Programming with Finch Robots and SNAP!

Programming Finch Robots using the SNAP! programming language:

We have 20 Finch robots on loan from the manufacturer, BirdBrain Technologies, until mid-December to use as we plan programming activities for all students in grades 5-8.  The programming language can be used to create animations, video game design, music/sounds, or as a robot controller.

For more information about these robots and the programming language, click on this link.  As coding activities are planned, implemented, and celebrated, they will be posted at this link, our collaborative code community website.

Much more will be posted here in the coming days and weeks.

Below is my first attempt....
(Student results will be coming soon)

and here is the corresponding programming 'code':

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Chrome-> Preferences -> Extensions -> Select the trash can next to the extension you want to remove -> Select remove from the dialogue box that pops up.

20 Great Classroom Apps - Part 2

20 Great Classroom Applications - Part 2

(This is the first in my follow-up series of amazing classroom tools... check back soon for more)

1.  I included EduCanon my the first list.  It's a great tool to flip your classroom by embedding formative assessments within YouTube videos.

This application is very close to it.  It's called EDPuzzle and it's amazing.
It has been very easy for teachers to set up and for students to log in and use.  Read all about it on Tom Mullaney's blog at this link.

Below is a sample that I put together.
Assessment results can be recorded for each student in each of your classes.  
I just included the link here for you to preview so your score will not be recorded.





Additional audio or video comments could have been made on the video, but the host here already does a nice job.

Another alternative:  Bubblr.tv
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2.  Student Presentation Tools

There is a wide spectrum of student presentation tools.  Unfortunately, many are geared only towards lower order thinking skills.  There are other alternatives that help guide students to Higher Order Thinking Skills.  These can include:

Lower Powerpoint Google Slides Keynote Prezi Slides

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Higher Powtoons Moovly Wideo Movenote eMaze GoAnimate Buncee Animoto WeVideo iMovie Garageband

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3. Attention Grabbers

Teachers often are looking for attention-grabbers.  These video collections provide great starting points for classroom units.

Explainia TEDed FastDraw

-This is a library of great, engaging animated videos, all explaining a wide variety of topics. -Featuring amazing experts in many different fields, these are geared towards education, generally towards older students. - These two guys have had many great teaching videos on CBS news shows, asking many though-provoking questions.  These provide great starting points for classroom discussion.  This link  will take you to some of their first productions.