Events and interactions
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can make an app respond to user actions by using events.
Key learning points
- Events are actions that apps can respond to.
- Event listeners are used to detect events and run a set of instructions.
- Apps respond to user input by using functions that run when specific events occur.
Keywords
Event - an action that happens in the app which the app can respond to
Event listener - a function that waits for a user action (such as a click) and then triggers a response
Trigger - the action that causes an event to run
Function - a named block of code that performs a task when called
Common misconception
Events happen automatically.
Events only trigger code if an event listener is attached. Without one, the app will not respond.
Teacher tip
Pupils will have encoutered many uses of apps in the world around them. Tailor the activities in the slides to best reflect the experiences pupils in your school will have had when using app-based technology.
Equipment
Pupils will need access to a device with phone app design software. Examples in this lesson use App Lab https://oak.link/app-lab which will require pupils to have a login to obtain access to edit.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the main purpose of a user interface (UI) in an app?
Q2.Which of the following is considered a user interface (UI) element?
Q3.What is the area called where you arrange the layout of your app visually?
Q4.What is the term for a setting that changes how a user interface (UI) element looks or behaves?
Q5.Match each keyword to its description:
the visual part users interact with
the area for arranging app layout visually
a specific part of a user interface
a setting that changes how something looks or works
Q6.Arrange these steps for creating a simple app layout in the correct order:
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match each keyword to its description:
an action the app can respond to
code that waits for a specific action
the action that starts code running
a named block of code for a task
Q2.Match each scenario to the correct term:
event
event listener
function
trigger
Q3.Put these steps in order for making a button perform an action when clicked:
Q4.Which of these is an example of a trigger?
Q5.Which statement is true about events in apps?
Q6.Which of the following best describes a function?
To help you plan your 8 computing lesson on: Events and interactions, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 computing lesson on: Events and interactions, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 computing lessons from the Mobile app development unit, dive into the full secondary computing curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.