life – Grade 10, 3rd Edition

Section outline

Learning objectives

Videos

Lesson 1 — What is a computer?

Lesson 2 — Types of computers and features

Lesson 3 — Standard features of applications

Lesson 4 — Checkpoint · 25 marks

Module materials