Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 17/01/2026
Subject: Physics
Lesson Topic: Know that a sound can be transmitted as a digital or analogue signal
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe how sound is represented as analogue and digital signals.
  • Explain the processes of sampling, quantisation, and encoding in digital audio.
  • Compare the advantages and limitations of analogue versus digital transmission.
  • Interpret a diagram showing the conversion of a sound wave into analogue and digital forms.
  • Apply the Nyquist theorem to determine the minimum sampling rate for a given audio signal.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector and screen
  • Computer with audio editing software (e.g., Audacity)
  • Speakers or headphones
  • Handouts containing the analogue/digital comparison table
  • Sample audio files (MP3, WAV)
  • Whiteboard and markers
 Introduction:

Play a short audio clip and ask students how the same sound could travel over radio or the internet. Connect this to prior knowledge about waves and signals, noting that today they will explore the conversion of sound into analogue and digital formats. State that by the end of the lesson they will be able to describe both processes and compare their strengths.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5'): Students list everyday examples of sound transmission (radio, streaming, telephone) and share.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10'): Introduce analogue transmission, show waveform and AM/FM modulation concepts.
  3. Demonstration (8'): Use a signal generator to display real‑time analogue modulation on the screen.
  4. Mini‑lecture (10'): Explain digital transmission – sampling, quantisation, encoding – with a live Audacity demo.
  5. Guided activity (12'): In pairs, students convert a short audio clip to a digital waveform, calculate required sampling rate using Nyquist, and record results.
  6. Comparison discussion (10'): Groups complete a Venn diagram contrasting analogue and digital methods; teacher checks understanding.
Conclusion:

Recap that analogue signals vary continuously while digital signals consist of discrete binary values, each with distinct pros and cons. Students write one key difference on a sticky note as an exit ticket. For homework, they research a real‑world example of digital audio streaming and note the sampling rate used.