الأسبوع 6 · المحور الأول، الدرس ٦ «مشكلات تكنولوجيا المعلومات والاتصالات الشائعة وحلولها» · 3 دروس
2
Frozen screens and silent keyboards
ICT P4 Term 1, Theme 1: pp. 30–33
GoalExplain what to check when the screen freezes, the pointer does not move or the keyboard is silent.
New words
freeze · when the screen stops moving and nothing you do changes itpointer · the small arrow on the screen that moves with the mouseconnection · how a device is joined to the computer, by a cable or without one
Explanation
Sometimes the screen freezes. The picture stops and the pointer does not move. First wait a little, because the computer may only be busy. Then look at the connection: is the mouse or keyboard plugged in properly, or does it have a battery? A grown-up checks the plug. Do not pull cables and do not open the computer. If the problem remains, the grown-up can switch off and restart. The steps depend on the kind of computer, so the teacher knows the right way for your device. A keyboard that does not type and a pointer that does not move follow the same idea: look at the connection, then restart. If the part is broken, it may need replacing, and that is an adult’s job.
Problem
What to check
Who helps
Frozen screen
wait, then restart
a grown-up
Pointer does not move
is the mouse connected?
a grown-up
Keyboard does not type
is the keyboard connected?
a grown-up
Worked examples
Jana’s screen freezes. She waits for a little while. The picture moves again. The computer was only busy with a big job.
The mouse pointer will not move. Omar’s teacher looks at the mouse: the plug is loose. She pushes it in gently, and the pointer moves again.
A keyboard types nothing. The grown-up checks, restarts the computer, and it still does nothing. The keyboard may be broken. It needs replacing by an adult.
Class activity
Act it out. Two children are the computer and the helper. The computer says one problem in a pretend voice: “My screen is frozen” or “My keyboard is silent”. The helper says what to check, in the right order. Remember: you never pull cables or open a computer. Swap roles and try another problem.
Practice
1
Why do we wait a little when a screen freezes?
The computer may only be busy.
2
Yasmin’s mouse pointer does not move. What can a grown-up check?
Whether the mouse is connected properly.
3
Which things must a child never do? Say the letters.
A (pull cables hard) and C (open the computer). B (wait) is fine.
4
The keyboard still does not work after a restart. What may be the reason?
