Manaiakalani Create Workshops 2020

 The Tamaki cluster of the Manaiakalani schools got together to explore the "create" aspect of "learn, create, share".  It was an opportunity to choose an area of digital learning to explore.  I choose two coding workshops as this is a fun way to introduce children to digital technology.

The first workshop was how to introduce children to coding using Bee-Bots.  A Bee-Bot is a programable floor robot that looks like a bee.  They have seven instructions - forward, backward, turn left, turn right, pause, memory clear and start, so they are an ideal introductory tool.  They allow children to create, explore and solve problems in a fun way and they can be integrated into all curriculum areas using different mats such as alphabets, numbers, retelling a story.  The children can also design their own mats. 

 The second workshop was using Codey Rocky.  Codey Rocky is another programable robot.  It has two separate parts - a wheel base and a digital screen.  We used a scratch programme to enter a code to make the robot talk and move.  It allows for lots of creativity and is a step up from the Bee-Bot robots.

The workshops were a great way to be thinking about the digital curriculum and to share ideas with others.  Thanks to those who gave up their time to make the presentations and present them to us.