Computing · Year 1

Active learning ideas

The Future of Technology (Simple Ideas)

Active learning works because young children explore abstract ideas best through drawing, talking, and making. This topic asks them to imagine future technology, and hands-on activities turn vague dreams into concrete pictures they can discuss and improve.

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

• 20–35 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 4 activities

Activity 01

• Inside-Outside Circle
• 25 min · Pairs

Pairs Brainstorm: Gadget Sketches

Pairs discuss a school or home problem, like tidying toys. Each child draws one gadget to solve it and labels its features. Partners share and add one improvement to each other's drawing.

Can you imagine a new gadget that could help solve a problem at school or at home?

Facilitation Tip

During Pairs Brainstorm, give each pair only one sheet so they must agree on one gadget to sketch together.

What to look for

Ask students to hold up their drawings of future gadgets. Prompt them with: 'Point to the part of your gadget that solves a problem. Tell me one person who might use it.'

• Remember
• Understand
• Apply
• Relationship Skills
• Self-Management

Activity 02

• Inside-Outside Circle
• 30 min · Small Groups

Small Groups: Invention Pitch

Groups of four present their best gadget drawings to each other. Listeners ask questions about how it works and who uses it. Groups vote on the most helpful idea and explain why.

How do you think computers and devices might be different when you grow up?

Facilitation Tip

During Invention Pitch, provide sentence strips so groups write one clear sentence about their gadget’s purpose before they present.

What to look for

Gather students in a circle. Present a drawing of a future gadget. Ask: 'What problem does this gadget solve? How is it different from technology we use today? Who would find this gadget helpful?'

• Remember
• Understand
• Apply
• Relationship Skills
• Self-Management

Activity 03

• Inside-Outside Circle
• 35 min · Whole Class

Whole Class: Future Tech Gallery

Display all drawings around the room. Class walks the gallery, leaving sticky notes with compliments or questions. Teacher leads a discussion on common themes in future tech.

Why would your imagined gadget be helpful, and who could use it?

Facilitation Tip

During Future Tech Gallery, place drawings on a long table and let students walk slowly so they notice details and ask questions.

What to look for

Give each student a small card. Ask them to draw one simple future gadget and write one word describing how it makes life easier. Collect these to see their ideas.

• Remember
• Understand
• Apply
• Relationship Skills
• Self-Management

Activity 04

• Inside-Outside Circle
• 20 min · Individual

Individual: Gadget Diary

Each child draws their gadget in a booklet and writes or dictates one sentence on its benefit. Add a before-and-after picture showing the problem solved.

Can you imagine a new gadget that could help solve a problem at school or at home?

What to look for

Ask students to hold up their drawings of future gadgets. Prompt them with: 'Point to the part of your gadget that solves a problem. Tell me one person who might use it.'

• Remember
• Understand
• Apply
• Relationship Skills
• Self-Management

A few notes on teaching this unit

Young children need concrete steps to turn imagination into plans. Start with real problems they already notice at home or school, then move to quick sketches that label the key parts. Avoid long explanations; let their drawings do the talking first. Research shows that pairing talk with drawing strengthens creative confidence more than talking alone in this age group.

Students will show they can identify a real problem, sketch a simple gadget that helps, and explain who would use it and why. Their work moves from scribbles to clear labels and confident sharing with peers.

---

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• During Pairs Brainstorm, watch for children who claim their gadget will solve all problems without limits.

  Ask each pair to circle the one main problem their gadget fixes and cross out any parts that feel too magical. Then have them share these limits with another pair before sketching again.

• During Invention Pitch, watch for children who say only engineers can invent new gadgets.

  After each pitch, ask the class to raise a hand if they once had an idea like the one presented. This shows that imagination starts at home and school.

• During Future Tech Gallery, watch for explanations that describe gadgets as magical instead of connected to today’s devices.

  Invite students to point to one real device they already know that their new gadget reminds them of. Label these connections on sticky notes next to the drawings.

---

Methods used in this brief

• Inside-Outside Circle