Introduction to Digital Technologies – SS1 Digital Technologies Lesson Note (First Term)

Digital technology is the use of electronic tools, systems and devices to generate, store and process data.

Subject: Digital Technologies
Class: SS1

Behavioural objectives

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

1. explain the difference between analog and digital tools;
2. define digital technology;
3. name the three key components of digital technology: hardware, software and data;
4. describe the scope of digital technology in communication, education, finance, entertainment and health;
5. state why digital technology is relevant in modern society;
6. list advantages and disadvantages of digital technology.

What is digital technology?

Digital technology is the use of electronic tools, systems and devices that generate, store or process data.

• Digital: comes from the word “digit”, which means number.
• How it works: it turns information such as a photo, a song or a voice note into a code of 0s and 1s.
• Why a code: a computer can store and process information written in 0s and 1s.
• Where it is found: in smartphones, the internet and digital wristwatches.

What are examples of digital devices?

• Smartphone: makes calls, sends messages and runs apps.
• Laptop and desktop computer: process data and run software.
• Digital camera: records photos and videos as digital files.
• Smart television: connects to the internet to stream programmes.
• POS terminal: accepts card payments in shops.

What is the difference between analog and digital tools?

Analog tools use continuous physical signals, while digital tools use numbers written as 0s and 1s.

• Analog tool: shows information through a continuous physical change, as in a clock with sweeping hands or a vinyl record.
• Digital tool: stores and shows information as a code of numbers, as in a digital wristwatch or a phone.

What are the key components of digital technology?

There are three key components of digital technology: hardware, software and data.

1. Hardware: the physical parts you can touch, such as the screen, mouse and chips.
2. Software: the invisible instructions that tell the hardware what to do, such as WhatsApp, TikTok and Windows.
3. Data: the information being processed, such as your photos, messages and files.

What is the difference between hardware and software?

Hardware is the physical part of a digital device, and software is the set of instructions that runs on it.

What is the scope of digital technology?

The scope of digital technology is the areas of life where it is used, and it reaches almost every area.

Communication

• Instant Messaging (IM): sends messages in seconds.
• Email and video calls: replace waiting weeks for a letter.
• Satellites and undersea fibre-optic cables: keep countries connected.

Education (EdTech)

• Online classrooms: let students learn away from school.
• Digital textbooks: can be carried on a phone or tablet.
• Educational YouTube videos: explain topics step by step.
• Result: learning becomes “borderless”.

Finance (FinTech)

• Banking apps: Kuda, OPay and mobile banking move money digitally.
• Cashless payment: you do not always need physical cash.

Entertainment

• Streaming: Netflix and Spotify deliver films and music over the internet.
• Video games: are played on phones, consoles and computers.
• Online storage: content is kept “in the cloud”, so physical CDs and DVDs are needed less.

Health (HealthTech)

• Surgery: doctors use digital tools to assist operations.
• Monitoring: digital devices track heart rate.
• Patient records: digital files help doctors give the right medicine.

Why is digital technology relevant in modern society?

Digital technology is relevant because modern services such as communication, banking and learning depend on it.

Efficiency and speed

• Faster work: tasks that took many people several days can be done by one person in far less time.
• Example: a spreadsheet can calculate a company’s payroll quickly.

Access to information

• In the past: you had to find a library to look something up.
• Today: a phone with internet gives access to a great deal of knowledge.
• Democratising information: everyone has a chance to learn.

Economic growth

• New jobs: app developers, social media managers and data analysts.
• New businesses: online shops and delivery services.

Global connectivity

• Global village: the world is linked so that people far apart can work together.
• Example: a student in Lagos can work on a project with a student in New York in real time.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of digital technology?

Digital technology is a tool, and the results depend on how people use it.

How can students use digital technology safely?

• Strong passwords: do not share them with anyone.
• Personal details: avoid posting your address or phone number publicly.
• Suspicious links: do not click links from people you do not know.
• Screen time: set limits so that studies and sleep do not suffer.

What is the future of digital technology?

Digital technology is becoming “smarter”, and two clear signs are Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things.

• Artificial Intelligence (AI): machines that can “think” and solve problems.
• Internet of Things (IoT): everyday objects connected to the internet, such as a fridge that tells your phone you are out of milk.
• Digital skills: digital technology is now a basic skill for life in the 21st century.

Evaluation

1. In your own words, define digital technology.
2. Mention three areas of life where digital technology is used (the scope).
3. Discuss two ways digital technology has changed how you communicate with your friends.
4. What is the difference between “hardware” and “software”?
5. State one difference between an analog clock and a digital clock.

Assignment

List two advantages and two disadvantages of digital technology. Explain one advantage and one disadvantage in a sentence each.