Icons and symbols — Computing, 4–6 years
A computer can use a small picture to stand for an action or an idea. Computing, 4–6 years.
What an icon means
An icon is a small picture that stands for something a computer can do or show. A rubbish bin may mean “throw this away”, while a triangle may mean “play”. You learn its meaning by seeing what happens when it is used.
Why use pictures?
Before icons, people often had to read words to find every command. That was slow for people who could not yet read the language on the screen. Pictures give a quick clue, so the same app can be easier for different people to understand.
Reading three icons
You see a camera, a speaker and a rubbish bin. First, the camera suggests taking a picture. Next, the speaker suggests hearing sound. Finally, the rubbish bin suggests removing something. You check each guess by looking at its name or what changes after you choose it.
The picture is not the action
A common mistake is to think an icon is the thing itself: a rubbish bin on screen is not a real bin. That is reasonable because the picture looks like a familiar object. It is only a sign telling the computer which action you mean.
Icons around you
You meet icons on a tablet, a washing machine and a lift. A triangle can start a video, a speaker can change sound, and arrows can show direction. The meaning depends on the device, so you can also look for a label or ask before choosing.
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