Computational Thinking: Agenda Day 8

Computational Thinking: Agenda Day 8

Notes - 7/5/2020

REFLECTIONS

What did I learn that increased my understanding of Manaiakalani kaupapa
and pedagogy?

• When using digital devices in the classroom it is important that they are used for more than just tools.
• From my understanding of this session - For families with limited financial means, having access of being connected via digital devices and internet, through the schools, can help them to feel empowered. Potentially this will help them in the long term when seeking employment.

What did I learn that could improve my confidence, capability or workflow as a professional?

• Intro to computational thinking and Hangarau Matihiko - In this talk by Kerry I learnt about the pedagogy and ways to introduce the new digital Technology Curriculum into classroom teaching. Through the Manaiakalani Outreach programme, teachers can become digitally fluent to enable them to feel a lot more confident in helping students to be digitally fluent students. I feel that I am part way through the steps of becoming digital fluent. I learnt that the Juniors involvement is at the beginning of the Computational Thinking aspect of the Curriculum. The design aspect is more for older children. Computational Thinking would involve a lot of sequencing activities - you do not necessarily need to use a device to start computational thinking. It could be learning the steps to cross the road, writing down a set of instructions. Cybersmart learning would start also at the basic levels with Kawa - Care. See earlier Sessions.
• The New Digital technologies Curriculum - It was helpful to look at the site with Progress Outcomes that helps learning intentions for teachers and students. There were good resources that would benefit my classroom teaching in TKI and the last few slides had some good resources such as Kia Takatu, Unplugged. Unplugged was a good resource for classrooms who do not have 1:1 device/limited devices. My classroom has only 3 iPads, hence a good site for me.
• Future of Tech - This slide gave me some food for thought on the future in technology. In the Juniors I could use some images of new technology to inspire writing / discussion or showing how technology has changed old to new.
• Exploring Coding - For my classroom I learnt about sites such as:
• Scratch - Junior Scratch
• Scratch is about making games and interactive stories
• Minecraft - block coding
• Apple version of Minecraft is Swift
• Hello Ruby
• Paper based resource/site
• I quite liked the slide from other classes and it was good to see youtube examples of how teachers used Scratch as a teaching tool in the classroom.





• one lesson was about having a conversation between 2 characters
• one was about drawing and creating own character and background
• I could see this being adapted to my Year 1/2 class.

• Creating with Code - Scratch. Here is my example (above) using a snipping tool from my screen rather than sharing. I was a little frustrated in making it work but did manage to create a small clip. I was able to add a characters and item (guitar). I need a tutorial to progress. :)

What did I learn that could be used with my learners?

• I could use
• Scratch, Hello Ruby quite successfully.
• The TKI Progress site to plan my teaching
• Cybersmart - using the Kawa of Care as the beginning of computational thinking introduction stage for juniors. Repeat as necessary and then progress in structured steps.
• Using a variety of examples through Scratch or Unplugged ideas and lessons.

What did I learn that could improve my confidence, capability or workflow in my personal Life?

• This course continues to up-skill my computer / iPad knowledge that I can use at home. With this increased knowledge I am planning to become more efficient and streamline in my teaching and planning which will of course mean more time for work / life balance.