Planning the Digital Solution

Active learning works well for planning the digital solution because students need to articulate their process, not just their product. The Final Showcase requires students to explain decisions and reflect on growth, which is best practiced through interactive, low-stakes activities first.

• Year 4
• Technologies
• 3 activities
• 25 min–60 min

Learning Objectives

1. Design a flowchart illustrating the sequence of actions for a digital solution.
2. Construct a user interface wireframe for a digital solution, considering target audience needs.
3. Explain the relationship between planned algorithms and the intended functionality of a digital solution.
4. Evaluate the clarity and usability of a user interface design based on specified criteria.

Gallery Walk

⏱ 60 min·Small Groups

Gallery Walk: The Tech Expo

Students set up 'booths' for their projects. Half the class acts as 'investors' who walk around, ask questions, and interact with the solutions, while the other half presents. Then they swap roles.

Prepare & details

Design the step-by-step process for our program to solve the problem.

Facilitation Tip: During the Gallery Walk, rotate quietly between groups to listen for evidence of iterative problem-solving in their explanations, not just final answers.

Setup: Wall space or tables arranged around room perimeter

Materials: Large paper/poster boards, Markers, Sticky notes for feedback

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Create
• Relationship Skills
• Social Awareness

Simulation Game

⏱ 30 min·Small Groups

Simulation Game: The 60-Second Pitch

Each group has exactly one minute to 'sell' their idea to the class. They must explain the problem, show their solution, and say why it's 'deadly' (excellent). The class gives a 'thumbs up' for clarity and 'thumbs sideways' for more info.

Prepare & details

Construct a user interface that is clear and easy to use for our target audience.

Facilitation Tip: For the 60-Second Pitch, set a timer and practice pacing so students learn to prioritize key details under pressure.

Setup: Flexible space for group stations

Materials: Role cards with goals/resources, Game currency or tokens, Round tracker

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

Think-Pair-Share

⏱ 25 min·Pairs

Think-Pair-Share: The Reflection Circle

Students think about the hardest part of the project and one thing they would change if they had another month. They pair up to share their 'lessons learned' and then share with the whole class to celebrate their resilience.

Prepare & details

Explain how the planned steps will lead to the desired outcome.

Facilitation Tip: In the Reflection Circle, provide sentence starters to guide students who struggle to articulate their learning.

Setup: Standard classroom seating; students turn to a neighbor

Materials: Discussion prompt (projected or printed), Optional: recording sheet for pairs

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

Teaching This Topic

Teachers should model authentic reflection by sharing their own design failures first. Avoid rushing to perfect presentations—focus on the messy, iterative process. Research shows that students learn public speaking best when they start small, like with a 60-second pitch, before tackling longer presentations.

What to Expect

Students will confidently explain their design journey, demonstrate their solution with purpose, and reflect on challenges with clarity. They will use materials like prototypes and code drafts as evidence, not just the final polished product.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

During the Gallery Walk, watch for students who only describe their final product and skip their process.

What to Teach Instead

Prompt them to point out specific failed prototypes or code snippets they discarded, using sticky notes to mark these on their display.

Common Misconception

During the 60-Second Pitch, students believe they must speak flawlessly to impress the audience.

What to Teach Instead

Have them practice using their working model as a prop, shifting focus from verbal perfection to interactive demonstration.

Assessment Ideas

Quick Check

After the Gallery Walk, collect each group’s flowcharts and review them for logical order and inclusion of iterative steps (e.g., prototyping, testing).

Peer Assessment

During the 60-Second Pitch, pair students to give immediate feedback using a rubric focused on clarity, pacing, and use of props.

Exit Ticket

After the Reflection Circle, ask students to write one algorithm they planned and one UI element they chose, explaining why it solved their problem effectively.

Extensions & Scaffolding

• Challenge: Ask students to prepare a 30-second version of their pitch to refine clarity and brevity.
• Scaffolding: Provide a checklist of key points to include in their Gallery Walk explanation (e.g., problem, solution, challenges).
• Deeper exploration: Have students analyze another group’s solution and prepare one constructive question for them during the Gallery Walk.

Key Vocabulary

Algorithm	A set of step-by-step instructions or rules designed to perform a specific task or solve a problem.
User Interface (UI)	The visual layout and interactive elements of a digital product that a user engages with, such as buttons, menus, and screens.
Wireframe	A basic visual guide used in user interface design to represent the skeletal framework of a digital product, focusing on layout and functionality.
Sequence	The order in which instructions or actions are performed, crucial for the correct operation of a digital solution.
Target Audience	The specific group of people for whom a product or service is intended, whose needs and preferences should guide the design.