Week 8 - Reflection         Algorithms  


This week we looked at Algorithmic programming continuing on with our digital learning experiences. There are many activities which include coding that are not computer based. This is good to remember if you do not have computers in your classroom. This weeks learning challenge is to explore the website called 'Scratch' and look at the Angry Birds Maze. This game can be effectively used in your own classroom as it meets the Australian Curriculum learning outcomes as it transforms data into information to creatively communicate ideas in a range of settings.

Scratch is a website where you can play games or create your own and share with anyone. Scratch is creatively designed to be useful in the classroom for all ages - K- 12. Many educators have supported Scratch since 2007 in all sorts of learning environments with all ages. Scratch is great for teaching young children to learn and think for themselves by putting their own ideas into a game. Scratch engages children almost straight away as it is a game and all children love games. For older children their creativity comes to life when they can make a game based on their own thoughts. Scratch helps young people of all ages work collaboratively within the classroom.

The ability to code computer programs is an important part of literacy in todays world. When learning to code a computer game they learn and discover strategies and new ways to solve a problem. This is not just a computer game, students are always learning when using Scratch from all ages including primary school all the way through to college.

In class we completed a digital learning challenge on scratch. We got given hand outs with codes on them to try and follow to make a game. I enjoyed following instructions to create a game where a shark follows your mouse to eat the fish. The process of making this game would be a great activity for students in the classroom. It would be best suited for children from around year 4 and higher as they will use computational thinking and key concepts such as data collection, representation and interpretation; algorithms and implementation to create digital solutions.