Digital Maker Staged Activity Badge

The Digital Citizen and Digital Maker staged activity badges involve performing some tasks online, as well as finding out about topics, such as social networking and how digital technology works and can be used to enhance our lives. Before young people take part in these activities, they should be aware of the benefits and the risks to being online. Be sure they are aware of the safety rules first. Check that they understand that staying safe involves:

• understanding that staying safe online is similar to staying safe in the real world
• using passwords to protect their computer and email accounts
• using trusted software and not downloading programmes they are not sure about
• having some form of anti-virus software
• recognising that they should ask an adult they trust before they visit a particular website, understanding that private information should not be given to anyone online without the permission of a trusted adult

Resources have been developed to support with delivering the digital skills badges including a jargon buster.

These requirements have been updated in October 2016.

Digital Maker – stage 1

How to earn your badge

1. Show that you can identify a computer, the basic components inside a computer and what their purpose is.
2. Show that you can create instructions for something you do every day such as getting dressed in the morning or making a sandwich.
3. Design a game:
• use role play to act out how your digital game would work
• play the game with a group of friends and change the rules
4. Using paper, prototype a game and explain to someone how it works. Note: You could video your explanation

Some Digital Maker stages involve downloading stuff from the internet, which can be risky. Make sure that young people and adults aware of the online safety rules.
 

Resources:

• Creative computer modelling
• Describe and Draw
• Robot Obstacle Course
  

Digital Maker – stage 2

How to earn your badge

1. Design a robot to do a job done currently by a human. Perhaps a robot to put up a tent or tidy your bedroom.
• identify the sensors it will need, such as light, sound and movement sensors
• figure out what order the robot will need to complete tasks in
2. Show you understand that any data stored in a computer (such as text and images) are stored as binary. For example you could change a number into binary; create some pixel art or convert your name to binary.
3. Design an animation, game, app or electronic project.
   For example:

o    make a cartoon, animation or video of a game using a video camera or other equipment

o    design a sequence of a game, like a whole game or an in-game puzzle

o    design a level using craft materials or everyday objects and write out the rules (or pseudo code)

o    make a circuit using electronic components featuring at least one sensor, such as an automatic night light

 Resources:

• Binary introduction
• Binary brilliance
• Binary Code (ACCII)
• Camp crew
• How to use Scratch
  

Digital Maker – stage 3

How to earn your badge

1. Write a game or app for a programmable device. You should include:
• event conditions (when your game reacts to something that happens)
• iteration (when your code or instructions are repeated)
• variables (for scoring, health or counting things within the game).
• discuss your development and how you overcame any bugs.
  Useful sources include: Micobit (https://www.microbit.co.uk/) Codebug (http://www.codebug.org.uk/) or Raspberry Pi- (https://www.raspberrypi.org/)
2. Show you understand that sound and video can be stored as data. You could do this by recording and editing sound and/or video.
3. Design and build:
• a digital device with a purpose or
• a robot using pre built components. (such as the mBot - http://learn.makeblock.com/en/mbot/)

 Resources:

• Building a CrumbleBot
• Whack-a-Witch
  

Digital Maker – stage 4

How to earn your badge

1. Set up a home network and connect it to the internet.
2. Install or run an alternative operating system on a computer. Alternatively,  use a ‘Live DVD’ or USB stick.
3. Design a game:
• build a game that includes progression and is fun and interesting to play
• get someone else to play and evaluate it
4. Make a robot using a kit with components that respond to sensor input (for example, a robot that backs away from an object in it's path)
5. Create a prototype for an App and identify:
• the functions it would perform
• who the users would be
• the purpose
• the variables

 Resources:

• Setting up a network with a Raspberry Pi
  

Digital Maker – stage 5

How to earn your badge

1. Install the software to run a web server and host a webpage on a  computer or other device. Tools like LAMP, WAMP or Google’s Webserver project for the Raspberry  Pi could help you. You can find these for free online.
2. Make a game or app that serves a purpose. It should:
• have a clear objective
• be challenging for the user
• have a clear sense of progression
• keep a score
• offer a reward to the user for playing (for example the score could unlock levels or icons)

For an App it should:

• have a clear objective
• be created for social good
• have a clear user journey

4.   Make your own bespoke robot that responds to the environment. For example, a robot that reacts to light, sight or its proximity to other objects.

Each young person who participates in the Programme, including badges and awards, should face a similar degree of challenge, and requirements can be adapted according to each young person’s abilities.  For more information and practical tips see our guidance on flexibility.