Why combine coding and movement?
Why work with coding?
Within the next 10 years 9 out of 10 jobs will require employees to possess a wide range of digital skills and ask that they are able to shape the technologies of tomorrow. Thus, it is extremely important that we teach pupils to code and become digitally literate. Coding calls for creativity and co-creation as well as problem-solving skills, which equips pupils will the skills needed to produce and shape technology rather than just consuming it.
Why combine coding with movement?
We decided to combine coding with the physical world to make it more meaningful than something that only takes place on a screen or in a robot. Building on our interactive Hopspots-tiles that have proven to create more versatile and engaging school teaching, we want to make coding more motivating and fun via our new code:kit.
The entire purpose of Hopspots is to combine movement with learning whether it is subject specific learning, getting familiar with technologies, collaboration, 21st century skills or something entirely different. Through the use of physical activity, gamification and play we make teaching more fun, motivating and engaging – and it is our mission to do that all over the world.
Coding that goes beyond the screen
The result of coding on the computer is pulled out into the physical world when you transfer it to micro:bit and plug it into the code:kit. In that way pupils can play their own interactive games on the Hopspots-tiles – and now they can actually try the code on their own bodies or challenge their friends. Hopspots‘ code:kit connects the physical tiles with micro:bit and Scratch, which excel at making coding understandable and easy for the pupils to work with.
Micro:bit in the classroom teaching
Now that the popular block programming format can be combined with Hopspots code:kit, it’s applications is widened extensively. The pupils can now code their own games on the screen and play them together with their peers on the physical Hopspots-tiles that react to touch and light up in a range of colors. Thus, the pupils can create activities where the product turns into a finished result and an activity in itself.
What do the pupils learn from it?
Designing games in this way challenges the pupils‘ „21st century skills“ and through the use of play and fun they are equipped with the skills required of them in a highly technological future.
The design process challenges among other thing the pupils‘ critical thinking, creativity and problem solving skills whereas the coding in itself improves computational thinking, digital competencies and technological skills.
When the game works as intended, the pupils test it together with their peers and here evaluation and reflexion are also part of the process and perhaps further development.
Through the use of play and movement the pupils are motivated to learn no matter if it is learning technological skills from working with the code:kit or it is subject specific learning they acquire from using the games in the Hopspots App or when they code educational games for the subjects using code:kit and micro:bit.