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Glossary

This glossary contains key terms used throughout the curriculum. Definitions are written in plain language for facilitators. Where helpful, a simpler child-friendly explanation is included.

Use this page as a quick reference during lessons, or share individual definitions with learners when a new term comes up.

A​

Algorithm
A set of steps or rules that a computer follows to do something. Search engines use algorithms to decide which results to show. Programs are built from algorithms.
Kid-friendly: An algorithm is like a recipe — it tells the computer exactly what to do, step by step.

App (Application)
A program on a computer or device that does a specific job. Examples: Calculator, Paint, a web browser, Scratch.
Kid-friendly: An app is a tool on your computer. Different apps do different jobs.

Artifact
Something a learner creates and saves during the curriculum — a drawing, document, Scratch project, or set of notes. Artifacts are collected in the portfolio.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)
A computer system designed to perform tasks that normally require human thinking — like recognizing images, answering questions, or generating text. AI tools learn patterns from large amounts of data.
Kid-friendly: AI is software that can do things that seem smart, like writing a story or recognizing a picture — but it's following patterns, not actually thinking.

B​

Backspace
A key on the keyboard that deletes the character directly to the left of the cursor. Used for fixing typing mistakes.

Block (in Scratch)
A single instruction piece in Scratch that snaps together with other blocks to create a program. Each block tells the sprite to do something: move, turn, speak, repeat, etc.

Browser
A program used to view websites on the internet. Examples: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge.
Kid-friendly: A browser is the app that lets you visit websites.

Bug
A mistake in a program that causes it to behave differently from what the programmer intended. Fixing bugs is called debugging.

C​

CAD (Computer-Aided Design)
Software used to design objects on a computer, often in 3D. TinkerCAD is a beginner-friendly CAD tool. Used in the optional extension weeks.

Canvas
The drawing area in an art or design program where you create your work. In Scratch, the canvas is called the Stage — it's where sprites move and interact.

Clickbait
A headline or link designed to get your attention and make you click, often by exaggerating or being misleading. Example: "You won't BELIEVE what happened next!"
Kid-friendly: Clickbait is a trick title that tries to make you click on something. The real content usually isn't as exciting as the title makes it sound.

Copy / Cut / Paste
Editing commands that let you duplicate or move text and images.

  • Copy (Ctrl+C / Cmd+C): Makes a copy of selected content without removing the original.
  • Cut (Ctrl+X / Cmd+X): Removes the selected content and stores it temporarily.
  • Paste (Ctrl+V / Cmd+V): Places the copied or cut content at the cursor location.

Cursor
The blinking line in a text editor that shows where the next character will appear when you type. Also refers to the mouse pointer arrow on screen.

D​

Debugging
The process of finding and fixing mistakes in a program or system. Named after an early computer bug — a real insect found in a machine.
Kid-friendly: Debugging means figuring out why something isn't working and fixing it.

Desktop
The main screen you see when a computer starts up. It often shows icons for files, folders, and apps.

Digital Citizenship
The practice of using technology responsibly, safely, and thoughtfully. Includes protecting personal information, being kind online, and making good judgments.

Digital Portfolio
A collection of saved work from across the curriculum. Stored in the "My Projects" folder. Used for tracking growth and preparing the final project.

Download
To save a file from the internet or a website onto your computer. The opposite of upload.

Drag
To click and hold an object on screen, move it to a new position, and release. Used for moving files, arranging windows, and connecting blocks in Scratch.

E​

Export
To save a file in a specific format so it can be used in another program or shared. Example: exporting a TinkerCAD design as an STL file.

F​

File
A single piece of saved digital work. A file might be a document, an image, a Scratch project, or a text note. Every file has a name and a type (extension).

File Explorer / Finder
The built-in tool for navigating files and folders. Called "File Explorer" on Windows and "Finder" on Mac.

Folder
A container for organizing files on a computer. Folders can contain other folders (subfolders). Like labeled boxes for your digital work.

Format (text)
Changing how text looks — making it bold, changing the size, or picking a color. Formatting helps make writing clearer or more interesting to read.

G–H​

Generative AI
A type of artificial intelligence that can create new content — text, images, music, or code — based on a prompt. Examples include ChatGPT and image generators. Explored in Weeks 13–14.
Kid-friendly: Generative AI is a tool that makes new things (like stories or pictures) when you give it instructions.

Hallucination (AI)
When an AI tool confidently states something that is incorrect or made up. Because AI generates responses based on patterns rather than understanding, it can produce plausible-sounding information that isn't true.
Kid-friendly: Sometimes AI makes things up and says them like they're true. That's called a hallucination — and it's why you should always check AI answers.

Home Row
The middle row of letter keys where typists rest their fingers: A S D F and J K L ;. Learning the home row is the foundation of touch typing.

Hyperlink (Link)
Clickable text or image on a website that takes you to another page or resource. Links are often blue and underlined.

I​

Input
Anything a person does to communicate with a computer: clicking, typing, dragging, pressing keys, tapping a screen. Computers respond to inputs with outputs.
Kid-friendly: An input is something you do to tell the computer what to do.

Iteration
The process of building something, testing it, improving it, and repeating. Most professional creators go through many iterations before finishing a project.
Kid-friendly: Iteration means making something, trying it out, making it better, and doing that again.

K​

Keywords
The most important words in a search query. Choosing good keywords helps search engines find better results. Example: instead of "what is a good food for dogs to eat," try "best dog food."
Kid-friendly: Keywords are the important words you type into a search engine to find what you're looking for.

Keyboard Shortcut
A key combination that performs an action quickly. Common shortcuts:

  • Ctrl+S / Cmd+S = Save
  • Ctrl+Z / Cmd+Z = Undo
  • Ctrl+C / Cmd+C = Copy
  • Ctrl+V / Cmd+V = Paste
  • Ctrl+X / Cmd+X = Cut
  • Ctrl+A / Cmd+A = Select All

L–M​

Login / Log In
Entering a username and password to access an account on a website or app. Passwords should be kept private and never shared with other kids.

Loop (Repeat)
A programming instruction that makes a set of actions happen more than once. In Scratch, "repeat" and "forever" blocks create loops.
Kid-friendly: A loop tells the computer to do the same thing over and over. Like a song stuck on repeat!

O​

Output
What the computer does in response to an input. Examples: showing text on screen, playing a sound, moving a sprite, displaying a search result.

P​

Password
A secret word or phrase used to protect an account. Good passwords are hard for others to guess. Learners should create passwords with adult help and never share them.

Popup
A small window that appears on screen, sometimes unexpectedly. Some popups are normal (like a save confirmation), but others may be ads or tricks. When in doubt, close it and tell an adult.

Prompt (AI)
The instruction or question you type into an AI tool. More specific prompts lead to more useful responses.

Prototype
An early version of a project that tests the main idea. Prototypes are expected to be rough — they are made for learning and improving, not for being finished.

R​

Reference / Source
Where information came from. Wikipedia articles list references at the bottom. Checking sources helps learners verify that information is accurate.

Right-Click
Pressing the right mouse button. Usually opens a menu with extra options. On a trackpad, this is often done with a two-finger tap.

S​

SafeSearch
A setting on search engines that filters out content not appropriate for children. Should be enabled for all learner search activities.

Save / Save As

  • Save (Ctrl+S / Cmd+S): Updates the current file with any changes.
  • Save As: Saves the work as a new file, letting you choose a new name or location. Useful for keeping earlier versions.

Scratch
A free, visual programming language created by MIT. Programs are built by snapping colorful blocks together. Used in Weeks 9–11 and the final project.

Script (Scratch)
A stack of connected blocks in Scratch that tells a sprite what to do. A sprite can have multiple scripts running at the same time.

Scroll
Moving up or down on a page to see more content. You can scroll using the mouse wheel, trackpad gestures, or the scroll bar on the side of a window.

Search Engine
A website that helps you find information on the internet by typing keywords. Examples: Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Kiddle.

Sequence
A set of instructions that happen in a specific order. Changing the order changes the result. Sequences are the foundation of all programming.

Sprite
A character or object in Scratch that can be programmed to move, speak, and interact. The default sprite is a cat.

Stage (Scratch)
The white area in Scratch where sprites appear and perform actions. The Stage has its own backdrop that can be changed. It is 480 pixels wide and 360 pixels tall.

STL File
A file format used for 3D printing. It describes the shape of a 3D object. Created by exporting from TinkerCAD or other CAD software.

System
Multiple parts working together to accomplish something. A bicycle, a robot, a Scratch program, and a website are all systems.

T​

Tab (Browser)
A way to have multiple web pages open in one browser window. Each tab shows a different page. You can switch between tabs by clicking on them.

Touch Typing
Typing without looking at the keyboard, using finger placement on the home row. The curriculum builds toward this gradually — comfort matters more than speed.

Troubleshooting
Figuring out what went wrong and trying to fix it. A general version of debugging that applies to computers, programs, and everyday technology problems.

U​

Undo
A command (Ctrl+Z / Cmd+Z) that reverses the last action. Extremely useful for fixing mistakes. Most programs support multiple undos.

Upload
Sending a file from your computer to a website or online service. The opposite of download.

URL
The address of a website. Appears in the address bar of the browser. Example: https://www.example.com. URL stands for Uniform Resource Locator.
Kid-friendly: A URL is like a street address for a website. It tells the browser exactly where to go.

V–W​

Version
A saved snapshot of a project at a particular stage. Naming versions (v1, v2, Final) helps track progress and lets you go back to earlier work if needed.

Window
A rectangular area on screen where an app displays its content. Windows can be moved, resized, minimized, and closed. Multiple windows can be open at the same time.

Wikipedia
A free online encyclopedia written by volunteers. Useful as a starting point for learning, but should be verified with other sources. Used in Week 8.