ISSUE 18 TERM 4 I 2021
#HourOfCode
Computer Science Education Week Join the global movement Empowering resources Classroom activities
Welcome to Term 4 What does #HourofCode during Computer Science Education Week look like in your school? Hour of Code is a global movement reaching tens of millions of students in over 180 countries. The power of code is all around us – our students will be meeting this technology-rich future head-on! Coding develops not only computational thinking skills but enhances their problem-solving capacity. To support you in celebrating this exciting time, T4L is bringing you a slice of the action with a range of resources, events and activities to stimulate computational thinking. Don’t forget to check out the Hour of Code special edition of T4L Kids which contains even more activities for students to get started on their own.
Mark Greentree Director, Technology 4 Learning, NSW Department of Education
Happy coding, creating and app designing!
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What:
Hour of Code, a global movement taking place in 180 countries
When:
December 6-12 which is during Computer Science Education Week
How:
Choose a coding activity in this magazine to complement your lessons, or join us for an event!
Why:
Develop your students’ problem-solving skills and develop their computational thinking...
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100+
T4L activities
Hours of Code
250+
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registered events across Australia
live T4L events
Please note: tools, devices, software, links and educational practices reviewed within this publication are not an indication of endorsement by the NSW DoE and cannot be used as such.
Coding: a student voice Meet Krish Nair – Year 10 student, author and expert coder!
Q
You’re an author! What motivated you to write about coding for students?
A
When I started to learn to code, I used to refer to a lot of coding books. Unfortunately, I could not find books that were student-friendly. In my books, I have used a lot of graphics to make them simpler for the students to understand. My books are divided into four levels: beginner, elementary, intermediate and expert.
Q A
Hi Krish! How did you get into coding? I started coding at the age of 9. I still remember dragging my first block in Scratch and feeling so excited to see the outcome.
Q
How do you think the world will be changed by coders and their skills?
A
Coders can use their skills in all aspects of human life to change the world. It’s a skill that every child should learn and should have.
Q A
Why is coding an important skill for students now and into the future?
To keep up with the pace of creating new technology, we need more coders! We are moving everything to digital: from banking to
Q
What can students do to get involved in Hour of Code?
A
One of the best free online tools is the Hour
online shopping, making our lives much easier.
of Code website. It has a variety of themes,
The future world will be full of technology, all
allows students to pick any of their favourite
managed and controlled by coding. Coding
choices and learn how to code! From Minecraft
should be treated like English, Science and
to meditation apps, this is a great tool for ages
Maths. It’s an essential part of present and
2-9. Students can even code with their favourite
future learning.
cartoon theme!
Q A
If you’re not a tech teacher, why would you consider coding in your learning space? Hour of Code is for the ‘innovative learner’. Don’t think ‘coding’, think ‘problemsolving’. Today, our learners are looking for things that engage them. Hour of Code is a great starting place to explore the power of creating with code.
Greig Tardiani is an Innovation Lead with T4L and a former Head Teacher of Design and Technology.
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GREAT HOUR OF CODE 1 Simulation
2 3D storytelling
→ with Greig Tardiani
→ with Tanya Riach
WHAT IS IT?
WHAT IS IT?
You can use online tools to simulate the actions
Storytelling can be brought to life with code
of real objects. Video games are a great example
using 360-degree images and 3D characters.
of simulation. There are also some great
Students can explore coding while developing
simulation tools for circuit tools and robotics to
their computational thinking and literacy skills.
use in the classroom. To get started with coding
Coding helps with communication, creativity,
real objects, all you need is a computer or a tablet
writing, problem solving and ultimately providing
with an internet connection! This is exactly how
confidence to express what they are learning
simulators work in the real world – think flight
in an engaging way – it can also transform their
simulators, traffic simulators and more.
stories into an interactive 3D world.
Content source: MTA website
WHAT DO I NEED?
WHAT DO I NEED?
Any device with a web browser
Access to CoSpaces Edu on tablet or computer
Block-based and text-based coding
360 camera or tablet with panoramic photos enabled (optional)
GET STARTED x Coding online with the Root robot (no signin required)
Sign into CoSpaces Edu required
GET STARTED x Pick-a-Path adventure using CoSpaces
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ACTIVITIES TO TRY 3 Interactive digital text
4 Prototyping and app design
→ with Chris Dodds
→ with Kath Lollback
WHAT IS IT?
WHAT IS IT?
Creating and using digital forms develops key
Prototyping gets students exploring the power of
computational thinking skills. The act of thinking
code. Using presentation tools, students can take
logically about a form allows students to discover
an idea from conception through to 3D design,
the concept of cause and effect – as they create
using the power of code. They can get creative,
interactive digital stories a little like those choose-
explore the design process and hone their
your-own-adventure books we all used to love!
prototypes through feedback – giving them the tools to turn their technical skills into reality.
WHAT DO I NEED?
WHAT DO I NEED? Any device with a web browser and access to Google Forms Sign in to Staff Portal >> Google Workspace >> Google Forms
GET STARTED x Pick-a-Path adventure using Google Forms
Adobe – a computer with Adobe XD installed, see the Adobe intranet page for full details Google – any device with an internet browser and use the power of Google Slides Microsoft – any device with an internet browser and use the power of PowerPoint Online Apple – iPad or Mac with Keynote installed Sign in to Staff Portal >> Google Workspace >> Google Slides or Staff Portal >> Microsoft Office 365 >> Powerpoint
GET STARTED x Link hyperlink and buttons with Google Slides
x Link hyperlink and buttons in PowerPoint x App prototyping using Adobe XD x App prototyping using Keynote 5
Thinking about coding on an iPad or Mac? Let’s explore some of the options
Timecraft with Minecraft: Education Edition This year’s theme for Minecraft: Education
Stages 3-5
Edition Hour of Code is Timecraft – coding
Develop students’ computational skills
game is a quest-based learning experience
using the game-based Swift Playgrounds
where students can take multiple, varied
app. It is based on the same coding
approaches to solving coding puzzles and
language developers use and exposes your
meet learning outcomes based on their
learners to the basics of text-based coding
own interests and experience.
in an engaging way.
x Get started with Swift Playgrounds x Everyone can Code Puzzles (beginner)great for students and teachers
x Everyone can code Adventures (intermediate) - great for students and teachers
through adventures in time. This year’s
Students will solve anomalies in great moments in history using coding superpowers to save the future. This crosscurricular approach will interest all stages, levels and areas of interest, from music and art to invention and science learning, along with building new coding skills. Players will learn to code through a series of small block-based or python coding
x For more information on Stages K-3 and to go further with XCode in Stages 5-6, head to the blog!
activities that build up into a larger narrative, connecting powerful storytelling with coding and computer science.
x Read more about HoC Timecraft
Content source: Apple website
Start tomorrow x Watch this video to explore the power of code
x Dip your toes in the water with these 10 student activities
x Explore Inclusive App design with a
special Hour of Code activity that spans Stages 3 to 6
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Content source: Minecraft Education
Canva and Hour of Code
Did you know that Canva allows you to prototype an app? If you’ve got enterprising students, you could get them to design their app in Canva, then promote their new product using a template.
App promotional templates
App templates Try these templates to get a feel for building an app in Canva - search ‘mobile template’ to find these and more
Try these for promoting your app - search ‘app promotion’
Accessing Canva Want to get on board with Canva for Education? x Visit the resources page and see if it’s right for you and your students.
x Download this handy flyer for teachers to get started with Canva for Education.
x Want Canva inspo? Hear from co-founder Cameron Adams on the Virtual Staffroom podcast.
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Learn to code and build your skills – teacher resources we love Check out the dedicated Hour of Code 2021 stem.T4L Learning Library collection with a full board of resources and great classroom ideas and activities!
Develop your coding skills with Apple
Content source: Apple website
Go back in time with the Timecraft challenge
Totally Tech
Content source: Minecraft Education website
More Hour of Code resources at your fingertips!
Listen in and meet three great coders! Waris Candra – Micro:bit mega possibiilities
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Laylah Bulman – Minecraft: Education Edition
Lisy Kane – Girl Geek Academy
stem.T4L three-year journey
What’s new in stem.T4L? Exciting changes to the stem.T4L kits are coming over the next few months! Take a look at some of the changes happening to the Immersive VR and Filming kits.
New generation of VR Developed in collaboration with Valve and Microsoft,
What a journey it has been! In that time, over
the new HP Reverb Gen 2 headset and controllers will
80% of NSW public schools and thousands
give more realistic visuals, better soundscapes and
of students have used the kits. The stem.T4L research team, through data collected these last three years, has been able to show the many
superior performance to the Immersive VR kit. Along with new laptops, it will deliver an even more immersive experience - one that all secondary teachers and
positive impacts on teachers’ and students’ STEM teaching and learning through our kits and resources. To find out more about how
students will love. To find out more, go to the Immersive VR page in the stem.T4L Learning Library.
stem.T4L has changed the way teachers and students engage and participate in STEM, click on one of the infographics below.
stem.T4L three-year overview
▶ Long term benefits
▶ Outcome for teachers
Perfect 10 The new Filming kit will have ten of everything, including some new and exciting items. There will still be iPads and tripods, but it will also have ten brand-new Rode microphones, ten Moki Nero headphones, and introducing the new and exciting handheld gimbal. To find out more, go to the Filming
▶ Outcome for students
kit page in the stem.T4L Learning Library.
x For more stem.T4L research
reports, visit the stem.T4L research report page.
▶ Bookings for all stem.T4L kits are available now!
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T4L Kids Amazing apps, powerful prototypes Check out the Hour of Code T4L Kids magazine issue dedicated to prototyping, app design and Hour of Code! Get students to build on their future skills with this issue, loaded with challenges, links to resources and fascinating interviews with tech and gaming insiders. Best of all, students can complete an Hour of Coding activity and claim their official Hour of Code certificate. This hands-on resource is suited to Stages 3-4 and can be used in the classroom or independently by students.
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