ICT Through Time

Overview

This 15-minute lesson introduces KS2 students (age 10-11) to the history and evolution of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), aligned with the National Curriculum for England: Computing Programme of Study for Key Stage 2.

---

National Curriculum Links

• KS2 Computing: National Curriculum (2014)
  • Pupils should be taught to:
    • Understand and explain the development of ICT and its impact on people’s lives.
    • Recognise examples of ICT in the home, school and community.
    • Use research skills to find out about technology beyond their immediate experience.

---

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Describe key milestones in the development of ICT from the early computers to modern devices.
• Identify how ICT has changed the way people communicate and access information.
• Use presentation software (PowerPoint) effectively to organise chronological information.

---

Lesson Structure (15 minutes)

1. Introduction (3 minutes)

• Briefly introduce the topic: How has ICT changed over time?
• Pose a hook question: What did computers look like 50 years ago?
• Explain that ICT includes all tools that help with communication and information processing.

2. PowerPoint Presentation Delivery (9 minutes)

Present a visually engaging PowerPoint with the following slides:

Slide	Content	Key Curriculum Focus	Visual/Activity Suggestion
1	Title slide: ICT Through the Years	Use basic slide formatting skills	- Visually appealing title, thematic image (early computer)
2	Early Computers (1940s-1960s)	Describe early ICT hardware and limitations	Photo of ENIAC, plain and bulky machines
3	Introduction of Personal Computers (1970s-1980s)	Understand evolution and accessibility	Images of first PCs (e.g., Apple II, BBC Micro)
4	Internet and Communications (1990s)	Show how communication transformed	Early web pages, dial-up modems, emails
5	Mobile Devices and Smartphones (2000s-present)	Describe modern ICT devices and instant info	Images of early smartphones and current models
6	How ICT impacts daily life	Reflection on ICT use in school/home	Infographic of common ICT tools: tablets, apps, social media
7	Summary & Questions	Reinforce learning and check understanding	Quick quiz question on milestones

Throughout the PowerPoint, embed short, simple animations to help engage pupils.

3. Quick Interactive Activity (3 minutes)

• Using the last slide, ask students to shout out or write on mini whiteboards their favourite ICT device from history and why.
• Encourage them to think about how it changed life.

---

Assessment & Feedback

• Use the interactive quiz question to assess understanding of key ICT milestones.
• Listen to student responses during the interactive activity for informal assessment of grasp.
• Provide verbal praise for accurate contributions and curiosity.

---

Resources Required

• Classroom computer with PowerPoint installed
• Projector or interactive whiteboard
• Mini whiteboards or notebooks for student responses
• Prepared PowerPoint file titled ICT Through the Years

---

Extension Ideas

• Encourage students to research a specific ICT milestone for a future lesson.
• Create a timeline wall display collaboratively, adding ICT events learned.

---

Teacher’s Notes

• Ensure accessibility by using large fonts and clear visuals in the PowerPoint.
• Maintain a brisk pace to cover content within 15 minutes while keeping engagement high.
• Tailor the vocabulary to Year 6 pupils but introduce some technical terms like “hardware”, “modem”, and “smartphone” with clear definitions.

---

This approach ties history, computing knowledge, and presentation skills into one bite-sized session aligned with the National Curriculum. It also models ideal use of PowerPoint as an ICT tool, providing a meta-learning experience for pupils.