Core 1: Coding Updates

The videos for Core 1: Coding have been edited to remove 'first takes' as needed. There is no change to the instructional content, so there is no need to revisit videos that students have already viewed. The edited videos are new uploads, but the playlist URL has not changed; the old versions of the videos are now marked private.

The downloadable AIA file WhackAMole_example.aia has been updated, and therefore differs slightly from the app described in the video, as follows:

• The mole image sprite has its Z property set to 2, so that it appears in front of the hole image sprites, which have the default Z property of 1. The Z property determines the stacking order of image sprites.
• The reduction of the timer interval each time the score is incremented is now less aggressive, dropping to 80% of its previous value each time. The original scheme reduced the interval too quickly.

Privacy of Development Diaries

The third deliverable for Core 1 requires students to create a Development Diary, with Blogger as the recommended platform. Please note that new blogs are public by default: they are listed on Blogger, visible to search engines, linked to the author’s Google+ account, and open to all readers (public). These settings can be changed after each blog is created:

Settings -> Basic -> Privacy - do not list on Blogger, hide blog from search engines
Settings -> Permissions -> Blog Readers - set blog to private (author or invited readers only)

Android Device Setup

App Inventor builds functional Android apps which should run on any Android phone or tablet, either by connecting the device to App Inventor for 'live' testing, or by downloading an APK file to the device to install the app (which can then be run independent of App Inventor). Here are some tips for setting up an Android device.

Sideloading Apps

Loading apps from sources other than app stores is sometimes referred to as ‘sideloading’. This requires that the device allows installation of apps from non-market sources; look for a checkbox under Settings -> Security that refers to installing from unknown or untrusted sources, with an accompanying warning about malicious apps. Some phones will open the appropriate setting when an attempt is first made to sideload an app.

QR Codes

For test setups using a QR (Quick Response) code to initiate a download, installation of a QR code reader such as NeoReader is required; some phones have one pre-installed. Readers can be configured to open the browser immediately an URL is detected, bypassing the confirmation step.

File Management

If several apps are being downloaded and installed, or an app that takes photos or records sound is being tested, it may be useful to install a utility such as ES File Explorer. This will allow storage space to easily be reclaimed by deleting downloads and media files.

Amazon Fire 7" Tablet

The recently released Amazon Fire 7" tablet is the lowest-priced Android tablet currently available (€70 in Argos or PC World) and is excellent value for money. It runs Fire OS which is based on Android, and in my tests so far it's been able to run anything I built with App Inventor. The tradeoff for the low price is that it promotes Amazon content, but quite a bit of that can be hidden using Parental Controls (the Fire for Kids setting is too restrictive, as it blocks browser use). The tablet needs to be associated with an Amazon account, but an account can be created during setup without supplying credit card or address details.

Core 1 to Core 3 Deliverables and Video Index

In the Lesson Plan section for each week of the Core 1, Core 2 and Core 3 projects, all five deliverables for the project are now listed, with the three that are in focus as Must, Should, Could goals for that week highlighted. The intention is to make the relationship between each week's targets and the overall project more visible.

In the Videos section, an index to the video playlist for each project has been added, mapping the deliverables to the videos. This should help students pick up where they left off each week, as they'll work through the videos at their own pace, and facilitate revision if a student wants to revisit a particular topic. Editing of the course videos to make them flow more smoothly will begin this week.

"Week 0 - Introduction to Smart Skills" Published

We've published an introductory lesson on the UniTY website, Week 0 - Introduction to Smart Skills. It includes a playlist of three videos covering:

• overview of MIT App Inventor and the contents of the Designer and Blocks screens
• introduction to the Project Briefs and Lesson Plans that guide each week's activities
• explanation of the Development Cycle that students will follow.

The playlist is also available on the Smart Skills YouTube channel.

Hello World

Welcome to the UniTY Smart Skills Development Diary. As part of the Smart Skills course, students are asked to track their progress in a Development Diary; this blog will serve a similar purpose for development of the course itself. It will complement the main UniTY website by highlighting new and updated content, and by providing a forum for feedback and discussion. Access to the blog will be by invitation only, it will not be publicly visible.