ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6 Definitions Worksheet: Inside Digital Systems and Networks and Sharing Data (Modules 5–26)
Name:
Date:
Class:
✎
Key terms
Write what each term means, in your own words.
1
same main parts
2
RAM vs storage
3
touchscreen
4
input, process, store, output
5
trace an action
6
bottleneck
7
The CPU is the brain because it runs instructions.
8
network device
9
networked printer
10
hub
Answer Key
ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6 · Modules 5–26 · Student wording will vary for definitions
1same main parts — Computers, tablets, phones and games consoles all have a processor, memory, storage, and input and output devices inside, even though they look different and come in different sizes.
2RAM vs storage — RAM holds what you are using now and is wiped when the power goes off. Storage keeps files for later. RAM is like a desk, storage is like a cupboard.
3touchscreen — A screen that is both an input device, because it senses your tap or swipe, and an output device, because it shows the picture.
4input, process, store, output — Each part of a digital system has one main job, so you can sort it as input (sends data in), process (works on it), store (keeps it) or output (shows results).
5trace an action — Follow one action, like a game tap: the screen senses it, the CPU decides, RAM holds the game, storage keeps the saved score and the screen shows the result.
6bottleneck — A bottleneck is one part that is missing, full or too small and holds back the whole system. No input or output, full storage or too little RAM stops a device working well.
7The CPU is the brain because it runs instructions. — A short sentence that names a part, says its job and how it helps the next part. It uses a starter like 'The CPU is the...' and the word 'because' to explain.
8network device — A computer, laptop or tablet that joins a network so it can send and receive data. It must be connected by cable or wireless first.
9networked printer — A printer joined to the network by cable or Wi-Fi, so many computers and tablets can send their printing to it without being plugged in to each one.
10hub — A simple box with several ports that joins wired devices. It passes every message on to all connected devices, unlike a switch, which sends it to just one.