Learning objective
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting 101
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Develop independent problem-solving skills to diagnose and fix physical connections, audio/display issues, frozen apps, network drops, and system errors.
Physical Cables & Power
Inspect physical hardware connections (power cables, USB plugs, headphone jacks) when devices fail.
Let's Go!
Routine: See, Think, Wonder
Your computer mouse stopped moving! Before assuming the computer is broken, what physical cable or switch should you inspect first?
Learn
Over 50% of computer problems are caused by loose physical cables! If a mouse, keyboard, or headphone isn't working, check the plug! Ensure USB cables are pushed firmly into ports and power cords are plugged into wall sockets.
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Hardware Connection Inspection
🚀 Open a practice space
🌟 Student Project GuideSuccess Criteria & WAGOLL (What A Good One Looks Like)
🎯 Task Success Criteria (Rubric)
Foundation
Checks if the device power light is turned on.
Developing
Inspects USB mouse and keyboard cable plugs to ensure they are fully inserted.
Secure (Goal)
Identifies loose cables as the cause of hardware failure and plugs them in securely.
Mastery
Teaches a systematic hardware connection check before asking for adult tech help.
👀 What A Good One Looks Like (WAGOLL)
⭐ Secure Standard📁
Save to Your Website Portfolio:
When you finish creating your project in your software, copy the share link or take a screenshot and publish it onto your student portfolio website!
⭐Self-Assessment: How confident do you feel with this skill?
Reflect
Learning check
Teacher setup, curriculum links and progress descriptors
Spark support
Routine: See, Think, Wonder
Achievement pathway
- Foundation: Checks if the device power light is turned on.
- Developing: Inspects USB mouse and keyboard cable plugs to ensure they are fully inserted.
- Secure: Identifies loose cables as the cause of hardware failure and plugs them in securely.
- Mastering: Teaches a systematic hardware connection check before asking for adult tech help.
Curriculum links
Curriculum strand: Everyday Digital Skills
Outcome: TRBL.01.B.1.1 — Inspect physical hardware connections (power cables, USB plugs, headphone jacks) when devices fail.
PYP: Form · Physical connections are the foundation of working digital systems.
Learner profile: Inquirer
Competency tags
Gate support
Accessibility alternative:
Teacher override: allow
Locked level
Level 2: Volume, Mute & Brightness
Complete the previous learning check to unlock this next level.
Volume, Mute & Brightness
Fix sound and display issues by checking hardware volume keys, software mutes, and screen brightness.
Learning objective
Learning About: Sound & Brightness. Learning To: Adjust volume sliders, un-mute, and fix dark screens. Learning To Be: Communicator.
Let's Go!
Routine: Zoom In
You play a video for class, but there's no sound! You check the taskbar and the speaker has a small 'x' next to it. What does that mean?
Learn
If your screen is too dark or you can't hear audio, check your settings! Audio can be muted in THREE places: 1) Physical headphone inline switch, 2) Taskbar speaker icon, or 3) Video player volume control. Un-mute all three!
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Audio & Display Rescue Test
🚀 Open a practice space
🌟 Student Project GuideSuccess Criteria & WAGOLL (What A Good One Looks Like)
🎯 Task Success Criteria (Rubric)
Foundation
Locates the Volume Up/Down keys on a keyboard or taskbar.
Developing
Checks if the software audio is muted on the taskbar or video player.
Secure (Goal)
Fixes 'no sound' by un-muting both the system audio AND inline video player controls.
Mastery
Adjusts screen brightness to fix a dark monitor and troubleshoots audio output selection.
👀 What A Good One Looks Like (WAGOLL)
⭐ Secure Standard📁
Save to Your Website Portfolio:
When you finish creating your project in your software, copy the share link or take a screenshot and publish it onto your student portfolio website!
⭐Self-Assessment: How confident do you feel with this skill?
Reflect
Learning check
Teacher setup, curriculum links and progress descriptors
Spark support
Routine: Zoom In
Achievement pathway
- Foundation: Locates the Volume Up/Down keys on a keyboard or taskbar.
- Developing: Checks if the software audio is muted on the taskbar or video player.
- Secure: Fixes 'no sound' by un-muting both the system audio AND inline video player controls.
- Mastering: Adjusts screen brightness to fix a dark monitor and troubleshoots audio output selection.
Curriculum links
Curriculum strand: Everyday Digital Skills
Outcome: TRBL.01.B.1.2 — Fix sound and display issues by checking hardware volume keys, software mutes, and screen brightness.
PYP: Function · Managing device audio and display settings ensures comfortable media interaction.
Learner profile: Communicator
Competency tags
Gate support
Accessibility alternative:
Teacher override: allow
Locked level
Level 3: Frozen Pages & Refresh
Complete the previous learning check to unlock this next level.
Frozen Pages & Refresh
Recover frozen web pages using Ctrl+R (F5) refresh and hard reload commands.
Learning objective
Learning About: Refreshing Pages. Learning To: Reload frozen web pages with Ctrl+R or F5. Learning To Be: Thinker.
Let's Go!
Routine: Think, Pair, Share
A web game stops responding and the screen freezes. Instead of closing the whole browser, what single shortcut reloads the page in 2 seconds?
Learn
Web pages sometimes freeze because of temporary internet hiccups or script glitches! Before closing your browser, click the circular arrow Refresh button or press Ctrl+R (or F5). This re-downloads the page data and fixes most freezes!
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Browser Refresh Recovery
🚀 Open a practice space
🌟 Student Project GuideSuccess Criteria & WAGOLL (What A Good One Looks Like)
🎯 Task Success Criteria (Rubric)
Foundation
Locates the circular arrow Refresh button on the browser toolbar.
Developing
Uses Ctrl+R or F5 to reload a web page that stopped responding.
Secure (Goal)
Uses Ctrl+Shift+R (Hard Reload) to clear cached page scripts and reload fresh content.
Mastery
Explains why refreshing re-downloads web page data to clear temporary browser freezes.
👀 What A Good One Looks Like (WAGOLL)
⭐ Secure Standard📁
Save to Your Website Portfolio:
When you finish creating your project in your software, copy the share link or take a screenshot and publish it onto your student portfolio website!
⭐Self-Assessment: How confident do you feel with this skill?
Reflect
Learning check
Teacher setup, curriculum links and progress descriptors
Spark support
Routine: Think, Pair, Share
Achievement pathway
- Foundation: Locates the circular arrow Refresh button on the browser toolbar.
- Developing: Uses Ctrl+R or F5 to reload a web page that stopped responding.
- Secure: Uses Ctrl+Shift+R (Hard Reload) to clear cached page scripts and reload fresh content.
- Mastering: Explains why refreshing re-downloads web page data to clear temporary browser freezes.
Curriculum links
Curriculum strand: Everyday Digital Skills
Outcome: TRBL.02.B.1.1 — Recover frozen web pages using Ctrl+R (F5) refresh and hard reload commands.
PYP: Connection · Refreshing browser memory clears temporary script glitches.
Learner profile: Thinker
Competency tags
Gate support
Accessibility alternative:
Teacher override: allow
Locked level
Level 4: Task Manager & Force Quit
Complete the previous learning check to unlock this next level.
Task Manager & Force Quit
Force close completely frozen, unresponsive applications using Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc / Cmd+Opt+Esc).
Learning objective
Learning About: Force Quit. Learning To: End unresponsive apps with Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc). Learning To Be: Knowledgeable.
Let's Go!
Routine: Parts-Purposes-Complexities
An app has frozen completely and clicking the red 'X' button does nothing! How can Task Manager force it to close?
Learn
When an app freezes so badly that the 'X' button won't work, call in Task Manager! Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc (Cmd+Option+Esc on Mac). Find the frozen app in the list, click 'End Task', and your computer instantly shuts it down!
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Open Task Manager & Inspect Apps
🚀 Open a practice space
🌟 Student Project GuideSuccess Criteria & WAGOLL (What A Good One Looks Like)
🎯 Task Success Criteria (Rubric)
Foundation
Recognizes when an app displays 'Not Responding' in the title bar.
Developing
Opens Task Manager using Ctrl+Shift+Esc (or Cmd+Option+Esc on Mac).
Secure (Goal)
Selects a frozen app in Task Manager and clicks 'End Task' to force close it safely.
Mastery
Uses Task Manager CPU/Memory columns to identify which app is clogging computer resources.
👀 What A Good One Looks Like (WAGOLL)
⭐ Secure Standard📁
Save to Your Website Portfolio:
When you finish creating your project in your software, copy the share link or take a screenshot and publish it onto your student portfolio website!
⭐Self-Assessment: How confident do you feel with this skill?
Reflect
Learning check
Teacher setup, curriculum links and progress descriptors
Spark support
Routine: Parts-Purposes-Complexities
Achievement pathway
- Foundation: Recognizes when an app displays 'Not Responding' in the title bar.
- Developing: Opens Task Manager using Ctrl+Shift+Esc (or Cmd+Option+Esc on Mac).
- Secure: Selects a frozen app in Task Manager and clicks 'End Task' to force close it safely.
- Mastering: Uses Task Manager CPU/Memory columns to identify which app is clogging computer resources.
Curriculum links
Curriculum strand: Everyday Digital Skills
Outcome: TRBL.02.B.1.2 — Force close completely frozen, unresponsive applications using Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc / Cmd+Opt+Esc).
PYP: Responsibility · System diagnostic tools enable emergency app recovery and resource management.
Learner profile: Knowledgeable
Competency tags
Gate support
Accessibility alternative:
Teacher override: allow
Locked level
Level 5: Network & Wi-Fi Diagnostics
Complete the previous learning check to unlock this next level.
Network & Wi-Fi Diagnostics
Diagnose internet disconnects by checking Wi-Fi status, toggling Airplane Mode, and verifying gateway signals.
Learning objective
Learning About: Wi-Fi Diagnostics. Learning To: Check Wi-Fi icon, toggle off/on, and verify connection. Learning To Be: Open-minded.
Let's Go!
Routine: Connect-Extend-Challenge
A 'No Internet' dinosaur page appears on your screen! What taskbar icon tells you if your Wi-Fi is disconnected?
Learn
When webpages won't load, check your Wi-Fi icon in the bottom-right taskbar! If it shows a globe or exclamation mark, your internet is disconnected. Click the Wi-Fi icon, toggle Wi-Fi off for 5 seconds, turn it back on, and reconnect to 'School_WiFi'.
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Wi-Fi Reset & Connection Drill
🚀 Open a practice space
🌟 Student Project GuideSuccess Criteria & WAGOLL (What A Good One Looks Like)
🎯 Task Success Criteria (Rubric)
Foundation
Identifies the Wi-Fi signal icon vs 'No Internet' globe/warning icon in taskbar.
Developing
Toggles Wi-Fi off and back on to reset local wireless connection.
Secure (Goal)
Selects the correct school Wi-Fi network (e.g. 'School_Student_WiFi') and enters credentials.
Mastery
Troubleshoots Wi-Fi disconnects by toggling Airplane Mode and checking router distance.
👀 What A Good One Looks Like (WAGOLL)
⭐ Secure Standard📁
Save to Your Website Portfolio:
When you finish creating your project in your software, copy the share link or take a screenshot and publish it onto your student portfolio website!
⭐Self-Assessment: How confident do you feel with this skill?
Reflect
Learning check
Teacher setup, curriculum links and progress descriptors
Spark support
Routine: Connect-Extend-Challenge
Achievement pathway
- Foundation: Identifies the Wi-Fi signal icon vs 'No Internet' globe/warning icon in taskbar.
- Developing: Toggles Wi-Fi off and back on to reset local wireless connection.
- Secure: Selects the correct school Wi-Fi network (e.g. 'School_Student_WiFi') and enters credentials.
- Mastering: Troubleshoots Wi-Fi disconnects by toggling Airplane Mode and checking router distance.
Curriculum links
Curriculum strand: Everyday Digital Skills
Outcome: TRBL.03.B.1.1 — Diagnose internet disconnects by checking Wi-Fi status, toggling Airplane Mode, and verifying gateway signals.
PYP: Change · Understanding network status icons enables systematic connectivity recovery.
Learner profile: Open-minded
Competency tags
Gate support
Accessibility alternative:
Teacher override: allow
Locked level
Level 6: 5-Step IT Protocol & Restart
Complete the previous learning check to unlock this next level.
5-Step IT Protocol & Restart
Apply a structured 5-step troubleshooting algorithm (Identify, Isolate, Check Connections, Restart, Escalate).
Learning objective
Learning About: Troubleshooting Protocol. Learning To: Follow the 5-step IT problem solving algorithm. Learning To Be: Reflective.
Let's Go!
Routine: I used to think...
I used to think calling the teacher immediately was the first step when tech broke... Now I follow the 5-Step IT Protocol...
Learn
Become a master IT technician by following the 5-Step Troubleshooting Algorithm: 1) Identify the problem, 2) Check physical cables & switches, 3) Refresh page / Force quit app, 4) Restart the device, 5) Escalate with clear details to your teacher!
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Execute the 5-Step IT Protocol
🚀 Open a practice space
🌟 Student Project GuideSuccess Criteria & WAGOLL (What A Good One Looks Like)
🎯 Task Success Criteria (Rubric)
Foundation
Performs a clean system Restart from the Start Menu when errors persist.
Developing
Follows a 3-step checklist (Check Cable ➔ Refresh Page ➔ Restart) independently.
Secure (Goal)
Applies the complete 5-Step IT Troubleshooting Algorithm before escalating to a teacher/technician.
Mastery
Acts as a classroom Tech Ambassador, helping peers systematically debug tech issues.
👀 What A Good One Looks Like (WAGOLL)
⭐ Secure Standard📁
Save to Your Website Portfolio:
When you finish creating your project in your software, copy the share link or take a screenshot and publish it onto your student portfolio website!
⭐Self-Assessment: How confident do you feel with this skill?
Reflect
Learning check
Teacher setup, curriculum links and progress descriptors
Spark support
Routine: I used to think...
Achievement pathway
- Foundation: Performs a clean system Restart from the Start Menu when errors persist.
- Developing: Follows a 3-step checklist (Check Cable ➔ Refresh Page ➔ Restart) independently.
- Secure: Applies the complete 5-Step IT Troubleshooting Algorithm before escalating to a teacher/technician.
- Mastering: Acts as a classroom Tech Ambassador, helping peers systematically debug tech issues.
Curriculum links
Curriculum strand: Everyday Digital Skills
Outcome: TRBL.03.B.1.2 — Apply a structured 5-step troubleshooting algorithm (Identify, Isolate, Check Connections, Restart, Escalate).
PYP: Perspective · Structured problem-solving algorithms build technical independence and resilience.
Learner profile: Reflective
Competency tags
Gate support
Accessibility alternative:
Teacher override: allow