On Monday Primary 7 took part in four different digital tinkering activities. Tinkering means trying things out. For young children, this is the vital play based, exploration and experimentation phase of learning about something. For older pupils and adults it is purposeful exploration and making, often through trial and improvement.
Hour of Code
Children used Hour of Code to develop their programming language develop computing solutions to problems.
Sum Dog
Children used a website to apply and develop their numeracy skills.
Spheros
Spheros are a spherical robot toy. Features of a Sphero are:
- Rolling – Sphero robots can roll at a given speed and heading for a given amount of time.
- Colors – Sphero robots can light up in any color.
- Sensors – Sphero robot’s internal sensors include an IMU and Locator
- Bluetooth – Sphero robots connect to devices such an iPads, iPhones, and Android phones and tablets through Bluetooth.
- Robot Languages – Sphero robots support three ‘onboard’ programming languages. Programs written in these languages are ‘run’ on the robot.
The children had the opportunity to tinker with a Sphero to try and control its movements.
Apps
The children could select one of our media apps to create a book cover for one of their favourite books.
AssessmentÂ
To finish they used an online form in glow to evaluate their learning and the skills they had used.
I wonder what other types of digital tools you would like to Tinker with? I am thinking about a DigiTinker kit that would be a great starting point for any class …… what should be in it do you think?