Darina Koleva`s Learning Diary for the How to Teach Computing Course by Darina Koleva

Me and My School

dkoleva45 — 2015-05-04 13:29:27 UTC

My name is Darina Koleva and I teach English in primary classes in Sofia, Bulgaria. My students are 10-11. Our students are clever and creative. They love learning and playing computer games. So why don`t I try to teach them how to use computing for learning? That`s why I am in this interesting course! This is our school. In March 2015 we celebrated its100th anniversary!

eTwinning projects

dkoleva45 — 2015-05-05 04:26:36 UTC

We`ve been working on eTwinning projects since 2007. We have a lot of partners from European countries, we learned a lot, we`ve done a lot! Our current project is related to computing- its name is QR or Be Creative!

Here are some videos, representing our work as eTwinners:

dkoleva45 — 2015-05-05 04:31:34 UTC

Bulgarian Mummers

dkoleva45 — 2015-05-05 04:36:01 UTC

Halloween

dkoleva45 — 2015-05-05 04:36:45 UTC

A Year in My Life

dkoleva45 — 2015-05-05 04:37:43 UTC

Sharks are mazing!

dkoleva45 — 2015-05-05 04:39:50 UTC

Amazing Animals

dkoleva45 — 2015-05-05 04:40:52 UTC

Traditional Bulgarian Food

dkoleva45 — 2015-05-05 04:41:59 UTC

Here are some posters, representing our school work:

dkoleva45 — 2015-05-05 05:10:49 UTC

Autumn came!

dkoleva45 — 2015-05-05 05:11:44 UTC

Christmas

dkoleva45 — 2015-05-05 05:12:53 UTC

Elastic Souvenirs

dkoleva45 — 2015-05-05 05:13:46 UTC

Halloween

dkoleva45 — 2015-05-05 05:14:34 UTC

Bulgarian Mummers

dkoleva45 — 2015-05-05 05:15:19 UTC

Module 1, Q2 - The importance of computing

dkoleva45 — 2015-05-05 05:20:44 UTC

There is no doubt that the computer science will occupy an increasingly important place in the curriculum and will contact all subjects. This is related to financial resources, time, trained teachers and so on. First I tried to understand what games pupils play. They were pleased to show me their favourite games. Then I offered them to show what the QR codes are. The pupils were interested in QR codes and some of them immediatelly started to scan and create their own codes. We discussed the importance of the technology in the 21 century, comparing with the past. Unfortunately some parents don`t understand the importance of our work and cause problems.

Module 1, Q3 - What to focuse on? Skills

dkoleva45 — 2015-05-05 05:21:27 UTC

In order to implement the PBL- Project Based Learning, we`ve been working on a lot of eTwinning projects since 2007. A lot of skills were developed through the work on these projects- collaboration, language skills, creativity, drawing skills, analytical thinking, etc. The vision of the world was exended. The work on the project is very carefully planned and set as smaller tasks, which pupils work on in groups. Then they perform the results and we go on until we finish.

Module 1- finished!

dkoleva45 — 2015-05-05 05:23:51 UTC

Module 1, Q1 - Computing in our country

dkoleva45 — 2015-05-05 14:33:47 UTC

In our country there is no computer training in primary grades. It is included in the curriculum from grade 5. Many schools are equipped with computers, Internet, tablets and projectors. In our school there are three computer rooms, where training takes place, some teachers have tablets, and some children have smartphones. However, children love to play computer games during the breaks and can use the Internet. In our current eTwinning project named QR or be Unique we will try to code, scan and program.

eBook- 10 years eTwinning!

dkoleva45 — 2015-05-05 15:24:44 UTC

Module 2, Q1 - Developing collaboration in computing

dkoleva45 — 2015-05-05 17:57:22 UTC

I don`t have any experiece in computing in primary classes, because it isn`t in the curriculum, but I find the idea of Pair Programming very interesting and useful. With or without computers, we use collaboration work widely- through our English lessons or our eTwinning work, or just for fun. The last activity we have done was a Spring Workshop. I gave the children some ideas for group work, they added some own ones, divided themselves into groups and at the end there were fantasic products of their work. I hope that when we have computing lessons/at last!/, it would be very interesting to do collaborative work, performing digital tasks.

Module 2, Q2 - Engaging girls

dkoleva45 — 2015-05-05 17:58:12 UTC

We don`t have computer training in primary classes, but when we work on eTwinning projects, we use some digital devices. Through our last activity I gave the pupils an opportunity to divide themselves into groups and to choose form given ideas to work, or to think about their own ideas. I wanted to find out what the most interesting topic for the boys and for the girls are. The result: most of groups, composed of boys, chose to present their best computer games or football teams. Most of groups, composed of girls, chose to work on topics, related to fashion, spring, Easter. But three girls presented their favourite digital toy- Furby.They made a Furby poster and showed their classmates what Furby can do. It was very interesting for me, becase I have seen more boys to play computer games than girls.

Module 2, Q3 - Linking computing to other subjects

dkoleva45 — 2015-05-05 17:58:54 UTC

I think every subject can be related to the computing if there is sutable digital environment- computers, tablets, projectors, touch-screen white boards, internet, etc. As English teachers, who work on eTwinning projects, we use every opportunity to involve digital devices in our work. Our current project is about QR codes and we showed pupils how to download apps for scanning, how to make their own QR codes, how to communicate with their partners, using QR coding. They search the internet when they need information, we help them to communicate with their partners, etc. We have interesting topics to discuss through our English lessons- Halloween, Robin Hood, Bulgarian Mummers, etc. and then I show pupils PowerPoint presentations, videos, films, quizes to represent the stories.

Module 2- finished!

dkoleva45 — 2015-05-05 18:00:34 UTC

Popplet- an interesting tool to present a topic

dkoleva45 — 2015-05-06 08:16:15 UTC

Module 2

dkoleva45 — 2015-05-06 08:18:59 UTC

I used Thinglink to show my pupils how they have worked on eTwinning projects through the year:

Module 3 - finished!

dkoleva45 — 2015-05-06 16:52:18 UTC

Module 3, Q2 - Educational Robotic Activities

dkoleva45 — 2015-05-06 17:03:27 UTC

Unfortunately, I never used robots in the classroom, it`s exotic for our curriculum. I hope that one day it would be possible to happed. Until then I will learn about it, because it`s very interesting and useful.

Module 3, Q1- Using robots across subjects

dkoleva45 — 2015-05-06 17:06:43 UTC

I have no experience with robots and at the moment. I`m trying to learn more about this activity. I think it would be very interesting for children to use them across different subjects. I think using robots through our lessons would enhance children`s motivation to learn.

Module 3

dkoleva45 — 2015-05-07 17:56:37 UTC

My first try in coding

Module 3

dkoleva45 — 2015-05-07 18:19:26 UTC

My first digital drawing

Happy Birthday, eTwinning! I can`t imagine my work without you, thank you!

dkoleva45 — 2015-05-08 12:29:19 UTC

Thank you, eTwinning!

dkoleva45 — 2015-05-08 12:45:48 UTC

Happy 10th Anniversary, eTwinning!

dkoleva45 — 2015-05-10 10:06:12 UTC

QR Quiz

dkoleva45 — 2015-05-11 18:24:09 UTC

Module 4 - Teaching Internet search, Web editing and Computer networks

dkoleva45 — 2015-05-12 04:48:47 UTC

My student have a private space on our school website, where I upload their materials. I also started a Facebook group where I publish all students` achievements. I invited all the parents to visit it and to become members of it. We use the twinspace of the eTwinning projects to collaborate with our partners. About the Internet search: almost all students can already do that and I use it when we have to find information.

This is our page on the school website

dkoleva45 — 2015-05-12 04:52:20 UTC

This is the twinspace of one of our eTwinning projects

dkoleva45 — 2015-05-12 04:55:06 UTC

PowToon is a great tool!

dkoleva45 — 2015-05-12 17:13:04 UTC

Now we can use QR codes!

dkoleva45 — 2015-05-12 18:02:42 UTC

Module 4 - eSafety

dkoleva45 — 2015-05-13 14:23:47 UTC

Last year I had a great opportunity to participate in an European Schoolnet Academy Course named "Developing an eSafe Classroom" in Brussels. This course aimed to support teachers in integrating eSafety best practice into the school lessons. We learned a lot!

Module 4 - How to develop an eSafe classroom:

dkoleva45 — 2015-05-13 14:36:28 UTC

This is a very interesting magazine that can help every teacher to help his students to learn more about eSafety. www.webwewant.eu

This is My Lesson Plan on Learning Designer

dkoleva45 — 2015-05-13 14:57:48 UTC

Now it`s time for break!

dkoleva45 — 2015-05-13 15:08:39 UTC

Module 4 - finished!

dkoleva45 — 2015-05-16 14:31:49 UTC