Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 17/01/2026
Subject: Information Technology IT
Lesson Topic: Describe control technologies (smart homes, traffic lights, autonomous vehicles)
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe the role of sensors, actuators and communication protocols in smart homes, traffic‑light systems and autonomous vehicles.
  • Compare fixed‑time, actuated and adaptive control logic across the three technologies.
  • Analyse how feedback loops and latency impact safety and efficiency in each control system.
  • Evaluate real‑world case studies and propose improvements to control strategies.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector or interactive whiteboard
  • Slides with diagrams of control loops
  • Worksheets with comparison tables
  • Flowchart software or paper for design activity
  • Internet access for research on autonomous‑vehicle platforms
  • Sensor/actuator demo kits (optional)
 Introduction:
Begin with a short video showing a smart‑home lighting system turning on automatically as a person enters a room, followed by a traffic‑light sequence and an autonomous car navigating a city street. Ask students to recall previous lessons on feedback loops and sensor‑actuator pairs. Explain that today they will explore how these concepts are applied in three distinct control technologies and identify the success criteria: being able to describe, compare and evaluate each system.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5'): Quick quiz on feedback‑loop terminology displayed on the board.
  2. Mini‑lecture (15'): Overview of control system fundamentals and the three domains using slides and block diagrams.
  3. Group activity (20'): Students design a smart‑home flowchart (sensor → decision → actuator) on paper or digitally; teacher circulates for feedback.
  4. Case‑study analysis (15'): In pairs, examine a traffic‑light intersection image and propose adaptive‑control improvements; share ideas with the class.
  5. Research & presentation (20'): Small groups investigate an autonomous‑vehicle platform, map its control hierarchy, and deliver a 2‑minute summary.
  6. Synthesis discussion (10'): Whole‑class comparative discussion using the source table; rapid‑fire questions to check understanding.
Conclusion:
Summarise the key similarities and differences in sensors, actuators, communication and control logic across the three technologies. Have students complete an exit ticket by listing one safety implication of latency for each system. Assign homework to write a brief reflection on which control technology they find most challenging and why.