Lesson Plan
Course Title: Computer Maintenance
Session Title: Cache Concepts
Lesson Duration: Part I – 60 Minutes; Independent Studies – 120 Minutes
Performance Objective: Upon completion of this assignment, the student will understand how
a cache works and its role in the computer.
Specific Objectives:
 Define “cache.”
 Differentiate between L1 and L2 Caches.
 Identify Caching Subsystems.
 Define Caching Technology.
 Apply the cache concept to other subject matter.
Preparation
TEKS Correlations:
This lesson, as published, correlates to the following TEKS. Any changes/alterations to the
activities may result in the elimination of any or all of the TEKS listed.
130.273 (c)
(4) The student acquires an understanding of computer technologyies. The student is expected
to:
(G) describe the architecture of various computer systems
(H) describe the function of computer components such as central processing unite, storage
devices, and peripheral devices;
(7) The student uses hardware design, operation, and maintenance knowledge and skills to
provide computer support. The student is expected to:
(A) identify the purpose and function of computer components in the operation of the
computer system such as entral processing unit, mother board, sockets, chipsets, basic
input/output system and their drivers, memory, hard drive technologies, video cards,
input and output devices and ports, and modem and nework interface cards (NIC)
(8) The sudent uses troubleshooting skills with hardware knowledge to solve client problems.
The student is expected to:
(H) demonstrate hard drive maintenance procedures such as defrag, scandisk and clear
caches
Instructor/Trainer
References:
www.howstuffworks.com
IT: Computer Maintenance: Cache Concepts Plan
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved.
1
Instructional Aids:
1. Concept of Cache PowerPoint Presentation
2. Concept of Cache Exam
3. Concept of Cache Exam - Key
Materials Needed:
Copies of Cache Exam
Equipment Needed:
1. Projection system to display the PowerPoint presentation
Learner
Students should read the appropriate curriculum material for cache concepts, depending on the
test/curriculum being used for this course. This lesson can be taught with only the PowerPoint
presentation, and the equipment outlined above.
Introduction
MI
Introduction (LSI Quadrant I):
•
SAY: One method of increasing the memory-access speed of a computer is
called caching.
•
SAY: Imagine if a librarian had to go to the bookshelf herself every time
someone asked for a book (assume you were not allowed to look for a
book yourself). This would take some time. Let’s also say that you
wanted the book Moby Dick and she gave it to you. You come back to
return it and she puts it back on the shelf. Someone else comes in 20
minutes after you leave wanting Moby Dick. Now she has to go all the
way back to the book shelf and get in again. When the book is
returned, she again reshelves it. Then you come back and ask to see
Moby Dick one more time because you forgot a key piece of
information you need to remember.
•
ASK: What would the librarian have to do then? [go get the book off the shelf
again]
•
ASK: But what if she had a backpack with her that could fit 10 books? When
you return Moby Dick, the librarian could put it in her backpack and if
someone comes in wanting the book, she doesn’t have to go all the
way to bookshelf to get it because she has it right there in her
backpack. How would that help both the librarian and the patron? [it
would be much faster to get the book]
•
SAY: That’s the concept of caching. Caching allows you to perform
computer tasks more rapidly because the computer temporarily stores
information so that you can get to it faster the next time you need it.
Outline
IT: Computer Maintenance: Cache Concepts Plan
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved.
2
MI
Outline (LSI Quadrant II):
Instructor Notes:
I. Introduction to cache
II. Computer Caches
A. L1 Cache
B. L2 Cache
III. Cache Subsystems
A. Internet Connections
B. Peripherals
IV Cache technologies
Note: Instructors can use the
PowerPoint slides, handouts,
and note pages in
conjunction with the following
outline.
Application
MI
Guided Practice (LSI Quadrant III):
This is primarily an informational lesson.
MI
Independent Practice (LSI Quadrant III):
Have students create a poster or story board. The subject is to create a
system like a “cache” which would save time in everyday life. Then
students present their projects to the class, and explain and support their
ideas.
Summary
MI
Review (LSI Quadrants I and IV):
Checking for understanding (Q & A Session)
Q: What is caching?
A: A method of increasing the memory-access speed of a computer
Q: Give an example of Internet caching.
A: The first time you ask for an HTML page, your browser renders it, and a copy of it
is also stored on your hard drive; it is cached. The next time you request access
to this page, your browser checks to see if the date of the file on the Internet is
newer than the one cached. If the date is the same, your browser uses the one
on your hard disk instead of downloading it from the Internet.
Q: Give an example of peripheral caching?
A: When the computer asks for data from the hard disk, the hard-disk controller
checks into this memory before moving the mechanical parts of the hard disk. If
it finds the data that the computer asked for in the cache, it will return the data
stored in the cache without actually accessing data on the hard disk itself, saving
a lot of time.
Evaluation
MI
Informal Assessment (LSI Quadrant III):
IT: Computer Maintenance: Cache Concepts Plan
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved.
3
Monitor student progress during independent practice, and provide independent
reteach/redirection as needed.
MI
Formal Assessment (LSI Quadrant III, IV):
Use the Cache Concepts Exam and Exam Key.
Extension
MI
Extension/Enrichment (LSI Quadrant IV):
Students can explore options for setting cache memory in Internet browsers to verify
that page load time does increase with the use of cache technologies.
IT: Computer Maintenance: Cache Concepts Plan
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved.
4
Icon
MI
Verbal/
Linguistic
Logical/
Mathematical
Visual/Spatial
Musical/
Rhythmic
Bodily/
Kinesthetic
Intrapersonal
Interpersonal
Naturalist
Existentialist
Teaching Strategies
Personal Development
Strategies
Lecture, discussion, journal
writing, cooperative learning,
word origins
Reading, highlighting, outlining,
teaching others, reciting information
Problem-solving, number
games, critical thinking,
classifying and organizing,
Socratic questioning
Mind-mapping, reflective
time, graphic organizers,
color-coding systems,
drawings, designs, video,
DVD, charts, maps
Use music, compose songs
or raps, use musical
language or metaphors
Organizing material logically, explaining
things sequentially, finding patterns,
developing systems, outlining, charting,
graphing, analyzing information
Developing graphic organizers, mindmapping, charting, graphing, organizing
with color, mental imagery (drawing in
the mind’s eye)
Use manipulatives, hand
signals, pantomime, real life
situations, puzzles and board
games, activities, roleplaying, action problems
Reflective teaching,
interviews, reflective listening,
KWL charts
Cooperative learning, roleplaying, group brainstorming,
cross-cultural interactions
Natural objects as
manipulatives and as a
background for learning
Socratic questions, real-life
situations, global
problems/questions
Creating rhythms out of words, creating
rhythms with instruments, playing an
instrument, putting words to existing
songs
Moving while learning, pacing while
reciting, acting out scripts of material,
designing games, moving fingers under
words while reading
Reflecting on the personal meaning of
information, studying in quiet settings,
imagining experiments, visualizing
information, journaling
Studying in a group, discussing
information, using flash cards with
others, teaching others
Connecting with nature, forming study
groups with like-minded people
Considering the personal relationship to
the larger context
IT: Computer Maintenance: Cache Concepts Plan
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved.
5
Computer Maintenance
Concept of Cache
Exam
Name ___________________________________________
Date____________________
True/False
_____1. One method of increasing the memory-access speed of a computer is called
caching.
_____2. There are not many different types of caches.
_____3. Caching allows you to perform computer tasks more rapidly.
_____4. A cache has some maximum size that is much smaller than the larger storage
area.
_____5. It is not possible to have multiple layers of cache.
_____6. Conventional processors use level 2 cache on the motherboard and connect to
it using the standard memory bus arrangement.
_____7. Each cache has an independent, non-interfering bus to service it.
_____8. Internet connection is part of a cache subsystem.
_____9. Cache cannot be built directly on peripherals.
____10. Without L1 and L2 caches, an access to the main memory takes 60
nanoseconds, or about 30 wasted cycles accessing memory.
Short Answer
11. Briefly describe how a cache works in the internet connection.
12. Briefly describe how a cache works with peripherals.
IT: Computer Maintenance: Cache Concepts Plan
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved.
6
Computer Maintenance
Concept of Cache
Exam - KEY
True/False
_____1. One method of increasing the memory-access speed of a computer is called
caching. T
_____2. There are not many different types of caches. F
_____3. Caching allows you to perform computer tasks more rapidly. T
_____4. A cache has some maximum size that is much smaller than the larger storage
area. T
_____5. It is not possible to have multiple layers of cache. F
_____6. Conventional processors use level 2 cache on the motherboard and connect to
it using the standard memory bus arrangement. T
_____7. Each cache has an independent, non-interfering bus to service it. T
_____8. Internet connection is part of a cache subsystem. T
_____9. Cache cannot be built directly on peripherals. F
____10. Without L1 and L2 caches, an access to the main memory takes 60
nanoseconds, or about 30 wasted cycles accessing memory. T
Short Answer
11. Briefly describe how a cache works in the internet connection.
The Internet connection is the slowest link in your computer. So your browser uses
the hard disk to store HTML pages. The first time you ask for an HTML page, your
browser renders it and a copy of it is also stored on your disk, it is cached. The next
time you request access to this page, your browser checks if the date of the file on
the Internet is newer than the one cached. If the date is the same, your browser uses
the one on your hard disk instead of downloading it from Internet. In this case, the
smaller but faster memory system is your hard disk and the larger and slower one is
the Internet.
12. Briefly describe how a cache works with peripherals.
Cache can also be built directly on peripherals. Modern hard disks come with fast
memory. The computer doesn't directly use this memory -- the hard-disk controller
does. When the computer asks for data from the hard disk, the hard-disk controller
checks into this memory before moving the mechanical parts of the hard disk. If it
finds the data that the computer asked for in the cache, it will return the data stored in
the cache without actually accessing data on the disk itself, saving a lot of time.
IT: Computer Maintenance: Cache Concepts Plan
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved.
7