Introduction to app design
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can modify a simple app screen using visual tools to add and arrange interface elements.
Key learning points
- A user interface (UI) is the part of the app that users interact with.
- User interface elements are used to display and collect information.
- Apps are built for users and must be easy to navigate and understand.
Keywords
User interface - how you as a human can interact with a device
Design mode - the area where you drag and drop elements to create the layout of your app
Element - a specific part of a user interface
Property - a setting that changes how an element looks or behaves
Common misconception
The user interface is only about how the app looks.
The user interface includes both how the app looks and how users interact with it. A good user interface is both visually clear and functionally simple.
Teacher tip
Pupils will have encountered 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.Which of these is an example of an app you might use on a tablet?
Q2.What is the main purpose of a button in an app?
Q3.What do we call the information an app receives from the user?
Q4.Match each control to its main purpose.
Enter text.
Perform an action.
Choose from options.
Display a picture.
Q5.What is the best way to describe the role of images in an app?
Q6.Which statement best describes an app?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match each keyword to its description.
the visual part of an app users interact with
where you arrange elements to create the app layout
a specific part of the user interface
a setting that changes how an element looks or behaves
Q2.Which of these is an example of a user interface (UI) element?
Q3.Why is it important for an app to be easy to navigate?
Q4.What is the name of the user interface (UI) element that lets you type words or numbers into an app?
Q5.Put these actions in order for building a simple app screen.
Q6.Which of the following statements about a user interface (UI) is correct?
To help you plan your 8 computing lesson on: Introduction to app design, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 computing lesson on: Introduction to app design, 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.