Session 5 - Modelling and Software Programming

Hi again,

Session 5 and yesterday focused on modelling and software programming within ICT. 

Modelling

Children in schools will use modelling to help them trail their ideas and explore 'what happens if' questions. This method will help children gain a greater idea of what their creation may look like before making it. These skills will also help them in their future lives. The BBC state

                          A large majority of teachers believe there are educational benefits.

                          91% thought they developed motor and cognitive skills, and 60%

                          believed they would develop thinking skills and acquire specific

                          knowledge.

                                                                                                                BBC, 2006

 This method of modelling is not only used in schools but also in the 'real world'. Scientists, mechanics, architects and engineers are just a few of the people who use modelling software to trail their ideas before creating them. This is usually to save on money and time for example creating aeroplanes, buildings, rockets and medicines with the use of ICT can be more beneficial than creating something that doesn't work.

There are two key software packages children can use in school to help them with modelling. These are:

• My Modelling Tool Kit

This software is designed to help children compare models with those in real life scenarios as well as predicting outcomes, solving simple problems and make simple choices. It is used in conjunction with QCA ICT Unit 1A: An introduction to modelling. The games included within this software comprise of designing a bedroom, explore/creating a scene, dressing a baby, finding a missing teddy and creating a monster/ birthday cake.

Here are two images of the modelling games children use:

                 Create a Monster                                                                Create a Bedroom

 

Both these 'games' can be used in cross curricular activities. For example a task in English may include making a monster on the computer, and then going back to their tables to then make it out of junk modelling, or perhaps write a poem about the creature and draw a picture which can be painted. The create a bedroom game can be used in subjects Art or Design Technology. A child can create a room (fantasy or life like) and then go off and make that room in 3D using different materials. They can also be linked to Numeracy and PSHE topics. The general vocabulary used with this program is click, drag, forward, left, right and rotate.   

• 2 Simple - 2 Design and 2 Simulate 

The 2 Simple software can be viewed through their (click on 2 Simple above to view). It allows for children to play the games at home for a limit of 3 minutes without logging in. The different program's can be seen below. I was surprised to find so many varieties available but would highly recommend each one. They really do stimulate each child's learning in unique and user friendly ways

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However as I was focusing on modelling yesterday I concentrated on the Purple Mash website, which involves 2 Simple programs that can be played online (for a maximum of 3 minutes without logging in). I looked at the 2 Design and Make program which allows the child to create nets of cubes, houses or vehicles. This can also have cross curricular links to mathematics or design technology. This activity can be made to fit any Key Stage ability child, e.g. a low ability Key Stage 1 can focus on creating a cube where as a high ability Key Stage 2 child can look more in to creating their own models and nets. For both cases it is very useful for the child to see their creation in 3D without actually using any physical work.

     Example of a green car and its net.

There are also some great websites which provide children with the opportunity to use modelling. My personal favourite is Kent Trust (which I have also used in previous blogs) as it provides many games, worksheets, advice and general information regarding all things children and education. In this situation they provide 'a make and do' section which provides games such as simulators, bee bots and handy home.

Other good websites are Poisson Rouge which is strictly a no reading website..... great for children with SEN or EAL as they can engage in the activities without worrying about reading instructions etc (defiantly one to remember for placement!). The other is called Tizzy Tools, this website is aimed at 4 - 7 year olds. It focuses on 7 tools: writing, painting, publishing, moving, data handling, data basing and presenting. Again this can be used cross circularly in mathematics, art or any subject that requires work to be published or presented. 

Computer Programming/Coding

Next we looked at computer programming, example of children using computer programming relates back to my previous blog (session 3) but to refresh your memories it is basically the use of bee bots,  pixies and pips. However yesterday we looked at controlling software as opposed to machines.

To start teaching about controlling software to a Foundation or Key Stage 1  child I would use the 2 - Go (2 - Simple) program found on Purple Mash. The picture to the right shows a spaceship's route

around space by using the control panels up, down, left, right and the numbers to control how many places to move the ship. This program will give the child a basic idea about telling software what they want it to do. 

The next software to help build on the procedure technique (Keys Stage 1 or 2) would be using Microsoft Logo as this program not only comprises of a similar set up to the 2 - Go but also builds on knowledge of shapes, degrees (turns), logical thinking, spatial awareness and general programming by creating complicated shapes by inputting one demand. I had a go at creating a one demand shape (see picture to the right) to do this I created a pentagon by pressing in the bottom bar:
Repeat 5 [FD 100 LT 70]
Type pattern in to the bar
Input name in to the bar: PENT then how to make it: PENT [FD 100 LT 90]
To make many pentagons change the degrees to the right and type: repeat 100 [RT 30 PENT]
The vocabulary used by children will be left (LT), right (RT), forward (FD), backwards (BK), halt, trace, pause, status, stop and reset

Another interesting program I looked at was Scratch which children (Key Stage 2) nowadays get great excitement and enjoyment out of, as they have the opportunity create their own interactive stories, games, music and art - and share them online with other children. This is free for children to download. The basic instructions to create a moving picture a child must first choose a sprite (character), then a control and a motion (in this case glide) and then choose a background and import it in. This can be used in most curriculum lessons such as ICT, English, History, Art, P.E and many more. These types of innovative gaming will not only provide children with creative, imaginative skills but subconsciously they will also be learning general facts and information regarding other topics. For example when creating a story about the sea, a child will learn the types of creature found in specific oceans i.e. the Indian Ocean will host tropical fish compared to one in the UK (Tuzun, H et al, 2008).   

I would happily use all these programs in my lessons to help promote a child's key skills.

That's all for now, so until next week..........


 




BBC (2006) Computer Games 'Motivate Pupils' [Online] http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/4608942.stm. Assessed November 2012

Tuzun, H et al (2008) Computers and Education: The effects of computer games on primary school students’ achievement and motivation in geography learning. [Online] http://simge.metu.edu.tr/journal/CE_motivation.pdf Assessed November 2012