Lesson Plan

• Describe the four basic computer architectures (SISD, SIMD, MISD, MIMD) and their instruction/data stream characteristics.
• Compare how each architecture supports shared‑memory and distributed‑memory parallel processing models.
• Explain the role of virtual machines and differentiate system VMs from process VMs.
• Analyse performance factors (clock speed, memory bandwidth, scalability) across the architectures.
• Apply knowledge by classifying example hardware or software scenarios into the appropriate architecture.

• Projector or interactive whiteboard
• Slide deck with Flynn’s taxonomy tables and diagrams
• Handout containing the architecture comparison chart
• Laptop computers with internet access for each student
• Online SIMD/parallel‑processing visualiser
• Whiteboard and markers

Start with a quick poll: “Who has heard of SIMD or MIMD?” Connect this to prior lessons on basic CPU operation. Explain that by the end of the lesson students will be able to identify each architecture, compare their parallel models, and describe how virtual machines leverage these designs.

1. Do‑Now (5') – Matching activity: students pair architecture names with their instruction/data stream descriptions.
2. Direct Instruction (10') – Present Flynn’s taxonomy using slides and the suggested diagram.
3. Guided Practice (15') – Small groups analyse real‑world examples (GPU, multi‑core CPU, fault‑tolerant system) and fill a comparison table.
4. Parallel Models Demo (10') – Demonstrate shared‑memory vs distributed‑memory using a simple parallel‑processing visualiser.
5. Virtual Machines Discussion (10') – Contrast system VMs and process VMs; relate to the architectures covered.
6. Check for Understanding (5') – Exit‑ticket question: “Give one example of a task best suited to MIMD and explain why.”

Recap the four architectures, their parallel processing implications, and the two types of virtual machines. Collect exit tickets to gauge understanding, and assign a short homework: read an article on multi‑core scalability and write a one‑paragraph reflection on which architecture best supports that scenario.