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Year 1

Comparing computer art and painting

I can compare painting on a computer and painting on paper and explain which I prefer to use.

icon-background-square
New
New
Year 1

Comparing computer art and painting

I can compare painting on a computer and painting on paper and explain which I prefer to use.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Images can be created either on paper or on a computer
  2. There are differences between creating a picture on a computer or on paper
  3. You can follow commands to create a piece of artwork

Keywords

  • Computer - a machine with programs that follow commands

  • Commands - an instruction used to control something

Common misconception

When giving commands, you should make them as long as possible so that it is really clear what needs to be done.

Commands are easier to understand when they are short. The more details you add, the more chance there is for misunderstanding. Commands need to be clear and to the point, leaving out any detail that would not be helpful in understanding them.


To help you plan your year 1 computing lesson on: Comparing computer art and painting, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Demonstrate how commands are carried out by acting as a programmable device yourself. Follow commands exactly as specified by pupils to show that commands need to be clear and unambiguous. It is important that pupils see that assumed understanding will affect the success of a command.
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Teacher tip
equipment-required

Equipment

Pupils will require access to a device with software that provides freehand digital painting tools.

copyright

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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4 Questions

Q1.
Which tool will let you go back and fix a mistake on a computer?
untie
until
Correct answer: undo
Q2.
What part of a painting program changes how large or small a paintbrush is?
signal
Correct answer: size
square
Q3.
What are some tools that we use in a painting program?
Correct answer: fill tool, shape tool
paper tool, book tool
water tool, fire tool
Q4.
We use this to make choices on a computer:
Correct answer: mouse or finger
pencil
phone

4 Questions

Q1.
One advantage to creating a picture using a painting program is...
a computer will make the picture for you.
Correct answer: it is easier to to fix a mistake.
there are more colours.
Q2.
A command is...
when a computer makes something on its own.
Correct answer: an instruction used to control something.
when a computer gives you a painting.
Q3.
__________ means an instruction used to control something.
Comment
Correct answer: Command
Current
Q4.
What would happen if you gave unclear commands?
Correct answer: The task would not turn out the way you wanted.
The task would turn out exactly the way you wanted.
A computer would guess what you wanted.