CyberPi: Sound Recorder II

Description

In this lesson, students will continue with the Sound Recorder project, acquire peer feedback and reflect on their initial solution. Then, students will plan and create a feature-rich, sound recorder project.

Objectives

• Provide constructive feedback on a computing solution.

• Modify an existing program to improve user experience.

• Follow an iterative process to develop a solution to a computing problem.

Preparation

For the teacher and students:

• Computer with mBlock 5 installed from here: https://www.mblock.cc/en/download/ or mBlock Web version

• CyberPi with USB-C cable

• Pocket shield (optional)

Example program(s):

• CyberPi – Lesson 2 – Sound Machine

• CyberPi – Lesson 3 – Sound Recorder 1

• CyberPi – Lesson 3 – Sound Recorder 2

Warm Up and Hands-On

Collect Peer Feedback

1. With the entire class, conduct a formal peer review and feedback activity. Explain how software developers rely on user feedback, reviews and data to plan for additional iterations of a computing solution. If students have not completed their Sound Recorder 2.0, they should complete that first.

2. Have students place their plan for Sound Recorder 3.0 on their desk, open the program in mBlock and place the CyberPi with the uploaded recorder on their desk.

3.  As time permits, have students rotate around the room and provide feedback on their classmates projects. Some guiding questions for feedback may include:

• What feature do you like best about their project?

• Were instructions clear on how to use their recorder? Did you have to guess or make any assumptions on how to use it?

• Is there anything they could add to their project to make it more user-friendly?

• Is there a feature you think would enhance their recorder project?

Tour of mBlock 5

1. Open the mBlock software or mBlock 5 Web version.

2. Introduce students to the following key areas of the software interface:

Connect the CyberPi

3. Plug the CyberPi into the computer using the included cable. The CyberPi should boot up and the screen will display either the last program uploaded or the Home menu.

4. On the "Devices" tab in mBlock, click the "Add" button. Select CyberPi and click "Ok".

5. Click the "Connect" button. Then, select the USB port and click "Connect".

6. If connected successfully, the button will change to "Disconnect".

Try It

Plan and Create Sound Recorder 3.0

1. Have students review the feedback they received and to brainstorm a list of ideas for Sound Recorder 3.0. Some ideas for improvements:

• Include a title that appears when the CyberPi starts.

• Change the colours of the on-screen text.

• Set a specific duration for the recording instead of using a stop button.

• Use the joystick to control the volume and/or playback speed.

• Display the current volume level on the screen or use the LED strip to indicate the volume.

• Have the LED strip animate while recording.

• Use the joystick to control the duration of the recording by storing the recording duration in a variable.

2. Following the steps from the previous lesson, have students identify improvements, write pseudocode and create their Sound Recorder 3.0 project.

Extension

• Have students collect feedback from a variety of clients(i.e., parents, teachers, friends, etc.).

• Get students to think on the importance of creating multiple designs and receiving feedback.

• Also have them reflect on the improvements from their first version of Sound Recorder to their final version.

Wrap-Up & Quick Check

Project Documentation

1. Now that students have created a feature-rich sound recorder, have them write a description for their recorder that explains the features they have included in their design.

Example Programs

CSTA

• 2-IC-22: Collaborate with many contributors through strategies such as crowdsourcing or surveys when creating a computational artifact.

• 2-CS-1: Recommend improvements to the design of computing devices, based on an analysis of how users interact with the devices.

K12 CS Framework

• Practice 2-3: Solicit and incorporate feedback from, and provide constructive feedback to, team members and other stakeholders.

• Practice 3-1: Identify complex, interdisciplinary, real-world problems that can be solved computationally.

• Practice 5-1: Plan the development of a computational artifact using an iterative process that includes reflection on and modification of the plan, taking into account key features, time and resource constraints, and user expectations.

• Practice 6-1: Systematically test computational artifacts by considering all scenarios and using test cases.

• Practice 6-2: Identify and fix errors using a systematic process.

• Practice 6-3: Evaluate and refine a computational artifact multiple times to enhance its performance, reliability, usability, and accessibility.

Grade 6-8

CTF

- Planning, creating, appraising and communicating in response to challenges. 

- Working independently and with others while exploring careers and technology.

Grade 6-7

ADST

• Generate potential ideas and add to others’ ideas 

• Identify and evaluate the skills and skill levels needed, individually or as a group, in relation to a specific task, and develop them as needed 

• Select, and as needed learn about, appropriate tools and technologies to extend their capability to complete a task 

Grade 8

ADST

• Generate potential ideas and add to others’ ideas 

• Make a plan for production that includes key stages, and carry it out, making changes as needed

• Identify and evaluate the skills and skill levels needed, individually or as a group, in relation to a specific task, and develop them as needed

• Select, and as needed learn about, appropriate tools and technologies to extend their capability to complete a task

Grade 6

Science (Overall Skills and Attitudes)

• 6-0-4a: Carry out procedures that comprise a fair test. Include: controlling variables; repeating measurements to increase accuracy and reliability.

• 6-0-4c: Work cooperatively with group members to carry out a plan, and troubleshoot problems as they arise.

Grade 7

Science (Overall Skills and Attitudes)

• 7-0-4a: Carry out procedures that comprise a fair test. Include: controlling variables, repeating experiments to increase accuracy and reliability

• 7-0-4c: Work cooperatively with team members to carry out a plan, and troubleshoot problems as they arise.

Grade 8

Science (Overall Skills and Attitudes)

• 8-0-4a: Carry out procedures that comprise a fair test. Include: controlling variables, repeating experiments to increase accuracy and reliability

• 8-0-4c: Work cooperatively with team members to carry out a plan, and troubleshoot problems as they arise.

Grade 6-8

Science (Attitude Outcome)

• 425: show a continuing curiosity and interest in a broad scope of science-related fields and issues

• 430: persist in seeking answers to difficult questions and solutions to difficult problems

• 431: work collaboratively in carrying out investigations, as well as in generating and evaluating ideas

Grade 6-8

Science

• GCO: Skills - Students will develop the skills required for scientific and technological inquiry, for solving problems, for communicating scientific ideas and results, for working collaboratively, and for making informed decisions.

Grade 6

Mathematics

N09 Students will be expected to explain and apply the order of operations, excluding exponents, with and without technology (limited to whole numbers). 

Performance Indicators: 

N09.01 Demonstrate and explain, with examples, why there is a need to have a standardized order of operations. 

N09.02 Apply the order of operations to solve multi-step problems with or without technology (e.g., computer, calculator). 

PR03 Students will be expected to represent generalizations arising from number relationships using equations with letter variables. 

Performance Indicators: 

SCO PR03 Students will be expected to represent generalizations arising from number relationships using equations with letter variables. [C, CN, PS, R, V] 

PR03.01 Write and explain the formula for finding the perimeter of any regular polygon. 

PR03.02 Write and explain the formula for finding the area of any given rectangle. 

PR03.03 Develop and justify equations using letter variables that illustrate the commutative property of addition and multiplication (e.g., a + b = b + a or a × b = b × a). 

PR03.04 Describe the relationship in a given table using a mathematical expression. 

PR03.05 Represent a pattern rule using a simple mathematical expression, such as 4d or 2n + 1. 

ICT

• P2: Students will be expected to use digital tools to develop ideas and original works in innovative ways.

• TOC1: Students will be expected to

* safely use many forms of current technology for learning with growing competence

* demonstrate conceptual understanding of how information and communication technology, digital tools, and authorized networks support their learning

* use terminology related to information and communication technology

Grade 7

Mathematics

PR05 Students will be expected to evaluate an expression given the value of the variable(s). 

Performance Indicator: 

PR05.01 Substitute a value for an unknown in a given expression and evaluate the expression. 

Technology

• GCO1: Students will be expected to design, develop, evaluate, and articulate technological solutions

• GCO2: Students will be expected to operate and manage technological systems

Grade 8

Technology

• GCO1: Students will be expected to design, develop, evaluate, and articulate technological solutions

• GCO2: Students will be expected to operate and manage technological systems

Grade 6

Mathematics

Algebra

• C3.1 solve problems and create computational representations of mathematical situations by writing and executing code, including code that involves conditional statements and other control structures

Grade 7

Mathematics

Algebra

• C3.1 solve problems and create computational representations of mathematical situations by writing and executing code, including code that involves events influenced by a defined count and/or sub-program and other control structures

Grade 8

Mathematics

Algebra

• C3.1 solve problems and create computational representations of mathematical situations by writing and executing code, including code that involves the analysis of data in order to inform and communicate decisions

Grade 6-8

Science

• GCO: Skills - Students will develop the skills required for scientific and technological inquiry, for solving problems, for communicating scientific ideas and results, for working collaboratively, and for making informed decisions.

Grade 6-8

Science (Strategies)

• Exploring various ways of solving the problem

• Exchanging information

• Comparing different possible explanations for or solutions to a problem in order to assess them (e.g. full-group discussion)

Grade 6-8

Science (Goals)

• Develop Scientific and Technological Skills – Students will develop the skills required for scientific and technological inquiry, problem solving, and communicating; for working collaboratively; and for making informed decisions.