Wonders of the Google Notebook - Transforming teaching & learning SNC Computer Science Grade 6

[Sheebaajmal03]

HI All,

Hope your doing well. Had time so I started exploring how to teach Computer Science Grade 6 SNC Single National Curriculum approved textbook concepts using the amazing Google Notebook. The first thing I did was to download the textbook and upload it in the sources section of the Google notebook. Once you have the sources uploaded in the Google notebook it is easy to explore and create content within the Google notebook. I skimmed through the downloaded textbook PDF and it was sort of taking a lot of time and I could not get the gist of each chapter. Then I decided to use the Google notebook to summarise the content of each chapter in the textbook. I wrote the following instruction in the chat section "create short 5 sentence summaries of all chapters" and I could see the content explained in all chapters.

The next thing I did was to select a chapter , chapter 4 "Algorithmic Thinking" and create content about the chapter. I wrote the following instruction in the chat window, "Suggest 3 to 4 similar examples to teach algorithmic thinking in chapter 4", interestingly Google notebook was able to create examples that help understand algorithmic thinking. Each example is linked to the text book example. For example, there is an example about making tea - sequential flow in the chapter, Google notebook was able to create an example about "how to make a cup of coffee". To explain conditional flow the book uses an example of a car or bus, Google notebook created an example about "what dress to wear when it rains". Similarly to explain repetitive flow or loops the book uses printing first 10 integers, google notebook created an example to count numbers from 10 to 0. Now while reading and working on the Google notebook I could come up with dozens of examples: It helped trigger out of the box thinking. If I could think of so many examples, imagine the endless examples 25 - 30 learners in a class could create.

Sequential flow - heating food in the oven , reading a book chapter wise, driving a car, getting the car washed, cooking your favourite recipe

Conditional flow - traffic signals on the road, odd and even numbers, teaching nouns and pronouns, travel advisory, tic tac toe game

Repetitive flow - ever thought about the water cycle, or how the digestive system works in humans, knitting or

crochet

The next task was to create activities to teach the concept of algorithmic thinking to grade 6 learners and Google notebook could create some wonderful practical activities, way different from the textbook activities.

The recipe follower challenge - dividing learners into groups and assigning a task such as creating an origami shape using paper, creating a structure using lego blocks, or making paper pinwheel

The decision path game - create a game in class using sticky notes and decisions written on it, like a maze game or finding treasure. The learners actually play the game taking turns, moving forward each step. They read the instructions on the sticky notes and take a decision to move to next step. It is somewhat similar to snakes and ladders game.

Looping actions charades - give learners a set of routines that involve repetition or loops , for example a learner acts as a programmer while other learners act as robots, the learners/robots performs steps as the programmer tells them. Create a dance routine or an exercise routine.

The next task was very interesting, instead of a typical traditional assessment, I asked google notebook to create 5 different scenarios that reflect algorithmic thinking and let learners identify the algorithmic flow type. And I was amazed to see some interesting scenarios which otherwise are difficult to create. For example making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, choosing a movie to watch, counting apples in the basket, making a school presentation, and playing any board game. We can also ask the learners to create scenarios for themselves or for their fellow learners.

Then I created a lesson plan for 2 - 3 days to teach the concept of algorithmic thinking in chapter 4. The google notebook could produce an excellent plan to teach the concept with very purposeful and meaningful activities. Then I created an assessment consisting of 10 multiple choice questions using everyday examples to assess understanding of the concept of algorithmic thinking. Finally I created an audio conversation to discuss the concept in chapter 4 algorithmic thinking. Google notebook was able to create an audio conversation where two hosts discuss key concepts in chapter 4 of the book. This is very helpful for learners who might not have attended the class or need additional support or even those who want to revise the concepts. There can be multiple audio conversations and summaries created about every chapter. Imagine how all this could empower our learners and us as educators.

Every time I explore the google notebook and how it can enhance teaching and learning in schools in Pakistan I am utterly shocked and positively amazed by the wonders of the google notebook. Now I can clearly see how actually teaching and learning can be transformed in the classrooms and schools in Pakistan using a wonderful resource like Google Notebook.

Happy reading till my next post soon.

Regards and prayers