Discovery - Educators training program

Kontext / Contexte

When we were young, our parents didn't know which skills we'd need growing up. Many of the jobs and opportunities available today didn't even exist 15-20 years ago. We aim to help prepare our children for their future to give them the best odds in an increasingly digital world, constantly changing and evolving, regardless of the professional path they may choose.

Skills such as independent thinking and autonomous learning are therefore extremely important because they allow a young person to adapt to the challenges they come across. Coding represents the perfect combination of such fundamental skills, while pushing creativity and co-operation to whole new levels.

Zielsetzung / Objectifs

Knowledge
Participants know:
- the meaning of computational thinking and coding
- logical challenges, mainly using robotics
- how to code on Scratch and how to implement Scratch in the curriculum.

Skills
Participants are able to:
- foster logical thinking and problem solving within the classroom
- operate and program educational robots
- incorporate Scratch projects in regular classroom activities (e.g. Math, Language classes, Sciences, ... ).

Attitude
Participants:
- are open-minded and curious to learn new things
- take an active role in hands on activities and experiences.

Inhalt / Contenu

Session 1: Introduction to computational thinking and problem-solving
Topics:
- How to deliver off-screen activities that teach concepts of sequence and logical thinking challenges
- How to teach kids to program robots, such as Botley and Primo Cubetto
Practical: after this session, educators will extend their knowledge to the different aspects of computational thinking and the different ways to approach it.

Session 2: How to code Sphero balls
Topics:
- How to connect Sphero Balls
- How to teach the kids to drive the robot and to create codes
- How to create challenges and activities that help children develop their skills
Practical: During this session, educators will learn how to code a Sphero ball in an interactive way to introduce students to coding and help them develop important skills such as logical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. They will learn to navigate through obstacles and mazes as part of the training.

Session 3: How to implement Scratch in the curriculum
Topics:
- Review of topics learned in the first and second sessions, to better understand how they connect off-screen activities to coding
- How to provide interactive instruction on X and Y graphics concepts
- Introduction to Scratch, including how to code a game and an animation project using code blocks and functions
Practical: By the end of this session, educators will be equipped to integrate off-screen activities as part of their regular curriculum and understand how Scratch can be used in their lesson planning.

Session 4: How to code Sphero Indi cars
Topics:
- How to connect Sphero Indi Cars
- How to teach the kids to drive the robot and to code the sequences to use with them
- How to create challenges and activities that help children develop their skills
Practical: During this session, educators will learn how to code Sphero Indi cars as another activity to introduce students to coding and help them develop important skills such as logical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. They will use a block-based programming language to create sequences of commands and program the car to move, change directions, and perform various actions.

Session 5: How to discuss what is technology and promote critical thinking by means of a phone pattern challenge.
Topics:
- How to design a challenge that encourages kids to think critically and solve problems, focused on discovering a phone pattern
- Discussion: What is technology?

[Bonus] Optional, given the time available: How to code Dash Robot, introduction.
Practical: In this session, educators will learn how to promote cognitive development, technology literacy, security awareness, creativity, and enjoyment.

Note: In lessons #4 and #5, participants will have the possibility to dedicate some of the time of each lesson to more advanced topics in Scratch, based on the interest / need of the learners.

Arbeitsformen / Approche méthodologique

Presentation
Group activities
Kinesthetic Learning (Hands on) - Games, Educational Robots, Lap tops - SCRATCH

Referent, Referentin / Formateur, formatrice

Kids Life Skills instructors