Catching Up with the Computer Lab!

Catching Up with the Computer Lab!
Posted on 04/16/2015
By Kevin McGonegal, Instructional Technology Specialist, Cambridge Public Schools

It's been a busy three months since I returned from family leave! Here's a quick update on what's been happening in the lab this winter and early spring:

roboticsComputational Thinking: Coding and Robotics
The "maker movement" is alive and well at the Haggerty School, as grades Kindergarten through third (and occasionally fourth and fifth grade, as time allows!) have been working hard and having a lot of fun building and programming our two new KIBO robots!

roboticsWorking in small teams, our students first create a sequence of instructions (a program) using the wooden KIBO blocks. They then scan the blocks with the KIBO body to tell the robot what they want it to do; follow a path, go through a maze, or avoid obstacles. Finally, they press the button and the robot comes alive, and performs the students' program! While using the KIBO robots, our students become programmers, engineers, designers, choreographers, and writers. Intuitively designed and fun to use, KIBO is based on over 15 years of research in learning technologies and child development at Tufts University.

fohWe were able to purchase one of our kits thanks to the generosity of Friends of Haggerty, and the other was provided by our technician Michael Walsh (currently filling in for Aaron Christian) through his association with the KLO-Lesley Technology Partnership. Thanks Mike, and thanks Friends of Haggerty!!!

computersAll of our students, kindergarten through fifth grade, have also been introduced to computer programming this spring, and have become avid writers and de-buggers of code! Using the wonderful website Code.org, our students are working through the elementary level courses that use a mostly visual programming language based on Scratch, the block-based language developed at MIT. Students are developing computational thinking skills such as sequencing, debugging, and looping, and are quickly becoming skilled programmers!

Building Skills and Knowledge
Here are some other happenings in the lab this spring:

Kindergarten: Our youngest students continue to learn about using technology in school safely and effectively while honing math and ELA skills through programs such as Building Blocks (aligned to our math curriculum) and Lexia. These kiddos have also really enjoyed being introduced to Coding through some of the basic activities on Code.org!


First and Second Grade: Aside from building robots and learning to code, our first and second graders have also begun to learn to use the computer keyboard to write, using the fun and engaging "Dance Mat Typing" site, hosted by the BBC.


Third Grade: When they're not building robots or writing code, our third graders have been building their creativity and productivity skills in Google Docs and Google Slides, while one of our classrooms pilots the use of the website "Glogster" to produce media-rich presentations linked to their American Revolution unit.

videography
Fourth Grade: Our fourth graders have been exploring the use of spreadsheets in business, as they invented their own personal "Store" based on their interests. Tracking profits over time in Google Sheets, our students created beautiful, colorful spreadsheets and charts that document the success of their fictional shops. Check them out on the bulletin board next time you're in the lab!

Fifth Grade: We are in the thick of our media literacy unit! After scripting, producing, and evaluating fifteen-second commercials advertising basic classroom materials, we are now in the scripting phase for our final projects, which will be one-minute commercials advertising a product of their own invention. Our students are having a great time learning about advertising techniques, camera operation, and digital video editing!
Website by SchoolMessenger Presence. © 2024 SchoolMessenger Corporation. All rights reserved.