TIPS FOR CROSSCURRICULAR
CODING AT YOUR
SCHOOL
YOUR HOSTS!
ON A SCALE OF 1-10,
HOW CRAZY DOES
THIS SCHOOL YEAR
FEEL SO FAR?
ARE YOU VIRTUAL,
HYBRID, OR IN
PERSON RIGHT NOW?
WHAT IS BLOCK-BASED
CODING AND HOW DOES IT
RELATE TO TEACHING
STEM SUBJECTS?
WHAT IS CODING?
● Merriam-Webster dictionary
(1993)-Coding is a system of symbols (as
letters or numbers) used to represent
assigned and often secret meanings. This
simply definition translates directly to the
use of computer programming, also
known as computer coding, which
encompasses many computational
thinking concepts.
● Can look complex, but there are basic
foundational concepts involved that can
be learned at a young age.
BLOCK BASED CODING
● Block-based programming is
coding within a programming
language where instructions and
processes are mainly represented
as blocks.
● Drag & drop functionality makes
programming accessible to more
age groups & experience levels.
INTRODUCTION
● Mindstorms and LOGO Programming (Papert,
1980)
● LOGO programming would create a learning
environment where children could naturally
learn mathematics and CT at a young age
● Embodiment of mathematics through full
immersion in programming microworld
● Teacher Education Efforts?
Böhm-Jacopini Theorem
The three structures make
up the structured program
theorem. This theorem
proved that any computer
algorithm could be written
using only these three
control structures. (Böhm,
Jacopini, & Bobrow, 1966;
Kozen & Tseng, 2008).
3 Structures:
1. Sequence Control
2. Repetition Control
3. Selection Control
WHAT IS COMPUTATIONAL
THINKING? WHY IS IT
IMPORTANT?
WHAT IS COMPUTATIONAL THINKING?
Computational Thinking (CT) is a problem solving process that includes a
number of characteristics and dispositions. CT is essential to the
development of computer applications, but it can also be used to support
problem solving across all disciplines, including the humanities, math, and
science. (Google: Computational Thinking for Educators)
My definition: CT is about understanding what the problem is and how to
develop solution pathways in a logical manner rather than depending solely
on the manipulation of a technology to arrive at a solution.
PRACTICAL IMPORTANCE FOR K-12
“For all elementary and secondary teachers, computational thinking should
be a necessary part of their preparation. Computer science is included in
the definition of a “well-rounded education” under the Every Student
Succeeds Act, computational thinking is included in the Next Generation
Science Standards.”
-Recommendations for States Developing Computer Science Teacher
Pathways, Code.org, 2017-
COMPUTATIONAL THINKING FRAMEWORKS
1)
2)
3)
4)
Pattern Recognition
Decomposition
Algorithmic thinking
Abstraction
-Thorson, 2018
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
Sequencing
Looping
Data
Conditionals
Parallelism
Events
Operators
-Brennan & Resnick, 2012
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS
OF INCLUDING COMPUTER
SCIENCE IN OTHER
SUBJECTS?
BENEFITS
● Enable constructionism and constructivism
● Prompt conceptual understanding and critical thinking
● Using technology as something for cognition instead of something
more required of learners.
“Block based programming can be used to help students have a deeper
understanding of mathematics. They can learn about why an equation
works the way it does and not just memorize it. I feel like it [programming
and computational thinking] is good with broad concepts that a lot of
people never understood as to why they are happening. ”
-Abel-
WHAT DOES
CROSS-CURRICULAR
CODING LOOK LIKE? CAN
YOU GIVE A FEW
EXAMPLES?
Complex Connections
“The difficult part was discovering the code for the clock. I had to figure
out that 1 minute = 6 degrees so that was hard. After I figured out the
code, writing the lesson and teaching it was much easier… For a
practice run, I think it went better than I expected. Once I really
explained what was expected in the coding and how to start thinking
about how to code a clock, they were able to come up with a code to
move their clocks.” -Olivia-
vs.
PLACE VALUE HOUSE
CODING
ACTIVITY
1.
2.
3.
Watch example of the knock
knock joke.
Choose a background, 2
sprites, and create a joke.
You can use any of the
following blocks to complete
the challenge in Scratch.
WHY INFUSE
PLAYFULNESS INTO
LEARNING? WHAT ARE
THE BENEFITS?
RELEVANT LITERATURE
● Play is a critical context in which young children’s cognitive and social
abilities develop (Brooker, Blaise, & Edwards, 2014; Vygotsky, 1978).
● Symbolic Interactionism
● Research indicates that play leads to positive effects on language
development (Lillard et al., 2013; Mages, 2008), but does not
consistently show positive impacts on problem solving and
self-regulation skills (Lillard et al., 2013).
● However, block-based programming has already shown to be a viable
tool to motivate learners, develop problem solving skills, increase
fluency, and improve logical thinking processes (Calder, 2010; Fessakis
et al., 2013; Kalelioglu, 2015).
HOW ARE YOU
INCORPORATING
PLAY INTO YOUR
CLASSES?
WHAT ARE SOME
EXAMPLES OF USING
PLAYFULNESS TO
INTRODUCE CODING TO
STUDENTS?
WHAT ARE YOUR TIPS FOR
TEACHERS WHO HAVE NO
COMPUTER SCIENCE
EXPERIENCE?
Hierarchy of
Knowledge in
Education
Knowledge Sets For:
Teacher Educators/PD Leaders
Teachers
Students
Activity Design Tips
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Limit the number of blocks used
Place requirements on the code
Create a challenge
Incorporate a story problem
Provide students with faulty code (debugging)
Be practical
Be creative! Be a teacher!
https://link.springer.com/article/
10.1007%2Fs40751-019-00056
-1
Students code their own active
games and play them with
classmates. This makes STEM
collaborative and social.
●
●
●
●
●
Relay races
Dance games
Whack-a-mole
Obstacle courses
So much more
PLAY AND SEL IN CS
1. “Did you have fun?”
2. “Did you learn something?”
Our web app works
on any Chrome
browser and we have
an iPad app!
● Program your Splats!
● When you’re done programing, decide who on your team will go
first, second, third, and fourth.
○ One team member at a time runs on a Splat for 10 seconds.
○ Your Splat will keep track of how many steps you take.
○ The team with the most total steps wins!
DIFFERENTIATED CHALLENGE
Take your existing pedometer and
code it so that:
1. Starts as lit with multi-colors (Each
LED is a different color)
2. When stepped on it changes
random colors of your rainbow
3. When the 10 second timer runs out
the color automatically turns red and
step counting is stopped.
Solution
https://app.unrulysp
lats.com
EXTENSIONS
● Change the rules for scoring to make new rules for the game. For
example, build a program where one Splat adds points and the other
subtracts, so two students can play ‘tug of war’.
SUPPORT
● Note the example program displays the total number of steps for
Splat 1 and 2 separately. Students can also count points for Splat 1
and 2 presses under one total for one Splat.
VISIT US AT
UNRULYSPLATS.COM
lauren@unruly-studios.com
Q&A