Unit Overview

Introduction

Why Computers and logic gates

  • What do computers do?
    • Make Decisions(logic gates)
    • Perform Calculations (adders)
    • Store Data & Programs (flip flop circuit)
  • Binary computers – all data sent as 1s and 0s on/off.
  • All decisions result in a particular circuit being turned on or off

Logic Problems

Logic Gates – AND | OR | NOT

  • Diagrams and truth tables
  • combining 2 gates
  • practical applications

Logic Gates – NOR NAND XOR

  • Diagrams and truth tables
  • combining 3+ gates
  • practical applications

Logic statements & circuits

  • Solving problems with logic circuits
  • Solving problems using logic gates

Half & Full Adders

  • What are they? Why do we need them? How do they work?
  • Domino adder activity
  • Build your own half adder activity
  • Prep activity – build a full adder

Flip Flop Circuits

  • What are they? Why do we need them?
  • History of computers – hard wired programs and data
  • vacuum tubes – original memory – unreliable – silicone transistors more reliable

Extension / Cross curricular challenge – Transistors

A practical lesson creating logic gates using simple circuits & transistors