Printers and Scanners

Overview

This 40-minute session is the fifth lesson in the Year 3 unit "Tech Tools for Work". The focus is to develop students’ understanding of printers and scanners — key technology devices used in offices and workplaces. Students will explore their functions, identify parts, and practise using these devices through a structured, interactive hands-on activity. The lesson actively builds digital literacy aligned with the National Curriculum for England, supporting computing skills and real-world confidence.

National Curriculum Links

Key Stage 2: Year 3

Computing Programme of Study:
- Use technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content
- Use a range of technology tools and software to complete a given goal
National Curriculum Computing objectives addressed:
- Understand computer networks, including the internet; how they can provide multiple services, such as the world wide web (relevant contextual knowledge)
- Use search technologies effectively (contextual for understanding printers/scanners in workflow)
- Select, use and combine a variety of software on a range of digital devices to design and create a range of programs, systems and content
- Understand and use input and output devices appropriately

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, pupils will be able to:

Describe the purpose and basic function of printers and scanners in a workplace setting.
Identify key parts of a printer and scanner (e.g., paper tray, scanner bed, control panel).
Demonstrate safe and effective use of a printer and scanner to print, scan, and save documents.
Explain why printers and scanners are important tools for work and everyday life.

Resources

Colour laser printer or inkjet printer (1 printer for class)
Flatbed scanner or multifunction printer with scanning function
Printed sample documents and drawings for scanning/printing (simple text and pictures)
Laptops or tablets connected to printer/scanner (1 per pair or trio)
Whiteboard & markers
Worksheets with printer and scanner labelling and key vocabulary
Visual flowchart of printing and scanning process
Safety rules poster for equipment use

Lesson Structure

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

Engage: Ask pupils if they have seen printers or scanners and where (school, home, shops). Stimulate brief discussion on what these machines do.
Explain: Introduce printers and scanners as important tech tools found in offices, shops, and schools that help share information by producing paper copies or digital copies of documents.
Show labelled images of a printer and scanner. Highlight key parts and functions (paper input/output, scanner lid/bed, control buttons).
Display the learning objectives on the board.

2. Teacher-led Demonstration (7 minutes)

Demonstrate printing a simple text document from a laptop/tablet to the printer. Talk through steps: sending job, waiting, paper moving, finished page.
Demonstrate scanning a picture or document: placing it on the scanner bed, closing the lid, starting scan, checking digital image saved.
Emphasise safety rules such as handling paper gently, not touching scanner glass, waiting patiently.

3. Paired Hands-on Activity (20 minutes)

Set up: Students work in pairs (3 pairs for 6 students). Each pair uses a laptop/tablet and shares the printer/scanner.
Tasks:
1. Choose and print a short text or simple image document using guided steps.
2. Scan a printed page or drawing and save it in a shared folder.
3. Use a worksheet to label photocopied images of the printer and scanner parts they have used.
Circulate to support and scaffold technical steps and reinforce vocabulary.
Encourage discussion about what the machines do and why they help people at work.

4. Review and Reflect (7 minutes)

Come together as a class and invite pairs to share their experiences and what they found easy or challenging.
Recap the functions of printers and scanners and review safety tips.
Verbal quiz: Ask “What does a scanner do?”; “What do you need to put in a printer before printing?”; “Why do people in offices use these machines?”
Introduce a simple home or school challenge: take a photo or scan something interesting and show the class next week (promotes ongoing engagement).

Assessment

Formative: Observe participation and correct use during hands-on activity; note understanding through questioning and paired discussions.
Worksheet completion: Check correct labelling of printer/scanner parts.
Verbal responses: Assess understanding during review quiz and reflections against learning objectives.

Differentiation

Support: Provide step-by-step visual cue cards for printing/scanning; assist with USB/PC tasks.
Challenge: Pupils who demonstrate confidence can explore changing print settings (black & white vs colour) or cropping scanned images using software.
Use peer-support within pairs for collaborative problem solving.

Cross-Curricular Links

English: Reading instructions on printer/scanner; vocabulary development.
Art: Scanning drawings for digital display or printing artwork.
PSHE: Responsibility when handling shared equipment, following safety.

Extension Idea

Create a “Workplace Tech Helpers” role-play station where students simulate being office staff needing to copy, scan or print documents in a team. They can practise communication skills alongside technology use.

Teacher Notes

Test printer and scanner functionality before lesson to avoid technical issues.
Set up devices with simple shortcuts to print and scan.
Consider photographing the class activity (with consent) to showcase practical computing skills on display boards or portfolios.
Highlight environmental angle by discussing paper use and reusing scrap paper when printing for practice.

This lesson combines key computing skills with practical experience, nurturing children’s confidence in handling common workplace technology. It directly meets the National Curriculum for England requirements for developing purposeful technology use at KS2 and inspires curiosity about everyday digital tools.

Teaching Instructions