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Using physical computing in the primary classroom
- 1. Using physical computingin the primary classroom Neil Rickus Senior Lecturer in Computing Education, University of Hertfordshire @computingchamps computingchampions.co.uk/serbia2017
- 3. Next 30 minutes •Outline the importance of physical computing • Discuss and demonstrate six physical computing technologies – Linked to projects undertaken in the primary classroom • Highlight how to overcome barriers to implementation
- 5. Why physical computing? •Opportunity to further develop understanding of programming concepts • “Light bulb” moment! • Links to other areas of the curriculum – Science and DT, but many others • Solve real world problems – Not just “making a game today” – Engaging to girls – casinclude.org.uk
- 8. Technologies chosen (KS2– age 7 – 11 years) • Crumble • Micro:bit • Codebug • Raspberry Pi • FlowGo / GoControl • Lego WeDo 2.0 • Sphero
- 10. Why these technologies? •Open ended tasks – Creativity – Enquiry • (Mostly) affordable • Extended with existing equipment – LEDs, buzzers, crocodile clips, etc • Block based programming environment
- 12. Crumble • Cost –£12 board; £20 starter kit • More info – code-it.co.uk/crumble/crumble • Projects – Crumbs – Crumblebot
- 14. Micro:bit • Cost –£13 board; £16 starter kit • More info – microbit.org • Projects – Step counter – Table football – Bloodhound Rocketcar
- 16. Codebug • Cost –£15 board and USB cable • More info – bit.ly/Xmasstuff • Projects – Scrolling display badge – Christmas tree lights
- 18. Raspberry Pi • Cost– £25 - £30 board (NB. Needs power supply, monitor cable, etc) • More info – raspberrypi.org • Projects – Pibrella – PiStop – CamJam EduKits
- 20. Lego WeDo 2.0 •Cost – £130 core set and software • More info – education.lego.com/wedo2.0 • Projects – Milo – moon rover
- 22. Flow Go andGo Control / Flowol • Cost – £100 control box; £150 software site license • More info – bit.ly/flowgo_gocontrol • Projects – Fairground rides – Traffic lights
- 25. Sphero • Cost –£100 ball and charger • More info – sphero.com • Projects – Assault course
- 28. Making a robot… •Program LED = program motor = make a robot • Program sensor = react to events = “intelligence”
- 30. Barriers • Time – Cross-curricularlinks; Digital Leaders • Kit – Beg, borrow, steal; Second-hand; Share; Promotions • Expertise – Needs confident teachers; Digital Leader support; CAS support; ”Hands-off guidance”
- 32. Competitions • TeenTech • PAConsulting Raspberry Pi • Nesta / IBM Longitude Explorer Prize (IoT) • Constructionism – Audience = Quality enhancement • Funding • CV / exposure
- 33. Want to knowmore? • TES EdTech special – digital.tes.com/EDTECHJAN17/ (pg. 44) • Hello World – helloworld.cc (pg. 16)
- 34. Neil Rickus Senior Lecturerin Computing Education, University of Hertfordshire @computingchamps computingchampions.co.uk/serbia2017 TES EdTech special digital.tes.com/EDTECHJAN17/ (pg. 44) Hello World helloworld.cc (pg. 16)