a) Budget Office PC
Needs: Basic office work (documents, spreadsheets), web Browse, email. Budget is the main priority.
Lesson Outcomes
By the end of this worksheet, you should be able to:
- Explain the need for secondary storageIt's non-volatile (holds data even when system is turned off) and much bigger than primary.\nUsed for long term storage of data and files\nThe OS, system software and application software are all installed here, plus files and folders. \nThis type of storage cannot be read directly by the CPU.\nExamples are Hard Disk, USB Flash Drive, SSD, CD.
- Identify the three main types of secondary storage: OpticalSecondary storage that uses laser light to read/burn data onto a medium such as CD, DVD or Blu-Ray disc, MagneticSecondary storage type stores data by magnetising areas of the surface\nIt includes hard disk drives and tape drives, and Solid StateSecondary storage type with no moving parts\nIt uses semiconductor technology, and works by trapping electrons inside a gate.\nIncludes SSDs, flash memory, memory sticks and SD cards.
- Give examples of devices for each storage type (e.g., HDDHigh capacity magnetic secondary storage device. It has spinning platters so it wears out, making it less reliable and portable than SSD., SSDNo moving parts means this high capacity, fast, durable, low power and reliable secondary storage device is good for laptops but it's expensive, CDOptical storage, a laser reads and writes the 700MB capacity optical disks. Disks are cheap and portable., USB StickA solid state storage removable storage device which is very portable, comes in capacities from 1GB up to 512GB).
- Describe the key characteristics used to compare storage devices: CapacityThe amount of data that can be stored in a storage device or on storage media.\nIf you create lots of data you need this characteristic to be high, SpeedHow fast data can be read from or written to a storage device.\nThis characteristic is important if your application creates or uses a lot of data quickly such as a video camera, PortabilityHow easy it is to carry around a storage device or its media.\nYou need this characteristic for secondary storage in smartphones, laptops and tablets, DurabilityHow well it survives knocks and drops.\nA device that is carried around a lot needs this characteristic to be good, ReliabilityHow long a device will last without losing data...\n...under normal use, and CostHow expensive a device is for each byte stored\nSome devices are faster and more durable but that makes the cost higher e.g. SSDs.
- Compare the advantages and disadvantages of different storage types based on these characteristics.
Task 1: Secondary Storage Basics (Max 4 points)
Let's check your understanding of why we need secondary storage and its key properties. Hover over keywordsKeywords related to secondary storage will have dotted underlines. Hover for definitions! for hints.
1. Secondary storageIt's non-volatile (holds data even when system is turned off) and much bigger than primary.\nUsed for long term storage of data and files\nThe OS, system software and application software are all installed here, plus files and folders. \nThis type of storage cannot be read directly by the CPU.\nExamples are Hard Disk, USB Flash Drive, SSD, CD is needed because RAM is volatileLoses its contents when switched off, this describes main memory aka RAM.\nBecause data in RAM is not permanent, we need secondary storage..
2. Data on secondary storage is kept even when the computer is turned off.
3. The term describing memory that retains data without power is:
4. The CPU can directly read data from a Hard Disk Drive without it going through RAM first.
Task 2: Identifying Storage Types (Max 6 points)
Match the storage device/medium to its main type: OpticalSecondary storage that uses laser light to read/burn data onto a medium such as CD, DVD or Blu-Ray disc, MagneticSecondary storage type stores data by magnetising areas of the surface\nIt includes hard disk drives and tape drives, or Solid StateSecondary storage type with no moving parts\nIt uses semiconductor technology, and works by trapping electrons inside a gate.\nIncludes SSDs, flash memory, memory sticks and SD cards.
1. SSDNo moving parts means this high capacity, fast, durable, low power and reliable secondary storage device is good for laptops but it's expensive (Solid State Drive)
2. CDOptical storage, a laser reads and writes the 700MB capacity optical disks. Disks are cheap and portable. / DVDOptical storage, a laser reads and writes the 4.7GB capacity optical disks which are cheap and portable, but a bit more expensive than CDs.
3. Hard Disk DriveHigh capacity magnetic secondary storage device. It has spinning platters so it wears out, making it less reliable and portable than SSD. (HDD)
4. USB Memory StickA solid state storage removable storage device which is very portable, comes in capacities from 1GB up to 512GB
5. Blu-Ray DiscAn optical storage component with a capacity of 25GB, a blue laser reads them, they are more expensive than DVDs but still cheap to make.
6. SD Memory CardA solid state storage device with a flat shape that is used in cameras and phones, also known as a flash card or SD card
Task 3: Sorting Storage Characteristics (Max 6 points)
When choosing storage, we consider several factors (Secondary storage considerationsCapacity/size\nSpeed\nPortability\nDurability\nReliability\nCost\n\nRemember this...\nComputer Science Pupils Do Really Care). Drag each definition from the pool to match the correct characteristic term.
Definitions Pool (Drag these)
The amount of data that can be stored.
How fast data can be read/written.
How easy it is to carry around.
How well it survives knocks/drops.
How long it lasts without losing data.
How expensive it is per byte/GB.
CapacityThe amount of data that can be stored in a storage device or on storage media.\nIf you create lots of data you need this characteristic to be high
SpeedHow fast data can be read from or written to a storage device.\nThis characteristic is important if your application creates or uses a lot of data quickly such as a video camera
PortabilityHow easy it is to carry around a storage device or its media.\nYou need this characteristic for secondary storage in smartphones, laptops and tablets
DurabilityHow well it survives knocks and drops.\nA device that is carried around a lot needs this characteristic to be good
ReliabilityHow long a device will last without losing data...\n...under normal use
CostHow expensive a device is for each byte stored\nSome devices are faster and more durable but that makes the cost higher e.g. SSDs
Task 4: Device Capacity Sorting (Max 6 points)
Drag the storage media from the pool and arrange them in the drop slots below, ordered by their typical general storage capacity from smallest (slot 1) to largest (slot 6).
Devices Pool (Drag these)
HDD
CD
SSD
DVD
USB Stick
Blu-Ray
1
2
3
4
5
6
Task 5: Visualising Access Speed
Click the buttons below to see a simplified animation representing how quickly data might move from different storage types to RAM. (Note: This is conceptual, not to scale!)
Click a button to start the simulation.
Task 6: Benefits and Drawbacks (Max 12 points)
Complete the sentences about the pros and cons of each storage type using the terms: durability, cost per GB, speed, capacity, portable, moving parts, non-volatile, reliability.
Optical Storage:
Optical discs like CDs/DVDs are cheap per GB, very , but suffer from low and slow write . They are also easily damaged, affecting their .
Magnetic Storage:
Magnetic HDDs offer the lowest for high storage. However, their make them less durable and slower than SSDs.
Solid State Storage:
Solid State storage has no , leading to excellent and fast read/write , although long-term can be reduced by excessive read/write cycles causing cell degradation. Like all secondary storage, it is .
Task 7: Exam Practice Questions
Apply your knowledge to these exam-style questions based on the flashcard information.
Question 1: Explain why secondary storage is needed in a computer system. [2 marks]
Question 2: State two advantages of using a Solid State Drive (SSD) compared to a Hard Disk Drive (HDD) in a laptop. [2 marks]
Question 3: A student needs to back up large video projects (50GB each) cheaply for long-term archiving. They don't need frequent or fast access.
a) Name one suitable *type* of storage media. [1 mark]
b) Justify your choice by referring to two characteristics of secondary storage. [2 marks]
Key Takeaways
- Purpose: Secondary storageIt's non-volatile (holds data even when system is turned off) and much bigger than primary.\nUsed for long term storage of data and files\nThe OS, system software and application software are all installed here, plus files and folders. \nThis type of storage cannot be read directly by the CPU.\nExamples are Hard Disk, USB Flash Drive, SSD, CD is needed for long-term, non-volatileRetains its contents when switched off, like all secondary storage so we can save data and install programs permanently storage of the OS, applications, and user files.
- Main Types:
- OpticalSecondary storage that uses laser light to read/burn data onto a medium such as CD, DVD or Blu-Ray disc (CD, DVD, Blu-Ray): Uses lasers, cheap media, slow, low capacity, easily damaged.
- MagneticSecondary storage type stores data by magnetising areas of the surface\nIt includes hard disk drives and tape drives (HDD, Tape): Uses magnetism, very high capacity, low cost per GB, has moving parts (less durable/slower access than SSD).
- Solid StateSecondary storage type with no moving parts\nIt uses semiconductor technology, and works by trapping electrons inside a gate.\nIncludes SSDs, flash memory, memory sticks and SD cards (SSD, USB Stick, SD Card): Uses flash memory (no moving parts), fast, durable, portable, quiet, but higher cost per GB.
- Considerations: When choosing storage, consider CapacityThe amount of data that can be stored in a storage device or on storage media.\nIf you create lots of data you need this characteristic to be high, SpeedHow fast data can be read from or written to a storage device.\nThis characteristic is important if your application creates or uses a lot of data quickly such as a video camera, PortabilityHow easy it is to carry around a storage device or its media.\nYou need this characteristic for secondary storage in smartphones, laptops and tablets, DurabilityHow well it survives knocks and drops.\nA device that is carried around a lot needs this characteristic to be good, ReliabilityHow long a device will last without losing data...\n...under normal use, and CostHow expensive a device is for each byte stored\nSome devices are faster and more durable but that makes the cost higher e.g. SSDs.
Task 8: Your Progress
Check your score based on the interactive quiz questions and activities.
Your Score: 0 / 0
Note: Score based on Tasks 1, 2, 3, 4, 6. Simulation, Extension & Exam practice are not auto-scored.
Task 9: Extension Activities
Challenge yourself further with these optional activities. These are not automatically scored.
Extension 9.1: PC Build Storage Strategy
Imagine you are building two different computers. Decide on the secondary storage combination (types and typical capacities) you would use for each. Justify your choices based on cost, speed, and capacity requirements.
b) High-End Gaming/Video Editing PC
Needs: Fast loading for OS and large games/editing software, large capacity for storing video files and game installs. Performance is key.
Extension 9.2: Specific Device Deep Dive
Choose a specific, less common storage device (e.g., LTO Tape Drive, NVMe SSD, Blu-Ray XL, SD Express card). Create a fact file detailing its technology type, typical capacity, speed, primary use case, and approximate cost. Compare its key characteristics to a more common alternative.
Extension 9.3: Cloud vs. Local Storage Analysis
Think about services like Google Drive, iCloud, or Dropbox versus using external HDDs or USB sticks. Compare Cloud Storage and Local Secondary Storage based on the key characteristics below. Then write a concluding sentence on which you think is better for personal photo backups and why.
| Characteristic | Cloud Storage | Local Storage (e.g., Ext. HDD/SSD) |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | ||
| Speed | ||
| Portability | ||
| Durability | ||
| Reliability | ||
| Cost | ||
| Accessibility | ||
| Security/Privacy |
Extension 9.4: RAID Introduction
Briefly research RAID 0 and RAID 1.