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DIGITAL SYSTEMS: CSER Task 6: Algorithms and Programming

Option 2: Design an activity that explores sequences of instructions. In the early years, this could be an activity that encourages children to develop skills in putting things into a logical sequence. In the older years this could be more complex and involve students playing a game or doing an activity. Recently I had the opportunity to attend a workshop run by Celia Coffa (Project Officer, Victoria) for the CSER Group. It was a great day discussing  'Digital Technologies' and having the opportunity to explore the concept of algorithms across all levels. In this activity  'My Robot Friend ', we had the opportunity to undertake and have a hands on experience. It was fabulous fun and so much learning at the same time. The main goal here was to highlight programming techniques and illustrate the need for functions and all with paper cups! The listed objectives students would be introduced to included: • Learn to convert real-world activities into instructions • Gain pract...
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DIGITAL SYSTEMS: CSER task 5 - Information Systems

Option 1: Think of a lesson idea for "sharing information online safely" or "behaving online appropriately". Write your idea as a brief description with any links to websites, videos or books that you might use in your lesson. Digital Citizenship has to be a key area of focus in the modern classroom with the access to online digital devices that all students have today. The transference of behaving appropriately in class and the playground must now apply to behaving appropriately online. Two key concepts I reiterate in my class are: one, if you would not say it to someone's face then don't type it online; and two, don't be a bystander. This last concept my students are most familiar with. What students require today, is ways of being responsible when inappropriate situations occur.  I am a big fan of Common Sense Education.   Here you will find a vast array of resources for teaching in the digital age. One lesson idea I have used to reinforce appr...

DIGITAL SYSTEMS: CSER Task 4 - exploring past and present technologies

Credit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfhSC5BSC48 Option 3: Exploring past and present technologies: Share a lesson idea that involves exploring past and present technologies. You might prepare a resource, a lesson plan or some online content that accompanies your lesson. Last term we read this book in a Guided Reading session: It provided a fabulous discussion on changes to music, airliners, telephones and books. The chapters that compared the gramophone with the MP3 player, and the first phone with today's mobile phones were really interesting for the students.  Working with a partner, students could complete either a Venn diagram or a PMI chart to demonstrate their understanding in comparing the changes to technology.  Credits: http://linapmichart.weebly.com/pmi-chart-examples.html

DATA - REPRESENTATION: CSER Task 3: resources

Option 3: Create or share a resource to support a classroom or professional development learning activity about binary OR digital data. This could be a worksheet, a poster, a book, a game or any other idea! In researching, I found a number of resources that I would consider using in the classroom. The research also proved most useful for my own professional development and understanding on binary.  Firstly, this YouTube clip I thought provided an understanding of how computers work at an appropriate level for students as an introduction.  YouTube - Binary code: how do computers function? Secondly, this Slide Share on the Binary System breaks it down even further, reinforcing the above: Slide Share: The Binary System Finally, I am becoming a huge fan of the  Code  website. Here is an activity - 'Binary Bracelets'   - a lesson that demonstrates how it's possible to take something we know and translate it into a series of on and o...

DATA - PATTERNS & PLAY - CSER Task 2: data from classroom

Option 1: Collect and visualise some data collected from your classroom, your home, online or from your community. Identify how best to represent your data visually, and then prepare a visualisation - this could be done on paper, a whiteboard, using physical objects, or you could try out infographic software. Please share your visualisation with the community, either by taking and sharing a photo, taking a screen shot or sharing a link to your visualisation. Above: student work using Google Docs to represent data  Above: original worksheet used as a draft Here is an exercise completed in my Grade 5/6 classroom. It was an exercise involving estimation and representing data using double column graphs. It was our first dabble into using graphs via Google Docs. The students completed a draft of the task, recording their results on the worksheet. We then experimented on how best to use the data visually. It was a wonderful learning exercise.  Sources: Mathlet...

INTRODUCING DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES - CSER Task 1: Possibilities with Digital Technologies

Task:  Option 2. Find an example of digital technology being used to solve a problem or an innovative digital technology. This could be a news article, a website, an image, a video or some other content. Share what you have found with a brief description in the community as to why you think this is interesting The world's first pocket sized gluten sensor Being coeliac, I think this little digital technology is a winner. This is so innovative and would save much angst and sickness for myself and my daughter.  A sample is dropped into the device, and if there is any trace of gluten, a frowning face lights up; if not, then a smiley face.  Something so small that fits into your bag, would give you the confidence to quickly analyse what you are eating when dining out.  Sources: TIME 2015 best inventions Nima Sensor

CSER F-6 Digital Technologies: Foundations

The CSER Digital Technologies online professional learning course (MOOC) is designed to enhance knowledge of computational thinking and digital technologies to support educators with the implementation of the Australian Curriculum: Digital Technologies (Foundation to Year 6). Learning goals of the course: To develop knowledge in the area of digital technologies education: the fundamentals of computational thinking, an understanding of the core topics in the learning area and an introduction to visual programming; and To develop confidence in the development of learning activities for the Australian Curriculum: Digital Technologies. Course details HERE