I thought about an invention that could benefit my teaching practice. I teach Computer Science to thirty different groups weekly. I do not have a lot of experience teaching this subject and I feel I need feedback from my students and analyze if my lessons are being attractive and challenging enough for my students. That is why I came up with the idea of this project: “Feedback Machine”

Supplies

1 computer ( to create a program on Scratch)
1 Makey Makey board
9 Alligator clips
1 extra long Alligator clip
3 connector wires
1 big piece of cardboard
markers
1 metal straw
tape
some sheets
1 pen

Step 1: Machine Draft

Once I had an idea in my head it was time to reflect it on paper. I wrote down the questions and possible answers I wanted to be in my machine.

Step 2: Starting to Program on Scratch

I started to think how I could create a program on Scratch for my machine. The first thing I made on Scratch was to create six variables:

Three variables for the first question: Did you enjoy this lesson?

I didn’t enjoy it
I liked it
I loved it

Three variables for the second question: How challenging was this lesson ?

Piece of cake
Bit challenging
Too hard

Step 3: Keep Programming

After I created the variables I started adding events blocks like this one:

When down arrow key pressed then change “I love it” by 1.
Repeat the same with every variable.

I also programmed a start and reset bottom. Clicking on the start icon the program will start asking the questions. I also used the text to speech blocks that Scratch offers. Clicking on the reset icon all the variables will be reseted to 0.

Step 4: Crafty Part

Once I finished creating my program on Scratch I started working on making the cardboard for the machine. First, I wrote down questions and answers on construction paper and then I pasted them on a cardboard. After that, I made some holes on the cardboard and put metal fasteners.

Step 5: Connecting

Once I had the cardboard ready I connected the alligators clips from the Makey Makey board to the fasteners, I made sure I connected them to the right spots by checking my program on Scratch. I connected Earth with a long alligator clip to a metal straw that will be used as a pointer stick for our machine.