The SEPjr Program

Teaching Strategies: MicroControllers & Online Content

Today’s Objectives

• Learn how Physical Computing investigates computer-human interaction design.
• Gain a better understanding of a computer system.
• Gain a better understanding of physical computing and how it connects to the CS Practices and Concepts.
• Learn different strategies for teaching computer science w/ Physical Computing.
• Learn about planning and participating in Maker Month.

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Today’s Reflection Questions (p. 2)

• How do you interact with technology? Computers?
• How do students interact with technology? Computers?
• How would you describe the interaction of hardware and software?
• What are some ways we may interact with computers in the future?
• How would you describe an input for a computer?
• How would you describe an output for a computer?
• What are some strategies for teaching Physical Computing?

Computer Science is the…

MicroControllers & Online Content

Teaching Computer Science w/ Physical Computing

MicroControllers & Online Content (p. 14)

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• Students can use microcontrollers to help bridge the gap between a program they create and how it can interact with the world through specific simple inputs and outputs.
• Boards like the Makey Makey!, micro:bit, and Circuit Playground can be programmed with block-based platforms and then integrated into a craft or maker project.
• Some content and curriculum provide web based simulators that allow students to design, build and test their ideas using simulations.

Example: Infosys - Trix w/ micro:bit (p. 14)

• The Infosys Foundation and Micro:bit Educational Foundation are proud to present Project Trix.
• Project Trix is a fun way to introduce your students to the fundamentals of computer science in the context of welcoming a visitor from another world.

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Introducing the character and story

• Trix, a student from Planet Zoon, is traveling to Earth as part of a school assignment. Trix has sent a transmission in advance, requesting assistance with their school report.
• Your students are invited to welcome and help Trix by participating in 8 different coding activities using the BBC micro:bit.

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Example: Infosys - Trix w/ micro:bit (p. 14)

Narrative device to engage students

• Trix's experience is designed to resonate with the universal experience of being in a new situation or welcoming someone new, such as being a new student in class or joining a new club or sports team.
• You have the option to make these links explicit or as implicit as you'd like, but the overall goal is to build empathy and understanding by being thoughtful about technology and the impact it can have on our lives.

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Example: Infosys - Trix w/ micro:bit (p. 14)

Example: Infosys - Trix w/ micro:bit (p. 14)

Example: Tinybop - Everything Machine (p. 15)

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• Use a simple programming language to connect, control, and play with all the sensors and tools.
• Put the camera, microphone, speaker, screen, gyroscope, and light to work for you.
• Create something as simple as a light switch or as complex as a kaleidoscope, a voice disguiser, a stop-motion camera, or a cookie thief catcher!

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Example: Tinybop - Everything Machine (p. 15)

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Example: Arduino - Science Journal (p. 16)

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• Allows you to gather data about the world around you by harnessing the sensors in your mobile device as well as sensors connected to Arduino.
• Transforms smartphones and tablets into science notebooks that encourage students to explore their world.
• Recommended for students from 10 to 18 years of age.
• Can measure light, sound, movement, and much more.
• You can also compare results, and even set triggers.

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Example: Arduino - Science Journal (p. 16)

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Example: TinkerCad

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Next Steps

• Write down some thoughts and ideas in response to the reflection questions in the Educator Workbook.
• Try out some of the online activities with your students, including the microcontroller simulators such as the micro:bit.
• Think about other ways Physical Computing can integrated or be incorporated to other subject areas.
• Watch the next video in the series “Let's Try: Project Trix - Emotion Badge”.

Check Us Out

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Checkout participating teachers learning, photos, and videos on social media! Use @CSForAllNYC #SEPjrNYC

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Join The Conversation

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Join the SEPjr Microsoft Teams Group to help stay connected and up to date with resources, opportunities and much more.

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Thank you from the CS4All Team!

We look forward to supporting you and your cs program!