Learning how to program through Scratch.

Learning how to program through Scratch.

 

scratch

Subject:

Digital technologies

Year Level:

4 and 5

Strand:

Process and production skills

Sub strand:

Digital implementation

Content descriptor:

Use simple visual programming environments that include a sequence of steps (algorithm) involving decisions made by the user (branching) (ACTDIP011)

Link to the resource:

https://www.pluralsight.com/courses/learning-programming-scratch

Cross-curriculum priorities and general capabilities:

Links to other learning areas:

  • English
  • Maths

A classroom activity using this resource:

The PLURALSIGHT website provides free online programming courses available for all ages. The courses are explained through a series of videos which are accompanied by notes and heavily scaffolded steps. Slides are able to be paused and revisited at a later time. Explanations are thorough and written in plain standard Australian English making it accessible for most students. The courses introduce computing and computer science to a younger audience using a program named Scratch. Through Scratch students will eventually learn about programming and how to program on their own.

How to use this resource:

Each course is split up into different components which vary in time, the teacher will need to allocate at least three 45-50 minute full lessons to the Scratch programming course. Each child will need their own device where they can access the program. The teacher should first demonstrate how to get students on the website and direct students to where they need to begin. The teacher will also need to be keeping an eye on students progress. This can be done by observing students as they work. Students may also be required to keep a journal about their day to day progress with their programming.

-Isabelle Pitchen 10321170

Introductory resource to computational thinking

Introductory resource to computational thinking

Capture 2 Capture 3Capture

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