Author: eahearn

by

Harry P and the Coding Stone


Subject: Digital Technologies
Year Level: 5-6
Strand: Digital Technologies processes and production skills
Sub strand: Digital Implimentation – Design, modify, follow and represent both diagrammatically, and in written text, simple algorithms (sequence of steps) involving branching (decisions) and iteration(repetition) (ACTDIP019)

Link to the resource
http://store.steampowered.com/app/324190

Cross curriculum priorities and general capabilities
Critical and creative thinking
Information and communication technologies
Numeracy
Literacy

A classroom activity using this resource
CodeSpells is an educational computer game that allows students to learn, develop and practice their coding skills through their ceaseless interest in the magical world. Students are able to create spells and, through coding, determine exactly what they want their spell to do (with unlimited creative possibilities!). CodeSpells and the language used has been designed to suit students of all ages, including those who are completely new to coding and teaches students how to code using Javascipt – however I would recommend this game for upper primary.
As students are able to share their coded spells, classroom activities could include collaborative spell projects where students work together to create specific spells with given criteria. It could be linked with literacy and writing where students are required to write a magical narrative for which they are to code the spells included in their narrative.

How to use this resource
Firstly, CodeSpells must be purchased and downloaded online. Once it is installed, you start by entering the virtual magical world and begin creating your spells. Moving through the magical world you will come across monsters, beasts and enemies that you need to conquer in order to maintain your health and progress up the levels.
Below is a tutorial that gives you an idea of what the game is all about!

 

Architects in the Making with MagicPlan


Subject: Design and Technologies
Year Level: Upper Primary
Strand: Process and production skills
Sub strand: Creating solutions, Designing – Generate and record design ideas through describing, drawing, modelling and/or a sequence of written or spoken steps.

Link to the resource
https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/magicplan/id427424432?mt=8

Cross curriculum priorities and general capabilities
Critical and creative thinking
Personal and social capability
Information and communication technology
Numeracy

Links to other learning areas
Mathematics

A classroom activity using this resource
This is an easy-to-use app that allows you to design and create floor plans and room layouts.  Students can create floor plans using given criteria or dimensions and design furniture layout solutions to best suit the room. It is a great way to make problem solving fun and interactive as well as allowing students to visualise their designs. Due to some more complex features of the app, I would recommend it for the upper primary years only.
With strong links to mathematics (measurement and geometry), students can work collaboratively to find solutions to real-life problems in renovations, building design/construction and engineering. Students may be given specific criteria they must include/adhere to (such as dimensions, size/type/amount of furniture, number of rooms, toilet not next to kitchen and so on) and then they are encouraged to combine their creativity with their problem solving skills to come up with a functional design.

How to use this resource
You start by either:
– Using the camera to ‘capture’ a room – this is a quick, accurate and clever feature where the camera takes estimations of dimensions of an actual room;


– Drawing a room by choosing your own dimensions and either modifying a rectangular room  or by freely drawing it to specific dimensions; or
– Importing an existing plan upon which you can draw over.

Once you have your desired room you can begin to add other rooms to your floor plan (kitchen, dining, living, hall, master bedroom, closet, balcony, garage, upstairs etc) OR you can work on one room at a time.
You then begin inserting objects such as doors, windows, structural features (such as stairs), appliances, kitchen cabinets, furniture, electrical (lights, power sockets), flooring and painting and so on, all of which you can alter the dimensions and position in the room.
At any time, you can add/remove/relocate rooms on your floor plan as well as check and edit the dimensions (including the perimeter) of the room. Finished designs can then be printed.