Computing · Year 1

Active learning ideas

Technology at Home and School

Active learning helps Year 1 students connect abstract ideas about technology use to their daily lives. When they move, discuss, and create, they build personal understanding of how to balance screen time with other important activities.

• National Curriculum Attainment Targets
• KS1: Computing - Technology Beyond School
• KS1: Computing - Information Technology

• 15–20 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 3 activities

Activity 01

• Formal Debate
• 20 min · Whole Class

Formal Debate: Screen Time vs. Green Time

The class is split into two groups. One group lists all the great things about using a tablet (learning, games), and the other lists all the great things about playing outside (exercise, fresh air). They then discuss how to have a 'balanced day'.

Can you name some technology you use at home and some technology you use at school?

Facilitation Tip

During the debate, provide sentence starters on cards to support students in forming complete thoughts about screen time and green time.

What to look for

Gather students in a circle. Ask: 'Think about our classroom. What technology do we use here? Now, think about your home. What technology do you use there? Let's talk about how they are the same and how they are different. For example, what is the purpose of the computer in our classroom? What is the purpose of the tablet you might use at home?'

• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Self-Management
• Decision-Making

Activity 02

• Role Play
• 15 min · Pairs

Role Play: The Polite Gamer

Students act out a scene where a parent says '5 minutes left'. They practice 'saving' their game and turning off the screen without a fuss, discussing why it's important to listen to our bodies when they are tired.

What do you think would happen if our school had no computers for a whole week?

Facilitation Tip

For the role play, model the polite phrases first so students have a clear example of how to speak respectfully during gameplay.

What to look for

Provide each student with two drawings: one of a school setting and one of a home setting. Ask them to draw one piece of technology in each box and then write or draw a symbol to show its purpose. For example, a book symbol for learning or a smiley face for fun.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

Activity 03

• Gallery Walk
• 20 min · Whole Class

Gallery Walk: My Favorite Non-Tech Activity

Students draw a picture of something they love doing that doesn't use any electricity (e.g., swimming, reading, playing tag). They display their drawings and walk around to find a new 'no-tech' activity to try this weekend.

Which pieces of technology do you use both at home and at school?

Facilitation Tip

Set a timer for the Gallery Walk so students move purposefully and spend time observing each poster carefully.

What to look for

Give each student a sticky note. Ask them to write or draw one piece of technology they use at school and one they use at home. On the back, ask them to write one word about the purpose of each.

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

A few notes on teaching this unit

Teachers should use concrete examples that connect to students' lives rather than abstract rules. Avoid framing technology as inherently good or bad. Instead, guide students to notice how different activities contribute to their well-being, just as they learn about food groups in health lessons.

Successful learning looks like students using clear language to explain the benefits of technology and the importance of balance. They should show awareness of different activities by naming examples from their own experiences.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• During Screen Time vs. Green Time, watch for students who say technology is always bad for health.

  Use the debate to redirect their thinking by asking them to compare a favorite screen activity with a non-screen activity and describe how each one makes them feel.

• During Gallery Walk: My Favorite Non-Tech Activity, watch for students who think learning only happens on screens.

  Guide them to point to examples on their posters that show skills learned without technology, such as drawing, building, or playing outside.

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Methods used in this brief

• Formal Debate
• Role Play
• Gallery Walk