Physical computing for the non-computer science educator
Contents
- 1 Description
- 2 Learning Objectives
- 3 Professional Journal
- 4 Module 1: Preview
- 5 Module 2: Process
- 6 Module 3: Participate
- 7 Module 4: MakeCode in practice
- 8 Module 5: Time to create!
- 9 Module 6: Personalize
- 10 Module 7: How can teachers implement physical computing into all curricular areas?
- 11 Source
Description
This course teaches the basics and benefits of integrating physical computing with MakeCode in any subject area. It provides cross-curricular hands-on learning opportunities for participants within the MakeCode site. No additional items are needed to learn about MakeCode in this course. However, participants can work with materials such as micro:bit or Adafruit Circuit Playground if they have these available.
Learning Objectives
- Learn definitions for physical computing, computational thinking, and computer science education
- Understand the importance of physical computing and coding
- Experience hands-on opportunities with Microsoft's MakeCode
- Review implementation ideas across many various subject areas within K-12
Professional Journal
How do your students learn best? Do you employ the same methods when you are learning something new? You're here because something has inspired you to learn more about physical computing. If you're actually going to retain this knowledge and begin to embed changes in your current educational practice, you'll need some space to take notes, reflect, copy links and keep track of any inspirational ideas.
Before you begin the content for this course, create a document in Word Online or a notebook in OneNote to capture your learning throughout this course. Of course if you've already done this, you'll just need to add a section or a page for this course. At the end of this course, you'll be developing a lesson within this journal to post on the Microsoft Educator Community.
Module 1: Preview
Q: What exactly is computer science education?
A: Computer science or computing education includes the study of topics such as computer architecture, networks, software engineering, data storage and manipulation, program design, and programming.
- It is not STEM education, and it is not Digital Literacy – although it is related to both.
- And it is more than just learning to code.
Q: What is computational thinking?
A: Computational thinking is a way of thinking about problems, similar to mathematical thinking or scientific thinking. But it is slightly different than those methods of thought. The problems being solved with computational thinking can leverage the power of technology, like software.
Q: What is physical computing?
A:
Module 2: Process
Q: Why is physical computing important to integrate into cross-curricular classes?
A: There are three main reasons why it is important to integrate physical computing into cross-curricular classes:
1. As the world’s job market continues to undergo a massive shift, computer science-related jobs are expected to grow two times faster than the average of any other occupation.
Statistics:
- 12% growth from 2014–2024, 4.4 million jobs in 2024 – US Bureau of Labor Statistics
- In 2015, there were 600K high-paying tech jobs in the US that were unfilled, and by 2018, 51% of all STEM jobs are projected to be in computer science-related fields
- But paradoxically, there are fewer students graduating with computer science degrees today than there were even 10 years ago. This decline is even more significant among women and minority groups
- Only 2.5% of all undergraduate degrees awarded are in computer science today
- In 1985 women made up 37% of all CS degrees, but in today only 17% of all CS degree holders are women
Source: NCES Digest Of Educational Statistics
2. In addition to the workforce skills gap, computing education is important for any educated citizen of our modern society where technology is a ubiquitous part of day-to-day life. Just as learning about the natural sciences helps students understand the world around them, learning about the digital world helps students understand how to communicate, collaborate, organize content, and access resources.
3. There is much research to support the claim that computational thinking in general is an improved model for teaching across subjects (problem formulation, and algorithmic solution exploration). For more information, see Dr. Jeannette Wing’s article on Computational Thinking.
The combination of physical construction with computer science and coding is rooted in pedagogy.The deepest levels of learning, according to Bloom's Taxonomy, happen when students are constructing, creating, and getting hands-on with learning materials. Microsoft MakeCode is an excellent vehicle for implementing physical computing and coding within problem-based learning scenarios.
Professional Journal
- What reasons do you think are the most important for educators to understand as to why physical computing must be taught?
- How much of your educational setting actually reaches the top of Bloom's Taxonomy?
- Are there lessons that currently reach only the bottom of the pyramid that could be altered or enhanced, possibly with physical computing?
In your Professional Journal, identify the lessons you think could use a higher level of thinking skill in Bloom's Taxonomy.
Module 3: Participate
Microsoft MakeCode is one of the very few learn-to-code tools with both a robust visual programming environment, a full-featured text editor, and the ability to switch back and forth between modes. MakeCode supports students as they progress into ‘real-world’ coding with JavaScript, which is one of the most popular programming languages in the world.
Module 4: MakeCode in practice
To see how one student helped her school using MakeCode explore this Sway presentation. You do not need to own a Micro:bit or any other device in order to learn how MakeCode works. All you need is the screen you're on right now, and an internet connection. You can actually download MakeCode to use offline if needed. Check it out!
Learn how to Micro:bit!
Watch these tutorials to learn how to use Micro:bit with MakeCode.
Professional Journal
In what ways can you see MakeCode and physical computing changing lessons in your educational setting? Write them down in your Professional Journal.
In this next module, write any notes, tips, or instructions in your Professional Journal so that you feel confident as you attempt your own MakeCode later in the course.
Module 5: Time to create!
Now it's your turn to participate in understanding more about how physical computing with MakeCode works. Go to https://makecode.microbit.org/projects/.
You will see a long list of project ideas along the left side of your screen. Pick any project, and it will walk you through step-by-step what needs to happen to make the code work.
The "Smiley buttons" and "Flashing heart" are great easy ones to get started.
Professional Journal
So how was your experience with MakeCode? What types of support would your students need to accomplish the same task you just completed? Write these ideas down in your Professional Journal to help keep track of what it will be like as your students tackle MakeCode for the first time.
Module 6: Personalize
One of the best ways to find ideas for physical computing projects is to employ the concepts of problem-based learning. Problem-based learning, also known as passion-based or inquiry-based learning, asks students to actively explore real-world problems. Students apply the content they are learning to the real-world problems or challenges posed (or uncovered) during the unit. If you are unfamiliar with problem-based learning, you can learn more about it through this course on Microsoft's Educator Community.
When looking for real-world problems to tie to your content, two great resources are the Sustainable Development Goals and the Buck Institute for Education.
The Sustainable Development Goals are 17 global goals for sustainable development that world leaders agreed would mean an end to extreme poverty, inequalities, and climate change by 2030. Each goal connects to multiple content areas and could be used as inspiration for a project prompt. The Buck Institute for Education is committed to creating, gathering, and sharing high-quality PBL practices and products with teachers. As part of their mission, they have a resource page that includes curriculum and projects that teachers can implement.
Although neither site will discuss physical computing specifically, both sites will hopefully spark ideas of real-world problems that tie to the content you teach and your curriculum goals. Once you have found real-world problems that connect to the content you teach, you can explore ways in which physical computing can help solve the problems you pose to your students.
Module 7: How can teachers implement physical computing into all curricular areas?
As you look through this list of examples and projects that students all over the world have created, think about your own educational setting. See what is possible, look at what others have created, and get inspired with the next great idea for infusing physical computing into your classroom!
The Arts
Everyday objects
Science
Sunscreen monitor
Language Arts and Games
Create illustrations for a book!
Bullseye Project
Professional Journal
Your final task is to combine all of this new knowledge with your expertise as an educator. Create a lesson to use with your students that utilizes MakeCode. Look back at your notes and reflections, and peruse the ideas module one more time. Your lesson can be totally original or an already existing one from your classroom with a few modifications. When you're finished, post it to the Microsoft Educator Community or share your lesson through Twitter with the hashtag #microsoftedu. Let your colleagues around the world try out your idea!
To keep learning more...
This course is targeted to middle school grades 6-8 (ages 11-14 years). It is also written for teachers who may not have a Computer Science background, or who may be teaching an “Intro to Computer Science” course for the first time.
Introduction to computer science
Want more? Here is a fantastic hands-on experience teachers can take back and use with their students:
Infusing Computational Thinking with Maker Challenges
