This week we had some excitement learning how to create computer code. The Hour of Code is a global initiative that is about intorducing kids to computer science and programming, and is supported by the SCDSB. Please see the Simcoe resource that explains the initiative further:
scdsbcode.blogspot.com
This does connect to our math curriculum in many ways including patterning, and geometry and spatial sense especially. It also works the mathematical processes of problem solving, reasoning and proving, and connecting.
The program we used was called lightbot. It can be done online (lightbot.com), or can be downloaded as an app (look for the Hour of Code version, it should be free). We used the app on our school iPads. Basically the students had to make a character move through a board and light up the blue squares by choosing commands to write a program and then 'running' their program to see if it works. It was quite engaging but it's important to note that it is different from gaming mainly because usually when we are playing a game, we are CONSUMING but when we write code we are CREATING.
I did this same activity with Grade 7 students in the school this week as well.
There are a bunch of other similar activities at
studio.code.org
Happy Coding!
Monsieur Gray
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.