Inside the home:
-Timed light switches
-microwave
-sky plus
-central heating
-burglar alarm
-washing machine
Outside the home:
-Car keys
-traffic lights
-CCTV cameras
-barcode scanners
-aircraft
-electric gates
There are benefits to computers controlling things. We decided that it can be more accurate, more efficient, cheaper and more consistent than human labour. Computers never get tired, they don't loose concentration, they don't require breaks and holidays, and they don't make mistakes unless they break down (which is due to human error). However, it is important to consider the disadvantages this change has on society such a the way it decreases job opportunities. It is important to discuss such issues with children. Key stage 2 will be capable of discussing the impact technology has had on our lives including the loss of jobs and the music industry.
Programable toys:
We then went on to learn about programmable toys and how they can be used in the classroom. We discovered they are not just useful for ICT, but they can be cross curricular if used well.
Below is a list of the equipment we looked at and how they can be used well in a classroom, including pictures of us testing them out in the session:
-Bee bots
These are programmable toys, particularly useful for the younger classes, as you can put in simple instructions to make it move forward, back and turn. They are simple and attractive looking for younger children. The problem is they will always look like a bee so there is not much scope creativity. You can use them geography by getting them to follow co-ordinates on a map, English by getting them to go over a letter poster spelling out words, maths or art by getting them to draw pictures or shapes.
-Pixie
These can be used in the same way as bee bots, however they can be decorated, such as downloading a cover and decorating it, to be used to different creative purposes.
-Pippin
Pippin is also a programmable toy like the bee bot and pixie. However, it is more advance as you can choose which degree it will turn and you have to use bigger numbers for the distance it will move. You can also put a pen in the middle of it so it draws shapes.They will be more beneficial for key stage 2, particularly year 6.
-Flexiscope
This is a microscope that can be plugged in to a computer and used with specific software. You can see the image from the microscope on the computer screen. It has a light you can choose to have on, and you can take a picture which saves on the computer. These may be particularly useful for science to look at materials.
-Data logger
A data logger can record information and using computer software you can view this data on the computer. It can record temperature, sound level and light. It comes with an attachable probe for flexibility of where you want to measure data e.g. putting it in soil. This is a useful tool for cross curricular activities. It can be used in science for testing experiment conditions. It can be used in music for monitoring sound of instruments. It can be used for measuring traffic noise or other noise when exploring the local environment. It can be used to decide how to make things such as curtains or ear muffs. There are many different options and it should be something that is used by all teachers, however this is definitely not always the case.
I will now focus on one programmable toy, The Bee bot.
Workshop Activity
Bee Bot
Maths activity:
-Children will program the bee bot to follow given co-ordinates and plot them on a chart.
- In which areas of the curriculum could you use this activity? Consider cross-curricular links
Maths: Drawing graphs and plotting co-ordinates
ICT: Learning the basics of programming
Geography: Following co-ordinates on a map
- What is the purpose of the activity? (Is it to teach new ICT skills? To consolidate and practice existing skills, or is the ICT simply a tool and the focus lies in the subject being taught?)
-The Bee bot as a piece of ICT itself does not teach much about ICT, except the basic concepts of programming. However it is unlikely that children will have learnt previously how to program something to do a routine, so they will be learning this skill. However, the most beneficial way this toy can be used is to teach knowledge from the other subjects such as learning about co-ordinates in maths or geography. They will be able to practice knowledge and skills they have learnt about graphs and co-ordinates in maths, or this activity can even be used in the first time teaching about graphs and co-ordinates
- What skills, knowledge and understanding does the activity support and/or extend in terms of the subject and ICT?
In maths it would support knowledge of shapes and co-ordinates. In ICT it will support the basic knowledge of programming.
- What is the key vocabulary used in the activity?
-Forward -Programme
-Backwards -Instructions
-Turn -Routine
-Left -Co-ordinates
-Right -Axis
- How could you extend the activity for more able children and/or older year group?
-The more able children could plot co-ordinates on 4 quadrant graphs, using minus numbers.
- How would you differentiate the activity for less able and/or younger age group?
-The children could use the bee bot to plot co-oridnates that are already marked in pen on the graph. It will help them to understand how to get to that point so they can then go on to plotting them themselves.
- What opportunities are there to assess the children’s learning?
-You can ask a child to plot a challenging co-ordinate and watch if they do it correctly.
- What are the practicalities involved in organising and managing the activity in the classroom/computer suite?
-There will probably not be enough bee bots for one per child so activity will have to be done in groups. This may make it difficult so asses childrens individual ability.
I like the way you have listed some examples of how you could use the equipment like data loggers, its useful to have some ideas of how you can incoperate these in different lessons other than just ICT!
ReplyDeleteSerena x