Problem Solving
Uses technology and/or digital learning to:
- Identify what is known and what is required to clarify a problem
- Explore problem solving strategies using relevant information, resources or criteria
- Assess options to generate iterative courses of action
- Evaluate the impact of possible solutions to carry out the most viable option
- Approach challenges with creativity, flexibility, and determination
Download a printer friendly version of the Digital Competencies Scope and Sequence
Outcome 1: Engage with open-ended, student-driven, experiential and meaningful real-world problems to develop ideas and theories and pursue answers and solutions.
Division 1
Teacher models use of technology to organize and display data when investigating a problem.
With teacher guidance, students summarize data gathered during problem solving.
Teacher models drawing conclusions from organized information.
With direct teacher guidance, students make predictions based on organized information.
Division 2
Teacher facilitates use of technology to organize and display data when investigating a problem.
With teacher facilitation, students summarize data gathered during problem solving.
Teacher facilitates drawing conclusions from organized information.
With teacher facilitation, students make predictions based on organized information.
Teacher facilitates collecting, analyzing and visualizing data using spreadsheets.
Division 3
Students use technology to organize and display data when investigating a problem.
Students summarize data gathered during problem solving.
Students draw conclusions from organized information.
Students make predictions based on organized information.
Students use search functions, highlight text, and collect quotes while researching.
Division 4
Students use technology to organize and display data when investigating a problem.
Students summarize data gathered during problem solving.
Students draw conclusions from organized information.
Students make predictions based on organized information.
Students use search functions, highlight text, and collect quotes while researching.
Outcome 2: Collect data or identify relevant data sets and use digital tools to analyze and represent data in various ways to facilitate insightful problem solving and decision-making.
Division 1
With teacher guidance, students evaluate gathered information to further the inquiry process through the use of digital tools such as Google Maps, Geoguessr, Google Earth, Spreadsheets, Infographics, etc.
With teacher guidance, students identify and explain the terms and concepts related to charts, tables and graphs (spreadsheets).
Students use appropriate instruments effectively and accurately for collecting data.
Division 2
Students demonstrate an understanding of the spreadsheet as a tool to record, organize data, and graph information in a format that is appropriate to the task or experiment.
Students enter/edit data in spreadsheets and perform calculations using formulas.
Students use mathematical symbols (e.g., + add, - minus, * multiply, / divide, ^ exponents).
Division 3
Students use spreadsheets to calculate, graph, organize and present data in a variety of real-world settings and choose the most appropriate type to represent given data.
Students use formulas and functions of a spreadsheet (e.g., sort, filter, find, sum).
Students use various number formats (e.g., scientific notation, percentages, exponents, currency) as appropriate.
Students use multiple sheets within a workbook and create links among worksheets to solve problems.
Division 4
Students use spreadsheets to calculate, graph, organize and present data in a variety of real-world settings and choose the most appropriate type to represent given data.
Students use formulas and functions of a spreadsheet (e.g., sort, filter, find, sum).
Students use various number formats (e.g. scientific notation, percentages, exponents, currency) as appropriate.
Students use multiple sheets within a workbook and create links among worksheets to manage data effectively.
Outcome 3: Understand how automation works and use algorithmic thinking to develop a sequence of steps to create and test automated solutions.
Division 1
With teacher guidance, students list steps or directions to reach a predetermined goal.
Students predict where a character or object will land, given a list of steps.
With teacher guidance, students convert movements into symbolic instructions.
With teacher guidance, students express movement as a series of sequential commands.
Teacher models how to represent an algorithm as a computer program.
With teacher guidance, students modify an existing program to solve errors.
Teacher models how to decompose large activities into a series of smaller events.
Students create a program for a given task which loops a single command and repetitive actions.
Division 2
Students build interactive games, animations and apps using platforms such as Scratch or other age/device appropriate coding platforms.
Division 3
Students progress from using block-based coding to different programming languages.
Students explore and use basic commands for website creation (JavaScript, HTML & CSS)
Division 4
Students write simple, structured algorithms and programs that input, process and output data; use some of the more basic operators and data types; and follow a sequential flow of control.
Students analyze, modify, write and debug algorithms and documents that use a markup language.
Students analyze, modify, write and debug algorithms and scripts that use structured programming approaches.
Outcome 4: Reflect on problem solving processes and assess the effectiveness of their chosen strategies and solutions, considering the impact of their own biases and preconceptions.
All Divisions
Students use digital tools to self-evaluate and reflect on their learning such as e-portfolios, digital portfolios, blogs, e-journals, and polling tools.
Resources
Breakout EDU
- Breakout EDU is a collaborative problem solving game where students use clues to open a variety of locks to 'break out'. Breakouts are often related to specific subject or content areas. You can find pre-made breakouts on the BreakoutEDU website.
Coding & Computational Thinking
- Check out the Coding and Computational Thinking page for resources for both learning to code and more advanced coding.
Spreadsheets
- Learn about Google Sheets from this cheat sheet.
- Learn about Excel sheets here.