Welcome to Everyday Computer Skills! In this strand, you will master the essential tools you need to use your device confidently, from logging in securely to managing complex files.
Locked Step
Step 1: Logins & Mouse is Locked
You must clear the validation gate criteria from the previous section to unlock these tasks.
Step 1Getting started
Logins & Mouse
Let's start with the absolute basics: powering up, logging in, and navigating your screen with a mouse.
Learning objective
About: Logins. To: Use mouse. To be: Organised.
Content Lesson
Interactive Walkthrough
Your device is your main tool for learning. Knowing how to securely log on to the school network, open your apps from the taskbar, and accurately use your mouse will make every other task much easier.
Independent learning task
Practice logging in and opening apps.
Turn on your device, log into the school network, and open two different apps from your taskbar using your mouse.
Plenary review
Self-Assessment Slider
How confident do you feel about logging in and opening apps on your own?
Gate Checkpoint
Verification Step: Complete this step, then continue to unlock the next section.
Great — the next step is now unlocked.Please complete the task to continue.📁 View Teacher Setup, Assets & Curriculum Links
Spark Routine
See, Think, Wonder
Look closely at an image, object, or text. Answer three prompts: What do you see? What do you think about that? What does it make you wonder?
Teacher guidelines: Ensure all student accounts are pre-configured before this lesson.
Achievement metrics
Foundation: Turn a device on/off.
Developing: Target icons with a mouse.
Secure: Log on to school network.
Mastering: Use a mouse to target/select. Typing: 5 WPM.
System mapping framework
Strand: CM.01.B.1.2 (EDS-O-01)
Summary Outcome: Basic device operation and access.
PYP Key Concept: Function | Central Idea: Technology helps us connect and learn.
You must clear the validation gate criteria from the previous section to unlock these tasks.
Step 2Save your progress
Files & Fonts
Time to make your work look great and stay organized by managing your files and formatting text.
Learning objective
About: Files. To: Format font. To be: Balanced.
Content Lesson
Before/After Visuals
Knowing exactly where you saved your work is crucial. We will practice saving files to a specific folder so they never get lost. We will also explore how to change font sizes and colors to make your text clear and easy to read.
Independent learning task
Format text and save to folder.
Create a new document, type a short sentence, change the font color, and save the file into your main folder.
Plenary review
Self-Assessment Slider
Were you able to easily find the file you saved in your folder?
Gate Checkpoint
Verification Step: Complete this step, then continue to unlock the next section.
Great — the next step is now unlocked.Please complete the task to continue.📁 View Teacher Setup, Assets & Curriculum Links
Spark Routine
Zoom In
Reveal an image or text in small, progressive fragments. After each part, say what you see and what will it be?
Teacher guidelines: Model saving to the correct folder on the projector.
You must clear the validation gate criteria from the previous section to unlock these tasks.
Step 3Smarter Browsing
Navigating Tabs
Learn how to move quickly between browser tabs and use a split screen to work much smarter.
Learning objective
About: Navigation. To: Use split screen. To be: Principled.
Content Lesson
Interactive Walkthrough
When you are researching or working on big projects, you will often need more than one window open. Using a split screen and navigating safely between tabs helps you see all your information at the exact same time.
Independent learning task
Set up a split-screen workspace.
Open two separate browser tabs. Then, arrange your screen so you can see both windows side-by-side using the split-screen feature.
Plenary review
Self-Assessment Slider
How did using the split-screen feature make viewing your information easier today?
Gate Checkpoint
Verification Step: Complete this step, then continue to unlock the next section.
Great — the next step is now unlocked.Please complete the task to continue.📁 View Teacher Setup, Assets & Curriculum Links
Spark Routine
Think, Puzzle, Explore
Activate prior knowledge and curiosity when introducing a new topic. Ask: What do you think you know about this topic? What questions or puzzles do you have? What does this make you want to explore?
Teacher guidelines: Demonstrate split screen using Windows/Mac shortcuts.
Achievement metrics
Foundation: Use left/right click.
Developing: Navigate browser tabs.
Secure: Organise split-screen view.
Mastering: Save with meaningful names. Typing: 15 WPM.
System mapping framework
Strand: CM.02.B.1.1 (EDS-O-03)
Summary Outcome: Browser navigation and split screen usage.
PYP Key Concept: Connection | Central Idea: Effective tools help us gather information efficiently.
You must clear the validation gate criteria from the previous section to unlock these tasks.
Step 4Sharing the computer
Systems & Profiles
Take control of your digital space by managing Chrome profiles and fixing basic software freezes.
Learning objective
About: Systems. To: Change profiles. To be: Persistent.
Content Lesson
Interactive Diagram
Sharing a device or having multiple accounts can get confusing. Managing your Chrome profile ensures your bookmarks, passwords, and history stay perfectly separated and secure.
Independent learning task
Verify and switch Chrome profiles.
Check your current Chrome profile. Make sure you are logged into your school account, and practice safely switching to another profile.
Plenary review
Self-Assessment Slider
Do you understand why keeping your school Chrome profile completely separate is important?
Gate Checkpoint
Verification Step: Complete this step, then continue to unlock the next section.
Great — the next step is now unlocked.Please complete the task to continue.📁 View Teacher Setup, Assets & Curriculum Links
Spark Routine
See, Think, Wonder
Look closely at an image, object, or text. Answer three prompts: What do you see? What do you think about that? What does it make you wonder?
Teacher guidelines: Discuss why mixing personal and school profiles is risky.
You must clear the validation gate criteria from the previous section to unlock these tasks.
Step 5Keys or mouse?
Shortcuts & Mastery
Speed up your workflow using essential keyboard shortcuts for copying, pasting, and undoing mistakes.
Learning objective
About: Mastery. To: Use shortcuts. To be: Efficient.
Content Lesson
Interactive Walkthrough
Keyboard shortcuts are secret time-savers! Using shortcuts like Ctrl+C to copy, Ctrl+V to paste, and Ctrl+Z to undo will speed up your writing and editing so you can focus on your ideas, not your typing.
Independent learning task
Use copy, paste, and undo shortcuts.
Type a short paragraph. Use Ctrl+C to copy a specific sentence, Ctrl+V to paste it at the bottom, and Ctrl+Z to quickly undo it.
Plenary review
Self-Assessment Slider
Which keyboard shortcut did you find the most useful for saving time today?
Gate Checkpoint
Verification Step: Complete this step, then continue to unlock the next section.
Great — the next step is now unlocked.Please complete the task to continue.📁 View Teacher Setup, Assets & Curriculum Links
Spark Routine
I used to think...
I used to think... Now I think...
Teacher guidelines: Encourage students to put the mouse away for this exercise.
Achievement metrics
Foundation: Use Ctrl+C/V/Z fluently.
Developing: Mute/unmute audio inputs.
Secure: Search system for apps.
Mastering: Use advanced search filters. Typing: 25 WPM.
System mapping framework
Strand: CM.03.B.1.1 (EDS-O-05)
Summary Outcome: Keyboard shortcuts for efficiency.
You must clear the validation gate criteria from the previous section to unlock these tasks.
Step 6Get organised!
OS & Folders
Master your operating system by organizing multiple folders and understanding how your system connects.
Learning objective
About: OS. To: Manage folders. To be: Reflective.
Content Lesson
Interactive Diagram
Your Operating System (OS) is the brain of your computer. Setting up a highly logical folder structure inside your OS will keep your massive multi-part projects organized, safe, and incredibly easy to find.
Independent learning task
Create a logical multi-level folder structure.
Create a main project folder on your device, then create three sub-folders inside of it. Move one different file into each sub-folder.
Plenary review
Self-Assessment Slider
How will organizing your folders like this help you in your future school projects?
Gate Checkpoint
Verification Step: Complete this step, then continue to unlock the next section.
Great — the next step is now unlocked.Please complete the task to continue.📁 View Teacher Setup, Assets & Curriculum Links
Spark Routine
Step Inside
Imagine taking on the role or perspective of a character, object, or historical figure. Describe the topic or event from this chosen viewpoint.
Teacher guidelines: Use the analogy of a physical filing cabinet.
