Unplugged Approaches for Teaching Coding

About

As you know, Computer Science (CS) is not just about Coding! Computational Thinking and Algorithmic Thinking are at the core of CS and many of its principles can be taught without the aid of a computer. The activities in this session could be useful for introducing or reinforcing computational concepts away from a computer. They could also be used on “rainy days”, when students’ computers are not working or when computer labs are not available.

In this session you will learn about some high-quality resources that could help you teach Coding concepts with an unplugged approach.

You will also complete some activities that will involve learning about two key computational concepts, which you will also apply in the rest of the sessions over the next two days. The first of these concepts are Sequences, which higlight the important of being precise and correctly ordering instructions for computers to follow. The second of these concepts are Loops, which refers to the way that computers can follow the same instructions over and over (or even forever!).

Key Terms

algorithm, command, computer science, computational thinking, computational concept, computational perspective, coding, sequences, loops

Materials

Presentations

Activities

Session Outcomes

Computational Thinking Framework

Computational Concepts

Computational Concept How the Concept is Addressed in the Session
Sequences In this session, you will use Sequences of instructions when completing the unplugged activities. For example, in the My Robotic Friends activity you will learn about the importance of creating precise and step-by-step Sequences that computers follow to complete a task or solve a problem.
Loops In this session, you will learn about using Loops to make a computer follow the same instructions multiple times. For example, in the My Loopy Robotic Friends activity you will learn about how to represent a Loop with particular symbols given to your partner (who will be acting as a robot).

Computational Practices

Computational Practice How this Practice is Addressed in the Session
Being incremental and iterative In this session, you will have the opportunity to practice being incremental and iterative when creating algorithms in the unplugged activities. For example, you may create the solutions to the My Robotic Friends activities one part at a time (in an incremental and iterative way).
New Science and Technology (K-6) Syllabus Outcomes

Stage 1

Stage 1 Outcome How the Outcome is Addressed
ST1-3DP-T: describes, follows and represents algorithms to solve problems In this session’s activities, you will describe, follow and represent a variety of algorithms with paper and pen, in order to solve problems. For example, when you are completing the My Robotic Friends activity you will be creating precise and step-by-step instructions (algorithms) for your partner to follow.
ST1-11DI-T: identifies the components of digital systems and explores how data is represented In this session’s activities, you will learn about unplugged activities that can be used to help you teach students how data can be represented on computers. For example, in the Image Representation activity you will learn about a simplified version of how black and white images can be represented with lists of numbers.

Stage 2

Stage 2 Outcome How the Outcome is Addressed
ST2-3DP-T: defines problems, describes and follows algorithms to develop solutions In this session’s activities, you will define problems, as well as describe and follow a variety of algorithms with paper and pen, in order to solve problems. For example, when you are completing the My Robotic Friends activity you will be creating precise and step-by-step instructions (algorithms) for your partner to follow.
ST2-11DI-T: describes how digital systems represent and transmit data In this session’s activities, you will learn about unplugged activities that can be used to help you teach students how data can be represented on computers. For example, in the Image Representation activity you will learn about a simplified version of how black and white images can be represented with lists of numbers.

Stage 3

Stage 3 Outcome How the Outcome is Addressed
ST3-3DP-T: defines problems, and designs, modifies and follows algorithms to develop solutions In this session’s activities, you will define problems, as well as design, modify and follows a variety of algorithms with paper and pen, in order to solve problems. For example, when you are completing the My Robotic Friends activity you will be creating precise and step-by-step instructions (algorithms) for your partner to follow.
ST3-11DI-T: explains how digital systems represent data, connect together to form networks and transmit data In this session’s activities, you will learn about unplugged activities that can be used to help you teach students how data can be represented on computers. For example, in the Image Representation activity you will learn about a simplified version of how black and white images can be represented with lists of numbers.
AITSL Professional Teacher Standards
Standard How this Standard is Addressed
2.1.2: Apply knowledge of the content and teaching strategies of the teaching area to develop engaging teaching activities. In this session, you will learn about unplugged approaches for teaching Coding. You will be shown a variety of resources that focus on unplugged approaches, which you could adapt for your own classrooms.
3.4.2: Select and/or create and use a range of resources, including ICT, to engage students in their learning. In this session, you will learn about a range of resources for teaching Computational Thinking to your students with an unplugged approach. These activities could be useful for reinforcing computational concepts (like Sequences and Loops) away from a computer. They could also be used for days when you do not have access to a computer lab.
6.2.2: Participate in learning to update knowledge and practice, targeted to professional needs and school and/or system priorities. In this session you will be given some examples of how Coding and Computational Thinking can be incorporated into different areas of the curriculum and STEM.
ACARA General Capabilities

Numeracy

Numeracy Element How this Element is Addressed
Estimating and calculating with whole numbers In this session, you will estimate and calculate with whole numbers when completing the unplugged activities. For example, in the My Robotic Friends activity you will have to use the correct number of symbols to “program” your partner (acting as the robot) to construct towers of cups.