Subject: Digital Technologies
YearLevel: 5-6
Links to other Learning Areas: Literacy, Numeracy, The Arts, and Science
Links to Cross Curricular Priorities/ General Capabilities: Numeracy, Critical and Creative Thinking, ICT.
Platform: Programmable toy or kit
Cost: $395.00 (B4 Modulator Microprocessor Kit)
ACARA Links:
- Implement digital solutions as simple visual programs involving branching, iteration (repetition), and user input (ACTDIP020)
- Examine the main components of common digital systems and how they may connect together to form networks to transmit data (ACTDIK014)
- Design algorithms represented diagrammatically and in structured English and validate algorithms and programs through tracing and test cases (ACTDIP04)
What is it?
The B4 is a modular computer processor kit and accompanying study guide. It has been designed to help students explore the fundamental operation of computers as part of the new Australian Curriculum: Digital Technologies. The B4 supports the teaching of the knowledge and understanding of digital systems and the representation of data.
How is it used?
The B4 consists of 11 computing modules that represent core functions of a computer processor, such as program counter, adder, inverter, memory, latch, etc. With these, students perform experiments which lead to increasingly sophisticated hardware and software arrangements.The B4 operates at human speed, allowing students to easily follow with their own eyes how data flows inside the machine.
Skills developed
Building an understanding of how computers work and are built
Problem solving skills
Hardware knowledge
Want more information on the Blueberry4?
https://www.digital-technologies.institute/b4
