Todays session offered a brief refresh on the changes to the Technology curriculum, along with some fresh ideas for the classroom.
Computational Thinking
We started off with a focus on unplugged learning and how that could look in the classroom.
- Select a number of blocks/lego/shapes...
- Create something!
- Partner up with someone. Shield your creation. Give verbal instructions for you buddy to re-create what you made. This is a great opportunity to explore vocabulary and develop oral language.
- Digital aspect - Use Book Creator to show steps.
Input vs Output - The input might be something simple like taking a picture. The output could be making it talk in Chatterpix, or posting it to Seesaw. This is making links, and using the language. So important!
Debug - Ok, so you made an incorrect step somewhere, lets go back and 'debug' - fix it! Use the language.
Algorithm - a set of instructions that need to be followed in order to reach a specific outcome.
Another activity
- Use shapes with body movements to show each shape. Eg. a tapatoru could be a dab, a porowhita could be a full body turn.
- Now tamariki put together their algorithm for friends to follow! Note: make sure algorithms are linear (easy to follow, left to right, like the writing process).
Developing Digital Outcomes
Progress Outcome 1 spans 3 Levels of the NZ Curriculum.
Cool ideas
Visual digital kete on the wall - have a selection of digital apps so that tamariki can discuss (with visuals in mind) which app will best suit their task. Less is better! Add apps as the year progresses.
We played around with a short poem, used Draw and Tell to illustrate, then Clips to bring it together as a movie. Next steps would be to add audio, but I ran out of time. So easy, with opportunities for app smashing. When using Draw and Tell - once you've finished your pictures, you can drag them together so they automatically save in order as a video - Great idea if you're using Clips. However, if you want to use something like Chatterpix, they need to be saved as individual pictures. This would be great to use in pānui, or toi kupu.
Another great session with Emma, very useful! I look forward to implementing this once I'm back in the game.
