Free Introduction To Computers Lesson Plan for 8th Grade Students

Topic: Introduction to Computers

Objectives & Outcomes

• Students will be able to explain the history of computers.

Materials

• Computers with internet access (optional)
• Handouts with information about different types of computers

Warm-up

• Ask students if they have ever used a computer before.
• Ask them to tell you what they remember about using it.
• Write down any interesting or funny things they say on the board.

Direct Instruction

• Introduce the concept of the history of computers and explain that we will be looking at the development of computers over time.
• Show students a picture of a primitive computer and explain that these were the first types of computers that were built.
• Explain that computers have continued to develop and become more powerful and easier to use over time.
• Show students pictures of different types of computers from different time periods and talk about the features and capabilities of each type.

Guided Practice

• Divide students into small groups and give each group a set of pictures of different types of computers.
• Have students work together to organize the pictures into a chronological order.
• Have a class discussion about the progression of computers from primitive machines to modern computers and the technological advances that led to each new type of computer.
• Ask students if they can identify any common features or technologies that were present in each type of computer.

Independent Practice

• Have students work on a project-based independent practice in which they research and create a visual representation (e.g. a timeline, a presentation, a poster) of the history of a specific type of computer.
• Students should include information about the origin, evolution, and significant technological advances of the type of computer they choose to research.

Closure

• As a class, review the key concepts and terms discussed during the lesson, including the concept of a computer, the history of computers, and significant advances in computer technology.
• Ask students to reflect on what they learned and how it relates to their own understanding of computers.

Assessment

• Observe students during the guided and independent practice activities to assess their understanding of the material.
• Collect and grade the written reports of independent practice as a summative assessment of their learning.