PGCE Primary Session

1. Physical Computing
Image: Amber Case Flickr CC

2. Physical computing?
Definition:
Physical computing, in the broadest sense, means building
interactive physical systems by the use of software and hardware
that can sense and respond to the analog world. While this
definition is broad enough to encompass things such as smart
automotive traffic control systems or factory automation
processes, it is not commonly used to describe them. In the broad
sense, physical computing is a creative framework for
understanding human beings' relationship to the digital world.
Wikipedia, 4 November, 2014

3. MaKey MaKey
makeymakey.com

4. Activity #1
In groups of three, make a console of inputs to
connect MaKey MaKey to the outputs available at the
following sites:
http://www.najle.com/idaft/idaft/
https://www.freetetris.org/game.php
http://makeymakey.com/howto.php

5. Variables
“work with variables” - Subject content KS2
Variables are containers for data. They enable us to
store, retrieve or change data. A variable could be
used in a game to keep track of a user’s score or to
remember a player’s name.

6. Activity #2 Piggy Bank
Using variables and a ten pence coin as an input,
program the Piggy Bank to keep an accurate account
of your savings

7. LEGO WeDo
This is a kit with a range of
sensors that can be linked
to Scratch or used with it’s
own visual programming
language:
• Inputs - distance
sensors, and tilt
switches
• Outputs – motors or
onscreen objects

8. Installing Lego WeDo Blocks
1. Open Firefox browser
2. Go to scratch.mit.edu
3. Go to Create
4. Choose ‘More Blocks’ in the Scripts tab
5. Click ‘Add an Extension’ button
6. Click ‘Lego WeDo’ and then OK
7. In the panel on right, click ‘Windows’ to download the plugin
8. Locate and run the plugin installer that you downloaded, the status
indicator should turn from red to yellow.
9. Plug in the grey WeDo USB hub to a USB port on the front of PC
10. The status should turn green and you’re ready to start programming

9. Activity #3 Sensors & Switches
Connect the Lego WeDo sensors and switches to Scratch
and write a simple programme to control them. Work your
way through some of the examples and activities. See the
following document for guidance:
http://goo.gl/WsjSfh

10. Follow up from today:
Resnick, M. (2013) Mother’s Day, Warrior Cats,
and Digital Fluency: Stories from the Scratch
Community,Keynote paper available at
http://web.media.mit.edu/~mres/papers/mothers-day-
warrior-cats.pdf
Before the next EV682 session:
Read: Clarke, S. (2005) ‘Defining formative
assessment’, Ch 1 in Formative Assessment in
Action; Weaving the elements together. London:
Routledge