Project Based Learning
Mrs. Corbin's Journey to a PBL Classroom
Hopscotch
About Hopscotch
- Hopscotch is an app that allows students to code.
- Based upon the action and numbers set, students can make characters complete actions or tasks or draw certain items.
Getting Started
- Students played around with Hopscotch for a few days, coding characters to complete tasks and draw objects, and simply learning how to code. It was important for them to learn that if the character wasn't doing what they wanted it to do, it was because of the code they put in. All errors fall on the coder.
- At this point, students were really discovering new things to create. They were discovering that they WERE coders!
- A few students even coded their name in cursive.
The Project
Once the students grew stronger in their coding skills, I quickly realized that THIS would be my PBL project for TCL. The students were engaged, they knew more about the ins and outs of this app than I did, and I knew they would be ready for the next step.
Step 1: Creating the Rubric
- Students were required to make their own rubric. They were in charge of what they'd be graded on.
- As a class, the students decided the requirements of the project. They were writing categories on the board and assigning points to each one. They were trying to reword their categories to make them sound more "professional," and they were collectively voting on which categories to scrap and which categories to keep.
- Overall, the outcome was a concise and clear rubric for the students to follow!
Step 2: Creating the Game
- Students spent approximately two weeks creating their games.
- Although I gave them classroom time to work on it, many students became so invested in their games that they worked on it at home.
- The students used their rubric as a guide throughout the duration of creating the games.
- The games were awesome! I saw so many varieties, and students were very proud of their efforts.
Game Examples
Criminal Chase
By tilting the iPad in the appropriate direction, gamers have to stay away from all objects while being chased by the police officer.
Find the Different Emoji
Gamers need to find the different emoji. Losing will end the game, and winning will bring you to the next level.
Frogger
Gamers must get the frog across the streets without being hit by oncoming traffic. Once the gamer reaches the other side, the gamer is taken to the next level where traffic is faster and there are more roads.
Step 3: Assessing the Game
- Yes, I did sit down and play each and every game, HOWEVER, I think that student feedback is just as important. They are the experts.
- Students submitted their games anonymously, and once they were all published, all students played and assessed each game, based on the rubric. I took that information into account when I gave my final grade.
- Students also had to grade their own personal game, acknowledging improvements that should have been made and areas of great strength.
More Examples
Flappy Bird
Gamers need to get Flappy Bird through the obstacles. If they hit it, the obstacle, then they are brought back to the beginning.
Racing Cars
Gamers need to race the moving cars without bumping into them.
Maze Maze
Gamers must get through maze collecting the all the donuts without hitting any moving characters or obstacles.