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 forty-five 40 minute lessons
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Prerequisites: None
Table of Contents
UNIT 1: STAYING SAFE IN A DIGITAL WORLD
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Students learn digital safety and citizenship by creating strong passwords, protecting personal information, recognizing online threats, exploring cybersecurity measures, and developing healthy screen habits while navigating gaming and online interactions responsibly.
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UNIT 2: COMMUNICATION AND COLLABORATION
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Students develop technology skills, understand basic computer functions, explore technology tools, examine file storage and organization, and analyze computing devices while building foundational computer science and typing skills.
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UNIT 3: BEHIND THE SCREENS
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Students explore how computers work by learning about operating systems, networks, and how devices connect and share information. They’ll discover how hardware and software work together, how data travels from place to place, and how to solve common tech problems. Through hands-on activities, students will also explore adaptive technology and artificial intelligence, seeing how technology can help people and improve our world.
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UNIT 4: MAKING SENSE OF DATA
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Students develop digital literacy by exploring copyright and content use, refining research skills, and analyzing gaming data through surveys, charts, and graphs to identify trends, make predictions, and assess decision-making impacts.
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UNIT 5: GAME MAKERS AND WORLD SHAPERS
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Students will learn the basics of coding and algorithm as they examine game design using block-based coding, debugging, and testing. They’ll explore how computer science helps people and shapes our world. Through hands-on projects, students will work together to solve problems, get feedback, and make their creations even better, while discovering how technology connects to everyday life.
