TechnoKids courses use a project-based approach to teach digital literacy and coding skills. The lessons are interdisciplinary, addressing knowledge, skills, and abilities across various subjects. Educators can effortlessly include TechnoKids courses in computing classes, existing units of study, or school-wide initiatives.
In the development of our technology courses, TechnoKids incorporates standards from authoritative bodies such as the Ontario Ministry of Education, Common Core, ISTE, DQ Institute, and the Computer Science Teacher Association. These serve as a foundation for theme selection and skill development.
TechnoKids has been awarded the Powered by DQ seal. You can be confident that our courses deliver high-quality learning experiences. Our program meets global standards for digital literacy, skills, and readiness.
TechnoKids Collections align with multiple digital intelligence competencies within the DQ Global Standards (IEEE 3527.1TM).
Curriculum standards guide the development
of every TechnoKids course.
TechnoKids curriculum has a gradual progression of learning. Skills and competencies scaffold within and across grades. Understanding how technology courses build upon one another can help educators structure their lessons. Whether selecting one course for a unit of study, building a computing class, or launching a school-wide program, the TechnoKids Scope & Sequence provides recommendations.
In the early grades, technology skills focus on the basics. Students learn about the keyboard, computer rules, mouse skills, and file creation. After that, they shift to the essentials such as word processing, presentation, digital citizenship, and spreadsheets. At this level coding is block-based. Once mastery is achieved, students are introduced to more complex tasks such as web development, text-based programming, data management, and animation.
Initially students complete simple tasks such as writing a story or journal. These lessons are short in duration and have minimal steps. In subsequent grades the assignments become complex such as publishing a newsletter or biography. These lessons are longer in duration and have multiple steps. Similarly, coding tasks shift from simple scripts to elaborate programs.
At first students explore essential tools in an application. Once familiar with their function, they use them repeatedly to gain competency. Next, students discover features hidden in panes, dialog boxes, or menus. Once students develop proficiency, they blend multiple programs to complete real-world tasks, such as the creation of an infographic or launch of a business venture.
In the beginning, assignments require students to demonstrate a basic understanding of a concept. They might create an illustration, report, or presentation. Gradually tasks require advanced critical, creative, and computational thinking to solve problems and express ideas. Students might defend an opinion, justify a budget, interpret results, or build an AI chatbot.
Within a technology course, assignments increase in difficulty. Initial activities focus on exploration and planning. Step-by-step, students learn new tools, techniques, or code. To differentiate instruction, TechnoKids provides resources to meet the needs of
beginners and advanced learners. For example, skill reviews solidify learning, whereas extension activities offer challenges.
Formative assessment is an ongoing process throughout a lesson, done by both the teacher and student, to verify understanding and direct the next instructional step. TechnoKids technology courses provide a broad spectrum of tools. These can be used to obtain evidence of student thinking, clarify learning goals, encourage self-assessment, provide peer feedback, and monitor progress.
Questions throughout assignments engage students, form connections, identify current skills, and highlight knowledge gaps.
Graphic organizers help students brainstorm ideas, outline a plan, and establish learning goals.
Task lists track progress, verify completion of work, and develop accountability.
Checklists, comments, and other constructive feedback guide revisions and next steps.
Hands-on activities practice skills and transfer learning to a new situation.
Quizzes with multiple choice and short answer questions measure knowledge of terminology, program tools, and concepts.
Guiding questions have students reflect upon the learning experience and consider how it applies to their future.
Summative assessment occurs at the completion of a project and results in a score or grade. TechnoKids provides tools to evaluate students’ achievements and measure how much they have learned. These can be used to assess application of technology skills, content knowledge, and overall performance.