← Years 5–6 Digital Systems

Digital system

A combination of hardware and software that inputs, processes, stores and outputs data for a purpose, such as a laptop, tablet, smart speaker or games console.

Part of: 5-6 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Digital Systems & Security — Module 1, 9-10 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Digital Systems and Security — Module 1, IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 7b Decomposition and Sub-systems — Module 1, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6 — Inside Digital Systems — Module 1, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 3 — Interactions Between Users, Data and Digital Systems — Module 10

Understanding Digital system in Years 5–6 Digital Systems

What it does: A laptop is a digital system because its hardware (keyboard, CPU, screen) and its software (operating system, apps) work together to handle data. The voice is data going into the system, so it is input. The spoken answer is output. A games console inputs button presses, processes them, stores game data and outputs sound and pictures. Digital systems are designed for a purpose, such as a laptop for creating documents. Hardware needs software to tell it what to do, so both are needed. The broken code leaves out software. It should say tablet = hardware + software.

Common mistakes: A speaker is an output device, not an input device. The laptop's input should be something like "keyboard", which sends data in. A microphone is an input device that collects sound data. The CPU does the processing, so this line should be process = "CPU".

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

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

🖨 Print worksheet + answer key Add Digital system to a class →

This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 1–10) and word search (Modules 1–20).

Take this worksheet further — free with Cloodit

Each concept is reinforced from every angle — learned, then applied, then tested.

Learning
Duo
Which best describes a digital system?
Only the physical parts of a computer, like the screen and keyboardHardware and software working together to input, process, store and output data
Matches
tablet = hardware only
↓
A digital system needs both hardware and software. A tablet without software cannot input, process, store or output data for a purpose.
Applying
Meanings
Term
digital system
Meaning
A combination of hardware and software that inputs, processes, stores and outputs data for a purpose, such as a laptop, tablet, smart speaker or games console.
Practice
digital system: smart speaker
Testing
Gaps
digital system = hardware +
Check Answer
Spots
1system = "laptop"
2input = "speaker"

Cloodit turns curriculum-aligned coding content into journeys students work through one biome at a time.

The 'Owl' badge — Wise Coder, one of Cloodit's 106 collectible badges
Students earn collectable badges

Over 100 of them, across seven natural biomes.

Study Buddy
Students build a real study resource

Turns their work into revision material ready for Flash Cards and Exam study.

Diamond Dash — one of Cloodit's live, competitive Sprint games
Students lock in with Sprints

Live, competitive practice for the start of the lesson or a teacher-led lesson finisher.

A Cloodit certificate of achievement, ready to personalise and print
Custom printable certificates

Honour your top performers, or encourage a student who's trying hard — ready to print in seconds.

Add to class →

Quick Questions

1. Which best describes a digital system?
A. Only the physical parts of a computer, like the screen and keyboard
B. Hardware and software working together to input, process, store and output data ✓
A digital system needs both hardware and software working together for a purpose.
2. Which one is an example of a digital system?
A. A tablet ✓
B. A paper notebook
A tablet has hardware and software that input, process, store and output data.
3. A smart speaker listens to your voice, works out what you said and plays an answer. What is the voice an example of?
A. Input ✓
B. Output
The voice is data going into the system, so it is input. The spoken answer is output.
4. True or false: a games console is a digital system.
A. True, it has hardware and software that handle data for playing games ✓
B. False, because it is only used for fun
A games console inputs button presses, processes them, stores game data and outputs sound and pictures.
5. Which statement about the purpose of a digital system is correct?
A. A digital system has no particular purpose
B. Every digital system is built to do a job, like communicating or playing games ✓
Digital systems are designed for a purpose, such as a laptop for creating documents.

Match the Pairs

digital system → A combination of hardware and software that inputs, processes, stores and outputs data for a purpose
smart speaker → A digital system that takes in voice input, processes it, and outputs sound or answers
A digital system is made of hardware and software working together to input, process, store and output data → laptop = hardware + software
Some digital systems contain other digital systems inside them → games console > controller
tablet = hardware only → A digital system needs both hardware and software. A tablet without software cannot input, process, store or output data for a purpose.
digital system = no purpose → Every digital system has a purpose, such as playing games, making calls or playing music. It is not just random parts.

Key Term

digital system
A combination of hardware and software that inputs, processes, stores and outputs data for a purpose, such as a laptop, tablet, smart speaker or games console.

Fill in the Blanks

1. digital system = hardware + software
Hint: Type what is combined with hardware in a digital system.
2. A digital system inputs, processes, stores and outputs data
Hint: Type the action that shows or sends out the result of processing.
3. A smart speaker inputs sound with a microphone
Hint: Type the input device that picks up a voice.
4. A digital system handles data for a purpose
Hint: Type the word for the reason a system is used.
5. A smart home is a system with other systems inside
Hint: Type the plural word for the smaller digital parts inside a bigger one.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A system = "laptop"
B input = "speaker"
C process = "CPU"
D output = "screen"
E store = "hard drive"
Line B — A speaker is an output device, not an input device. The laptop's input should be something like "keyboard", which sends data in.
Question 2
A system = "smart speaker"
B process = "microphone"
C input = "microphone"
D output = "speaker"
Line B — A microphone is an input device that collects sound data. The CPU does the processing, so this line should be process = "CPU".
Question 3
A system = "games console"
B input = "controller"
C process = "CPU"
D output = "hard drive"
E store = "game disk"
Line D — A hard drive stores data, so it is not an output device. The console's output should be something like "TV screen", which shows the results.
Question 4
A system = "tablet"
B hardware = ["screen", "CPU"]
C software = ["battery", "apps"]
D purpose = "learning and games"
Line C — A battery is physical hardware, not software. The software list should hold programs such as "OS" and "apps".
Question 5
A hardware = ["CPU", "RAM"]
B software = ["OS", "RAM"]
C system = hardware + software
D print(system)
Line B — RAM is a hardware component, not software. The software list should contain programs like "OS" and "apps".

Student with a class code? Join your class →