Toying with Technology

Hour of Code

During the Computer Science Education Week Dec. 9-13, 2019 all students will be participating "Hour of Code" activities. Every student will experience ~ 1 hour of computer programming.

Students will use activities from Code.org.

Learn to Code Activities

Coding apps

BeeBot
Light-Bot
Daisy the Dinosaur
Kodable
Hopscotch
Cargo-Bot
Tynker
ScratchJr
Tickle (to program Ollie and other devices)
Wonder (to program Dash and Dot)

We are hosing a robot named "Ollie"

We were able to host a robot as part of the Vermont Robot Rodeo project. Ollie will be able to be part of our Samuel Morey and Westshire school communities for the month of February. We used Tickle to program Ollie. First we programmed Ollie to move in a square, then in a triangle, and also programmed Ollie to do some tricks.

Coding with Mobile Devices

Over the past week I learned about several interesting Coding Apps. I explored quite a mobile apps. I shared the apps with small groups of students and asked them to evaluate the apps and give me feedback. Students were able to figure out the puzzle apps without much direction. The coding apps were a little more challenging.

Our favorites puzzle based apps were:

Bee Bot
Cargo Bot
Daisy the Dinosaur
Lightbot
Lightbot Jr
Kodable

I also explored several apps that create with code. Our favorites were:

Scratch Jr
Tickle

Common Sense Media publishes and evaluates many other coding resources on their

Cool Coding Apps and Websites for Kids page.

Coding with Makey Makey

This week we explored our new Makey Makey and connected a variety of materials to the controller with the wires and aligator clips. Clementines and apples worked great. We also used foil, spoons, jewelry, paperclips, scissors, coins, pencils and other objects.

Makey Makeys are invention kits that turn almost any object into a touch pad and allows us to control computer keys by touching the objects.

The quick start guide was very helpful as we figured out how to connect the MakeyMakey. We had lots of fun exploring and working with our group.

Our next step is to create a game using SCRATCH and use the Makey Makey as controller.

Click here to access the Google CS First Hour of Code tutorial.

Here are some ideas for MakeyMakey Projects:

on Instructables: http://www.instructables.com/howto/makey+makey/
Makey Makey gallery: http://makeymakey.com/gallery/
Makey Makey forums: http://www.makeymakey.com/forums/index.php

"Hour of Code"

Students in grades K-6 are particpating in the "Hour of Code" initiative, giving students at least 1 hour of experience with basic computer programming. For our youngest students we are using "Daisy the Dinosaur" on the idpads. For some classes students continue to explore the "Hour of Code" activities during enrichment times, center times, or during indoor recess time.

I believe that every student should have the opportunity to learn a little about computer science. During our Coding Elective students use a mix of online experiences and "unplugged" lessons. The online experiences are self-guided and self-paced tutorials and provide programming instructions and practice.

In the process students will develop skills such as critical thinking, logic, persistence, creativity as well as problem-solving skills. We will be using lessons from Code.org and the Coding Studio.

Facebook, Instagram and Social Networks

"Social media isn't only a way of life for kids - for many kids it's life itself."
At the Rivendell Elementary Schools we use lessons from the Common Sense Media Digital Literacy and Citizenship Curriculum.

Common Sense Media also offers many helpful resources for parents on Social Media, Screen Time, Cyberbullying, Privacy and Internet Safety, and many more. Please check out the Common Sense Media Parent Resources.

This week's feature article on the Common Senses Media site is What should parents know about Tumblr?

Learning with Technology

Our lives in the 21st century are significantly influenced by technology, both current and that yet imagined. To properly prepare our students for their future, we need to teach 21st century skills. This means a seamless integration of technology across the spectrum of school activities by the students, staff, and community.