Optional Lesson. Software Programming
Laboratory
Suggested Time: 60 mins
Overview
Students will use various programs to practice coding, working at
different levels depending on the individual.
Vocabulary
- Computer
-
Data/information
-
Input
-
Output
-
Programming language
-
Code
-
Loops
-
Conditionals
-
Branching
-
Iterative repetition
Objectives
- Students will learn basic programming concepts and advance to
intermediate level.
-
Students will begin to code real programs.
Required Project
Materials
- Apple devices that can use apps (iPad, iPod Touch)
-
Bee Bot app, available on iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bee-bot/id500131639? mt=8
-
Daisy the Dinosaur:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/daisy-the-dinosaur/id490514278?
mt=8
-
Scratch (free): https://scratch.mit.edu
-
Hopscotch:
https://www.gethopscotch.com
and Tynker:
https://www.tynker.com
-
Sidewalk chalk
-
Codea:
http://twolivesleft.com/Codea/
Multimedia Resources
-
“How to Play Hopscotch.”
http://www.wikihow.com/Play-Hopscotch
Optional Multimedia
Resources
-
Kodable School (as supplement):
https://www.kodable.com
-
For more inspiration and resources:
http://code.org
Before the Lesson/ Background
Information
- Download Bee Bot and Daisy the Dinosaur, and enroll the class in
Scratch, which is free.
-
Explore the Scratch website for inspiration and to get familiar with
the tools.
-
Download and explore Hopskotch, Tynker (only available to schools),
and Codea.
-
Prior to Weeks 8 and 9, develop a feedback questionnaire to encourage
revision and further creative development.
The Lesson
Part 1: Beginners: Bee and Daisy (Time
varies)
-
After Bee Bot, move on to Daisy the Dinosaur in Challenge Mode, which
will take them through a series of educational steps. Then move on to
Free Play after that.
-
If any students are already past this level, allow them
to begin at
intermediate.
Part 2: Intermediate: Programming With Scratch (Time
varies)
1. Scratch will teach the students terminology and concepts that will
provide the foundation for advanced programming. Allow them to
experiment and create at their own pace.
Part 3: Intermediate Plus: Programming With Hopscotch/
Tynker (Time
varies)
- Students will move on from Scratch to Hopscotch/ Tynker. Each student
will program a game!
-
Take the students outside for an old-school game of Hopscotch. Show
the Hopscotch video and historical information, if necessary. Show
them how to draw the lines with chalk. After playing the game, can
they determine why the program is called that? What are the
similarities between Hopscotch, the physical game, and the coding
program? What makes the game fun?
-
Students will exhibit their games at the end of each week. Have a peer
review process in place so that each creator will obtain feedback from
peers.
-
Expose students to Codea. Instead of using blocks, students work with
the actual source code in this program. More advanced students
can start on Codea as soon as they are ready.
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