Teacher guide
Identifying & defining
≈ 110 min
Lesson 1 · Weeks 1–2
Understanding control technologies
Learning intention
Identify control technologies in the world around us, describe how they use inputs, processing and outputs, and explain what a microcontroller and a shield are.
Success criteria
- I can give three examples of control technologies and name the input, processor and output for each.
- I can label the parts of an Arduino Uno and the MAAS ThinkerShield.
- I can connect the board to my computer, choose the right board and port, and list the safety rules.
Before class
- Read the design brief and constraints; have a built example of the alarm project ready to show.
- Charge the laptop trolley; check every Arduino + ThinkerShield + USB cable boots cleanly.
- Pre-load the Arduino IDE on every machine; set board = "Arduino Uno"; bookmark the curriculum page.
- Print or share the link to the PRP 1 student activity (
/curriculum/crack-the-code/student/lessons/1). - Pull up the Tickle Me Elmo clip (audio muted) and a pulled-apart TV remote.
Materials
Class set of Arduino Uno + MAAS ThinkerShield kits with USB cables · projector/screen · a TV remote control (ideally one that opens) · non-conductive bench mats or paper · sticky notes.
Demo & teacher script
- Hook: play 30 s of the Tickle Me Elmo clip on mute and ask "what's making it move?"
- Pull-apart: open a TV remote in front of the class; point out the buttons (inputs), the microcontroller chip (processing), the IR LED (output), the batteries (power), the PCB.
- IPO model: on the whiteboard, draw the IPO chart for the remote and the alarm project.
- Microcontroller intro: hold up the Arduino Uno; pass one around; demonstrate connecting it to the laptop and the IDE recognising it.
- Safety rules: list them on the board; have students copy into their workbook.
Common misconceptions & fixes
- "The microcontroller is the whole thing" — clarify that the board is the Arduino, the chip is the microcontroller, and the shield (ThinkerShield) is an add-on.
- "Coding and electronics are the same subject" — separate them: coding is the program, electronics is the wiring; the ThinkerShield lets us learn one at a time.
- "Inputs are buttons" — broaden to sensors generally (motion, light, sound, temperature, pressure).
Evidence to collect
- Workbook IPO chart for the TV remote (formative).
- Glossary entries for control technology, microcontroller, shield, sensor, actuator (formative).
- Safety rules list copied into the workbook (formative).
Support path
- Provide a pre-printed IPO chart with the headings filled in.
- Pair-share for the Tickle Me Elmo discussion.
- Sentence stems for the glossary: "A control technology is a device that ____."
Extension path
- Find a control technology at home tonight; photograph it; complete an IPO chart for it.
- Research another shield (motor shield, sensor shield); compare to the ThinkerShield.
Exit reflection
On a sticky note, write one thing you learned today and one question you still have. Post it on the way out.
