Removing barriers with coding and robotics - bcpvpa

Removing barriers with coding and robotics

by Leslie Dyson

Coding is a requirement in the new curriculum but the foundation for the program at James Kennedy in Langley started several years ago.

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hildren as young as five years of age are learning to code at James Kennedy Elementary in Langley. The coding and robotics program began a couple of years ago as a strategy to reach vulnerable learners. The school started with eight girls in Grades 2 to 5 who met once a week for 1.5 hours for six weeks. Principal Michelle Guillou said, “They had difficulties expressing their thinking but generally they were very, very bright. But it didn’t show through on paper. Coding shows that executive function. It was highly successful.” The girls learned how to code, solved problems as they came up, and developed applied design skills. At the end of the program, parents of some of the students sent letters of thanks. School staff saw how coding can help children with motor, verbal, and written difficulties. “It breaks down the barriers,” said Guillou. Guillou, the principal for a year, said, “I see myself as a cheerleader.” She talks to staff and writes reports about the merits of the program. She and learning resources teacher Ann Pimental don’t have computer science backgrounds, “but that doesn’t mean we can’t introduce this to students,” she said. The challenge is choosing which program and which robot. “There are so many people developing codable robots for students.” Quickly outdated iPads are another thing to watch for. While the new curriculum covers coding with a few bullets in the Grade 6/7 section, many of the outcomes can be accomplished with much younger students. “They’re ready and they’re hungry for it.” Grade 4 students, using the Scratch Jr. coding platform on iPads can create cartoon sequences by the end of the school day. “Engagement is high and there are no behavioural difficulties. You can’t even quantify the learning.” October 2016 • Adminfo • 8

The school draws students from all socio-economic family backgrounds. Some children do not have computers at home but most families have at least one electronic device. Computers are available in the school library. Guillou said families see the value in the program and are happy that their children are learning these skills. “Students need to know how to manipulate coding so they can create the technology, not just be consumers.”

The school uses Raspberry Pi/ Tiddlybots, Scratch Jr., Osmo, Bluebot/Beebot, Dash/Dot, and BB-8. These tools use block coding which contains pre-written code to animate objects. Gone are the days of students having to learn tedious coding with perplexing symbols and tabbing. Students simply drag and drop colourful blocks that neatly interlock to give directions via Bluetooth to the robots’ mechanisms controlling movement, sound, lights, and camera. Many of these platforms include online teacher and student support groups, lesson plans, and clubs. The BB-8 robot, suitable for Grade 6s and 7s, fits well with the theme. A downloadable app allows coding for remote control movement and even holographic messages.

Pimental sees a future in which students are coding their own drones. “There’s a natural attraction to technology,” Guillou has observed. “From birth, it’s just the way to learn. It’s how they communicate with their friends, how they hand in assignments. It’s the world they live in. “It’s the right time to bring in the new curriculum.” The Ministry of Education provided an $8,000 innovative grant to the school that led to the hiring of a university student to do research for pre- and post-assessments and K to 7 lesson plans. The school also won an $11,500 Inspired Learning Prize to purchase more robots. Pimental had students fill out a pre assessment to get them thinking about their feelings about robotics. They were asked, “Do you like using science? Do you like using robots? Do you enjoy technology? Have you created anything through technology (videogames, movies)?” She was surprised to see that the students did not have many questions of their own going into the project, but she was gratified to read their comments at the end of the process. One student wrote: “I used to play games. Now I create them. I’m working with my dad with Raspberry Pi.” Pimental sees many advantages coming from the coding program. “As a special education teacher, it is so neat! It’s digitally literate inclusion at a whole new level. “Educators have to get on the floor with the kids. You can’t see the October 2016 • Adminfo • 9

special needs kids in the class because everyone is participating and being successful. We have parents who come to us and say, ‘My child has difficulty with sports, academics, and socialization. But now they’ve found something they’re good at!’” Annie Charron, French immersion Kindergarten teacher, said, “I’ve been teaching for years. Since ’87. I’m excited. I need something new to get excited about. I love playing with the games and the kids love playing with the games. It’s not just older kids. Kindergarten too. It’s a kind of patterning.” Grade 4/5 teacher Shayna Choi, with Pimental’s help, taught a sixweek course using Scratch Jr. “I love the structure and the room for creativity. There’s problem solving, thinking outside the box, organizing skills, figuring out the steps to get something to work.” Isis, a student in her class said she liked the program. She made a pinball game and enjoyed seeing what others in the class came up with. Her classmate Ridley said, “It’s important to learn coding for jobs and helping people.” Guillou said, “Coding is a nice lead into inquiry based learning. There is no set goal. They’re told, ‘Just create something.’ It removes the fear of doing something wrong. It’s a thinking shift for them—” “And for us!” said Pimental. “It is truly a journey. It’s exciting!” said Guillou. “I’m in my 30th year in education and the changes have been phenomenal. We’re so excited about the new curriculum. It’s going to give teachers much more room for innovative projects.” Leslie Dyson is a regular contributor to Adminfo. She can be reached at [email protected]