Learning theory by creating a rap

A possible way to get the learners to learn their theory is to ask them to create a rap. CAT theory exams require learners to apply their knowledge, but you need to know the work before applying it. 

My students were tasked with creating a rap. They had to give me the sound file, plus the lyrics. They went through the textbook chapter looking for something from which they could create a rap - they looked at the textbook, they engaged with the material in the textbook. They played with the words of the theory. They did it at home. I think some family members got involved with the work. I am sure some of the work went into their heads. Cool work!

Here are the lyrics of an example by Sivuyileplus Mhlekwa and the sound file. It is called CPU RAM ROM

CAT

CPU

RAM

ROM

Put it all on this hella beat (x2)

Also known as the processor

Performs all the processing…

… of data

And carries out instructions

Its speed is in Gigahertz

It’s a general indi-ca-tor

Of instructions it can process…

… in a second

CPU

CPU

CPU

CPU

CPU on the motherboard

Often just called memory

Needed to load processed data

Also needed to run programs

Random Access Memory

Works with the CPU

Stores open data or instructions

Very fast, very expensive, volatile

Random Access Memory

RAM

RAM

RAM

RAM

RAM on the motherboard (x2)

It’s a special chip on the motherboard

Stores instructions for booting up

Keeps its content when the power’s off

Read Only Memory

ROM

ROM

ROM

ROM

ROM on the motherboard (x2)

CAT

CPU

RAM

ROM

Put it all on this hella beat (x2)