FAQ Digital Literacy & Coding Curriculum

TechnoKids Digital Literacy Curriculum is a collection of electronic books containing lessons and teacher resources. We call these instructional materials technology projects. A technology project is a set of activities that have students create a project such as a launching a business venture, publishing a report, coding a game, or building a website. A project is comprised of a Teacher Guide, Student Workbook, and Resource Files.

A Teacher Guide is a PDF document with detailed instructions on how to teach a project. This document includes preparatory steps, material lists, lesson plans, and answer keys. Please note, TechnoKids gives teachers more than what they may need. This is done to provide flexibility. Teachers should select the activities from the Teacher Guide that fit with their instructional time and meet the needs of students. The Teacher Guide is designed to be printed double-sided. However, it can also be viewed digitally.

The Student Workbook is a collection of PDF assignments with illustrated step-by-step instructions. The Student Workbook is available in two formats: Complete Workbook and Individual Worksheets.

• Complete Workbook: This format is designed to be printed double-sided. Place the document in a binder as a reusable class set. Or print single use copies for each student to follow instructions and answer questions.
• Individual Worksheets: This format has each assignment separately. Control the pace of instruction by assigning a worksheet for each class session. Or challenge students working at a faster pace with optional enrichment activities. Worksheets can be printed or used digitally.

Additional materials are included with each project. These resource files are needed to complete the project activities. Below is a description of each.

• Assessment Tools are marking sheets used to assess progress and evaluate learning. These files are customizable. Files include checklists, marking sheets, rubrics, quizzes, skill reviews, peer reviews, and self-assessment.
• Flashcards are enlarged pictures of program commands or coding blocks. They can provide a visual aid while teaching. These are available from TechnoHub.
• Handouts are any document that must be printed, photocopied, and distributed to each student. This often takes the form of a parent letter summarizing project activities or a certificate designed to celebrate student accomplishment. Files are available digitally to allow for modification.
• Samples are examples of a completed task. The teacher can use them for demonstration purposes.
• Template: A template is a file used to complete a task or assignment.

Project based learning is a unique approach to teaching technology skills. In many classrooms students learn how to use the computer by completing lessons focused on a software application, such as Introduction to Word Level 1. This can lack interest for students.

With our approach to learning students complete fun projects that focus on problem solving tasks. Students learn digital literacy skills gradually as they complete activities including publishing a report, animating a story, programming a game, or developing a website.

Project based learning is personally meaningful to students. Although everyone in the class is learning the same technology skill, each student selects a topic based on their interests. Learners can then apply their knowledge and creativity to produce original works. As a result, they are actively engaged and develop deeper understanding.

Below are suggestions for selecting a project:

• Grade Level: Match a technology project to its recommended grade level. Technology projects are categorized as Primary (Grades 1-3), Junior (Grades 3-6), Intermediate (Grades 6-9), or Senior (Grades 8-12).
• Technology Skill: Choose an option based on the digital literacy or STEM skills required for your program. Technology projects include activities that teach word processing, spreadsheet, graphic design, presentation, programming, web design, digital citizenship, animation, and data management skills.
• Subject Area: Blend technology into curriculum. Create a product that is specific to a subject area such as digital storytelling for language arts, a timeline for history, or an interactive map for geography.
• Topic: Integrate technology into a current unit of study. Many TechnoKids projects are open-ended. This provides an opportunity to blend curriculum content with digital learning tools.
• Student Interest: Engage learners. Have them select a technology project that is personally meaningful. Alternatively, the teacher can choose a title, such as TechnoJournal or TechnoSite, that allows students to select a topic of interest.
• Software or App: Select a project based on software availability or the app you want to teach.

There is no standard answer on how long it takes to complete a project. A project is divided into assignments. Typically, it takes between 30-60 minutes to complete an assignment depending on the grade level. Students that have lessons twice a week can complete a project in 360-600 minutes or about 6-8 weeks. A project can be finished in about 2-3 weeks if class time is allocated every day. Many can be shortened by omitting assignments or lengthened by including skill reviews and extension activities.

You can complete between three and five projects per school year at the elementary school level. However, a high school student who typically attends classes every day would be able to complete the same number per semester.

Technology integration is the seamless inclusion of digital tools and technology skills into learning. TechnoKids Technology Projects include activities that integrate into subject areas such as language arts, mathematics, social studies, visual arts, science, history, geography, computer science, or business studies. Refer to the Technology Integration Ideas section in each teacher guide for suggestions.

TechnoKids Technology Projects support digital literacy and STEM education. The lessons teach word processing, spreadsheet, graphic design, presentation, programming, web design, internet, digital citizenship, Refer to the Skill Summary in each teacher guide for learning objectives.

If you plan to teach multiple TechnoKids projects the Project Matrix recommends a grade level and sequence. For each grade level, the projects increase in difficulty. For this reason, the project in the first column could be taught at the start of the school year, whereas the project in the last column is best suited to the end of the school year.

You may not have the time to teach an entire TechnoKids project. The good news is that TechnoKids offers flexibility. Many projects can be shortened by omitting assignments or lengthened by including skill reviews and extension activities. To gain an understanding of the content refer to the TechnoKids Overview document.

Yes, it does! TechnoKids publishes standards-based curriculum. The technology projects are correlated to Common Core and International Society of Technology Education standards.

Yes! TechnoKids has a complete line of projects that are written specifically for Google applications including Docs, Drawings, Forms, My Maps, Sites, Sheets, and Slides. Yearly, the instructions are updated to keep them current. Please note, if you plan to teach coding, Scratch Jr and Scratch projects will work with a Chromebook. However, a web-based app is required for HTML and Python projects.

Yes! TechnoKids projects can work with any device.

Any TechnoKids project which has a version for Google can be done on an iPad. In addition, some Office for the Web, Internet, and Programming projects can also be completed but with slight modifications. To learn more read the iPad and TechnoKids and How to Use TechnoKids Assignments on an iPad blog posts.

A teacher requires the Internet to download technology projects from the TechnoKids' online library, TechnoHub. Students can complete many TechnoKids technology projects without the Internet. However, this may limit information sources or use of media in completed work.

Even without an internet connection, you can adapt TechnoKids projects to teach them offline. Here are some helpful tips to get started.

The software you require depends on the project you intend to teach. The Project Matrix has a table that lists software. Select the project that matches the software on the students' devices.

• PDF Reader: To view the teacher guide and student workbook files students must have access to a PDF reader such as Adobe Reader or Kami.
• Google or Microsoft Office: Most projects are available for Google and Microsoft Office. The Google versions have activities for Docs, Drawings, Forms, My Maps, Sites, Sheets, and Slides. These require a Google account. Microsoft Office versions of the projects include activities for Word, Paint, Forms for Excel, Publisher, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access. This software can be installed on a local device or as part of a web-based subscription that requires a Microsoft account.
• Programming Apps: TechnoKids has several programming projects. They require an HTML Text Editor (Notepad or web-based), Scratch, ScratchJr, or IDLE Python.
• Adobe: Two Senior projects use Photoshop and Animate. This software requires an Adobe subscription.
• Blender: A Senior project TechnoAd, uses Blender, a free and open source 3D creation suite.

No. TechnoKids does not retail software. You will need to purchase any required software (e.g., Microsoft 365 or Adobe subscription) from an online retailer or distributor. Please note, the following software is free including Google apps, Office for the Web, HTML Text Editor (e.g., Notepad or web-based), Scratch, ScratchJr, IDLE Python, and Adobe Reader or Kami.

TechnoKids projects have instructions for Microsoft 365, Office 2019 | 2016 | 2013 and Office for the web.

Yes, you can. Teachers can create assignments using Google Classroom or a OneNote Class Notebook. Please note, the learning management system must restrict access to only authorized users at the site. TechnoKids files cannot be placed in the public domain.

A site license gives the purchaser the right to use TechnoKids Computer Curriculum at a particular location or site. The site license grants the purchaser the right to print unlimited teacher guides for the staff working at that site. It also grants the right to print unlimited student workbooks for students learning at that site. In addition, it permits the transfer of files to an unlimited number of computers located at that site.

A site is defined as a geographical location such as an elementary school, high school, training center, learning center, home school, college, or university. TechnoKids curriculum may be used to teach at a single, designated location. If you want to use the curriculum at more than one location, you must purchase multiple curriculum site licenses.

The purchaser can print an unlimited number of teacher guides for teachers that are working at the site. The purchaser can also print an unlimited number of student workbooks for students learning at that site.

The purchaser can place resource files onto an unlimited number of computers at a particular site. Moreover, a teacher can load the resource files onto a home computer for the purpose of preparing a lesson at the designated site.

A teacher can load resource files onto a home computer for the purpose of preparing a lesson at the designated site.

An unlimited number of students can use the curriculum. The students must be learning at the location named in the site license agreement.

An unlimited number of teachers can use the curriculum. The teachers must be teaching at the location named in the site license agreement.

If you want to use the curriculum at more than one location, you must purchase multiple curriculum site licenses. Special pricing is available for multiple curriculum site licenses.

Yes, you can use TechnoKids technology projects for both in-person and remote learning. If you intend to use the instructional materials for remote learning, students must be registered at the site. As well, access to TechnoKids files must be secure. They cannot be placed in the public domain.