Computer Maintenance and Safety - SSS 1 Plan

LESSON PLAN: COMPUTER MAINTENANCE & SAFETY

Subject	Digital Technologies
Class	SSS 1
Term	First Term
Week	9
Topic	Computer Maintenance & Safety
Duration	80 Minutes (Double Period)
Subtopics	Preventive care; Proper handling of computer equipment; Health and safety; Computer laboratory safety.

BEHAVIOURAL OBJECTIVES

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Define computer maintenance.
2. Differentiate between preventive and corrective maintenance.
3. Identify common preventive maintenance practices.
4. Explain the importance of proper handling of computer equipment.
5. Identify common causes of computer damage.
6. State appropriate health and safety precautions when using computers.
7. State and explain safety rules for a computer laboratory.
8. Demonstrate responsible and safe handling of computer equipment.

INSTRUCTIONAL / TEACHING AIDS

• Desktop computer or laptop
• Keyboard, mouse and monitor
• Computer cleaning materials
• Power cables and surge protector
• Computer laboratory safety charts
• Safety signs
• Projector or interactive display
• Whiteboard and markers
• Computer laboratory

PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE / ENTRY BEHAVIOUR

Students have previously learned about computer hardware, software and operating systems. They are familiar with common computer equipment and should understand that hardware requires proper handling and software requires appropriate care and maintenance.

PRESENTATION STEPS

STEP	TEACHER'S ACTIVITY	STUDENTS' ACTIVITY
1. Introduction	The teacher displays a computer and asks students how they would keep it in good working condition. The teacher introduces the concept of computer maintenance.	Students identify different ways of caring for computers based on their previous experience.
2. Meaning of Computer Maintenance	The teacher defines computer maintenance as activities carried out to keep a computer system clean, functional, secure and in good working condition. Preventive and corrective maintenance are introduced.	Students listen, ask questions and write the definition and types of maintenance in their notes.
3. Preventive Care	The teacher explains preventive maintenance practices such as cleaning equipment, maintaining ventilation, protecting against electrical problems, updating software, using security software and backing up data.	Students identify preventive practices and explain how each can help prevent computer problems.
4. Proper Handling	The teacher demonstrates appropriate ways of handling computer equipment, including handling cables correctly, avoiding physical impact and keeping liquids away from equipment.	Students demonstrate correct handling of selected computer equipment and identify unsafe handling practices.
5. Causes of Computer Damage	The teacher discusses dust, excessive heat, liquid spills, power surges, physical impact, malware and improper shutdown as possible causes of damage or system problems.	Students identify possible causes of computer damage and suggest appropriate preventive measures.
6. Health and Safety	The teacher explains safe computer-use practices including proper posture, suitable viewing distance, regular breaks, appropriate lighting and safe use of keyboards and mice.	Students demonstrate proper sitting posture and discuss ways of reducing discomfort during prolonged computer use.
7. Computer Laboratory Safety	The teacher presents laboratory safety rules, including keeping the laboratory clean, avoiding food and drinks, managing cables properly, avoiding wet hands near electrical equipment and reporting faults.	Students state laboratory safety rules and explain why each rule is important.
8. Emergency Practices	The teacher explains what students should do if they notice smoke, a burning smell, liquid near electrical equipment or another dangerous condition.	Students explain the correct response to different computer-laboratory emergencies and understand the importance of reporting faults immediately.
9. Class Activity	The teacher divides students into groups. Each group inspects the laboratory and identifies examples of good maintenance and safety practices as well as areas requiring improvement.	Students work in groups, observe the laboratory and prepare a short list of maintenance and safety observations.
10. Conclusion	The teacher reviews computer maintenance, proper handling, health and safety, and laboratory safety. The teacher corrects misconceptions and emphasizes responsible use of digital equipment.	Students answer oral questions and summarize the major maintenance and safety practices learned.

EVALUATION QUESTIONS

1. What is computer maintenance?
2. Differentiate between preventive and corrective maintenance.
3. State five preventive maintenance practices.
4. State five ways of handling computer equipment properly.
5. Identify four causes of computer damage.
6. State five health and safety precautions when using computers.
7. State six safety rules that should be observed in a computer laboratory.
8. What should a student do when an electrical fault is noticed in the computer laboratory?

ASSIGNMENT

1. Define computer maintenance and explain its two major types.
2. List and explain eight preventive maintenance practices.
3. State ten safety rules for a computer laboratory.
4. Explain five health and safety precautions that computer users should observe.

TEACHER'S REFLECTION

The teacher should assess whether students can explain the importance of computer maintenance, distinguish preventive from corrective maintenance, identify safe handling practices and state appropriate health and laboratory safety rules. The teacher should also observe whether students demonstrate responsible behaviour when handling computer equipment.