GT Projects

DESIGN THINKING

THE PROGRAM BY DESIGN RECIPE

  1. Starts with the PURPOSE – What do you want to create? What is the title of your project? What is the name of your program? Always name your file first. If you can’t name it, maybe you need to break it down into smaller parts.
    – To start a project file in Code Studio click the rocket or pencil icon in purple box. Or open up projects directly.codestudiocourse2 projects
  2. Then use the Input – Process – Output – Feedback model with something that can easily be done without a model.  The goal is to practice the process that becomes ingrained and applied to harder projects. Show the end result and go back and build the parts. Input_Process_Output_Feedback
  3. Then use the Iterative Development model over the year(s) to improve the design as skills are built.  The Digital Flower Project is an example that can be remixed. Walk the students through the process and let them analyze the design.  I was helping an advanced student who had finished his puzzles in code.org create a project.  Before I knew it all the students in the club were watching the process.  Learned important to start with the hard and create something. One student realized needed to go back and build skills first. iterative_development_model-svg
  4. DO IT TOGETHER: We learn best by observing and implementing in baby-steps. Let students experiment as they will ask each other, how did you do that? The process of explaining how is essential to cementing the process in the brain.

EXAMPLE

Start with a blank sheet of paper, then create a fold-a-book to break down the parts. Plan the process by hand on paper.

  • End Goal: Create a digital flower – Note Graphics are an easy first step to learn the process.
  • First goal: draw a horizontal line: “Walk the Line”
    • On to drawing a rectangle: “Walk the Square”
  • Second goal: draw a circle.
  • Third goal: draw multiple circles.
  • Forth goal: draw a stem for the flower
  • Fifth goal: bring the parts together
  • Six goal: Enhance with details, share and gather feedback for improvement.

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT DIGITAL FLOWER POWERPOINT