Basic 5 · Computing · Technology in the Community
Effects of Technology and Digital System Components
In this topic you will list the effects of technology on the community and explain the basic components of a digital system.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- List positive and negative effects of technology on the community
- Name the main components of a digital system
- Explain the role of each component
What you already know
- Output devices
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
- Strand
- Introduction To Computing
- Sub-strand
- Technology in the Community
- Indicator
- B5.1.4.1.1-2 – List the effects of technology on the community and explain the fundamentals of digital system components
Introduction
Mobile money, mobile phones and the internet have changed how people in Ghana work, trade and learn. Technology brings many benefits, but it also creates new problems.
1. Effects of Technology on the Community
| Positive effects | Negative effects |
|---|---|
| faster communication by calls and SMS | fraud and scams (e.g. mobile money fraud) |
| mobile money makes payments easy | loss of some jobs to machines |
| online learning and research | addiction to games and social media |
| better health care with modern machines | spread of fake news |
| farmers get weather and market prices by SMS | e-waste pollution (old phones and computers) |
| easier banking and business | less face-to-face interaction |
The way people use technology decides whether its effects are good or bad. We should use technology responsibly: protect passwords and PINs, check information before sharing and limit screen time.
2. Components of a Digital System
A digital system is any device that processes data as numbers (digits), such as a computer, a mobile phone or a digital watch. Every digital system has the same basic parts.
| Component | Job | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| input | brings data into the system | keyboard, touchscreen, microphone, camera |
| processor (CPU) | carries out instructions and calculations | the chip in a phone or computer |
| memory/storage | keeps data and programs | RAM, hard disk, memory card |
| output | presents results | screen, speaker, printer |
| power supply | provides electricity | battery, charger, socket |
3. A Mobile Phone as a Digital System
When you send a mobile money payment, you type the number and amount on the keypad or touchscreen (input). The processor checks the details and sends them through the network (processing). The phone stores the transaction record (storage). The screen shows a confirmation message (output). The battery provides power for all of this.
New words
- technology
- Tools and machines made using scientific knowledge.
- digital system
- A device that processes data as numbers.
- processor
- The part that carries out instructions (CPU).
- memory
- The part that stores data.
- e-waste
- Thrown-away electronic devices.
- fraud
- Cheating people to take their money.
Summary
- Technology has positive and negative effects on the community.
- Digital systems have input, processing, storage, output and power.
- A mobile phone is a digital system.
- Use technology responsibly.
Class activity: Technology Debate
- Divide into two groups: "Technology helps" and "Technology harms".
- Each group gives three points with examples from your community.
- The class decides how to reduce the harms.
You need: Basic mobile phone, Discarded computer circuit board, Printed photograph of technology in a Ghanaian clinic
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Which is a positive effect of technology?
- A. Mobile money payments
- B. Fraud
- C. Fake news
- D. E-waste
Show answer
Answer: Mobile money paymentsIt makes paying easy.2. Which component carries out instructions?
- A. Processor
- B. Speaker
- C. Battery
- D. Keyboard
Show answer
Answer: ProcessorThe CPU processes data.3. A microphone is part of which component?
- A. Input
- B. Output
- C. Storage
- D. Power
Show answer
Answer: InputIt takes in sound.4. E-waste can pollute the environment.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueOld devices contain harmful materials.5. A memory card is an output device.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: FalseIt is storage.6. Thrown-away electronic devices are called ______.
Show answer
Answer: e-wasteElectronic waste.7. List two negative effects of technology on the community.
Show answer
Answer: Fraud and fake news (or addiction, e-waste).Any two.8. Explain how sending a text message uses all the components of a digital system.
Show answer
Answer: Typing is input, the processor prepares and sends it, the phone stores it, the screen shows it, and the battery powers it.Input–process–storage–output–power.
Homework
- Ask an adult how technology has changed their work. Write three changes.