|
Memory (RAM / ROM)In this lesson, students explore the different types of memory.
|
Learning Objectives:
Suggested time: 50 mins
Starter:
I suggest starting with this activity adapted from a resource courtesy of Philip Upstone – “Main Memory - Kinaesthetic Activity”. You can find the original here: (http://community.computingatschool.org.uk/resources/938). In this activity, students move around the room simulating the transfer of data between various storage locations such as RAM, Cache memory, Secondary Storage and Virtual memory.
Resources:
- describe the difference between RAM and ROM
- explain the need for ROM in a computer system
- describe the purpose of RAM in a computer system
- explain how the amount of RAM in a personal computer affects the performance of the computer
- explain the need for virtual memory
Suggested time: 50 mins
Starter:
I suggest starting with this activity adapted from a resource courtesy of Philip Upstone – “Main Memory - Kinaesthetic Activity”. You can find the original here: (http://community.computingatschool.org.uk/resources/938). In this activity, students move around the room simulating the transfer of data between various storage locations such as RAM, Cache memory, Secondary Storage and Virtual memory.
Resources:
| main_memory_-_practical_activity.pdf |
| main_memory_posters.pdf |
Place these posters around the classroom (see diagram) at the start of the lesson.
| main_memory_numbers.pdf |
Cut out and hand these out to students at the start of the activity.
Main task:
Start by explaining the difference between volatile and non-volatile memory. Next, show students images of different types of memory and ask them to try to identify each whilst stating whether they think each example is volatile or non-volatile. Next, show students the following two videos from Cambridge GCSE Computing Online – “The difference between RAM and ROM – Part A”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URYPErhTkMY & “The difference between RAM and ROM – Part B”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbAbhuTELWE
Next, split the class into small groups and challenge them to create a revision resource on different types of memory. Suggestions:
Tip: For a bit of fun, you could introduce the activity using a Voki (http://www.voki.com). A Voki is a free service that allows you to create personalised speaking avatars and use them on your blog, website, and in email messages.
Students should include in their revision resource:
1. A description of each of the following:
a. RAM
b. ROM
c. Flash Memory
d. Virtual Memory
Include in your description:
a) What it’s used for
b) What it stores
c) What happens when it loses power
2. An explanation of why having higher amounts of RAM can speed up your system.
Main task:
Start by explaining the difference between volatile and non-volatile memory. Next, show students images of different types of memory and ask them to try to identify each whilst stating whether they think each example is volatile or non-volatile. Next, show students the following two videos from Cambridge GCSE Computing Online – “The difference between RAM and ROM – Part A”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URYPErhTkMY & “The difference between RAM and ROM – Part B”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbAbhuTELWE
Next, split the class into small groups and challenge them to create a revision resource on different types of memory. Suggestions:
- Revision wiki (See: How to create a classroom wiki)
- Video / Presentation (See: 10 alternatives to PowerPoint)
- eBook
- Podcast
- Voki (http://www.voki.com)
Tip: For a bit of fun, you could introduce the activity using a Voki (http://www.voki.com). A Voki is a free service that allows you to create personalised speaking avatars and use them on your blog, website, and in email messages.
Students should include in their revision resource:
1. A description of each of the following:
a. RAM
b. ROM
c. Flash Memory
d. Virtual Memory
Include in your description:
a) What it’s used for
b) What it stores
c) What happens when it loses power
2. An explanation of why having higher amounts of RAM can speed up your system.
(Above) For a bit of fun, use a Voki to introduce the main task.
Resources:
Provide students with the following links to help them complete their task:
The difference between RAM and ROM – Part A (Cambridge GCSE Computing Online): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URYPErhTkMY
The difference between RAM and ROM – Part B (Cambridge GCSE Computing Online): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbAbhuTELWE
GCSE Computing.net – Memory: http://gcsecomputing.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/OCR%20A451%202.1.2%20Memory%20-%20Summary.pdf
Teach-ICT – Memory: http://www.teach-ict.com/gcse_new/computer%20systems/memory/miniweb/index.htm
PWN ICT: http://www.pwnict.co.uk/computingGCSE/computingResources.html (Click on Hardware and then Memory)
Plenary:
Challenge students to attempt the memory quizzes on teach-ict: http://www.teach-ict.com/gcse_new/computer%20systems/memory/quizzes_memory.html
Alternatively: Students, chosen at random, could present their revision resource to the whole class or attempt the “Difference between RAM and ROM activity” activity from the Cambridge GCSE Computing Online website. http://www.cambridgegcsecomputing.org/computing-hardware-main#.UmBa5RY45UQ
Provide students with the following links to help them complete their task:
The difference between RAM and ROM – Part A (Cambridge GCSE Computing Online): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URYPErhTkMY
The difference between RAM and ROM – Part B (Cambridge GCSE Computing Online): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbAbhuTELWE
GCSE Computing.net – Memory: http://gcsecomputing.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/OCR%20A451%202.1.2%20Memory%20-%20Summary.pdf
Teach-ICT – Memory: http://www.teach-ict.com/gcse_new/computer%20systems/memory/miniweb/index.htm
PWN ICT: http://www.pwnict.co.uk/computingGCSE/computingResources.html (Click on Hardware and then Memory)
Plenary:
Challenge students to attempt the memory quizzes on teach-ict: http://www.teach-ict.com/gcse_new/computer%20systems/memory/quizzes_memory.html
Alternatively: Students, chosen at random, could present their revision resource to the whole class or attempt the “Difference between RAM and ROM activity” activity from the Cambridge GCSE Computing Online website. http://www.cambridgegcsecomputing.org/computing-hardware-main#.UmBa5RY45UQ
