Technologies · Year 1

Active learning ideas

Representing Ideas with Symbols

Active learning works well for this topic because symbols are everywhere in students’ lives, yet their meaning isn’t always obvious. By moving, discussing, and creating, students connect abstract representations to real-world experiences they already have.

• ACARA Content Descriptions
• AC9TDE2K02

• 15–30 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 3 activities

Activity 01

• Think-Pair-Share
• 15 min · Pairs

Think-Pair-Share: Symbol Detective

Show a common digital symbol (like a Wi-Fi signal). Students think about what it means, share with a partner where they have seen it, and then share with the class.

Explain how a single picture can tell a whole story.

Facilitation Tip

During Symbol Detective, give each pair only three minutes to find symbols in the classroom before sharing with the group.

What to look for

Show students a series of common icons (e.g., home button, play button, Wi-Fi symbol). Ask them to write or draw what each symbol means on a whiteboard or paper. Review responses to gauge understanding.

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

Activity 02

• Inquiry Circle
• 30 min · Small Groups

Inquiry Circle: Indigenous Symbols

Look at traditional Aboriginal symbols for 'waterhole' or 'journey'. Students work in groups to compare how these symbols and modern digital icons both use simple shapes to tell a story.

Justify why we use symbols instead of words in some digital apps.

Facilitation Tip

When investigating Indigenous symbols, invite students to gently touch or trace the symbols to connect with tactile learning.

What to look for

Provide students with a card asking them to draw one symbol they use every day and write one sentence explaining what it means. Collect these to assess individual symbol recognition and explanation skills.

• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Self-Management
• Self-Awareness

Activity 03

• Simulation Game
• 20 min · Individual

Simulation Game: The Silent Message

Students must communicate a simple instruction (like 'sit down' or 'wash hands') to the class using only a symbol they draw on a whiteboard, without using any words.

Design a symbol that means 'danger' for everyone in the world.

Facilitation Tip

In The Silent Message simulation, intentionally remove verbal instructions to force reliance on symbol interpretation.

What to look for

Ask students: 'Imagine you are designing a new app for younger children. What symbols would you use to show them how to save their game? Why are these symbols better than writing out the words?' Facilitate a class discussion on symbol clarity and audience.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Social Awareness
• Decision-Making

A few notes on teaching this unit

Teach this topic by starting with what students already know—icons on their devices—and then expanding to cultural and historical contexts. Avoid assuming symbols are universal; instead, use discussion to uncover their constructed meanings. Research shows that when students create their own symbols first, they understand the need for agreed-upon representations later.

Successful learning looks like students confidently identifying symbols, explaining their meanings, and discussing why certain symbols are used in different contexts. They should begin to see symbols not just as pictures, but as tools for communication.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• During Symbol Detective, watch for students assuming symbols must visually resemble their meaning.

  After the Think-Pair-Share, show students the floppy disk 'save' icon and ask them to describe what it looks like versus what it represents to reinforce that symbols are agreements.

• During Collaborative Investigation: Indigenous Symbols, watch for students assuming all symbols mean the same thing across cultures.

  Use the group discussion to compare symbols from different Indigenous groups, explicitly pointing out variations in meaning and design within the same cultural context.

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Methods used in this brief

• Think-Pair-Share
• Inquiry Circle
• Simulation Game