During July 12-14, I was lucky enough to participate in Project Trix with CodeJoy and sponsored by the Infosys Foundation. Over the course of the three days we were able to try the lessons that we will use with our students. The lessons are introduced through the character Trix and slowly introduce the use of the Micro:Bit as a coding tool in all of its different abilities. The lessons are tailored to younger designers but are based off of the PD that Micro:Bit offers for older students. Having both the Micro:Bit lessons and Project Trix, I find that I will have the perfect blend for the different learning needs in my classroom. |
Project Trix
During the three days of the CodeJoy virtual PD, we started with Lesson 2: Emotion Badge where Kelsey took us through the steps of coding our Micro:Bit as well as explaining the code that we were using. We then used our coded emotion badge to react to different pictures and talk about how to extend this activity into other areas of the curriculum.
Each new lesson for Project Trix was introduced through a step by step tutorial with Kelsey modeling and explaining the code sequences. During this time, she modeled how to use the key vocabulary terms as well as how to adapt these lessons for more extensions. I learned about boolean data, conditional statements, variables, lux - light measurement, number data, and string data. Through the modeling, try, and apply approach, I feel very confident in using these lessons with my students. My favorite lesson was a tie between the virtual pet and the communicator obstacle course partner navigation challenge. |
Lesson 6: Virtual Pet
Lesson 7: Communicator
In Lesson 7, we learned how you can use the Micro:Bit to communicate using bluetooth and code. My favorite part of this lesson was the extension that Kelsey and Matt shared about using a cardboard box to navigate your partner through an obstacle course.
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Micro:Bit PD Courses
Project Trix is a great companion to the other PD that I was doing which is through the Micro:Bit Professional Development section of the Micro:Bit website.
In the six courses that are offered, the concepts are introduced in an overview video of the course, an introduction to the concept video teacher video and student video, an application of the concept with a cool project video, and a student coding tutorial video to create the project. |