Introductory resource to computational thinking

Introductory resource to computational thinking

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Subject:

Digital technologies

Year level:

Year 6

Strand:

Digital implementation

Sub strand:

Investigating and defining (Define a problem, and a set of sequenced steps, with users making decisions to create a solution for a given task)

Link to the resource:

https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/computational-thinking-for-gcse-computer-science-11111367

*  You may need a TES account to  access the resource

Cross-curriculum priorities and general capabilities:

Links to other learning areas:

  • English
  • Maths
  • Science
  • Health

A classroom activity using this resource:

This PowerPoint includes several interactive activities that the teacher could lead and students could work through as a whole class. Alternatively students could be in groups and each group could have their own device where they are able to access the computational thinking PowerPoint. Students will need to work together to read the problem-solving  activities which all involve computational thinking. From there students need to then work out solutions using branching (decisions). To conclude the lesson the teacher will gather students together and ask them for their responses to each activity. To assess the task the teacher should also collect students’ notes and answers that they have written down or typed up on a separate document. This activity would run for a full 45-50 minute lesson. The teacher  needs to provide each group with their own set of articulate cards, which has also been made available through the link to the resource provided above.

How to use this resource:

This resource is very simple to use. It is presented like a basic PowerPoint that includes large tasks for students to complete. Embedded in the PowerPoint are some links that involve further explanation of a concept through a short YouTube clip. As stated above this resource comes with a set of articulate cards which students will need for one of the activities.

-Isabelle Pitchen 10321170

Codea

Codea

Subject: Digital Technologies

Year Level: 5

Strand: Digital Technologies processes and production skills

Substand strand: Digital Implementation

Design, follow and represent diagrammatically, a simple sequence of steps (algorithm), involving branching (decisions) and iteration (repetition) (ACTDIP019)

Link to the resource: 

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/codify/id439571171

Cross curriculum priorities and general capabilities:

  • Literacy
  • Numeracy
  • Information and Communication Technology (ICT) capability
  • Critical and creative thinking

Links to other learning areas:

  • Mathematics
  • English

A classroom activity using this resource:

Using this resource will particularly engage the students of today as it involves iPad devices. Students are able to make their very own games. The students are able to touch the codes to create the design. For example, when choosing the colour of items the students are able to type in the coding language and then physically manipulate the colour chart which pops up as a result. Students are also able to do this with images and sound effects. This app guides students through the coding language so that they understand what they mean and when they should be used. This app is great as students begin to gain confidence and independence as a result of the guidance provided by the application. Once completed, students can import their games to “Xcode” in order to create their very own application.

How to use this resource: 

  • To start using this resource you will need to buy it off iTunes for $14.99.
  • To use this resource you will need access to a class set of iPads.
  • Once downloaded from the app store, students can get started straight away by following the prompts providing by the application.

Explain Everything

Explain Everything

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Subject

Digital Technologies (or any learning area)

Year Level: 5/6

Strand

Digital Technologies: Process and Production Skills

Link to Resource:

https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/explain-everything-classic/id431493086?mt=8

General Capabilities:

  • Literacy
  • Numeracy
  • Information and Communication Technology (ICT) capability
  • Critical and creative thinking

Other learning areas:

Explain Everything can be used for any learning area in the curriculum:

  • English
  • Mathematics
  • HASS
  • Science
  • The Arts
  • Health and Physical Education

Curriculum Link:

Collect, store and present different types of data for a specific purpose using software (ACTDIP016)

Using ‘Explain Everything’:

Explain everything is an easy-to-use design  application that allows students to animate, record, annotate, collaborate and explore known ideas and understandings. Students can use features like: draw, laser pointer, characters, animation, import and timeline to create a piece of summative assessment that shows what they have learnt through out a unit of work. Explain everything is a collaborative app, which allows students to work on the same project together at the same time on different devices. The application is beneficial, as it gives teachers the opportunity to assess both the product and processes of learning.

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Class Activity: Students have recently been learning about equivalent fractions in mathematics. As a summative assessment, students have been asked to complete an ‘explain everything’ to collate and display all of the information that they have learnt. They are encouraged to import pictures, videos, texts , draw their own pictures and use the microphone to talk to aid/explain what is happening on the screen.