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
- Show that you can identify a
computer, the basic components inside a computer and what their purpose
is.
- Show that you can create
instructions for something you do every day such as getting dressed in the
morning or making a sandwich.
- 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
- 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:
Digital Maker – stage 2
How to
earn your badge
- 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
- 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.
- 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:
Digital Maker – stage 3
How to
earn your badge
- 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/)
- Show you understand that
sound and video can be stored as data. You could do this by recording and
editing sound and/or video.
- 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:
Digital Maker – stage 4
How to
earn your badge
- Set up a home network and
connect it to the internet.
- Install or run an
alternative operating system on a computer. Alternatively, use a
‘Live DVD’ or USB stick.
- Design a game:
- build a game that includes
progression and is fun and interesting to play
- get someone else to play
and evaluate it
- 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)
- Create a prototype for an
App and identify:
- the functions it would
perform
- who the users would be
- the purpose
- the variables
Resources:
Digital Maker – stage 5
How to
earn your badge
- 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.
- 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.