digital MakerSpace Intro Week

15 Minute Exploration:

As I was exploring the open-source software on Maker Ed I came across the Wolfram Programming Lab.  I was drawn to this specific source because it stated how I would be able to learn how to program and code. I explored many different types of games on wolfram but since I am still in the beginner stage I decided on a simple game. The game I played was Get Pictures of Things, with this game and several others it required no account and it's free of charge. 

The game will provide you an example and a question. The first question is, Run the code to get a picture of a cow, try other common animals? It provides you with a "sample code" in this case it's a picture of a cow. Next what I did was try another animal. I clicked the "+" symbol and then clicked "free-form input." I am now able to put in a code, for my first animal I typed "a picture of a cat," and to enable the code you must press shift enter. Once you press shift enter a photo of a cat should load. The game provided other examples for you to try such as a cartoon character, a famous person, and other classes. 

This is a perfect game to introduce kids to coding and technology. For younger kids in grades PreK or Kinder, it can be used to familiarize them with animals, numbers, people, places, etc.

4d: Create CS and CT learning environments that value and encourage varied viewpoints, student agency, creativity, engagement, joy, and fun. 

    With wolfram, I was able to use both CS and CT learning environments that engage students. With the get pictures of things game, It can create joy and be fun for students. Students will be interested and want to code in a photo of their favorite animal or cartoon character.

1d: Develop resilience and perseverance when approaching CS and CT learning experiences, build comfort with ambiguity and open-ended problems, and see failure as an opportunity to learn and motivate. 

    Wolfram is able to build comfort when approaching CS and CT learning experiences. It has basic, beginner, intermediate, and advanced games to grow from. With trial and error, we are able to learn and motivate from it. 

Others also Include:  

2b: Construct and implement culturally relevant learning activities that address a diverse range of ethical, social and cultural perspectives on computing and highlight computing achievements from diverse role models and teams.

4c: Guide students on the importance of diverse perspectives and human-centered design in developing computational artifacts with broad accessibility and usability.