The Crazy Graphic Novel idea

A colleague recently came and spoke to me with what she called “my crazy idea”. In its essence the idea was something I instantly thought “awesome let’s give this a go” and encompassed some interdepartmental collaboration, cross-curricular work and the promotion of my favourite thing, creativity.

The general idea is for students to write the text for a graphic novel in English, create artworks based on the novel in Art and use IT as a tool to create an online Graphic Novel. As a result I have started looking up online resources and tools for helping to make this idea a reality. Not there yet, but working on it.

Celebrating the importance of making mistakes

This would make a brilliant intro or outro for a talk/lesson on the importance of making mistakes or celebrating failure when understanding resilience.

The kill decision should not belong to a robot

Ethics, politics, technology, economics, autonomous drones, robotic weapons, and the list goes on for topics that are covered in this TED talk.  For me, I will be using this when exploring the ethics of the development of new technologies, particularly in the field of computing and autonomous robotics.  One quote I might even make incorporate into a whole lesson, or exam:

“no robot should have an expectation of privacy in a public place”

MIT App Inventor

Here is a little something I found a few weeks ago that I am potentially going to explore for implementation into my KS3 Scope and Sequence. Some aspects of this are like Scratch on steroids making Android Apps. Still a long way to go in my head but am seeing possible Year 8 or 9 Sequences of Work and project outcomes.

Feel free to share any ideas on this topic.

Flash CS3 Resources

I have been found myself in the position that I have wanted to source some reasonable, mostly reliable and accurate tutorial websites for my students to use. The difficulty that I have had is that we are using Adobe CS3 products, and with Adobe now pushing out CS6, it has been particularly hard for the students to find tutorials that they can complete with the older software. Here are three of some that I found, though not necessarily the best, they are usable and accessible for the students.

Designing Assessments for Key Stage 3 ICT – Flash and Actionscript

Well, I have started on the redesign and development of the Scope and Sequence of work for Key Stage 3, UK Years 7, 8 and 9 (Aus Years 7 and 8 equiv). Some of the things I wish to enhance are the transparency of the marking and feedback for the students, the students’ ability to identify and develop to the needs of a brief (rather than be prescriptive and teacher driven) and to include skills that will enable the students to be better equipped for the future Computer Science flavour that is coming to the UK/British curriculum. Some of these areas, particularly assessment, I am interested in and have spent much time previously developing tools and concepts to assist. I am also working to trial some of the preliminary development of units of work in the current term, before the new year in September, with the help of my colleagues within the Computing Department.

Below is the first assessment task I have developed as part of a Sequence of Work (Unit in Aus terms) for Year 9. Here the students have been taught about and have developed skills in the use of Adobe Flash CS3. They have also had a brief introduction to the control that using computer code can give. I have designed this task to include a basic brief-based approach, clearly specified objectives and a marking system that will be easily understood by the students. The task, by both its instruction and adaptability, allows for students of a large range of abilities (differentiation) and includes both individual and collaborative work. It is finished with a peer evaluation and review. The allocated time for this task is tight (I would usually like to allow another two lessons) but due to the length of the current half-term remaining this is a constraint we have to work to.

Have a look and let me know what you think.

Year 9 ICT – Interactive Flash

Task Title:     Interactive Story – Fractured Fairytale
Length of Task:     4 lessons (4 weeks)

Objectives:

1. Write a story developed from a Fairytale (may be culturally derived) that has multiple endings
2. Demonstrate Flash animation techniques
3. Demonstrate and practise the appropriate use of symbols when creating Flash movies
4. Create an interactive Flash application using code (ActionScript 2.0) for functionality
5. Demonstrate an ability to work collaboratively with others

Task:

For this task you are to collaboratively write, design and develop an interactive, animated story using Adobe Flash CS3. To complete your story you are to:

• Work with a partner to develop a story developed, from a Fairytale, with two endings
• Write and present your groups story using Microsoft Word
• Create a story plan by writing a script or designing an annotated storyboard that shows how your story is interactive and where the choices for the endings are made
• Create and use a ‘container.fla’ / ‘container.swf’ file as the root of all flash files.
• The story is to be a minimum of three (3) scenes (Flash Movies)
• The ‘Story Introduction’ Flash movie is to be developed together, collaboratively.
• Each member of the group is to develop their own ending of the story and link to it from the ‘Story Introduction’ movie.
• Use ActionScript 2.0 to control the function of the Flash SWF files.
• Use appropriate techniques and skills to create the animated sequence/s. This includes use of symbols, animation technique/s, motion guide/s and tweening.
• Individually complete the Review document and submit it on the due date

Submission:

The task is to be developed collaboratively into the designated class folders in the Student Shared Area.

Marking Sheet:

Task Outcomes:		5	4	3	2	1	N/A
Flash Interactive Story
Story
Flash – Animation
Flash – symbol use
Flash – Buttons, ActionScript and Interactivity
Collaboration
Personal Review
TOTAL        /20

Marking Criteria:

Mark/s	Descriptor
5	Story – A thoughtful and interesting story is well developed, includes multiple endings, has been collaboratively developed and is presented using correct grammar and spelling. Flash Animation – Sound use of complex and advanced animation techniques to support the telling of a story Flash Symbol Use – Accurate use of Flash symbols in the creation of animated, static and interactive movie components Flash Buttons, AS and Int – Fully functional and interactive story through the correct use of Buttons and ActionScript 2.0 code. Collaboration – The task has been developed equally and in a positive, collaborative manner Personal Review – Demonstrates extensive exploration of the developmental process of the task, reflection of self-development and constructive, thoughtful comments on the collaborative elements of the task
4	Story – A thoughtful and interesting story is well developed, includes multiple endings, has been collaboratively developed and is presented using correct grammar and spelling. Flash Animation – Extensive use of complex and highly advanced animation techniques to create sophisticated animation sequences that tell a story Flash Symbol Use – Accurate use of Flash symbols in the creation of animated, static and interactive movie components Flash Buttons, AS and Int – Fully functional and interactive story through the correct use of Buttons and ActionScript 2.0 code. Collaboration – The task has been developed equally and in a positive, collaborative manner Personal Review – Demonstrates a thorough examination of the developmental process of the task, reflection of self-development and thoughtful comments on the collaborative elements of the task
3	Story – A thoughtful and interesting story is well developed, includes multiple endings, has been collaboratively developed and is presented using correct grammar and spelling. Flash Animation – Sound use of complex and advanced animation techniques to support the telling of a story Flash Symbol Use – Accurate use of Flash symbols in the creation of animated, static and interactive movie components Flash Buttons, AS and Int – Fully functional and interactive story through the correct use of Buttons and ActionScript 2.0 code. Collaboration – The task has been developed equally and in a positive, collaborative manner Personal Review – Discusses the developmental process of the task, gives some reflection of self-development and makes sound comment/s on the collaborative elements of the task
2	Story – A thoughtful and interesting story has been developed, includes multiple endings, has been collaboratively developed and is presented using mostly correct grammar and spelling. Flash Animation Basic use of animation techniques that link to most of the story concepts Flash Symbol Use – Accurate use of Flash symbols in the creation of animated, static and interactive movie components Flash Buttons, AS and Int – A mostly functional and interactive story through the use of Buttons and ActionScript 2.0 code. Collaboration – The task has been developed in a mostly collaborative manner Personal Review – A basic definition of the developmental process of the task and/or limited reflection of skill development and/or identifies collaborative elements of the task
1	Story – An outline of a story has been presented Flash Animation – Limited use of animation techniques Flash Symbol Use – Symbols have been created by the student/s Flash Buttons, AS and Int– An attempted interactive story with Buttons and ActionScript 2.0 code evident. Collaboration – The task has been developed with minor consideration of collaborative development practises Personal Review – A limited identification of any personal skill development and/or reflection of collaboration
N/A