ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6 — Inside Digital Systems Hangman
Years 5–6 · Australian Curriculum · 18 key terms.
Every word, shuffled.
The names stay in this browser on this computer — they are never sent to Cloodit. A random student is called for each word.
The main parts inside a computer and what each one does. See the whole journey →
Want your own words? Free Hangman Generator →
Same words, on paper
The quiet activity after the loud one. Free to print, answer keys included.
CrosswordInside digital systems · Inside Digital Systems and Networks and Sharing Data · Inside digital systems and Data and networks
Word searchInside digital systems and Data and networks · Inside Digital Systems and Networks and Sharing Data
Worksheetfor any module, with answer key
When your class is on devices — Snake Break and Diamond Dash run on the same modules, with a free class.
The 18 key terms
- 1digital 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.
- 2hardware
- The physical parts of a digital system that you can touch, such as a keyboard, screen or CPU. Hardware needs software to tell it what to do.
- 3software
- The set of instructions, or programs, that tells hardware what to do. You cannot touch it, and it needs hardware to run. Apps are one kind.
- 4input, process, store, output
- A digital system takes in data (input), works on it (process), keeps it (store) and shows a result (output).
- 5same 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.
- 6CPU
- The central processing unit is the 'brain' of a digital system. It carries out program instructions one after another and processes data. Its speed affects how fast tasks run.
- 7RAM
- Random Access Memory: fast, temporary memory that holds the data and programs currently in use. It is volatile, so everything in it is lost when the power is turned off.
- 8storage device
- Hardware that keeps data permanently, even when the power is off. Examples are a hard disk drive, solid state drive and USB flash drive, which differ in storage capacity.
- 9RAM 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.
- 10input device
- A piece of hardware, like a keyboard, mouse, microphone, camera, scanner, sensor or touchscreen, that sends data into a digital system.
- 11output device
- A piece of hardware that shows or gives the results of processing to the user, such as a monitor, projector, speakers, headphones or printer.
- 12peripheral
- An external device, wired or wireless, that connects to a digital system to add input, output or storage, such as a mouse, printer or USB drive.
- 13touchscreen
- A screen that is both an input device, because it senses your tap or swipe, and an output device, because it shows the picture.
- 15motherboard
- The main circuit board inside a computer. It connects the CPU, RAM, storage and ports so all components can send data to each other.
- 16components 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.
- 17trace 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.
- 18bottleneck
- 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.
- 19The 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an account?
No. Hangman runs straight from this page — no account, no sign-up, nothing to install. If you add your class names, they are saved in your own browser and never sent to Cloodit.
How do I play it with my class?
Put the page on your whiteboard or projector and press Play. The class calls out letters and you click or type them. Six wrong letters and the word gets away. After every word its definition appears, so each round ends on the meaning, not just the spelling.
Can I use my own words?
Yes. The free Hangman generator at cloodit.com/hangman/ takes any list: one word or phrase per line, with a definition after a dash if you want it shown at the end of the round.
Can I put my students' names in?
Yes. Add your class list and a random student is called for each word. The list stays in this browser on this computer, so it is still there next lesson.
Are the worksheets free too?
Yes. Every module in this journey has a free printable worksheet with a full answer key, and there are crosswords and word searches built from the same key terms.