← Years 5–6 Creating Digital Solutions

Interface elements: menus, sliders and checkboxes

Interface elements that let the user pick from set options instead of typing: a menu lists choices, a slider picks a value on a range, a checkbox turns an option on or off.

Part of: 5-6 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Creating Digital Solutions — Module 33, 7-8 Digital Technologies: Designing user interfaces and experiences — Module 5, 9-10 Digital Technologies: Designing user interfaces and experiences — Module 4, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 1 — User Experiences and Interfaces — Module 44

Understanding Interface elements: menus, sliders and checkboxes in Years 5–6 Creating Digital Solutions

What it does: A checkbox is ticked for yes (on) and empty for no (off), so it is perfect for an option like a reminder. A menu gives set choices, so nobody can mistype the year level. A menu lists set choices so the user can pick one without typing. A single checkbox is only for turning one option on or off. A slider lets the user choose a value along a range by dragging. Great for volume, speed or size. A checkbox turns an option on or off, which suits a yes or no choice. Menus, sliders and checkboxes give set options. This stops spelling mistakes and unexpected answers.

Common mistakes: Choices in a menu are added with ADD option, not ADD checkbox. Line 3 should be ADD option "Cat". The slider only goes from 0 to 10, so a start value of 50 is outside its range. It should be a number from 0 to 10, such as 5.

Class: _____________________ · Name: _____________________ · Date: _________

Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 31–40) and word search (Modules 21–40).

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Learning

Duo

A school canteen app needs the user to pick ONE lunch option from a list of five. Which element fits best?

A menuA checkbox

Matches

Checkbox: Choose your favourite colour from Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, Purple

↓

A checkbox only turns one option on or off. Picking one colour from a long list is a job for a menu.

Applying

Meanings

Term

menu, slider, checkbox

Meaning

Interface elements that let the user pick from set options instead of typing: a menu lists choices, a slider picks a value on a range, a checkbox turns an option on or off.

Practice

Testing

Gaps

ADD "Lunch" CHOICES salad, wrap, soup

Check Answer

Spots

2ADD option "Dog"

3ADD checkbox "Cat"

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Quick Questions

1. A school canteen app needs the user to pick ONE lunch option from a list of five. Which element fits best?

A. A checkbox

B. A menu ✓

A menu lists set choices so the user can pick one without typing. A single checkbox is only for turning one option on or off.

2. Which element lets the user pick a volume from 0 to 100 by dragging?

A. A menu

B. A slider ✓

A slider lets the user choose a value along a range by dragging. Great for volume, speed or size.

3. A form asks 'Do you want to get email reminders?' The answer is only yes or no. Which element is best?

A. A checkbox ✓

B. A slider

A checkbox turns an option on or off, which suits a yes or no choice.

4. Why might a designer use a menu instead of a text box for choosing your year level?

A. The user picks from set options, so there are no typing mistakes ✓

B. The user can type anything they like

Menus, sliders and checkboxes give set options. This stops spelling mistakes and unexpected answers.

5. A game lets the player set the difficulty level from 1 (easy) to 10 (hard). Which element is the better choice?

A. A slider ✓

B. A text box where the player types the number

A slider lets the user pick a number on a range with no typing, so they can't enter a wrong value like 99.

Match the Pairs

Menu: Pizza size (Small, Medium, Large) → A list of set choices where the user picks one option instead of typing it

Slider: Volume 0 to 10 → A control the user drags to pick a value along a range of numbers

A checkbox turns an option on or off with a tick → [x] Send me a reminder

Use a menu so the user picks their year level from a list instead of typing it → Year level: [Year 5 v]

Checkbox: Choose your favourite colour from Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, Purple → A checkbox only turns one option on or off. Picking one colour from a long list is a job for a menu.

Text box: Type your age as a number from 1 to 100 (users type 'ten' or '1000') → A text box lets the user type anything, so they can enter wrong values. A slider keeps the answer on a set range.

Key Term

menu, slider, checkbox

Interface elements that let the user pick from set options instead of typing: a menu lists choices, a slider picks a value on a range, a checkbox turns an option on or off.

Fill in the Blanks

1. ADD menu "Lunch" CHOICES salad, wrap, soup

Hint: Type the interface element that shows a list of choices to pick from.

2. ADD slider "Brightness" FROM 0 TO 100

Hint: Type the interface element the user drags to pick a value on a range.

3. ADD checkbox "Remember me"

Hint: Type the interface element that turns one option on or off.

4. IF "Sound" checkbox is checked THEN play music

Hint: Type the word that describes a checkbox the user has ticked.

5. ADD checkbox "Dark mode" ADD slider "Speed" FROM 1 TO 5

Hint: Type the command word used to put an element on the screen.

Spot the Error

Question 1

A CREATE menu "Pet"

B ADD option "Dog"

C ADD checkbox "Cat"

D SHOW menu

Line C — Choices in a menu are added with ADD option, not ADD checkbox. Line 3 should be ADD option "Cat".

Question 2

A CREATE slider "Volume"

B SET min TO 0

C SET max TO 10

D SET start TO 50

Line D — The slider only goes from 0 to 10, so a start value of 50 is outside its range. It should be a number from 0 to 10, such as 5.

Question 3

A CREATE checkbox "Sound"

B SET checked TO 7

C SHOW checkbox

Line B — A checkbox is either on or off, so checked must be true or false, not a number like 7. It should be SET checked TO true.

Question 4

A CREATE menu "Lunch"

B ADD option Sandwich

C ADD option "Salad"

D WHEN menu changed, SAY choice

Line B — The text of a menu option needs quote marks, like the other options. It should be ADD option "Sandwich".

Question 5

A CREATE slider "Speed"

B SET min TO 1

C SET max TO 0

D SHOW slider

Line C — The maximum of a slider must be bigger than the minimum. A max of 0 is lower than the min of 1. It should be a number above 1, such as SET max TO 5.

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