ePortfolio Workshop
July 12, 2023
UN Sustainable Development Goals Project.
What I Know and Want to Learn
Discovering Inputs and Outputs
Our first task was to familiarize ourselves with the inputs and outputs of the microbits. I like the process of discovering things on my own, so this was enjoyable for me. I snapped some pictures as I discovered things. I created my list of inputs and outputs on paper because I was working on a school-issued Chromebook and it was exceptionally sloooooow. More than anything, my key takeaway from this part of the workshop was that we ask our learners to work on hardware that doesn't keep pace with the tasks they need to do. Hell, the thing was fully charged when I walked into the workshop and within 90 minutes I needed to plug it in. No wonder our learners are perpetually frustrated in classes where they have to do more than just take notes.
Hardware of a Microbit
INPUTS
- A/B Buttons
- Power Button on Back
- Microphone
- Accelerometer
- Compass
OUTPUTS
- LED Screen (25 pixels)
- Sound
Remixing a Microbit
Our task was to remix a microbit that Sten had programmed to function as a pedometer. We needed to use block code to make the microbit flash the step count for 2 seconds when the A button is pushed. I have some familiarity with block code, so I had an idea of what to do. I was able to make the step count display when the A button was pushed, but I didn't get as far as clearing the screen before Sten brought us back together. I struggled, but not nearly as much as I thought I would. If I had more time, I think I would have been able to figure this out because I understand about the frames that hold smaller pieces of code.
Adding Additional Code
Next Sten asked us to add an additional piece of code to personalize the pedometer. I had some ideas of what I wanted to do in terms of functions. I definitely struggled with several pieces of this. I struggled with how to execute my ideas, but once Sten walked me through the process I realized it was quite easy to do. I would not have asked for help sooner than I did though. I had to get thoroughly frustrated with the process to appreciate how easy the answer was. I do, however, wish there was a bit more of an explicit tie-in to the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals. But that is a very small want, because everything about this workshop has been really great thus far!
To the right is my video reflection featuring the final product.
Final Reflection
This was such a great workshop. I enjoyed having to work through a design challenge as if I were a student, because it gives me the opportunity to live their experience. I also really enjoyed getting to learn a new tech skill! Now I want micro:bits and am trying to figure out if there's any way to use them in French class. And as always, my execution of ePortfolio work is imperfect, so this gave me ac chance to think through my own practice. I need to slow down, give learners time to reflect, and provide clear instructions. I also benefited from the time to think about how I can use this ePortfolio to document my own learning. Sten provided ample time for individual work, and thinking how to use ePortfolio work in our own classrooms. Since I already do this, I spent the time provided thinking through how this can and will document my professional learning.
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I thoroughly enjoyed making connections with colleagues in other districts, and in this case, connecting with Nadja's future teachers. I especially enjoyed connecting with a former teacher and mentor in a professional capacity. Hers is an opinion I highly respect, and so it was a great joy for me to work with her today. I appreciated her questions, some of which were hard questions, and as always, she really challenged me to think more deeply about certain ideas and practices. This type of professional development - interdisciplinary and interdistrict - is a model that I find to be highly valuable because it brings varying perspectives and practices together in one place. I always leave these types of workshops excited and inspired.