🎯 Lesson 3: What is a Computer?

Problem Solving and Computing

Lesson 4

What is a Computer?

Journal 3-2-1:

This picture shows one of the world's
first computers, and two of the
world's first computer programmers.

● What are 3 ways this computer is

different from computers that we
use today?

● What are 2 ways that it is the same?
● What is 1 thing you think is true of

ALL computers?

Problem Solving and Computing Lesson 4 - Warm Up

​20 Points

Open Ended

What are 3 ways this computer is different from computers that we use today? 

Open Ended

What are 2 ways that it is the same? 

Open Ended

What is 1 thing you think is true of ALL computers?

Question of the Day



What is a computer?

Problem Solving and Computing Lesson 4 - Activity

What is a Computer?

"Computer" and the other "Not a Computer".

● Discuss as a group which of the objects in your set (from the

activity guide) belong in each category.

● Once your group is in agreement. tape your objects to the

appropriate side.

● Develop a list of characteristics your groups used to

determine whether an object is a computer.

Categorize

Options (10)

Drill

Watch

Vacume

Microwave

Car

Printer

Laptop

Cell phone

Remote control

Calculator

Categorize these items.

Clasifica estos elementos.

Not a computer

Not sure / Maybe

A computer

Problem Solving and Computing Lesson 4 - Activity

What is a Computer?

● What rules or definition did you use to categorize your

objects?

● Which item was most difficult for you to categorize? How did

you eventually make the decision of where to place it?

Multiple Choice

Is this a computer?

• No

• Yes

Multiple Choice

Is this a computer?

• No

• Yes

Multiple Choice

Is this a computer?

• No

• Yes

Multiple Choice

Is this a computer?

• No

• Yes

Problem Solving and Computing Lesson 4 - Activity

What made computers different from machines that came before them?

Problem Solving and Computing Lesson 4 - Activity

What is a Computer? Rethink!

● Think about...

○ What types of problems is this device used to solve?

○ Does the device use information to solve problems?

○ Where does it get the information?

○ How does it use the information to solve problems?

Problem Solving and Computing Lesson 4 - Activity

What is a Computer?

● Did your group change your mind about whether

something was a computer?

● What about the definition convinced you?

Problem Solving and Computing Lesson 4 - Activity

Key Vocabulary

Computer - A machine that works with information

Compute- : To use information to perform or create something .

Problem Solving and Computing Lesson 4 - Wrap Up

Key Vocabulary

Computer - a machine that works with information

Open Ended

Prompt:

Think of a problem that a computer can help you to solve.

• What is the information problem?

• What information does the computer need to solve that problem?

• What type of thinking work does the computer need to do to solve the problem?

Multiple Choice

Which of the following BEST defines a computer?

• A machine that makes sounds

• A machine that works with information

• A machine that moves

• A machine that cooks food

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT a computer?

• Video game console

• Toaster
• Smart phone

• Laptop

Multiple Choice

• What is the KEY difference between a computer and other machines?

• Computers are bigger

• Computers have screens

• Computers work with information

• Computers use electricity