Explorer: Digital Life and the Helpful Technology Challenge
Discover how technology works, stay safe online, organise information and design a helpful technology idea for a real person.
Instructor
Mindlect Academy
Course details
Duration
:
5-6 hours
Lectures
:
8
Video
:
Design project
Assignments
:
1
Quizzes
:
1
Level
:
Level 1 · Explorer
- Description
- FAQ
- Notice
Level 1 · Explorer
Understand technology. Use it well. Design it for people.
Find out how everyday technology works, how to stay safe and organised online, and how designers solve real problems. Then design, test and present a helpful technology idea for someone you know.
1UnderstandHow devices and systems work
2Use wellStay safe and organise information
3DesignCreate and test a helpful idea
Designed for beginners: no experience is required. Younger learners use pictures, sorting and talk. Older beginners use the same ideas with deeper discussion of privacy, cost and impact.
You will learn to
- Describe a technology as a system with inputs, processes and outputs.
- Name common hardware and software and choose the right tool for a task.
- Protect private information and respond safely to suspicious messages.
- Name, organise and credit files and information.
- Use design thinking to solve a problem for a real person.
What you need
Access to a shared computer or tablet, paper, markers and simple materials such as card and tape for prototypes.
Do I need any technology experience?
No. This is a Level 1 Explorer course designed for beginners.
Do I need my own device?
A shared device is enough. Many activities and the final prototype can be done on paper or with simple materials.
How is the course completed?
Complete the lessons, submit your project evidence and achieve 80% or more in the final assessment.
Complete every lesson, achieve at least 80% in the final assessment and earn at least 70% on approved project evidence. Your verified certificate will then appear in My Mindlect.
Technology around us
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1
1. Technology Around UsStart here What counts as technology? Technology is anything people design to solve a problem or meet a need. A pencil, a bicycle and… -
2
2. Digital Devices and SystemsDevices Hardware, software and people Hardware is the physical parts of a device that you can touch, such as the screen, keyboard and camera.…
Safe and organised
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3
3. Staying Safe and Kind OnlineDigital safety Protect yourself and others Some information is fine to share. Some should stay private. Before you share anything online, ask whether a…
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4
4. Files, Information and CommunicationInformation Organise, explain and give credit Clear file names and folders help you find work quickly. A good file name says what the file…
Design for people
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5
5. Design Thinking for Helpful TechnologyDesign thinking Start with a person, not a gadget Good designers begin by understanding the person they are designing for. Then they test simple…
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6
6. Helpful Technology Challenge: PlanProject plan Choose a real problem Pick a problem at home, school or in your community that technology could help with. Examples: a reminder…
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7
7. Helpful Technology Challenge: Build, Test and PresentCapstone build Make it, test it, improve it Build a prototype from paper, card, simple materials or a digital tool such as slides or…
Show what you know
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8
Project Submission: Helpful Technology Challenge -
9
Final Assessment: Explorer Technology -
10
Results, Progress and Your Mindlect ReportYour progress See what you have completed Your report combines course progress, the 20-question assessment and facilitator-reviewed project evidence. It updates as each part…