Integrating PixelArt Interactive Activities into ALL classrooms

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Lindsey Harders

bit.ly/NETApixel

ABOUT ME…

Ever have these questions…

• Am I doing this correctly?
• Why do I have to do this if I will just get all the answers wrong?
• Please tell me this is correct?
• How do I know if I am right?

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Immediate feedback can improve a learner's confidence, self-awareness and enthusiasm for learning, which leads to increased Motivation. Feedback that is provided at the time of learning helps improve understanding, address misconceptions, reinforce strategies, and support retention in Long-term Memory.

Pixel Art

• Fun way to turn ANY worksheet into a colorful activity.
• Super easy to make.
• Let’s you have some creativity.
• Provides students with instant feedback on each individual question.
• Anytime you add color it makes learning more fun.

LET’S TRY ONE FIRST FROM

THE STUDENT PERSPECTIVE.

Student Perspective

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I usually assign these through Google Classroom. However you can force a copy and have it accessed using a QR code or send in an email.

Now….let’s see how easy it is to make a Pixel Art activity

• Open up a blank Google Sheets
• Select all cells and resize to pixel size.

• Select columns A-Z, right click and “Insert 26 columns”

• You may want to do this 1-3 times. It just depends on your pixel design. You can always add more later if needed.

• Add a section at the top by merging the cells. This will allow you to have a space to put any directions that are needed.

Directions will go here.

• Add your directions in this box. You will probably want to center, wrap text, and make it larger and bold.

• Make our question�answer section.
• Widen columns A & B.

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SELECT BOTH COLUMNS AND DRAG TO YOUR DESIRED WIDTH. YOU CAN ALWAYS CHANGE THIS LATER IF YOU NEED IT BIGGER.

• Add a border to our area. I like to make my cells wider by merging two cells vertically together.

• Let’s now designate an area that our pixel design will go in. Select the entire area and then add an outside border around these cells.

• Title this document “Pixel Art Template”
• Then MAKE A COPY.
• Close the template document but keep the copied document open.

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On the copy document we are going to make our first pixel art.

• Let’s get creative. Using the “fill color” button you are going to make your design.
• If you get stuck you can always google search pixel art designs to get an idea of how to start.

WATERMELON

• Time to add your questions!!!
• You can add them as text or even as an image.

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• Your answers can be a word or number.
• You can also do a drop down list (this works great for lower elementary where spelling can be more difficult)

• Now let’s format the picture.
• Right click on the cells that you want to “appear” when the first question is answered correctly. Make sure you are clicking cells of the same color.
• While still holding down command (MAC) or control (PC) you will right click and select “conditional formatting.

• Scroll down to “custom formula is”

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This shows you what cells you have selected that this “rule” will apply to.

• Now we need to reference what the answer is.

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This is the cell where the answer is

typed. B7 and the answer is bob.

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This is the color that the cells

should be when answered

correctly.

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Click done when finished.

• With the cells still selected. Go up to the fill color tool and turn the cell white.

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• Now type in the

answer. Delete

the answer. And

watch the pixels

appear/disappear.

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**remove the answer so the cell

is white.

• Continue repeating this for all pixels.
• At the end your picture will be completely white.
• This helps you know what pixels you have coded and which you have left.
• Run out of questions? You can always have an answer display multiple colors. Repeat the same process just remember to only select cells of the same color at the same time.

NEXT STEPS

• Share with your students.
• Classroom – make sure you assign it to give a copy to each student.
• Want to force a copy. Go to share - copy link –

Change the word edit to copy

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Just remember we all start

out as beginners.

THANK YOU!!!

If you ever get stuck or have questions please feel free to reach out. I would be happy to help!

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Lindsey Harders

lharders@ginorthwest.org

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