Year 2 have been looking at maps and understanding directions and procedural language for their Unit of Inquiry.
Today, some students put this knowledge into practice using the Beebots and the maps we have purchased.
Category Archives: Digital Technologies
ICT Mentors’ Explorations, AC and Digital Technologies
Today I had an ICT Mentor meeting with students who have nominated to be involved in this leadership group.
The students have been tasked with the role of introducing Beebots to the students and supporting the younger students inquiry. The students will work in pairs to teach and support the younger students learn about basic programming using the Beebots.
We have purchased a variety of ‘maps’ to support this inquiry, as well as the Beetbots and iPads with the Beebot app.
Street map
World map
and we have a ‘blank’ map with 15x 15 size squares. Sparkle Box has many fantastic resources for the blank map.
Later in the term these students will work with the younger students to use the Beebots. One possible approach to conducting these sessions is to connect with a picture book and then use the Beebots as a supporting tool.
1) Students will read the book (or use a video of it being read).
2) Students teach the basics of the Beebots and the commands.
3) Students use the blank map to explore the concepts further.
For example, adapt the ‘I went shopping’ game and turn it into ‘One day the Hungry Caterpillar ate _____’.
This photo below has the templates for The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.
Looking forward to this!
Additional note:
These skills and processes not only connect to developing students’ leadership skills, they also support the Learner Profile and Attitudes of the IB Primary Years Programme. From the teacher perspective this will link into many curriculum areas. Finally, it provides us with ways to introduce the TECHNOLOGIES curriculum (for Digital Technologies) to students and staff before implementation in 2014.
Specific to the Digital Technologies curriculum
Digital Technologies processes and production skills
Foundation to Year 2 Content Descriptions
Follow, describe and represent a sequence of steps and decisions (algorithms) needed to solve simple problems (ACTDIP004)
Year 3 and 4 Content Descriptions
Define simple problems, and describe and follow a sequence of steps and decisions (algorithms) needed to solve them (ACTDIP010)
Want to have a play?
Bee Bots supporting inquiry
We have spent some of our reward points from Scholastic Book Fairs and we have purchased some Bee Bots. Bee Bots are some programmable robots that are excellent to use across the curriculum (lower primary). These are hassle free ICT tools for supporting the Technologies curriculum as well.
In the JS Staffroom we have the Bee Bots on a world map ready for your explorations. We have ordered more maps – just waiting on delivery!
Bee Bots in action
See this blog post Beebots Downunder for some ideas about how these are being used in classes.
Great for literacy, maths, problem solving and geography! (Perfect for mapping UOI Year 2/3).
Name our beebots
We have six Bee Bots and they need names!
Please come and have a play with your class and suggest a name (and reason why).
Post your responses below.
Programming with Apps – Prezi and Thinglink
The links and support resources for teaching Programming with Apps for Teachers and Students.
More resources can be found at EdOffICT Programming page.
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This prezi is under construction – just an upload of PDF’s at the moment. Will be adding to it soon.
The below thinglink has the links to the apps used in the session and some additional resources.
Random Sharing – research, websites, apps and Geography!
Some great new finds…..
RANDOM SHARE
Research tools and websites, Goolge Docs and Apps for Geography.
STUDY VIBE – Fantastic site!
Resources for teachers
GOOGLE DOCS FOR LEARNING
Slideshare – Geography and Apps.