Synopsis
Gaming Concepts: Intro to Technology introduces third-grade students to essential computing concepts, focusing on digital safety, coding, game design, and the societal impact of technology. Students learn to protect their digital identity, practice cybersecurity measures, and recognize responsible online behaviors. Through hands-on activities, they explore software types, program decision-making processes, and use block-based coding to create simple games. Collaboration, debugging, and refining algorithms help develop problem-solving skills. Students also examine game mechanics, adaptive technology, and AI’s role in gaming. By discussing emerging technologies and their impact on society, students connect computing to real-world applications, fostering critical thinking and digital literacy.
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Grade Level: 3
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Length: Over seventy 40 minute lessons
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Prerequisites: None
Table of Contents
Level 1: Communication and Collaboration
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Students develop digital citizenship skills by creating a class code of conduct, practicing online etiquette, and reviewing local Acceptable Use Policies. They explore digital tools like word processors, spreadsheets, and presentation software while improving typing skills through interactive games. Engaging in hands-on projects, they create digital artifacts, analyze computing devices, and apply problem-solving strategies, preparing for diverse careers in computer science.
Level 2: Behind the Screens
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Students explore operating systems, networks, and device interactions while learning key terms like internet, intranet, and wireless technology. They classify gaming hardware, model data transmission, and analyze how software and hardware work together. Through hands-on projects, troubleshooting, and simulations, they develop problem-solving skills and a deeper understanding of computing systems and global connectivity.
Level 3: Making Sense of Data
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Students learn about copyright, intellectual property, and ethical digital content use while developing research skills and proper citation methods. They collect and analyze gaming data through surveys, charts, and graphs to identify trends and make predictions. By visualizing data, they assess accuracy and understand its impact on decision-making.
Level 4: Staying Safe in a Digital World
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Students learn digital safety by creating strong passwords, protecting personal information, and recognizing online threats like phishing. They explore cybersecurity topics, practice basic encryption, and compare secure vs. insecure behaviors. Additionally, they discuss cyberbullying, responsible gaming, and strategies for maintaining healthy screen habits.
Level 5: From Code to Creation
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Students explore software types, automated decision-making, and game design through storyboards, flowcharts, and block-based coding. They create games using sequencing, loops, and conditionals while testing, debugging, and refining their work through collaboration. By comparing algorithms and modifying code, they develop problem-solving skills and engage in digital collaboration to improve programming and game design.
Level 6: Shaping Our World
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Students explore computing technology in game design, accessibility, and societal impact, creating models to explain game mechanics and categorize statistics. They examine AI in gaming, adaptive technologies, and emerging innovations like robotics and wearable devices. By analyzing real-world applications and local business connections, they understand how computing shapes daily life and various careers.
