In this lesson, students are introduced to boolean values and logic, as …
In this lesson, students are introduced to boolean values and logic, as well as conditional statements. The class starts by playing a simple game of Stand Up, Sit Down in which the boolean (true/false) statements describe personal properties (hair or eye color, clothing type, age, etc). This gets students thinking about how they can frame a property with multiple potential values (such as age) with a binary question.
From there students are provided a group of objects with similar, yet varying, physical properties. With a partner they group those objects based on increasingly complex boolean statements, including compound booleans with AND and OR.
Finally we reveal Conditionals as a tool to make decisions or impact the flow of a program using boolean statements as input.
In this multi-day lesson, students use the problem solving process from Unit …
In this multi-day lesson, students use the problem solving process from Unit 1 to create a platform jumper game. They start by looking at an example of a platform jumper, then define what their games will look like. Next, they use a structured process to plan the backgrounds, variables, sprites, and functions they will need to implement their game. After writing the code for the game, students will reflect on how the game could be improved, and implement those changes.
This lesson introduces students to the process they will use to design …
This lesson introduces students to the process they will use to design games for the remainder of the unit. This process is centered around a project guide which asks students to define their sprites, variables, and functions before they begin programming their game. In this lesson students begin by playing a game on Game Lab where the code is hidden. They discuss what they think the sprites, variables, and functions would need to be to make the game. They are then given a completed project guide which shows one way to implement the game. Students are then walked through this process through a series of levels. As part of this lesson students also briefly learn to use multi-frame animations in Game Lab. At the end of the lesson students have an opportunity to make improvements to the game to make it their own.
By combining the Draw Loop and the Counter Pattern, students write programs …
By combining the Draw Loop and the Counter Pattern, students write programs that move sprites across the screen, as well as animate other sprite properties.
In preparation for delving deeper into programming with App Lab, students will …
In preparation for delving deeper into programming with App Lab, students will explore how a handful of different programs written in both Game Lab and App Lab handle taking input from the user. After comparing and contrasting the approaches they saw in the example apps, students group up to act out the two different models for input (conditionals in an infinite loop and asynchronous events) to gain a better understanding of how they work.
This lesson introduces students to the `getProperty` block, which allows them to …
This lesson introduces students to the `getProperty` block, which allows them to access the properties of different elements with code. Students first practice using the block to determine what the user has input in various user interface elements. Students later use `getProperty` and `setProperty` together with the counter pattern to make elements move across the screen. A new screen element, the slider, and a new event trigger, `onChange`, are also introduced.
A Google Slide Deck introduction to the MITECS competency Computational Thinker - …
A Google Slide Deck introduction to the MITECS competency Computational Thinker - Students develop and employ strategies for understanding and solving problems in ways that leverage the power of technological methods to develop and test solutions.
Example: In a high school physics class, students designed catapults that could hit measured distances at two different points. Prior to mapping designs, students used calculators and computer-based scenario software to practice and apply formulas based on data to test hypothesis. Once they had a working theory that the team agreed on, the students created prototypes for initial testing. They shared the recordings with scientists and engineers from the local university, who posted feedback on the comment feature of a video channel. Student teams used the feedback to make changes to their designs and built their miniature catapults. They then conducted their final tests.
Questions for Reflection: - How do the MITECS compliment core content? - How might you and your colleagues develop cross-curricular experiences to support the MITECS? - Which of the competencies are you most familiar with? - Which competency is an area of growth for you, as an educator?
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