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Creating an eSafety Message via Apple Classroom

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After joining the classroom created by the teachers device using Apple Classroom app, students were guided to create an eSafety Online digital product.  Apple Classroom enables student devices to be navigated to specific apps, websites, iBooks and iTunes U courses. A Keynote and Book Creator template files was distributed to students to provide them the option with which to create their Digital Product. Apple Classroom enables student devices to be opened to a specific app such as this one - Morfo Apple Classroom enables students to be navigated to a website such as this one - openclipart.org  In keeping with the eSafety theme, Morfo app enables avatars to be used to communicate key messages with out any student faces being visible.  The Year 4 classes experienced their first lesson with Apple Classroom recently. After the class was created by the their teachers device with Apple Classroom app (student devices don't require it) the students en...
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Block Coding Spheres - Design Tech and Digi Tech Project

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One group collected data about their success! The students in Mrs Ferreira's, Mrs Robinson's, Mrs Thorley's and Mr. Stretton's class learned to use the block coding programming language to code a Sphero from the school kit as the first testing phase of their vehicles (prototypes). In their groups the students learned to use the Sphero EDU app to adjust the variables of speed, heading and time together with delays to guide their Sphero from their planned start point to the finish point. Many groups collaborate well to problem solve and adjust turns, distance, speed and duration to develop increasingly accurate strings of block code. Good luck with phase 2 of testing your vehicles Year 4s!
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Communicating and Researching with Pages App

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The students in Mrs Dempster's class began learning Pages app on the iPad and MacBook to create a dynamic product rich in multi-media design features. On their devices the students learned to use a Report template with 'double-tap' and 'triple-tap' to be able to utilise pre-set text place holders for headings, paragraphs and photo captions. Further, the students learned to be able to use personally sourced copyright free images to not only insert into image placeholders but format for enhanced appearance too. The students particularly enjoyed applying instant-alpha to their images and merge with text.
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Sphero Design/Digital Tech Projects Underway

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Learning to Code Sphero as part of the Design Process. The Kit. Planning and Designing in Notes app. Students Contributed to their Project Rubric. The students in Mrs Dempster's, Mrs Thorley's, Mrs Robinson's and Mrs Ferreira's class began their Sphero challenge project to develop a structure that could work with Sphero to help their teacher in some way. Firstly, all students observed a short Animoto provocation video about Sphero's. Then all in groups students contributed to developing the rubric for the project by summarising their own descriptors. Then all groups began planning and designing their vehicle in the Notes app where they were able to import design images from the internet (advanced search) and outline particular elements of the design with inking in Notes app. Next the groups will begin bringing in materials start constructing their vehicles, or first protoypes, and then test them by coding Sphero to operate with it.
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Developing Online Collaboration, Sharing and Communication Guidelines

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To start the school year, the Year 4 students learned to use their devices to create a set of 10 guidelines for online communication, sharing and collaboration by posting them to a Padlet wall. Students learned to firstly, identify their groups, contribute an appropriate guideline and give feedback to fellow groups in order to be able to choose 10 to propose as a draft for consideration by the school. The Padlet wall was created through the teacher's account and the guidelines will be provided as a QR code when they are needed. The students were excited yet sensible in creating their guidelines. Well done Year 4 classes!
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Science Investigations with Sphero

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Aiming the Sphero before programming. Sphero EDU app is on MacBooks too. Testing and observing Sphero's commands and movements in the Solar System. Measuring distances to scale between parts of the Solar System to put in the code for Sphero. The Year 4's continued their learning of coding by coding Sphero robots. In groups, students were provided with a Sphero SPRK from the 12 that are in the Sphero kit. They then used the Sphero EDU app on their devices to create a guide of the solar system with Sphero using sensor data charts generated by the app. This enabled the students to operate and familiarise themselves with the basic commands of Sphero on their devices in preparation for the Sphero Design Tech Challenge. The students collaborated well during the task, researched and shared a great deal of knowledge about the solar system, including the great debate about Pluto! Great to see so many budding young Science investigators Year 4!
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Digital Coding with Scratch Jr

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The Year 4's recently learned how to create algorithms (sets of instructions) using the Scratch Jr app on their devices. A natural progression from their experiences developing computational thinking with BeeBots, the students worked well using block code programming language to solve set challenges. The students did very well at creating loops (or repetitions) and branching with their programmes and linked their coding in the app to their learning areas such as Geography by making a guide of the continents. Well done Year 4s!
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