Learn about technology playfully
Children and teenagers today interact with technology such as smartphones, computers, and the internet on a daily basis. However, many don’t truly understand the mechanisms behind these tools. As they navigate through various life stages, they encounter numerous challenges and real-world risks associated with this lack of knowledge.
Article Structure:
1️⃣ Part One is about the parcour design
2️⃣ Part Two is about didactic & methods
With Mosaic Lernparkours I want to explore alternative ways of learning about both everyday and emerging technologies. The idea is, that kids should not spent more time at schools, indoors or just listening to others. Instead, kids should play outside. Learning becomes the positive side effect, aided by the right methodology and guidance.
Here are a couple of examples to illustrate our approach:
Part 1:️ Coding Parkours ⛳️
During my studies in Informatics, I noticed that while many students can write good code, they struggled to translate real-world problems into a computational algorithm. Because for a computer to be able to solve a complex human problem, it needs abstraction into linear lines of code to execute. A coder becomes a translator. And this skill is valuable for every person, not just IT people.
Walking through code
Coding is predestined to be explored physically. Mosaic builds obstacle parcours to walk through code and learn about key concepts: paths, conditions, loops, functions and variables.
- Paths: A computer executes code sequentially – step by step. So do the participants go through the obstacle parcour, when they jump from object to object avoiding the lava floor.
- Conditions: Not every path is straight forward. Sometimes you have multiple choices – that’s how code uses if/ else statements.
- Loops: Some paths are circular. You stop only if a condition is met. That’s when computers use while or for constructs.
- Functions: A parcour would be boring without challenges. Just like computers run functions, the kids follow instructions to solve a riddle or calculate a equation.
- Variables: Lastly, we need to remember things and store information. Code uses variables. In the parcour we write down text on a piece of paper or collect objects.
The “Peanut Butter Jelly” Challenge
While walking through the parcour teaches about coding concepts , this exercise nicely captures the thinking of computers. In pairs, one participant instructs the other on making a peanut butter jelly sandwich. The executor follows the instructions to the letter, highlighting the need for clear, step-by-step guidance. The activity makes clear that computers only understand precise instructions, and don’t inherently “know” concepts like we do.
This activity can be hilarious for observers, confusing for the executor and frustrating for the explainer. You can see it in this video:
Through these parkours, kids immerse themselves in the coding process. The trials, triumphs, and the entire journey make coding tangible, bridging the gap between abstraction and reality. It’s a way to understand coding emotionally, making it easier to grasp and articulate.
Artificial Intelligence for Kids 🤖
Mosaic Lernparkour not only teaches about coding, but also wants to make young people aware of hot topics, such as AI. It has reached all aspects of life, from face recognition, voice assistants, Netflix recommendations and of course ChatGPT and Dall-e.
In hybrid parcours, we integrate a physical parcour with online games such as „AI for Oceans“, which allow kids to train their own AIs. This way learning about data biases and the power of AI on everyday activities.
Part 2: Insights from 3 years of learning parcours with kids 💡
Learning is a journey, and for the most effective outcomes, the path must be tailored to fit the traveler. Here are some insights I’ve gathered designing educational parcours:
Understanding the Audience:
Every child is unique in their experiences, language proficiency, motivations, and more. To optimize the learning experience:
- Gather Information: Know your audience. We ask the children about their prior knowledge, current mood, or expectations.
- Involve Stakeholders: We include teachers, parents, or youth organizations to provide deeper insights.
Keep it Simple:
A common pitfall is overcomplication.
- Start Easy: We introduce the simplest version of the parcour, even if it seems too boring.
- Include the Kids: We allow the children to dictate the pace and depth. They can ask questions any time and after the first iteration redesign the parcour to make it more exciting.
Action Cards:
A fun and effective hack we often use are simple directives like “move in slow-motion”, “slither like a snake”, or “walk like a zombie”. This adds layers of challenge and engagement to an activity.
Ownership:
One time we began a parkour with just two kids. Later more kids joined. So the first two kids started explaining it to the others. This not only made them feel experienced, but they enjoyed sharing their knowledge, adding their own twists to make it more challenging.
Balance Learning and Play:
Not every moment has to be a lesson. Sometimes, it’s okay just to fool around:
- Make Breaks: We allow the children to tell when they need to relax. This helps to regain energy and concentration.
- Respect Their Pace: Recognize their current energy and focus levels, adjusting activities accordingly.
If you want to learn more check out www.mosaic-lernparkour.xyz or write a comment below. ⬇️
