Introduction to Computer Programming: Meaning of Program, Programming and Programmer Primary 4 (Basic 4) First Term Week 10 Information Technology

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER PROGRAMMING: PROGRAMME, PROGRAMMING AND PROGRAMMER

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (COMPUTER STUDIES)

PRIMARY 4 – FIRST TERM – WEEK 10

THEME – BASIC COMPUTER OPERATIONS

PREVIOUS LESSON – Microsoft Paint: Meaning and How to Launch Microsoft Paint Primary 4 (Basic 4) First Term Week 9 Information Technology

TOPIC – INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER PROGRAMMING 

LEARNING AREA

1. Introduction

2. Meaning of Program, Programming and Programmer

3. Importance of Programming

4. Weekly Assessment: Test Questions and Answers/Assignment

5. Summary

LEARNING OBJECTIVES 

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

1. Explain the meaning of a program.

2. Explain the meaning of programming.

3. Explain the meaning of a programmer.

4. Differentiate between a program, programming, and a programmer.

5. State the importance of programming.

ENTRY BEHAVIOUR

Pupils have previously learned about Microsoft Paint, its uses, and how to launch it. They learned that Microsoft Paint is a computer application used for drawing and colouring pictures.

This lesson builds on that knowledge by explaining that Microsoft Paint and other applications are computer programs created through programming by a programmer. Pupils will learn the meanings of these three terms and how they are related.

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

The teacher will teach the lesson with the aid of:

1. Computer

2. Charts showing simple computer programs

3. Whiteboard and marker

4. Flashcards with the words Program, Programming, and Programmer

5. Pictures of computer programmers at work

METHOD OF TEACHING

Choose a suitable and appropriate methods for the lessons.

Note – Irrespective of choosing methods of teaching, always introduce an activities that will arouse pupil’s interest or lead them to the lessons. 

REFERENCE MATERIALS

1. Scheme of Work

2. 9 – Years Basic Education Curriculum

3. Course Book

4. All Relevant Material

5. Online Information

CONTENT OF THE LESSON

INTRODUCTION

Every application used on a computer, such as Microsoft Paint, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft PowerPoint, was created by someone. These applications work because they contain special instructions that tell the computer what to do.

In this lesson, pupils will learn the meanings of a program, programming, and a programmer, and understand how computer programs are created to make computers perform different tasks.

LESSON 1 – MEANING OF A PROGRAM

A program is a set of instructions given to a computer to perform a specific task.

A computer follows these instructions step by step to produce the expected result.

Examples of computer programs:

1. Microsoft Paint

2. Microsoft Word

3. Microsoft PowerPoint

4. Calculator

5. Games

MEANING OF PROGRAMMING

Programming is the process of writing, testing, and arranging instructions that tell a computer what to do.

Programming helps create computer programs that solve problems and perform different tasks.

MEANING OF A PROGRAMMER

A programmer is a person who writes computer programs using programming languages.

A programmer creates, tests, corrects, and improves computer programs.

LESSON 2 – IMPORTANCE OF PROGRAMMING

1. It helps create computer applications.

2. It enables computers to solve problems.

3. It makes work easier and faster.

4. It helps create educational software and games.

5. It improves technology and innovation.

6. It provides career opportunities.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PROGRAM, PROGRAMMING AND PROGRAMMER

• A program is a set of instructions that tells a computer what to do.

• Programming is the process of writing those instructions.

• A programmer is the person who writes the instructions.

Examples

1. Program: Microsoft Paint.

2. Programming: Writing the instructions that make Microsoft Paint work.

3. Programmer: The person who created Microsoft Paint.

LESSON 3 – WEEKLY ASSESSMENT: TEST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS/ASSIGNMENT 

A. Multiple Choice Questions (5 Marks)

1. A program is a ________.

A. computer game

B. set of instructions given to a computer

C. computer monitor

D. keyboard

2. Programming is the process of ________.

A. drawing pictures

B. switching on a computer

C. printing documents

D. writing instructions for a computer

3. A person who writes computer programs is called a ________.

A. typist

B. teacher

C. programmer

D. painter

4. Which of the following is an example of a computer program?

A. Microsoft Word

B. Keyboard

C. Mouse

D. Printer

5. Programming helps computers to ________.

A. sleep

B. eat food

C. switch off automatically

D. solve problems and perform tasks

B. Fill in the Blanks (5 Marks)

6. A __________ is a set of instructions given to a computer.

7. __________ is the process of writing computer instructions.

8. A person who writes computer programs is called a __________.

9. Microsoft Paint is an example of a computer __________.

10. A computer follows __________ to perform tasks.

C. True or False (5 Marks)

11. A programmer writes computer programs. ______

12. Programming means switching on a computer. ______

13. Microsoft PowerPoint is a computer program. ______

14. A program tells the computer what to do. ______

15. A keyboard is a computer program. ______

D. Match Column A with Column B (5 Marks)

Column A – Column B

16. Program – A. Microsoft Paint

17. Programming – B. Person who writes programs

18. Programmer – C. Writing computer instructions

19. Microsoft Word – D. Set of computer instructions

20. Computer Game – E. Example of a program

ANSWER KEYS

1. B – Set of instructions given to a computer

2. D – Writing instructions for a computer

3. C – Programmer

4. A – Microsoft Word

5. D – Solve problems and perform tasks

6. Program

7. Programming

8. Programmer

9. program

10. instructions

11. True

12. False

13. True

14. True

15. False

16. D – Set of computer instructions

17. C – Writing computer instructions

18. B – Person who writes programs

19. E – Example of a program

20. A – Microsoft Paint

SUMMARY

In this lesson, pupils learned that a program is a set of instructions given to a computer to perform a specific task. They also learned that applications such as Microsoft Paint, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft PowerPoint are examples of computer programs.

Pupils learned that programming is the process of writing, testing, and arranging instructions that tell a computer what to do.

They also learned that a programmer is a person who writes computer programs using programming languages to create software and applications.

Finally, pupils understood the difference between the three concepts:

• A program is a set of instructions for a computer.

• Programming is the process of writing those instructions.

• A programmer is the person who writes the instructions.

They also learned that programming helps create computer applications, solve problems, improve technology, and make computers perform different tasks efficiently.

PRESENTATION

To deliver the lesson, the teacher adopts the following steps:

Step 1: Introduction – The teacher asks pupils to mention computer applications they know, such as Microsoft Paint, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft PowerPoint. The teacher explains that these applications were created by people called programmers.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils mention computer applications they know and listen attentively.

Step 2: Meaning of a Program – The teacher explains that a program is a set of instructions given to a computer to perform a specific task. The teacher gives examples such as Microsoft Paint, Microsoft Word, and Calculator.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils explain the meaning of a program and give examples of computer programs.

Step 3: Meaning of Programming – The teacher explains that programming is the process of writing instructions that tell a computer what to do. The teacher explains that programming helps create computer applications.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils explain the meaning of programming in their own words.

Step 4: Meaning of a Programmer – The teacher explains that a programmer is a person who writes computer programs using programming languages. The teacher shows pictures of programmers working on computers.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils identify who a programmer is and describe the work of a programmer.

Step 5: Difference Between Program, Programming, and Programmer – The teacher explains the differences:

• Program: A set of instructions for a computer.

• Programming: The process of writing the instructions.

• Programmer: The person who writes the instructions.

The teacher uses simple examples to illustrate the relationship among the three terms.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils differentiate between a program, programming, and a programmer.

Step 6: Group Activity – The teacher divides the class into four groups and assigns the following activities:

• Group 1: Explain the meaning of a program and give three examples.

• Group 2: Explain the meaning of programming and state its importance.

• Group 3: Explain who a programmer is and describe the work of a programmer.

• Group 4: Differentiate between a program, programming, and a programmer using simple examples.

Each group presents its work before the class.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils discuss, complete the assigned activities, and present their findings.

Step 7: Lesson Summary – The teacher reviews the meanings of program, programming, and programmer, their differences, and the importance of programming.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils answer oral questions and summarise the lesson.

Step 8: Evaluation – The teacher asks oral and written questions to assess pupils’ understanding of the meanings of a program, programming, and a programmer.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils answer the evaluation questions and participate actively in the lesson.

CONCLUSION

To conclude the lesson for the week, the teacher revises the entire lesson and links it to the following week’s lesson.

NEXT LESSON

Microsoft PowerPoint: Meaning of Microsoft PowerPoint, Typing and Saving a PowerPoint Presentation Primary 4 (Basic 4) Second Term Week 2 Information Technology – Computer Studies

LESSON EVALUATION 

Teacher asks pupils,

1. What is a program?

2. What is programming?

3. Who is a programmer?

4. Mention three examples of computer programs.

5. State three importance of programming.

6. Differentiate between:

(a) Program and Programming.

(b) Programming and Programmer.

7. What does a computer use a program for?

8. Mention three duties of a programmer.

9. Why is programming important in today’s world?

10. Demonstrate your understanding by explaining the relationship between a program, programming, and a programmer using simple examples.