Teaching Programming K-2 One Solution - Robots as Teaching Tools

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Teaching Programming K-2One Solution - Robots as
Teaching Tools

• Karen North
• CSTA Level I Curriculum Committee
• ISTE SIGCT MS Officer
• Technology Teacher
• Piney Point Elementary School
• Houston ISD

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CS Teaching History

• working to increase computational and logical
  thinking since 1985
• 21st century online programs and resources
• Motivation to develop research brains The Last
  Lecture
• Effective computing curriculum based on
  problem-solving
• The only hope to finding a cure for the cancer
  that is
• killing me is the scientific method.
• Randy Pausch, CS professor at Carnegie Mellon

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Problem Solving through Programming

• The most powerful of software tools is the
  programming language ...
• an important role for the teacher is as a sort of
  human tool,
• a consultant on ways and means,
• rather than an initiator of activities for
  students.
• - Brian Harvey 1980

A computer science based approach at the
elementary school level can improve technology
by giving students tools for logical thinking.
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Why Programming

• Tools to manipulate the digital world
• Teaching a computer to learn
• Learn to control robots vs. being a robot
• Virtual world is empowering
• Creative and produce things by thinking
• Thinking and problem solving tool

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How to get from G to K with limited Time is the
question.

• Things and Thinks differ by only one letter.

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Programming is a medium for thinking.

• Solve problems without a
• teacher telling children they are
• doing something wrong.
• Creative process that allows
• the individual the freedom
• to design solutions.

• The tools I like for K-8 are
• The Bee-Bot World
• Logo
• HTML
• DrScheme
• Scratch
• Alice

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Bee-Bot Robot Programming
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Robotics
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Number Line

• Counting
• Practice

• Planning a LINE DANCE

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Team Work

• Choreographing the Bee-Bots to dance together

• COMMAND PLANS
• Move forward 3 steps
• Be a BEE procedure
• Move back 3 steps
• Turn left 4 times
• Repeat the first 3 procedures
• Turn right 4 times.
• Repeat the first 3 procedures
• Design individual dance procedures until music
  ends
• Students and the Bee Robot can both do the dance.
  The hard part is taking individual mastery into
  synchronizing the steps for all students or
  Robots.
• The Bee-Bot World software allows for a
  simulation of the dance.

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Measurement
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Planning Grid in Paint
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Pixels

• Measurement in Pixels, Inches and Centimeters in
  Paint. Units in Bee-Bot steps on floor.

Coordinates show
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Geometry RoadsRectangles Angles
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Motivating Hard WorkSuccess and Fun

• The Bee-Bot is just one of many tools that can be
  used
• to teach computing and problem solving.
• Please share your ideas to motivate successful
  and fun HARD work.

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Modules

• We need computing modules.
• We need online lessons.

• MOLUs are a traveling exhibit from the Offshore
  Energy Center about energy.
• Features
• self-contained learning centers
• hands-on activities
• Integrates technologies
• Integrates sciences

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Graphic Programming

• zoom, zoom to the future with computer science
• Graphic Programmed in DrScheme
• Lessons Available Online

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CS Teaching Future

• Through Math, Computer Science and Technology, I
  hope programs that teach computational and
  logical thinking will increase.
• With the exponential increase in online programs
  and resources that support computing, what is
  needed most is TIME for teachers and teaching.
• My Idea - A STEM computing program developer
  staffed in schools to coordinate implementation
  of all the resources.
• Your Ideas- Please share your lessons that
  develop research brains.
• THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME!