Technologies · Year 1

Active learning ideas

Digital Collaboration Basics

Active, hands-on tasks help Year 1 students grasp digital collaboration because they move abstract ideas into immediate experience. When learners see their partner’s changes appear in real time, they understand sharing more deeply than through explanation alone.

• ACARA Content Descriptions
• AC9TDE2P04

• 25–40 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 4 activities

Activity 01

• Placemat Activity
• 30 min · Pairs

Pairs: Shared Doodle Challenge

Pairs access a shared drawing tool like Google Jamboard or Microsoft Whiteboard. Student A adds shapes or colors for 2 minutes, then Student B for 2 minutes; they alternate while explaining choices aloud. End with partners presenting their joint creation to the class.

Explain how two people can work on the same digital drawing at the same time.

Facilitation Tip

During Shared Doodle Challenge, silently point to the screen to highlight how cursors show who is drawing where, reinforcing real-time awareness.

What to look for

Observe students working in pairs on a shared drawing. Ask: 'How do you know what your partner is drawing?' and 'What did you do when your partner wanted to draw in the same spot?'

• Understand
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Self-Awareness
• Relationship Skills

Activity 02

• Placemat Activity
• 35 min · Small Groups

Small Groups: Story Builder Relay

Small groups open a shared story app like Book Creator. First student adds one sentence or picture, passes the device; continue until the story ends. Groups share final stories and note what turns worked best.

Justify why it's important to take turns when collaborating digitally.

Facilitation Tip

In Story Builder Relay, pause after each section to ask, 'What rule helped us avoid overwriting?' to keep turn-taking visible.

What to look for

Provide students with a slip of paper. Ask them to draw one symbol that means 'wait your turn' and write one sentence explaining why it is important to wait when working on a shared digital picture.

• Understand
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Self-Awareness
• Relationship Skills

Activity 03

• Placemat Activity
• 25 min · Whole Class

Whole Class: Group Monster Design

Display a shared drawing screen via projector. Call on students one by one to suggest and add features to a class monster, using a pointer or verbal direction. Vote on final details as a group.

Design a collaborative digital art project with a partner.

Facilitation Tip

For Group Monster Design, model how to suggest an idea before moving any part of the monster to build respectful digital habits.

What to look for

Pose the question: 'Imagine you and a friend are both trying to draw a sun on the same part of the screen. What could you do or say to solve this problem?' Facilitate a brief class discussion on respectful solutions.

• Understand
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Self-Awareness
• Relationship Skills

Activity 04

• Placemat Activity
• 40 min · Pairs

Pairs: Art Plan to Digital

Pairs sketch a quick paper plan for a shared picture, then transfer it to a digital tool, each adding half. Compare paper and digital versions, discussing changes needed for collaboration.

Explain how two people can work on the same digital drawing at the same time.

What to look for

Observe students working in pairs on a shared drawing. Ask: 'How do you know what your partner is drawing?' and 'What did you do when your partner wanted to draw in the same spot?'

• Understand
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Self-Awareness
• Relationship Skills

A few notes on teaching this unit

Teachers approach digital collaboration by modeling patience and clear language first. They avoid letting students jump straight into tools without agreeing on simple rules. Research shows that young learners benefit from guided practice with pauses for reflection, not just free exploration.

Successful learning looks like students explaining their partner’s actions, justifying turn-taking choices, and producing a joint product they can describe. Clear communication and visible teamwork indicate understanding of shared digital spaces.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• Digital sharing means only viewing, not editing together.

  During Shared Doodle Challenge, watch for students noticing their partner’s editing in real time and describing what they see changing on the screen.

• No rules needed digitally since you can always undo.

  During Story Builder Relay, listen for students explaining how skipping turns caused overwriting and how they adjusted the rule to keep the story flowing.

• Anyone can change everything anytime in shared work.

  During Group Monster Design, notice students practicing phrases like 'Can I add the eye?' before moving parts, showing they understand roles and respect.

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Methods used in this brief

• Placemat Activity