← Years 5–6 Digital Systems

Describing a digital system and its network

A full description of a digital system: it names the hardware components and software, shows the link to a network, and explains what each part does.

Part of: 5-6 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Digital Systems & Security — Module 52

Understanding Describing a digital system and its network in Years 5–6 Digital Systems

What it does: The arrows and the Wi-Fi label show how the device connects to a network and then on to the internet. A full description does not just name a part, it also explains what the part does, as this label does for the CPU. A complete description names the components and software, and shows how the system connects to a network. An operating system is software. A monitor is an output device, which is hardware. Explaining each part's function is one of the three things a complete description includes. A complete description must show the connection, for example by adding Laptop <--Wi-Fi--> Router.

Common mistakes: The system name is text, so it needs quotes. It should be system = "Tablet". Chrome is software, not a hardware component. The hardware list should only hold physical parts such as "CPU" and "SSD".

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 41–52) and word search (Modules 21–52).

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Learning
Duo
Which is a complete description of a digital system?
It only lists the hardware partsIt names the hardware, the software and the network link
Matches
Laptop: CPU, RAM, storage, screen, apps
↓
No network link is shown, so the description is incomplete because it never says how the laptop connects to a network
Applying
Meanings
Term
system description
Meaning
A full description of a digital system: it names the hardware components and software, shows the link to a network, and explains what each part does.
Practice
System: School laptop
Testing
Gaps
: CPU, RAM, storage
Check Answer
Spots
1system = Tablet
2hardware = ["CPU", "RAM"]

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Quick Questions

1. Which is a complete description of a digital system?
A. It names the hardware, the software and the network link ✓
B. It only lists the hardware parts
A complete description names the components and software, and shows how the system connects to a network.
2. A student labels a laptop diagram with: keyboard, screen, CPU, RAM. What is missing from the description?
A. Nothing, it is already complete
B. The software and the network link ✓
Hardware labels alone are not enough. A full description also names the software and shows the network connection.
3. Which part of a diagram shows the network link?
A. A label that says keyboard
B. A line from the device to the router ✓
A line or arrow joining the device to a router or the internet shows how the system connects to a network.
4. Which sentence explains a part's function?
A. The router sends data packets between the tablet and the internet ✓
B. The router is a grey box
Explaining a function says what the part does, not just what it looks like.
5. Which label correctly names software in a digital system description?
A. Operating system ✓
B. Monitor
An operating system is software. A monitor is an output device, which is hardware.

Match the Pairs

Hardware: CPU, RAM, storage, screen → Names the physical components that make up the digital system
Software: operating system, apps → Names the programs that tell the hardware what to do
Showing the network link in a diagram of a system → Laptop <--Wi-Fi--> Router <--> Internet
Explaining a part's function in a description → CPU: processes instructions for the system
Laptop: CPU, RAM, storage, screen, apps → No network link is shown, so the description is incomplete because it never says how the laptop connects to a network
Parts: CPU, RAM, storage, network adapter → Only the part names are listed, with no software and no explanation of what each part does

Key Term

system description
A full description of a digital system: it names the hardware components and software, shows the link to a network, and explains what each part does.

Fill in the Blanks

1. System: School laptop Hardware: CPU, RAM, storage Software: operating system
Hint: Type the label used for the physical components of the system
2. Hardware: CPU, RAM, storage Software: operating system, web browser
Hint: Type the software that manages the whole device
3. Network: laptop connects by Wi-Fi to the router at school
Hint: Type the network device that the laptop links to
4. CPU - processes data and runs instructions
Hint: Type the component that does the processing
5. Laptop -> Wi-Fi -> Router -> Internet
Hint: Type the wireless link shown between the laptop and the router

Spot the Error

Question 1
A system = Tablet
B hardware = ["CPU", "RAM"]
C software = ["iOS", "Safari"]
D network = "Wi-Fi to router"
Line A — The system name is text, so it needs quotes. It should be system = "Tablet".
Question 2
A system = "Desktop"
B hardware = ["CPU", "Chrome"]
C software = ["Linux", "Zoom"]
D network = "Wi-Fi to router"
Line B — Chrome is software, not a hardware component. The hardware list should only hold physical parts such as "CPU" and "SSD".
Question 3
A system = "Phone"
B hardware = ["CPU", "RAM"
C software = ["Android"]
D network = "Mobile data"
Line B — The hardware list is missing its closing bracket. It should end with ].
Question 4
A system = "Laptop"
B hardware = ["CPU", "RAM"]
C software = ["macOS", "RAM"]
D network = "Wi-Fi to router"
Line C — RAM is a hardware component, not software. The software list should hold programs such as "macOS" and "Word".
Question 5
A system = "Desktop"
B hardware = ["CPU", "RAM"]
C software = ["Linux", "Zoom"]
D network = "Cable to mouse"
E print(system, network)
Line D — A mouse is a peripheral, not a network device. The network link should go to a network device, so it should be "Cable to router".

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