Blueberry4

Blueberry4

Subject: Digital Technologies

YearLevel: 5-6

Links to other Learning Areas: Literacy, Numeracy, The Arts, and Science

Links to Cross Curricular Priorities/ General Capabilities: Numeracy, Critical and Creative Thinking, ICT.

Platform: Programmable toy or kit

Cost: $395.00 (B4 Modulator Microprocessor Kit)

ACARA Links:

  • Implement digital solutions as simple visual programs involving branchingiteration (repetition), and user input (ACTDIP020)
  • Examine the main components of common digital systems and how they may connect together to form networks to transmit data (ACTDIK014)
  • Design algorithms represented diagrammatically and in structured English and validate algorithms and programs through tracing and test cases (ACTDIP04)

What is it?

The B4 is a modular computer processor kit and accompanying study guide. It has been designed to help students explore the fundamental operation of computers as part of the new Australian Curriculum: Digital Technologies. The B4 supports the teaching of the knowledge and understanding of digital systems and the representation of data.

How is it used?

The B4 consists of 11 computing modules that represent core functions of a computer processor, such as program counter, adder, inverter, memory, latch, etc. With these, students perform experiments which lead to increasingly sophisticated hardware and software arrangements.The B4 operates at human speed, allowing students to easily follow with their own eyes how data flows inside the machine.

 

Skills developed 

Building an understanding of how computers work and are built

Problem solving skills

Hardware knowledge

 

Want more information on the Blueberry4?

https://www.digital-technologies.institute/b4

Tickle

Tickle

Subject: Digital Technologies

YearLevel: 3-4, 5-6

Links to other Learning Areas: Literacy, Numeracy, The Arts, and Science

Links to Cross Curricular Priorities/ General Capabilities: Numeracy, Critical and Creative Thinking, ICT.

Platform: iPad App

Cost: Free

ACARA Links:

  • Design, modify and follow simple algorithms involving sequence of steps, branching, and iteration (repetition) (ACTDIP019)
  • Implement simple digital solutions as simple visual programs involving branching (decisions) and user input (ACTDIP011)
  • Examine the main components of common digital systems and how they may connect together to form networks to transmit data (ACTDIK014)
  • Identify and explore a range of digital systems with peripheral devices for different purposes, and transmit different types of data (ACTDIK007)

What is it?

Tickle is a free app that enables you to program various programmable robots and air drones,  as well as supporting resources.

How is it used?

Tickle uses visual programming to enable you to control programmable robots including the Star Wars BB-8 Droid, Sphero (SPRK) robotic ball, Ollie 2-wheeled robot and the Dash and Dot robots. You can also control drones such as Parrot Rolling Spider, Airborne, and Jumping Sumo mini drones. Tickle enables you to connect multiple devices together so that they can interact with each other as well as create your own programs using the visual programming blocks in Orca.

 

Skills developed 

Create interactive games and stories

Coding

Computer language

Software knowledge

 

Want more information on Tickle?

https://tickleapp.com/