Play Code Learn – Dinosaur Commands

Play Code Learn: Dinosaur Commands progresses teachers and students understanding of computational thinking and digital technologies through a gamified approach to algorithmic thinking and programming. It uses augmented reality (AR) experiences to engage students in the learning of computer science.

Students deepen their technological literacy and skill development by playing the Dinosaur Commands game and escaping the apex predator – the Irritator! Learners practice algorithmic thinking and use of computational thinking concepts by writing efficient algorithms to enable their player (dinosaur) to move across the Cretaceous lands. Programming skills and awareness of AR are enhanced through the use of the ByteEd App.

Key concepts covered in this kit

All the key concepts from Dinosaur Steps and Dinosaur Loops, plus…

Events & event listeners

Variables

Conditionals

Broadcasting

Abstraction

Teaching Portal: Support for teachers

A range of resources have been created to support the teaching of this kits in the classroom, including:

Interactive Website

An interactive website with activities and resources explaining ‘how’ to teach computational thinking to your students and how to integrate use of the Dinosaur Kit series in both STEM subjects and other curriculum areas.

Challenge Activity Cards

Challenge activity cards: extension challenges that explore the main concepts of computational thinking for Dinosaur Commands, complete with answers explaining how each activity links to computational thinking.

Lesson Module

10-lesson unit of work to aid the teaching of computational thinking with students. Each lesson is supported with pre-prepared teaching slides and student handouts and resources.

Formative Assessment

Supporting printables for teachers and student assessment linked to curriculum.

3D Printing

Introduce the world of additive manufacture with these downloadable .stl files of the Commands dinosaurs and Explorer Ed! Comes with teaching slides, helpful hints for printing and teaching ideas with 3D models

3D Modelling Lesson

Would you like your students to learn how to create their own 3D CAD models for 3D printing? Follow a series of activities demonstrating how to use computational thinking to design and create creative 3D models.

Dice Activities

Dice activities to support learning across the curriculum

Dinosaur Loops teacher testimonials

Coming soon, once trialled with teachers!