K-8 Tech Apps Adoption Resources

a. Computational Thinking

Without Technology:

1. Step-by-Step Story Sequencing (Algorithms)

   • Activity: Students organize picture cards to tell a story in the correct sequence, mimicking the concept of an algorithm.

   • Learning Outcome: Introduces step-by-step thinking, essential in computational thinking and programming.

2. Build a Tower (Decomposition)

   • Activity: Students build a structure (e.g., with blocks) and break down the process into steps (e.g., "First, I pick a block, then I stack it on top").

   • Learning Outcome: Encourages problem decomposition and following a logical sequence.

With Technology:

1. Simple Coding Games (Sequencing)

   • Activity: Use apps like “Kodable” or “Bee-Bot” to practice basic coding sequences where students arrange commands to move a character through a maze.

   • Learning Outcome: Teaches the concept of sequencing and algorithmic thinking.

2. Pattern Recognition Game (Pattern Matching)

   • Activity: Students play pattern recognition games like “Lightbot” to identify patterns in movements or actions.

   • Learning Outcome: Enhances logical thinking and pattern recognition.

b. Creativity and Innovation

Without Technology:

1. Paper Storybook Creation (Creative Expression)

   • Activity: Students write and illustrate their own storybook, using their creativity to develop characters, settings, and plots.

   • Learning Outcome: Encourages imaginative thinking and narrative creativity.

2. Invent a New Animal (Creative Design)

   • Activity: Students draw and describe a new animal species, explaining its habitat and what makes it unique.

   • Learning Outcome: Fosters creativity in design and innovation through imagining new possibilities.

With Technology:

1. Digital Storytelling (Multimedia Creation)

   • Activity: Students use apps like “Book Creator” or “Seesaw” to create digital stories, combining images, text, and voice recordings.

   • Learning Outcome: Integrates creativity with technology, allowing students to innovate using multimedia tools.

2. Digital Art (Creative Design)

   • Activity: Students use drawing apps (e.g., “Tayasui Sketches”) to create digital artwork, experimenting with colors, shapes, and patterns.

   • Learning Outcome: Promotes creativity through digital mediums, enhancing their ability to innovate visually.

c. Data Literacy, Management, and Representation

Without Technology:

1. Classroom Survey and Tally Chart (Data Collection)

   • Activity: Students conduct a class survey (e.g., favorite fruits) and record the data on a tally chart, later transferring the information to a bar graph.

   • Learning Outcome: Develops basic skills in collecting, organizing, and representing data.

2. Sorting and Categorizing Objects (Data Sorting)

   • Activity: Students classify and count objects like colored blocks, then group them by color or shape.

   • Learning Outcome: Teaches sorting and categorizing, key elements in managing and organizing data.

With Technology:

1. Graphing with Apps (Data Representation)

   • Activity: Students use a simple graphing app (like “Kids Graph”) to input data from a survey and create a digital bar graph or pictograph.

   • Learning Outcome: Teaches how technology can help visualize data.

2. Interactive Data Games (Data Literacy)

   • Activity: Play online games that involve organizing, sorting, or categorizing objects (e.g., “PBS Kids: Cyberchase Data Games”).

   • Learning Outcome: Reinforces data collection and organization through engaging, interactive games.

d. Digital Citizenship

Without Technology:

1. Classroom Rules for Technology Use (Digital Etiquette)

   • Activity: Discuss and create a classroom poster outlining rules for using technology responsibly, such as asking permission and sharing devices.

   • Learning Outcome: Introduces basic concepts of digital citizenship and responsibility.

2. Role-Playing Respect Online (Respectful Communication)

   • Activity: Students role-play different scenarios on how to interact respectfully when using online tools, simulating chat behavior in a friendly and respectful way.

   • Learning Outcome: Teaches online communication skills and digital etiquette.

With Technology:

1. Interactive Digital Citizenship Lesson (Online Safety)

   • Activity: Use “Common Sense Media” or similar digital citizenship curriculum to teach students about online safety, including privacy and avoiding strangers online.

   • Learning Outcome: Instills foundational knowledge of safe online behavior.

2. Digital Manners Quiz (Ethical Use)

   • Activity: Students take an interactive quiz about digital manners and ethics using online tools like “Kahoot” or “Quizizz.”

   • Learning Outcome: Reinforces respectful and ethical technology use in an engaging way.

e. Practical Technology Concepts

Without Technology:

1. Technology in Everyday Life (Technology Awareness)

   • Activity: Students brainstorm and draw examples of how they use technology in their daily lives (e.g., tablets, TVs, washing machines).

   • Learning Outcome: Helps students understand how technology is part of everyday life.

2. Label Technology Parts (Hardware Identification)

   • Activity: Provide printed images of common technology devices (like a computer or tablet) and have students label the parts (e.g., screen, keyboard, buttons).

   • Learning Outcome: Introduces students to basic hardware concepts.

With Technology:

1. Interactive Technology Exploration (Hardware/Software Basics)

   • Activity: Students use an app or website like “ABCmouse” or “Starfall” to navigate different educational games and activities, learning how to interact with digital devices.

   • Learning Outcome: Teaches basic operational skills for using digital devices.

2. Typing Practice (Keyboard Skills)

   • Activity: Use typing apps or websites like “Dance Mat Typing” to introduce basic typing skills to students.

   • Learning Outcome: Develops early keyboarding and motor skills through practice.

Computational Thinking

• Without Technology:
  Math Puzzles: Students complete math logic puzzles, such as Sudoku or cross-number puzzles, to develop problem-solving skills.

• With Technology:
  Coding with “Scratch”: Students use the “Scratch” platform to create basic programs, incorporating loops and conditionals.

Creativity and Innovation

• Without Technology:
  Storyboards for Short Stories: Students create visual storyboards to plan out creative writing pieces.

• With Technology:
  Digital Storytelling: Students use tools like “Google Slides” or “Adobe Spark” to create multimedia stories, combining text, images, and sounds.

Data Literacy, Management, and Representation

• Without Technology:
  Survey Data Graphs: Students survey their classmates on a topic and use paper and colored pencils to create a bar graph representing the data.

• With Technology:
  Data Visualization in Google Sheets: Students input data into Google Sheets and create a pie chart or bar graph.

Digital Citizenship

• Without Technology:
  Classroom Charter: Students collaborate to create a class charter outlining respectful behavior in both online and offline spaces.

• With Technology:
  Digital Citizenship Quiz: Use platforms like “Kahoot!” to test students on online safety and digital etiquette.

Practical Technology Concepts

• Without Technology:
  Offline Typing Practice: Students practice keyboarding on paper or using a mock keyboard layout.

• With Technology:
  Online Typing Games: Use websites like “TypingClub” to practice typing skills in an interactive and gamified environment.

Computational Thinking

• Without Technology:
  Logic Problem Solving: Students solve progressively challenging paper-based logic problems and puzzles.

• With Technology:
  Block Coding with “Scratch” or “Tynker”: Students create advanced projects, such as games or interactive stories, using block-based coding tools.

Creativity and Innovation

• Without Technology:
  Collaborative Group Projects: Students design and execute a group art project, like a class mural, based on a social issue or event.

• With Technology:
  Digital Animation: Students create short animations using platforms like “Toonator” or “Powtoon,” incorporating narrative and creative design.

Data Literacy, Management, and Representation

• Without Technology:
  Data Tracking in Science: Students track and record the growth of plants in a classroom experiment, organizing the data into a chart.

• With Technology:
  Using Spreadsheet Tools: Students use Google Sheets or Excel to input data from the experiment and create various graphs, such as line graphs or scatter plots.

Digital Citizenship

• Without Technology:
  Role-Playing Scenarios: Students act out different online scenarios where they must make safe, responsible choices, focusing on cyberbullying and online privacy.

• With Technology:
  Online Safety Campaign: Students use tools like “Canva” to create digital posters promoting safe online behavior.

Practical Technology Concepts

• Without Technology:
  Manual Presentations: Students create posters or display boards as part of a presentation on a researched topic.

• With Technology:
  Multimedia Presentations: Use software like “Google Slides” or “PowerPoint” to create interactive, multimedia-rich presentations.

Reading

• Without Technology:
  Story Sequencing (Computational Thinking): Students arrange picture cards in the correct order to retell a familiar story.
  With Technology:
  Digital Storybook Creation (Creativity & Innovation): Use “Seesaw” or “Book Creator” to create a simple digital story by adding pictures and voice narration.

Social Studies

• Without Technology:
  Community Helpers Chart (Data Representation): Students classify different jobs (e.g., teacher, firefighter) and represent how many are in each category using a tally chart.
  With Technology:
  Interactive World Map (Practical Technology Concepts): Students use apps like "Google Earth" to explore different places and discuss where they live in the world.

Math

• Without Technology:
  Pattern Making (Computational Thinking): Students create patterns with colored blocks or shapes, developing an understanding of sequences.
  With Technology:
  Interactive Counting Games (Data Literacy): Play online counting games (e.g., “ABCmouse”) where students practice organizing and counting objects.

Science

• Without Technology:
  Weather Observation Chart (Data Management): Students track daily weather on a class chart, categorizing it into sunny, cloudy, rainy, etc.
  With Technology:
  Digital Weather Tracker (Data Literacy): Students use a simple weather app to log and graph the weather each day.

Elective Courses

• Art:
  Without Technology: Students use crayons and paper to create self-portraits, discussing how colors can be used to represent feelings (Creativity & Innovation).
  With Technology: Use digital drawing apps (like “Tayasui Sketches”) to create digital artwork.

• Music:
  Without Technology: Students identify different instruments by sound, using simple verbal descriptions (Digital Citizenship: Respecting others' turn).
  With Technology: Students use music apps like “Kodable” to explore and create digital rhythms and beats (Creativity & Innovation).

Reading

• Without Technology:
  Character Sorting (Data Literacy): Students sort characters from a story into different categories (e.g., good vs. bad).
  With Technology:
  Interactive Reading App (Practical Technology Concepts): Use apps like “Raz-Kids” where students read stories and answer comprehension questions.

Social Studies

• Without Technology:
  Create a Community Map (Creativity & Innovation): Students draw a simple map of their neighborhood, labeling important places.
  With Technology:
  Virtual Field Trip (Practical Technology Concepts): Explore virtual tours of historical places (e.g., White House) using online tools.

Math

• Without Technology:
  Counting Objects (Data Management): Students collect and count objects like beads and categorize them by color or size.
  With Technology:
  Digital Math Games (Computational Thinking): Use “Khan Academy Kids” to practice counting and basic addition with interactive games.

Science

• Without Technology:
  Classroom Plant Growth Chart (Data Representation): Students observe and record the growth of classroom plants over time, creating a chart to track data.
  With Technology:
  Simple Science Experiment Videos (Digital Citizenship): Watch science experiment videos, discussing safe and responsible internet use.

Elective Courses

• PE:
  Without Technology: Students follow a series of movements like hop, skip, and jump in a specific order (Computational Thinking).
  With Technology: Use an exercise app to track movements and steps taken during class (Practical Technology Concepts).

• Art:
  Without Technology: Students create art with different textures (e.g., using sand or leaves), exploring sensory art (Creativity & Innovation).
  With Technology: Use a drawing app to explore symmetry by creating simple symmetrical designs (Computational Thinking).

• Music:
  Without Technology: Students sing songs and identify rhythms by clapping or tapping their feet (Creativity & Innovation).
  With Technology: Use an app like “GarageBand” to create a simple digital song using loops and sounds.

Reading

• Without Technology:
  Main Idea Sorting (Data Literacy): Students read short paragraphs and identify the main idea, sorting cards with supporting details.
  With Technology:
  Digital Book Review (Creativity & Innovation): Use “Flipgrid” to create a short video book review, explaining what the book was about.

Social Studies

• Without Technology:
  Create a Timeline (Data Representation): Students create a simple timeline of their life, from birth to present.
  With Technology:
  Digital Timelines (Practical Technology Concepts): Use a digital tool like “ReadWriteThink Timeline” to create a timeline of a famous historical event.

Math

• Without Technology:
  Basic Addition/Subtraction Sort (Data Literacy): Use manipulatives like blocks or beads to practice and organize addition and subtraction problems.
  With Technology:
  Interactive Math Problem Solver (Computational Thinking): Use “Prodigy” to solve math problems and earn rewards for correct answers.

Science

• Without Technology:
  Animal Classification (Data Sorting): Students classify animals by characteristics (e.g., mammals, reptiles) and create a chart.
  With Technology:
  Digital Animal Database (Data Literacy): Use apps like “Nat Geo Kids” to explore animals and categorize them based on traits.

Elective Courses

• PE:
  Without Technology: Create obstacle courses and practice sequencing movements (Computational Thinking).
  With Technology: Track exercise with a pedometer app, monitoring steps and movements (Practical Technology Concepts).

• Art:
  Without Technology: Create a collage using cut-out shapes to design a picture (Creativity & Innovation).
  With Technology: Use a digital art tool like “Paint” to design a virtual collage.

• Music:
  Without Technology: Identify musical notes on a staff and organize them in different sequences (Data Literacy).
  With Technology: Use an app like “MusicLab” to compose a short melody digitally (Creativity & Innovation).

Reading

• Without Technology:
  Paragraph Organization (Computational Thinking): Students take jumbled sentences and organize them into logical paragraphs.
  With Technology:
  Digital Book Report (Creativity & Innovation): Students create a multimedia book report using PowerPoint or Google Slides.

Social Studies

• Without Technology:
  Create a Family Tree (Data Representation): Students draw and label a family tree, organizing relatives by generations.
  With Technology:
  Interactive Map Activity (Practical Technology Concepts): Use online maps to explore different countries and label them.

Math

• Without Technology:
  Sorting Multiplication Problems (Data Management): Students solve multiplication problems and group them by their product size (e.g., less than 10, more than 10).
  With Technology:
  Math Games (Computational Thinking): Use an app like “Sumdog” to practice solving multiplication and division problems interactively.

Science

• Without Technology:
  Energy Sources Chart (Data Representation): Students create a chart showing different energy sources (e.g., wind, solar, fossil fuels) and discuss their uses.
  With Technology:
  Virtual Science Labs (Data Literacy): Use online simulations to explore simple science experiments, such as growing plants in different conditions.

Elective Courses

• PE:
  Without Technology: Create and follow a fitness routine, organizing exercises by type (e.g., cardio, strength) (Data Management).
  With Technology: Use a fitness app to track steps and heart rate during exercise.

• Art:
  Without Technology: Explore perspective by drawing simple 3D objects (Creativity & Innovation).
  With Technology: Use a 3D drawing app to design objects with depth and shading.

• Music:
  Without Technology: Students read and perform basic sheet music (Computational Thinking).
  With Technology: Use “Noteflight” to digitally compose and play back music pieces.

Reading

• Without Technology:
  Summarizing Key Details (Data Literacy): Students read a passage and list the most important details in a graphic organizer.
  With Technology:
  Interactive Reading Comprehension (Computational Thinking): Use a program like “Lexia Core5” to practice reading comprehension skills online.

Social Studies

• Without Technology:
  Geography Map Puzzle (Computational Thinking): Students solve map puzzles, placing countries or states in their correct locations.
  With Technology:
  Virtual Tour of Historical Sites (Practical Technology Concepts): Explore a virtual tour of historical landmarks, such as the Great Wall of China or Mount Rushmore.

Math

• Without Technology:
  Data Collection and Graphing (Data Representation): Students collect data on a classroom survey and represent it on a bar graph.
  With Technology:
  Graphing Software (Data Literacy): Use Google Sheets to input data and generate different types of graphs.

Science

• Without Technology:
  Simple Experiment Recording (Data Management): Conduct a simple experiment and record results in a table (e.g., plant growth over time).
  With Technology:
  Digital Lab Notebook (Practical Technology Concepts): Use a digital tool like “Labster” to simulate experiments and record findings digitally.

Elective Courses

• PE:
  Without Technology: Create a physical fitness journal where students log their daily activity and categorize it (Data Management).
  With Technology: Use fitness tracking software to monitor and compare physical activity over time.

• Art:
  Without Technology: Explore different art styles and create pieces inspired by famous artists (Creativity & Innovation).
  With Technology: Use an art app to digitally replicate famous styles, like pointillism or abstract art.

• Music:
  Without Technology: Students create rhythmic patterns with percussion instruments (Computational Thinking).
  With Technology: Use a music app like “Soundtrap” to compose and mix different instrument tracks.

Reading

• Without Technology:
  Analyzing Character Traits (Data Management): Students analyze characters from a story and sort them by traits like kind, brave, or selfish.
  With Technology:
  Multimedia Book Report (Creativity & Innovation): Use “iMovie” or “Adobe Spark” to create a multimedia presentation about a book.

Social Studies

• Without Technology:
  Historical Event Timeline (Data Representation): Create a timeline of a historical event, organizing key events and figures.
  With Technology:
  Interactive World History Map (Practical Technology Concepts): Use digital maps to explore world history, such as the spread of empires.

Math

• Without Technology:
  Multiplication Data Table (Data Representation): Solve multiplication problems and input results into a data table to find patterns.
  With Technology:
  Digital Math Solver (Computational Thinking): Use “Math Playground” or “IXL” to practice complex word problems and math challenges.

Science

• Without Technology:
  Water Cycle Model (Data Representation): Create a physical model of the water cycle, explaining how each stage works.
  With Technology:
  Virtual Science Labs (Practical Technology Concepts): Use a virtual lab simulation to explore the water cycle or chemical reactions.

Elective Courses

• PE:
  Without Technology: Plan a fitness challenge where students organize different exercises into categories (e.g., endurance, flexibility) (Data Literacy).
  With Technology: Track fitness progress using a digital fitness log.

• Art:
  Without Technology: Explore different cultural art forms and create projects inspired by them (Creativity & Innovation).
  With Technology: Use digital art tools to replicate and modify traditional art styles.

• Music:
  Without Technology: Analyze the structure of a piece of music, identifying repeating patterns (Computational Thinking).
  With Technology: Use “BandLab” to compose, mix, and share original digital music tracks.

Reading

• Without Technology:
  Theme Analysis (Data Literacy): Students read a short story and create a mind map of the main themes, identifying supporting details and connections.
  With Technology:
  Digital Literature Blog (Creativity & Innovation): Students create a blog using “Google Sites” or “Edublogs” to share their thoughts on a book, incorporating images, quotes, and analysis.

Social Studies

• Without Technology:
  Debate Preparation (Computational Thinking): Students research a historical figure or event, organizing their information into arguments for a class debate.
  With Technology:
  Interactive World History Simulation (Practical Technology Concepts): Use tools like “Mission US” or “TimeMaps” to participate in an interactive historical simulation, making decisions as historical figures.

Math

• Without Technology:
  Problem-Solving Strategies (Computational Thinking): Students solve multi-step word problems and break them down into smaller components, documenting each step.
  With Technology:
  Online Problem Solver (Practical Technology Concepts): Use an app like “Khan Academy” to work through increasingly complex math problems, receiving instant feedback and video explanations.

Science

• Without Technology:
  Ecosystem Analysis (Data Representation): Students research a local ecosystem and organize information about its components (plants, animals, climate) into a data table.
  With Technology:
  Virtual Lab (Data Literacy): Use a digital platform like “Gizmos” or “PhET Interactive Simulations” to conduct virtual experiments on ecosystems, recording and analyzing data.

Elective Courses

• PE:
  Without Technology: Students create a physical fitness plan, setting weekly goals for different areas (strength, cardio, flexibility) (Data Management).
  With Technology: Track fitness goals and progress using a digital app like “Google Fit” or a wearable fitness tracker.

• Art:
  Without Technology: Students create an artwork inspired by a social issue, researching the topic and reflecting on how art can communicate messages (Creativity & Innovation).
  With Technology: Use digital design software like “Adobe Spark” or “Canva” to create a digital poster highlighting the same social issue.

• Music:
  Without Technology: Students analyze different genres of music, identifying patterns in rhythm, melody, and instrumentation (Data Literacy).
  With Technology: Use “Soundtrap” or “BandLab” to compose an original song using digital loops and instruments.

Reading

• Without Technology:
  Comparing Texts (Data Literacy): Students read two articles on the same topic and create a Venn diagram to compare key ideas, themes, and viewpoints.
  With Technology:
  Digital Book Trailer (Creativity & Innovation): Students create a short video trailer for a book they've read using video editing tools like “iMovie” or “WeVideo,” incorporating visuals, text, and narration.

Social Studies

• Without Technology:
  Historical Event Cause and Effect (Data Representation): Students create a flowchart showing the causes and effects of a major historical event, organizing information into a sequence.
  With Technology:
  Geography Quiz (Practical Technology Concepts): Use “Sporcle” or “Seterra” to participate in interactive geography quizzes, testing knowledge of countries, capitals, and world landmarks.

Math

• Without Technology:
  Data Collection and Probability (Data Representation): Students conduct a class survey on favorite activities and use the data to calculate probabilities and create graphs.
  With Technology:
  Spreadsheet Graphing (Data Literacy): Students input survey data into Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel and use graphing tools to create bar graphs, pie charts, and line plots.

Science

• Without Technology:
  Chemical Reaction Chart (Data Representation): Students create a chart categorizing different types of chemical reactions (e.g., synthesis, decomposition, combustion) with examples.
  With Technology:
  Virtual Chemistry Lab (Practical Technology Concepts): Use a virtual lab like “ChemCollective” to conduct and record chemical reactions, then analyze and represent the results digitally.

Elective Courses

• PE:
  Without Technology: Students create a circuit workout plan, organizing exercises into cardio, strength, and flexibility categories (Computational Thinking).
  With Technology: Use a fitness tracker app to monitor heart rate and calories burned during the workout.

• Art:
  Without Technology: Students research a famous artist and create a presentation board that includes the artist’s work, style, and influence (Data Management).
  With Technology: Use digital platforms like “Google Arts & Culture” to explore famous artwork and create a digital presentation on the artist.

• Music:
  Without Technology: Students learn to identify musical intervals and scales through listening exercises and notation analysis (Computational Thinking).
  With Technology: Use “Flat.io” to compose simple melodies and harmonies, experimenting with different musical intervals.

Reading

• Without Technology:
  Argumentative Essay Mapping (Computational Thinking): Students outline the structure of an argumentative essay, identifying claim, evidence, and counterarguments.
  With Technology:
  Podcast Production (Creativity & Innovation): Students create a short podcast discussing a book or topic they’ve studied, using audio editing tools like “Audacity” or “Anchor.”

Social Studies

• Without Technology:
  Create a Government Structure Chart (Data Representation): Students draw a chart that outlines the structure of a government system, showing branches, levels, and roles.
  With Technology:
  Virtual Constitution Simulation (Practical Technology Concepts): Participate in an interactive government simulation like “iCivics,” where students role-play government officials and make decisions based on constitutional laws.

Math

• Without Technology:
  Solving Algebraic Equations (Computational Thinking): Students work through multi-step algebra problems, showing their work in a step-by-step manner.
  With Technology:
  Graphing Calculator (Practical Technology Concepts): Use a graphing calculator app or website like “Desmos” to solve algebraic equations and graph linear functions.

Science

• Without Technology:
  Physics Experiment Planning (Data Representation): Students design a simple physics experiment (e.g., measuring force and acceleration), creating a hypothesis, materials list, and data table for recording results.
  With Technology:
  Physics Simulation (Data Literacy): Use simulations like “PhET Interactive Simulations” to explore concepts like gravity, motion, and force, recording virtual data for analysis.

Elective Courses

• PE:
  Without Technology: Students develop a fitness plan targeting specific areas such as strength, endurance, and flexibility, setting measurable goals (Data Management).
  With Technology: Track fitness goals using a fitness app, comparing progress over time using digital tools like “MyFitnessPal.”

• Art:
  Without Technology: Students research different art movements and create a timeline that represents key artists and their contributions (Data Representation).
  With Technology: Use “Procreate” or other digital art tools to create a digital piece that incorporates elements of different art movements.

• Music:
  Without Technology: Students learn to transcribe a melody by ear, writing down the notes on a staff (Computational Thinking).
  With Technology: Use a music notation software like “MuseScore” to notate a composition and play it back digitally for feedback.