Hey everyone,
For this module, we went through some of the principles commonly found in instructional design. We also analyzed the benefits of active learning, and employed some of our newly learned principles to create both an H5P learning object, as well as a mock lesson plan.
H5P Interactive Learning Activities
As with most tools I’ve encountered this term, I’ve never used H5P before. I found it to be a really well-made tool, and it was really easy and intuitive to create learning content with it. For my interactive learning object, I decided to make flashcards on something that I’m actually learning myself – Japanese. I’ve always heard that flashcards in particular are great for learning new languages, and after using H5P to create some, I can definitely see the value of this type of active learning.
Aside from flashcards, I think the other types of activities that I would use most in a “learning Japanese” context would be the “Dialog Cards”, “Fill in the Blanks”, and the “Guess the Answer”. Dialog cards, like flash cards, would also be a good way to memorize certain words and phrase. I would use fill the in blanks to learn grammar. “Guess the Answer” could be really interesting to use for learning Japanese, as it could be a good way of getting learners to actually write/type Japanese. I would use it by showing the user an image, and then have them write the correct translation of that image either in kana or kanji.
Creating a Lesson Plan
I wrote my lesson plan around introductory programming. I thought it would be good to focus on one topic in programming in particular (so that learners would not be overwhelmed), and so I chose to write my lesson plan on variables.
Overview
The topic for this week is variables. Variables are an extremely fundamental concept in programming; every solution you will ever implement while programming will involve variables in some way.
Lesson Objectives
By the end of this lesson, learners can be expected to know what a variable is, the various data types of variables, and how to use variables to solve trivial programming problems.
Read/Watch
Coding Basics – Variables – An introductory video that explains what variables are
Computer Programming – Variables – A tutorial showing how to write variables in various languages
Content
In the “content” portion of this lesson, learners will be introduced to variables, why variables are used in programming, data types (e.g., integers, characters, floats) that are necessary for declaring variables, and they will be introduced to various short programming examples that use variables in some form.
Application
In the “application” portion of this lesson, learners will be expected to write a short program that uses variables in some form. Some options will be given to the student (although, if the student desires, they can implement their own unique exercises):
- Create a temperature conversion program
- Create a program that takes two integers, and does basic arithmetic operations on them (e.g., multiplies them together, adds them together)
- Leap year calculator
Reflection
For the “reflection” portion of this lesson, learners will be expected to write a short discussion post that reflects on their experiences using variables. Some topics they will answer are:
- What benefits are there to using variables? Do you think there are any drawbacks?
- Did you find anything difficult about writing a program using variables? If so, what difficulties did you encounter?
To Do
- Watch the video entitled, “Coding Basics – Variables”
- Read the tutorial labelled, “Computer Programming – Variables”
- Write a short program that utilizes variables
- Write a discussion post that reflects on your knowledge of variables
References
Transcode. (2020, August 19). Coding Basics: Variables | Programming for Beginners | [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghCbURMWBD8
Tutorials Point. (n.d.). Computer Programming – Variables. https://www.tutorialspoint.com/computer_programming/computer_programming_variables.htm
Hey Chris! Great blog this week. I really like the flashcards you made using HP5, I did not know this was a feature of HP5 but I could definitely see myself using it in the future! Flashcards are always helpful, but being able to actually write the word is a great learning idea- so I can see how HP5 would be very useful! Nice work on your lesson plan as well- it looks engaging and accessible. Great work!
Hey Chris! My name is Zhongbao Ji You have done a great blog this week. I really like the explanation of variables in your lesson plans. Since I’m not a computer science major, I don’t have a very clear idea of what variables mean in programming. The task you provided which is Watch the video entitled, “Coding Basics – Variables” worked very well for me. By the way, I’m actually learning Japanese too, the flashcards you made by using HP5 work well to me.
Chris, it’s evident that you’ve delved into the core concepts of instructional design and actively applied them in creating an H5P learning object and a well-structured lesson plan on variables in programming. Your choice of using H5P to create Japanese flashcards is not only practical but also showcases the versatility of the tool. Incorporating various activities like “Dialog Cards,” “Fill in the Blanks,” and “Guess the Answer” for language learning reflects a thoughtful approach to active learning. The idea of having learners write/type Japanese based on images in “Guess the Answer” is particularly innovative.
The lesson plan on introductory programming with a focus on variables is well-crafted. The objectives, content breakdown, and application exercises align with instructional design principles. Your consideration of real-world applications like temperature conversion and arithmetic operations adds a practical dimension to the learning experience.
The reflection component in your lesson plan is a commendable inclusion. Encouraging learners to reflect on the benefits and potential drawbacks of using variables, as well as identifying difficulties in programming, promotes metacognition and deeper understanding.
Your “To Do” list at the end provides clear guidance for learners, ensuring they engage with the designated materials and actively participate in the learning process.
Overall, your engagement and application of learning principles are impressive. Keep up the excellent work, and your commitment to active and practical learning will undoubtedly enhance the educational experience for your learners. Looking forward to hearing more about the outcomes of this module!