Computational Thinking PO2/PO3
This coding activity can be completed using using Scratch or Tynker
This activity is an example of how coding could be used as a publishing tool by students. In this activity the students would build a three level game (minimum) that would allow them to explain some key features about our solar system. In our case we have decided that the students have to share their learning about each of the planets and the sun in our solar system, but it could be adapted to explain the phases of the moon etc. The idea is that using the medium of problem solving the students have the opportunity to create a resource that could be used by others, whilst sharing their own understandings of the concepts being learned.
If your students are new to Scratch or Tynker then this scaffold unit will help them master the basic skills needed to create the solar system as outlined above. Solar System Scaffold
If you want to see a working example of how this game could look, this link will take you to an example we have built. Use this example to help you understand how your students could solve the problem set, please do not give this example to your students, it would defeat the object of the challenge! Solar System example
If you have not used Scratch before then the following video tutorial may help you to become a little more confident with its learning potential. Scratch Tutorial
If you want to use Tynker to do this project and you are not a confident user of Tynker then these tutorials may be of use to you. The lessons illustrated here also apply to the blocks in Scratch and as such will work on Scratch too.
Loops, conditionals and variables – Part 1
Loops, conditionals and variables – Part 2
To use this resource, simply make a copy of this resource and rename it so that you become the owner of it then adapt it to meet the learning needs/intentions of your students/planning. If you want us to make more of this kind of resource please contact us at david@dakinane.com and we will make more resources to share with you, related to your need.
