In March, I applied for an Innovation Teaching Grant through the Pearland ISD Education Foundation.  The project is described below.

Project Summary

This project will provide the TI-Innovator™ Hubs and TI-Innovator™ Rovers for students to learn to code using the TI-Nspire™ CX calculators that are used in the math classrooms. Participation in this project will afford students interested in the application of computer programming an enrichment opportunity outside the normal math and computer science curriculum.

Purpose

The purpose of the project is to teach students how to code using a device (TI-Nspire™ CX calculator) that is familiar to them and used daily in their math class. This project will introduce students to the basics of coding to help build critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. Programming with TI-Innovator™ technology introduces physical computing and helps spark interest in engineering, robotics and more.

TI recommends 1 hub per 2 students and 1 rover per group of 4-6 students.

TEKS supported by this project include:
Mathematics TEKS
Mathematical process standards. The student uses mathematical processes to acquire and demonstrate mathematical understanding. The student is expected to:
(A) apply mathematics to problems arising in everyday life, society, and the workplace;
(B) use a problem-solving model that incorporates analyzing given information, formulating a plan or strategy, determining a solution, justifying the solution, and evaluating the problem-solving process and the reasonableness of the solution;
(C) select tools, including real objects, manipulatives, paper and pencil, and technology as appropriate, and techniques, including mental math, estimation, and number sense as appropriate, to solve problems;

Robotics and Programming Design TEKS
Critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making. The student uses appropriate strategies to analyze problems and design algorithms. The student is expected to:
(A) develop algorithms to control a robot, including applying instructions, collecting sensor data, and performing simple tasks;
(B) create maneuvering algorithms to physically move the location of a robot;
(C) create algorithms that provide interaction with a robot;
(D) demonstrate an understanding of and use output commands, variables, and sequence programming structure;
(E) demonstrate an understanding of and use jumps, loops, and selection programming structures;
(F) demonstrate an understanding of and use subroutines, accessors, and modifiers; and
(G) apply decision-making strategies when developing solutions.

Objectives

By the end of the first semester, students will have completed all five units of the 10 minutes of code for TI Codes: TI-Nspire™ Technology using the TI-Nspire™ CX.

By the end of the second semester, students will have completed all five units of the 10 minutes of code for 10 Minutes of Code: TI-Nspire™ CX Technology & TI-Innovator™Technology using the hardware supplied by this grant.

Project Description

During the first semester, students will work through the skill builders and applications for the 10 minutes of code using TI-Nspire™ technology. The units will introduce students to the basics of coding on the TI-Nspire™ CX.

During the second semester, students will work through the skill builders and applications for the 10 minutes of code using TI-Innovator™ technology. The first three units will utilize the TI-Innovator Hub™. The last two units will utilize both the TI-Innovator™ Hub and the TI-Innovator™ Rover, since the TI-Innovator™ Hub is used to send commands to the TI-Innovator™ Rover.

Students will meet weekly during lunch or after school to work through each skill builder and application. The skill builders and applications are designed to be completed in 10 minutes.

Findings show that after completing one Hour of Code activity students report liking computer science more, feel that they are better able to learn computer science, and are better at computer science than their peers. (Source: https://code.org/research) Introducing the students to coding on the calculator will encourage students to enroll in computer science courses.

Project Evaluation

Students will work through each unit from TI Codes. A spreadsheet of each skill builder and application completed by each student will be kept by the teacher.

Students will save their programs on the calculator in a personal folder.

Videos of TI-Innovator™ Hub and TI-Innovator™ Rover programs will be shared on social media.

Budget

15 – TI-Innovator™ Hub – $869.25
5 – TI-Innovator™ Rover – $659.75

Awarded May 23, 2018