Chatbot Programming Workshop DeliverableLoading...
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This workshop is focused squarely on the programming component of a CxD Project. For a little bit of background, you will find that the Computing by Design framework is project-centric in the approach.
Each project has three phases, where programming is a very important component of all three. Our Innovation Workshop covers the breadth of the Computing by Design framework. We have found that the programming in any project presents a fine line between a wonderfully empowering experience (when students struggle and get things working) and a sometimes frustrating experience that becomes a missed opportunity. Therefore we are offering these programming workshops to provide a solid foundation on building the applications.
We encourage you to offer students a two-pronged approach to learning to program. Computing by Design projects provide an "application first" approach to programming where students are provided direct guidance on creating a specific type of application through templates and tutorials -- like with trivia , a chatbot, IoT etc. This approach complements the many great tutorials available online that provide a "concept first" approach by stepping through concepts in programming. Facilitating both approaches for students provides a varied experience -- strengthening knowledge and offering more opportunities to ignite interests.
Identify an online tutorial site that you can use in your classroom to supplement any project work. Over the course of the workshop try out a few basic online programming tutorials from popular sites to facilitate this "concept first" approach, and consider how you might manage a self-paced assignment based on milestones. How might you use these self-guided tutorials as "filler time" or dedicate scheduled time to their completion?
Slack will be our primary communication platform for the workshop. The video above provides a brief introduction on the features of Slack, but more help and tutorials can be found at https://slack.com/help.
Replit is the recommended programming environment for many of our projects. The video above provides a brief introduction on the features of Replit, but more help and tutorials can be found at https://docs.replit.com/.
For the programming workshops we simply request that you submit the following two items.
A link to your working code (e.g. replit.com) that demonstrates completion and customization of tutorial material.
A summary of your classroom plan
Consider how you will approach classroom management when students are completing a tutorial like this one.
What will be your expectations?
How much will be individual work versus team work?
Will you assign any code champions to help you support students with questions?
How will you supplement it with other programming content or experiences?
Will you use any online tutorials?
Will you supplement with any CS unplugged activities?
Will you create any custom programming exercises yourself?
Submit using the link below...
The code to submit will be shared in Slack.
Welcome and Introductions
Quick Survey
Review of Workshop Format and Sequence
Key Pointers
Sharing Code via Slack
Searching the Internet for Code Help
Online Tutorials and Other Resources
Look for Patterns and Analogies You Can Identify With
Information on School of Informatics and Computing Degrees
Open Discussion and Wrap Up
The Zoom link will be posted in Slack workshop channel.
For the chatbot programming workshop we will focus on completing the code-specific portions (direct links below) of the warm-up project in the chatbot documentation. While you may want to review the full instructions of the warm-up project for context, the items below are specific to the programming. As always, don't hesitate using our Slack channel to ask questions or share progress.
You will find a short video included to help get the template up and running.
A video is included to get you started with the instructions.
This is where you want to dig deep and consider the many ways students may want to program the chatbot and how you will help support them. A short video demonstrates how you can get started with making a modification. You are not limited to these modifications.
★ We also encourage you to come up with new modifications and share your work (or roadblocks) on Slack.
Now that you have experience with programming for this project...
Consider how you will approach classroom management when students are completing a tutorial like this one.
What will be your expectations?
How much will be individual work versus team work?
Will you assign any code champions to help you support students with questions?
How will you supplement it with other programming content or experiences?
Will you use any online tutorials?
Will you supplement with any CS unplugged activities?
Will you create any custom programming exercises yourself?
If you are participating in the Innovation Workshop you will consider similar questions for broader project activities.
Where human conversation meets computer programming
This workshop is largely asynchronous, providing you flexibility to complete things on a schedule that works for you. Below you will find the sequence of events and videos for the workshop. Notice the two live Zoom sessions on Monday at 1:00 pm and Wednesday at 1:00 pm. Otherwise we will use Slack for discussions and impromptu Zoom meetings as needed. Please don't hesitate posting a message on Slack for help.
Slack Channel: #ws-programming-chatbot in the CxD 2021 Slack Workspace
Documentation Link: Chatbot Code Reference and Tutorial
Programming Platform: Replit.com is the recommended programming platform
Zoom Video Conferences: Link will be provided on Slack
Recommended Programming Supplements: See this page.
All programming workshops will use the same warm up, linked below.
Here you will find various insights from teachers and programmers on how to approach teaching in computer science and a project-based perspective. Borrow, adapt and curate the ideas presented to help you develop your unique approach. Don't hesitate asking question in Slack on any of these ideas.
Angela is the CT Instructional Coach at Arsenal Tech High School in Indianapolis and an experienced Computing by Design teacher as part of the iDEW program.
