New
New
Year 8

Introduction to app design

I can modify a simple app screen using visual tools to add and arrange interface elements.

New
New
Year 8

Introduction to app design

I can modify a simple app screen using visual tools to add and arrange interface elements.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A user interface (UI) is the part of the app that users interact with.
  2. User interface elements are used to display and collect information.
  3. Apps are built for users and must be easy to navigate and understand.

Keywords

  • User interface (UI) - the visual part of an app that the user sees and interacts with

  • 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.


To help you plan your year 8 computing lesson on: Introduction to app design, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

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.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Access to Code.org's App Lab or some other means of creating apps.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of these is an example of an app you might use on a tablet?

stapler
whiteboard marker
ruler
Correct answer: calculator

Q2.
What is the main purpose of a button in an app?

to display images
Correct answer: to allow user interaction
to store data
to connect to the internet

Q3.
What do we call the information an app receives from the user?

Correct Answer: Input, Inputs

Q4.
Match each control to its main purpose.

Correct Answer:text box,Enter text.

Enter text.

Correct Answer:button,Perform an action.

Perform an action.

Correct Answer:drop-down list,Choose from options.

Choose from options.

Correct Answer:image,Display a picture.

Display a picture.

Q5.
What is the best way to describe the role of images in an app?

to store user data
to process user input
Correct answer: to make the app more visually appealing
to run background tasks

Q6.
Which statement best describes an app?

Correct answer: a piece of software designed to perform tasks
aphysical device
a type of food
a printed book

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Match each keyword to its description.

Correct Answer:user interface (UI),the visual part of an app users interact with

the visual part of an app users interact with

Correct Answer:design mode,where you arrange elements to create the app layout

where you arrange elements to create the app layout

Correct Answer:element,a specific part of the user interface

a specific part of the user interface

Correct Answer:property,a setting that changes how an element looks or behaves

a setting that changes how an element looks or behaves

Q2.
Which of these is an example of a user interface (UI) element?

battery
Correct answer: button
charger
speaker

Q3.
Why is it important for an app to be easy to navigate?

so it uses more battery
so it is slower
so it takes up more space
Correct answer: so users enjoy using it and can find what they need

Q4.
What is the name of the user interface (UI) element that lets you type words or numbers into an app?

Correct Answer: text box, a text box, text boxes

Q5.
Put these actions in order for building a simple app screen.

1 - Enter design mode.
2 - Add elements.
3 - Arrange elements.
4 - Set properties.

Q6.
Which of the following statements about a user interface (UI) is correct?

The UI is only concerned with the colours and layout of the app.
The UI is important only for making the app look attractive.
Correct answer: The UI includes both how the app looks and how users interact with it.
The UI is not needed if the app works well.