Integrating Technology – Meta Chart

Students can use Meta-Chart to create different types of graphs online. Students can choose how they would like to represent their data – the site allows them to create bar graphs, pie charts, histograms etc. This is a great way for students to experiment with technology while still learning about data representation. Students follow three easy steps and are then able to create their graph and see it represented on their screen.

Year Level: 3-4

Subject: Technologies

Strands: Digital Technologies

General Capabilities:

Literacy – the students need to be able to effectively put titles, labels etc on the graph

Numeracy – the graphing will have to do with numbers

Information and Communication Technology(ICT) – students will be using ICT to complete their graph as it is based online

Integrated Learning Opportunities:

Mathematics, Science

Content Descriptors:

Descriptor: Recognise different types of data and explore how the same data can be represented in different ways (ACTDIK008)

Elaboration: using a table to reorganise information that includes sentences, and/or words, and/or numbers and/or images

Link:

https://www.meta-chart.com/

Additional Information:

  • Free
  • Easy to use

 

Code Monkey

codemonkey2What is CodeMonkey?
CodeMonkey is an online game that teaches programming in a real programming language called CoffeeScript. CoffeeScript is a modern open source language, and helps students develop skills such as problem solving, planning, geometric thinking, and arithmetic.  In the game, users control a monkey and help him catch bananas by writing lines of code.

CodeMonkey is completely web based and does not require any instalments. This game based learning app can be used on a desktop, laptop or a tablet. The benefits of this app is that teachers do not need any previous experience and it provides explanations based on the curriculum. Parents can also be involved in the game with their students as they can access the account at home.

Introductory  video: 
CodeMonkey

Year level
This app is suitable for middle and upper primary students, more so years 4-6 however students in a lower primary can also use it.

Subject
Digital technologies

Strand
Processes & Production skills

Sub-strand
Digital implementation

Content descriptor
Foundation-Year 2:
Follow, describe and represent a sequence of steps and decisions (algorithms) needed to solve simple problems (ACTDIP004)

Year 3-4: 
Define simple problems, and describe and follow a sequence of steps and decisions (algorithms) needed to solve them (ACTDIP010)

Year 5-6:
Design, modify and follow simple algorithms involving sequences of steps, branching, and iteration (repetition) (ACTDIP019)

Cross-curriculum priorities
Sustainability

General capabilities
Literacy
Numeracy
Critical & Creative thinking
Information & communication techniques

Links to other learning areas
Maths and English

References:
http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/technologies/digital-technologies/curriculum/f-10?layout=1#level5-6

 

ScratchJr – An Introduction to Coding

ScratchJr

scratchjrscreenshot(Screenshot taken from https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.scratchjr.android)

Subject: Digital Technologies (Western Australian Curriculum)

Year Level: 3

Strand: Processes and production skills

Sub-strand: Digital implementation
Use visually represented sequenced steps (algorithms), including steps with decisions made by the user (branching) (ACTDIP011)

Links:
http://www.scratchjr.org/index.html

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.scratchjr.android

https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/scratchjr/id895485086?mt=8

What is ScratchJr?
This is a free application available on Android and Apple devices that provides students with an introduction to coding. This fun and engaging app allows students to create their own games and interactive stories. By snapping graphical programming blocks together, students can make characters move and sing on a variety of backgrounds. Students can edit their characters, insert photos, and add text, sounds and even their own voices. This is an easy-to-use and versatile app that teaches students to code while expressing themselves and having fun.

This app requires students to use, and subsequently develop, the following general capabilities:
Numeracy
Literacy
Information and communication technology capability
Critical and creative thinking

Links to other learning areas:
This app can be used to link Digital Technologies to a number of different learning areas. For example, linking to English is made easy when using the app to tell stories. The app can also be used in Visual Arts, as students apply their understanding of colour and space, as well as being able to insert photos of their own artwork. In Science, this app could be used to allow students to create a story to demonstrate their understanding of concepts such as how living things can be grouped by their features.

How to use this resource:

  • Download this app from the Google Play store or iTunes store and install onto your tablet device (this requires internet access).
  • Explore the app and become familiar with how it works. If you desire, there are many tutorials on YouTube that you can watch.
  • Demonstrate using the app for your students.
  • Let your students start creating!