Unit xx. The logic of everyday systems – I’m a control systems technician

This unit is planned but development has not yet started. Our plans may change in the future as we continue to review our scheme of learning.

Unit description

Understanding how computer programs are used to control systems and how these instructions can be represented with symbols.

Unit career

I’m a control systems technician

“As a control systems technician, I maintain and troubleshoot control systems that automate processes. This involves sequencing and computational thinking to construct and maintain these systems efficiently. My goal is to ensure that automated processes run smoothly and safely.”

Key Question

All the activities in this unit enable students to answer the key question:

How do automated systems use carefully sequenced instructions to sense, decide, and control real‑world processes reliably?

Knowledge statements

This is achieved by students studying 4 “Learn-it” lessons, each of which focus on one knowledge statement:

1. Know that automated systems use computers for control, identifying examples.
   • E.g. traffic lights, home heating, railway crossings, planetary rovers and space probes.
2. Know how to use software such as Flowol, FlowGrid or Tynker to design, model and troubleshoot control systems.
   • E.g. fixing errors in logic before the system is complete.
3. Know that different operations are visualised with different symbols in control systems.
   • E.g. inputs/outputs, processes and conditions.
4. Know the importance of correctly sequencing instructions.
   • E.g. the program is stored on a ROM/EPROM chip and could be costly, inconvenient or impossible to change later.

What is included in this unit?

• Teacher guide providing a detailed overview of the unit.
• 6 Lesson folders:
  • 4 “Learn-it” lessons with a teacher PowerPoint and student workbook.
  • 1 “Make-it” lesson with assessment materials for teachers and students.
  • 1 “Review-it” lesson with an end of topic MCQ test, assessment grid, peer assessment and self-reflection.
• Any additional resources and materials needed for the activities are provided in the lesson folders.
• 6 detailed lesson plans explaining how to teach the 3 lesson phases.
• Extension activities with model answers.
• 3 independent homework question sheets supported by 3 online videos hosted on Tella.