The Non-Coders Guide to Teaching a Computer Programming Class MACUL Grand Rapids March 14, 2014 Info From Todays Presentation teachcoding.weebly.com Contact Info Background Info Chip Heyboer, Presenter Middle School Technology Teacher Kenowa Hills Public Schools, Grand Rapids, MI 18 Years in Education/12 Year Member MACUL Taught All Core Subjects in 6th Grade over 10 year period Football, Basketball, Track Coach Lets Talk about Coding! The goal of this presentation is to familiarize attendees with the importance of teaching computer programming/coding to students at all levels. Our focus for today is to look at ways to cultivate the interest of elementary and middle school students in coding. Lets take a look at: Why coding is important How to get started How I facilitate this in my classroom What other resources are out there Why Coding is Important In Your Classroom Workforce/Career Need Project-Based Learning Creative Expression of Learning Option Excellent Opportunities to build problem-solving, Critical Thinking, and Collaborative Skills Language/Literacy of the 21st Century STEM Baby! *source: code.org How do I get Started? Mentally prepare yourself and your students to take on role as facilitator Recognize that your students will probably know more than you by the time they finish Dive into the different resources out there, teach yourself. Go to resource to get started: Code.org As you learn, make connections to your pedagogy How Does This Fit Into Your School/Curriculum Stand Alone Class Integrate into existing Technology Curriculm Independent Learning Activity/Project After School/Club Program Part of a larger project in a core curriculum subject Example of How I Facilitate this at KHMS Introduced in required Technology class Created Digital Programming/Design Class Class theme: Gaming Start by focusing more on digital design and less on nuts and bolts of coding Digital Design is taught through a process Gamestar Mechanic for teaching Digital Design Scratch for teaching coding language Creating the Class KHPS Curriculum Proposal Process Tie in to Existing Tech Standards Low cost, uses existing technologies in the district STEM! Ideal Design Tool: Gamestar Mechanic Gamified Learning Web based Mac/Windows/Chrome book Free & Affordable Versions Great Teaching Resources STEM! More About Gamestar Mechanic Students work through training levels (Quests) Tracks student progress (paid only) Built in Curriculum provided Tweak/adapt to your pedagogy as you go Customized Project Controls Guidelines for GM Game Design Components Goal Blocks Enemy Timer Boss Lock Damage Block Point Environment Block Score Keeper Avatar Frag Counter Key Health Meter Rules Controls: Direction of Avatar Jumping Shooting Shielding Sword Attack Written description of the guidelines of competing in the level/game. Spacing Top Down Perspective Wraparound Perspective Platformer Perspective 1st Person/3D Perspective Scrolling Space Bounded Space Unbounded Space Goals Written sentence or paragraph that describes what needs to accomplished to successfully complete the level and/or game. Mechanics Collecting Blasting Avoiding Solving Jumping Exploring Walking/Racing GM Component Chart Component NameDescriptionImage Avatar The digital representation of a real person in a virtual world or game. Enemy An armed, opposing character that deals damage and has a variety of attack and movement patterns. Boss Particularly large, strong or difficult armed, opposing character. Environment Block A block that is used as a surface or wall. Damage Block A block that hurts avatars on contact and is used as a harmful surface or wall. Goal Block If touched game is won. In some games, however, the Avatar sprite must meet conditions before this is activated. Comparing Digital Coding Design to other Academic Processes The Writing Process 1. Brainstorming 2. Drafting 3. Revising 4. Editing 5. Publishing The Scientific Method 1. Question 2. Research 3. Hypothesis 4. Experiment 5. Analysis 6. Conclusion Digital Design 1. Brainstorming 2. Story Design 3. Coding 4. Beta Testing 5. Feedback Revision 6. Polish, Publish, Promote Game Narrative Development Sheet Game Name:_________________ Designer:____________________ Part 1: The Setup -Characters & relationships -The Setting (Phyiscal Game Environment, Historical setting/date, etc.) Part 2: The Confrontation -Problem/Conflict/Tasks -Game Interaction Descriptions (How will you tell the narrative in the game? List specific character interactions and narrative opportunities in your game that will tell the narrative.) Part 3: Resolution -The Climax Scene -The Solution to Problem -Game Interactions Descriptions for Resolution (Same guidelines as Part 2). GM Culminating Project: Game Brainstorming Sheet Game Name:___________________________ Designer:_______________________________ Brainstorming Concepts Concept Summary -Okay, so which big idea did you pick? What is going to be the theme/storyline of your game? Describe the overall story here, and then breakdown the theme for the three levels you need to develop. Idea 1 Idea 2 Idea 3 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Ideal tool for Introducing Coding Language: Scratch Visually based Web & Software Based options Mac/Windows/Chromebook Takes design principles and gives coder more control Project-based, building problem solving skills True design/code/create functions for entire development process Tutorial 4: Dancing Queen A text Scripts Coding Control: Sprites Actions Costumes Coding Control: Sprites Appearance text Sounds Coding Control: Sounds to Sprite Computer Algorithm or Programming Algorithm Example iPad Apps for Coding Kodable Progamming/logic game ideal for younger students. Introduces the concept of problem solving through designing sets of instructions. iPad Apps for Coding Similar to Kodable but for older students. Introduces the concept of problem solving through designing sets of instructions. Cargo-BotRobo Logic iPad Apps for Coding Hopscotch Scratch-like beginner coding app. Similar puzzle piece style as Scratch, simpler to use for younger elementary students. Other Code Teaching Resources Learn Street Cargo-BotW3 Schools MIT App inventor Khan Academy Kodu Tynker Take Away Goals: Programming is an important piece to Ed Tech Curriculum No Experienced Needed to bring coding to your classroom Tons of resources out there Great Opportunity for Students Adapt it to your teaching style/Pedagogy Thanks for Stopping By! Contact Info