Author: mzanatta

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Apple’s Swift new coding Playground.

About this resource:

 

http://www.apple.com/swift/playgrounds/

 

Apple’s latest application ‘Swift Playground’ is due to be released for free this spring. This new authorised app is compatible with the iPad and is a fun and interactive way to introduce code development concepts to children. Within the app, the user can create small programs called ‘playgrounds’ that instantaneously show the results of the code that is written. Interactive lessons installed within the app teach key coding concepts, and additional challenges and template provides opportunities to extend or support students which may require it. This ability to differentiate tasks to suit the needs of your students makes Apples newest app suitable to be integrated within your teaching practice.

Year 4

Digital implementation

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

 

 

Apple’s Swift Playground is due for release this spring and is expected to be a free download from the App store.

 

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More than your Standard Bug – Bee Bot

Bee Bot

Video Support:

 

Bee Bot is an exciting an enjoyable digital technologies resource. It engages students in simple coding and equips them with the basic computing programming skills to attend to the early stages of the Digital curriculum. The Bee Bot resource provides multiple opportunities for cross curricular integration with the abilities to consolidate skills such as positional language, sequencing, and basic algorithms within your digital technologies teachings. Students engage with a Robot Bee and program it to move and rotate various times. Students can create simple coding algorithms before building on these skills to develop more complex algorithms.   I integrate Bee Bot to assist in teaching mapping skills, in particular positional language and grid references as you can engage students to manipulate the Bee Bot a certain amount of spaces in any direction to arrive at a particular reference.   Bee Bot supports the development of fine motor skills and also provide audio/visual support for student who may require this. There are many complementary resources that can accompany the Bee Bot resources including placement mats and tactile extension/ support command cards. Bee Bot also has an accompanying iPad application that allows students to transfer their knowledge of simple coding commands from the concrete physical, to the abstract digital.

For more Information on the Bee Bot resource, visit the website at: https://www.bee-bot.us/

An Example of a curriculum link to support this resources is :

Year 3

Process and Production Skills.
DIGITAL IMPLEMENTATION

Use visually represented sequenced steps (algorithms), including steps with decisions made by the user (branching) (ACTDIP011)