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Classroom and Self-Directed Learning Resources

First Day, 2025-03-04

Welcome to Computer Science

Your Previous Computer Science Experience

Join Your Class in Google Classroom

Look at Earlier Trimesters to See What We May Cover

2024-25:

2023-24:

Python Text Adventure Game Programming with Edublocks

Create a new project in Edublocks and name it Adventure. Choose text mode. Paste the following code into the editor:

from random import random

print("Welcome to Marvelous Adventure!")

while True:
    print("Where to? 1) Field, 2) Barn, 0) Exit")
    destination = int(input("==> "))

    if destination == 1:
        print("Welcome to the field!")
        if random() < 0.5:
            print("A rabbit runs across your path.")
    elif destination == 2:
        print("You’re in the barn.")
        if random() < 0.8:
            print("A cow moos.")
    elif destination == 0:
        break

We’ll discuss and build on this code using your ideas.

Self-Directed Learning

First Day, 2025-03-04

Critical Thinking

  • Anchoring bias: The tendency to rely too heavily on the first piece of information encountered when making decisions.
  • Strawman fallacy: Misrepresenting someone’s argument to make it easier to attack.

Critical thinking cards

Python Basics with Edublocks

  • print function
    • numbers
    • strings
    • arithmetic expressions
  • variables
  • loops

micro:bits using MakeCode

Self-Directed Learning

2025-03-11

Python Programming with Edublocks

Turtle Graphics

Self-Directed Learning

2025-03-13

Mr. B. was out sick.

2025-03-18

Computing in the News

Tim Berners-Lee Wants to Know: ‘Who Does AI Work For?’

p5.js

let x = 0;                  // Initialize x position of the rectangle

function setup() {
  createCanvas(500, 400);   // Create a 500x400 pixel canvas
}

function draw() {
  background('blue');       // Set the background color to blue

  fill('yellow');           // Set the fill color to yellow for the rectangle
  rect(x, 0, 60, 40);       // Draw a rectangle at position (x, 0) with width 60 and height 40

  x = (x + 5) % width;      // Move the rectangle to the right and wrap around when it reaches the canvas edge
}

Self-Directed Learning

2025-03-20

Critical Thinking: Outcome Bias (as explained by ChatGPT)

Outcome bias is the tendency to judge a decision based on its outcome rather than on the quality of the decision at the time it was made. This can lead to unfair evaluations because a good decision can still lead to a bad outcome due to chance, and a bad decision can sometimes result in a good outcome by luck.

Examples of Outcome Bias

  1. Gambling: If someone makes a reckless bet and wins, others might see them as skilled rather than just lucky.
  2. Medical Decisions: A doctor who follows the best medical guidelines but has a patient with complications may be unfairly blamed, while a doctor who ignores guidelines but gets lucky with a successful treatment might be praised.
  3. Business: A risky investment that happens to pay off may be celebrated as a great decision, while a smart investment that fails due to external factors may be unfairly criticized.

Why It’s a Problem

  • It discourages learning from mistakes and successes based on solid reasoning.
  • It leads to poor decision-making in the future, as people might repeat bad decisions that happened to work out.
  • It can unfairly reward or punish individuals based on luck rather than skill or judgment.

To avoid outcome bias, it’s important to evaluate decisions based on the process and information available at the time, rather than just the result.

Mr. B’s recent experience avoiding outcome bias

p5.js

Review of Tuesday’s code

Wrapping Around with Modulo (%) (explained by ChatGPT)

We’re using the modulo operator (%) to make the rectangle wrap around when it reaches the edge of the canvas.

Imagine This:
  • You are running around a circular track.
  • If the track is 500 meters long and you run 505 meters, you are actually back at 5 meters from the start.
  • That’s because 505 % 500 = 5 (505 divided by 500 leaves a remainder of 5).
In the Code:
x = (x + 5) % width;
  • x + 5 moves the rectangle 5 pixels to the right every time.
  • % width makes sure x never gets bigger than the canvas width (500 pixels).
  • When x reaches 500, the modulo resets it to 0, making the rectangle start again from the left.
Why Does This Happen?

The modulo operator (%) gives the remainder when dividing two numbers.

  • If x becomes 500, then: 
    500 % 500 = 0

    So, x resets to 0, making the rectangle jump back to the left side.

  • If x is 505, then: 
    505 % 500 = 5

    Now, x is 5, meaning the rectangle appears near the left again.

A modification to move the rectangle smoothly right and left

function setup() {
  createCanvas(500, 400);
  rectMode(CENTER)
}

function draw() {
  background('blue');
  translate(width / 2, height / 2)
  fill('yellow')
  const x = sin(frameCount / 10) * width / 2
  rect(x, 0, 60, 40)
}

Something similar, but in 3D

Self-Directed Learning

2025-03-25

Computing in the News

There’s a Good Chance Your Kid Uses AI to Cheat

The article is behind a paywall, but we’ll read some of it in class.

MakeCode Arcade

We’ll do the Bubble Stacking tutorial together, then you can try other tutorials on your own.

Self-Directed Learning

2025-03-27

Detecting IR Signals with a micro:bit

Video

IR Detector

We’ll make this project using the micro:bit Python Editor

Materials

  • USB cable
  • micro:bit
  • breakout board
  • female to male jumper wires
  • breadboard
  • IR receiver module (we’ll share one)

Code

from microbit import *
import utime
import music

pin0.set_pull(pin0.PULL_UP)
last = 1
while True:
    val = pin0.read_digital()
    if val != last:
        if val == 0:
            music.play(music.BA_DING)
        last = val
    utime.sleep_ms(1)

Self-Directed Learning

2025-04-01

Distance Sensor

Video Picture 1

Your Ideas

Have the micro:bit respond somehow (icons, sounds, etc.) to objects at various distances.

Too-close detector

Self-Directed Learning

2025-04-03

Radio Relay

Relayer Code

from microbit import *
import radio
import music

# Set this for each student (1 through N)
my_number = 1  # ← change this on each device

radio.config(group=42, power=7)
radio.on()

while True:
    msg = radio.receive()
    if msg:
        try:
            num = int(msg)
            if num == my_number:
                display.show(str(num))
                music.play(music.BA_DING)
                sleep(1000)
                radio.send(str(num + 1))
                already_sent = True
                display.clear()
        except:
            pass

Sender Code

from microbit import *
import radio

radio.config(group=42, power=7)
radio.on()

while True:
    if button_a.was_pressed():
        radio.send("1")
        display.show("1")
        sleep(1000)
        display.clear()

Self-Directed Learning

2025-04-08

Room Sound Monitor

Video

Help Mr. Briccetti develop this application by giving feedback.

Radio Relay Project, Continued

Shall we take it outside?

App Inventor

Self-Directed Learning

2025-04-10

Room Sound Monitor

Video

Let’s see if Mr. Briccetti has fixed some bugs.

Critical Thinking Playing Cards

Pick a card and if you like, teach the class about the bias or logical fallacy.

Radio Relay Project, Continued

Any more interest in this? Shall we take it outside?

Self-Directed Learning

2025-04-15

Tinkercad Circuits

Motor and LED

Self-Directed Learning

2025-04-17

Python with Trinket

You don’t need to create an account. Click Expand.

Here’s a simple text adventure game to start with. Click on the code, then select all (Ctrl-A) and copy (Ctrl-C). Paste the code into Trinket (Ctrl-V). Change the code to make your own game.

Self-Directed Learning