Author: jhauber

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Minecraft and Computational Thinking

Minecraft is interesting from lots of different perspectives. It is a familiar and engaging gaming platform where  kids can spend hours building and modifying virtual worlds. Whilst doing things that they consider to be entertainment they are inadvertently learning key computational thinking skills.
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What is Computational Thinking?

“Computational thinking is a way humans solve problems; it is not trying to get humans to think like computers. Computers are dull and boring; humans are clever and imaginative. We humans make computers exciting. Equipped with computing devices, we use our cleverness to tackle problems we would not dare take on before the age of computing and build systems with functionality limited only by our imaginations; ” Jeanette M Wing

Minecraft happens to be a fantastic sandbox game to explore computational thinking. Minecraft provides a platform in which 21st century literacy skills can be explored and developed to cater for the learning objectives in the Australian Technology Curriculum. Educators have the option to utilise the existing user interface or subscribe to the new and improved Minecraft:Education Edition which makes implementing this amazing learning tool into your existing curriculum as easy as clicking on a mouse.

Using Minecraft as an Educational Tool 

 Read on further to discover how Minecraft can address the four cornerstones of computation thinking and the lesson plans offered in the Minecraft: Education Edition!

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21st Century Literacy with Hello Ruby
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21st Century Literacy with Hello Ruby

 

Hello Ruby

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The four cornerstones of computational thinking and Hello Ruby

Code is the 21st century literacy and the need for educators to incorporate the language of technology into the curriculum is essential . Our world is increasingly run by software and we need to equip the future generations with the skills to contribute to society in a meaningful and constructive way.
Hello Ruby provides students and educators with the opportunity to explore, create and design the world of programming. Writing software is as much a practical application as it is about expression and creativity where kids learn programming logic before even showing a single screen .
Finish developer Linda Liukas has created a world of code that can reach children at their own level. Her team  has also made it accessible for educators who are still developing  their skills in the new and exiting world of technology. Students are introduced to the four cornerstones of computation thinking, decomposition, pattern recognition , abstraction and algorithms during hands on real world activities. Best of all its free!!
 
Linda Luika and her TED talk. This is definitely worth watching and will inspire you in your technology journey!
Hello Ruby offers three engaging and relevant lessons that educators can directly  implemented into the class and ensure educators are addressing the technology needs of the 21st learner. Please read on to discover the amazing opportunities that Hello Ruby can offer to you and your students!

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Minecraft EDU
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Minecraft EDU

MinecraftEdu

Subject: Digital Technologies

Year Level: 3-12

Strand:Digital Technologies processes and production skills

Sub strand:Using digital systems

4.4 Use a range of digital systems and peripherals for diverse purposes, and transmit different types of data

Link to the resource

Cross curriculum priorities and general capabilities
Literacy (LIT), Critical and creative thinking (CCT), Personal and social capability (PSC), Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

Links to other learning areas
English, History, Geography

 

 

 

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Augmented Reality

 Aurasma is a revolutionary Augmentation Reality (AR) app. AR technology combines advanced  image and pattern  recognition to merge the real-world with rich interactive content called “Auras”. All you need to make the magical AR come to life is an Aurasma account, an Android or iOS device and a little imagination.

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http://www.aurasma.com/#/whats-your-aura

Links to Australian Curriculum

Digital Technologies processes and production skills

Strand: Collaborating and managing
Foundation to Year 2
Work with others to create and organise ideas and information using information systems, and share these with known people in safe online environments (ACTDIP006)
Years 3 and 4
Work with others to plan the creation and communication of ideas and information safely, applying agreed ethical and social protocols (ACTDIP013)
Years 5 and 6
Manage the creation and communication of ideas and information including online collaborative projects, applying agreed ethical, social and technical protocols (ACTDIP022)

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