I am seeking guidance on effective strategies or lesson activities that can help students transition from using block-based programming to text-based programming, specifically using the Switch. My goal is to introduce the concept of the Switch to my students, but I have been finding it challenging to locate resources or lesson plans that could facilitate this shift. I would appreciate any recommendations on the best approaches or materials to make this transition smoother for my students
Hi @Robert_Christner The CS Level 1 Blocks Course now contains lessons with Switch blocks: CS Level 1 - VEXcode VR Blocks | VEX Education
Take a look. I’ll let @Jimmy_Lin and @LORI_COLANGELO chime in on some methods they have used with Switch.
Happy to help further, please let us know anything else you need. Thanks!
Thank you for your response. I reviewed Dr. Lin’s resources a few weeks ago and found them helpful, but I’m looking for something a bit more engaging. Specifically, I’m interested in activities or lessons that go beyond just converting a block into a switch block. I’d like something that involves the students more directly, encouraging them to compare and understand the code. For example, having the students write or type the code themselves in the switch block format, rather than simply converting it for them. My goal is to provide a hands-on learning experience that helps them understand the process of conversion by actively writing the code.
Hey Robert, I know @LORI_COLANGELO used to do some of the scavenger hunt with Switch mode blocks. So students are more familiar with those and have some ease with it.
If you are trying to encourage them to type more, I think you can gradually start to ask students to submit their project with at least one line of Switch mode block. You will most likely see some of the converting, but some will start to type. This would take time.
Another idea is to ask students to write on a piece of paper or even a printed blocks with empty Switch mode before they move to a computer and type in. (Obviously have some of conversion or teach about the python syntax prior)
Please let me know if these are helpful and how your students react to these activities. We can keep bouncing ideas.
Hi Robert, last year I taught using Switch Blocks. I have some slide shows I used and a few activities that may help you. If you give me you email, I can put them in a folder for you and send them out.
That would be awesome. My email is chriro@whsd.us. Thank you so much!
I like that paper idea and that is what I was thinking. I was just curious if something like this was created yet. Sounds like I’ll have to do it using google docs. Thanks for the ideas!
I’ll gather everything together and send it to you in a day or two. Have a great day!
Here is a link to a folder with the materials I used for teaching with Switch is anyone would like to use them.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1LSj34X6rx6jlXEwvsgBl2-XGO4QWuItF?usp=sharing