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Introducing Design Thinking
Introducing Design Thinking
Getting students engaged with new technologies (e.g. 3D printing, Micro:bit, Minecraft: Education Edition, MakeCode) isn’t difficult. What can be tough is setting up environments where students grapple with a real-life problem that requires an engineered solution.
Four points to keep in mind:
Empower student ownership. Students need ownership of the problems they begin to solve, not just engagement due to an interesting, teacher-created problem
Create your own problem bank. Using a tool like Microsoft or Google Forms, invite others to share their problems. For example, for 3D printing, see this Design Thinking Problem Bank. You may also want to read How to Create Your Own Problem Bank and What Makes a Good Problem Bank.
Put students in charge of selecting problems. Use a rubric like this one (click the link to get a copy) to get started. Remember, selecting a problem is a pre-Design Thinking process step. As a teacher you can do it, but it is better to empower students to empathize, ideate, and define the problem.
Focus students on engineering as a key component (Source: Kindling STEM Learning). Given access to 3D printers and coding solutions, engineering a solution first with spaghetti noodles and marshmallows or duct tape wallets, can be powerful, inexpensive alternatives. Find more projects online.
Act 1: Introducing Algorithmic Thinking
Act 1: Introducing Algorithmic Thinking
Computational Thinking
Computational Thinking
A Sip of Algorithmic Thinking
A Sip of Algorithmic Thinking
Icebreaker: Solo Cup Challenge
View Solo Cup Reflections via Flipgrid (Code: 77d13c)
Act 2: Intro to MakeCode & Micro:bit
Act 2: Intro to MakeCode & Micro:bit
The BBC micro:bit is a small wearable and programmable device that has these components:
The BBC micro:bit is a small wearable and programmable device that has these components:
a 5x5 LED display,
accelerometer,
compass,
buttons,
I/O pins,
Micro USB plug,
Bluetooth Low Energy antenna,
ARM Cortex-M0 processor, and
battery plug (Source)
How To: Save Code to Micro:bit
How To: Save Code to Micro:bit
1. To save the code to the micro:bit, click on the disk image or DOWNLOAD button to the left of the screen. This will allow you to save everything to your computer, then copy it to your micro:bit device.
1. To save the code to the micro:bit, click on the disk image or DOWNLOAD button to the left of the screen. This will allow you to save everything to your computer, then copy it to your micro:bit device.
2. When the hex file has been saved to your computer, you can copy it to your micro:bit via the USB cable.
2. When the hex file has been saved to your computer, you can copy it to your micro:bit via the USB cable.
3. Copy the hex file saved on your computer to the micro:bit. Simply open the MICROBIT (just as you would a USB flash drive) then drag-n-drop the hex file as shown in the image right.
3. Copy the hex file saved on your computer to the micro:bit. Simply open the MICROBIT (just as you would a USB flash drive) then drag-n-drop the hex file as shown in the image right.
In a moment, your Micro:bit will automatically begin to run the program.
In a moment, your Micro:bit will automatically begin to run the program.
Windows user? Right-click and choose SEND TO then select MICROBIT.
Publish and Share Your Code
Publish and Share Your Code
Ready to share your awesome MakeCode hex file with others? Publish your hex code online.
Ready to share your awesome MakeCode hex file with others? Publish your hex code online.
1. Click on SHARE icon at top left of the MakeCode screen
1. Click on SHARE icon at top left of the MakeCode screen
2. Click the COPY button that appears, as shown below. Notice you have EMBED code in case you want to embed the code on a website
2. Click the COPY button that appears, as shown below. Notice you have EMBED code in case you want to embed the code on a website
Act 3: Code & Create
Act 3: Code & Create
Let's write the code in MakeCode for two activities (feel free to try it on your own). You also can get a copy of the hex code--the program--that controls what your micro:bit can do.
Let's write the code in MakeCode for two activities (feel free to try it on your own). You also can get a copy of the hex code--the program--that controls what your micro:bit can do.
There are even MORE projects in the Resources, so you can try one of those.
There are even MORE projects in the Resources, so you can try one of those.
DO try something in the time you have.
DO try something in the time you have.
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