Years 5–6 Digital Systems Definitions Worksheet: Inside digital systems and Data and networks (Modules 11–20)
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Date:
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Key terms
Write what each term means, in your own words.
1
cloud storage
2
motherboard
3
GPU
4
network interface
5
operating system
6
application software
7
device driver
8
components work together
9
data type
10
binary
Answer Key
Years 5–6 Digital Systems · Modules 11–20 · Student wording will vary for definitions
1cloud storage — Cloud storage keeps your files on remote servers, owned by another company, that you reach over a network. You can open them from many devices, but you need a connection.
2motherboard — The main circuit board inside a computer. It connects the CPU, RAM, storage and ports so all components can send data to each other.
3GPU — Graphics processing unit: a part that quickly processes images and video to show on a screen. It can be built into the CPU (integrated) or separate (dedicated).
4network interface — The internal part of a device that lets it send and receive data on a network, using an Ethernet port for wired links or a wireless adapter for Wi-Fi.
5operating system — The software that manages a device's hardware and runs other software, like Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, Android or iOS. It handles files and memory and gives you the user interface.
6application software — A program designed to help a user complete a specific task, such as browsing the web, writing a document or playing a game. It runs on top of the operating system.
7device driver — Software that lets the operating system talk to a piece of hardware, such as a printer, so the device works properly.
8components work together — Hardware and software cooperate in a sequence, such as input device, operating system, CPU, then output, to finish one user action like a mouse click or saving a file.
9data type — The kind of information a digital system handles, such as text, numbers, images, sound or video. Each type is stored and used in its own way.
10binary — A number system using only 0s and 1s (bits). Digital systems use binary, as on/off signals, to represent all data: text, images, sound and video. 8 bits make 1 byte.