I'm going to state this publicly so
perhaps you all can help keep me to this; I'm going to begin a monthly blog.
I've struggled to make time to blog in the past, but hopefully my reasoning
will help me to be consistent. The purpose of these blogs will be to
historically document the things that are happening in my media space, as well
as, gain feedback from you experts to help me improve my practices. So here
goes...
This
past December teachers began talking about how they were going to address their
students participating in Hour of Code. I worried students would be asked to
turn to their iPads and access apps or sites for an hour and teachers would
then check off their "Hour of Code" box. No fault of the teachers
here, they have never received any training regarding Hour of Code. They also need to address new technology standards, which again, they have not received any training on. In the past
I have also heard students, who were way past spending time on the Scratch
programs, complain that they have done this same activity year in and year
out.
I
wondered how I could play a roll in giving our students a fun, engaging Hour of
Code experience. I took inventory of the amount of codable technology I had
procured in recent years and felt I had enough to create stations throughout
the library. Using Dash and Dot, Spheros, Sphero Minis, Ozobot, and Bloxels I was
able to create 20 stations. All activities were found online and some were
tweaked to meet our needs.
The
goal of the first four stations was to code a Sphero to roll forward and land
on the highest number possible using a rug created for marbles. Students took
turns coding their Sphero and attempted to either land on a high number or
knock their opponent off.
At another station students
were asked to code Dash to free Dot from containment.
Using
Ozobots and small bowling pins, students attempted to code their robot to drive
around the board and knock all the pins down.
Students
really enjoyed coding Dash to drive around a basketball court and launch balls
into a basket from 3 different marked locations.
With
the Winter Olympics approaching I thought it would be a good idea to introduce
the students to one of the events by having them code Mini Spheros on a mini
Curling game board. The goal was to code your Mini Sphero to land as close to
the target as possible.
Using
the xylophone accessory, student DJs entertained the rest of the class by
coding Dash to play tunes.
I
wanted to introduce students to a unique type of coding through Bloxels. Once
they created their object/character/scene they used their iPad camera to scan
the image into their game.
Finally,
I created 4 miniature golf course holes around the media center. Students coded
a Sphero to drive around obstacles to land on the hole.
To
prepare students for the event videos directions were shares prior to their
visit along with a list of apps they were to have downloaded.
I
received great reviews from both students and teachers, some even taking the
time to share their appreciation through cards and signs. That was proof enough
that I should continue with this event and continue to develop it as well.
The
next hurdle will be to get these devices into the hands of students either
through their content area teachers or allowing them to checkout the technology
to use at home. Numerous students returned asking when they will do this
activity again and many were willing to give up their lunch/recess to learn more
about coding. Time to leverage this enthusiasm!
