Introducing Computing in your Classroom
Module 3
Tools & Resources 1
Tools & Resources 1
Learning Objectives for this Module:
1. Acquire an understanding how educational robotics can develop a range of key competences 2. Reflect about the value of visual programming tools in the classroom 3. Understand reasons for focusing on mobile development in the classroom and experiment with two mobile app development tools |
3.1 Introduction to visual programming tools
Scratch (most well-known tool with a huge community behind it)
Blockly (from Google and used in Code.org activities) Alice (3D programming environment with drag n' drop of standard coding syntax) TouchDevelop (App development tool from Microsoft) Appinventor (App development tool from MIT) Project Spark (Advanced 3D game design tool from Microsoft) Kodu (Simpler 3D game design tool from Microsoft) Lego Wedo (tool to programme lego machines) |
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3.2 Introduction to educational robotics
Visual programming tools are a great way to engage students in learning about coding and programming. Robots on the other other hand are not only amazing tools to learn about coding but also about how all that code translates into real-life action. They can also teach students aboutengineering concepts, computer hardware, and can be used to develop a whole range of cross-curricular competences. And finally, robots are a great way to engage children in computing generally because they naturally attract their curiosity and allow for a very hands-on and kinesthetic way of learning.
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3.3 Educational robotics - example activities
The first video from Tullia gives you an introduction with some nice general activities, regardless of the types of robots you have available (you can even do some without robots).
The second and third videos are both videos introducing activities for specific educational robotics tools: the Bee-Bot for primary and the Lego Mindstorms for secondary. Both of these videos focus on schools in the UK so refer to the UK curriculum but all the activities and ideas are equally relevant in other countries. |
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3.4 Introduction to app development tools
The two tools we'll introduce here are more relevant for secondary level. The first tool is called TouchDevelop which allows you to create mobile apps pretty much from any device and - even better - also for pretty much all platforms available.
The second tool is called AppInventor. AppInventor was originally created by Google and is now run by a team at MIT. It's a fantastic tool to develop mobile apps for Android devices with a verysimilar setup and design to the other visual programming tools that are out there.
The second tool is called AppInventor. AppInventor was originally created by Google and is now run by a team at MIT. It's a fantastic tool to develop mobile apps for Android devices with a verysimilar setup and design to the other visual programming tools that are out there.
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3.5 Live Webinar: Making mobile apps in your classroom
Happening Tue 1 Dec 18.00 CET.
Topic of the webinar: Patrick Feeney will provide an introduction to making mobile apps in your classroom and why this is such an important element to include in your teaching. He will present an overview of the different tools and resources available to use in the classroom such as Touchdevelop, Appinventor, Appsforgood, Wixmobile, Pocketcode, etc. and explain some example activities of using these tools with your students.
TouchDevelop
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PocketCode
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AppInventor
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Wixmobile
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AppsForGood
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3.6 Module 3 Quiz
Test done.
You have passed the test. |