Embedded Files
the role of cognitive flexibility
Thursday, September 19
Logistics
Logistics
Please sign up for an ability badge in preparation for next week!
2. Please make sure any videos are shared with MHC or anyone with the link.
3. If you are comfortable, please make your site visible beyond MHC. You can test if it worked by using an "Incognito" or "Private" browser window.
Circuit Playground Express: BLOCKS
Circuit Playground Express: BLOCKS
Use https://makecode.adafruit.com BLOCKS to try out:
accelerometer: free fall
Group brainstorm [5 minutes]
Group brainstorm [5 minutes]
In groups of 2-3, what will you make that uses the accelerometer?
You should use one of the "gestures" as the input.
What components do we have for output?
Cognitive Flexibility
Cognitive Flexibility
The ability to pivot and change is called cognitive flexibility. Cognitive flexibility goes beyond pivoting about plans. It’s also about stretching our imagination to see ourselves and others in our environments in new ways.
After the video, you’ll have a chance to talk with a peer to reflect on connections to your own experiences.
As you watch, what resonates with you?
Individual reflection
Individual reflection
Using the moodle chat, take a minute or so to articulate what resonated with you.
Don't hit enter until prompted!
Pivot challenge
Pivot challenge
Cognitive flexibility
Be open
Try different perspectives
Generate multiple solutions
Fishbowl activity
Fishbowl activity
Cannot find original image source
Each group will get:
A pivot prompt
3 minutes to “own” the room: brainstorm how to adapt
Everyone else, please remain silent
When it is not your group’s turn, stretch your cognitive flexibility by listening in for different perspectives. Jot down thoughts and ideas, but please do not distract the group that is working.
Remember: It’s about your approach and stretching cognitive flexibility, not about finding the “right” solution.
Practice active listening.
Move from
“It is...” or “It must be...”
to
“Could it be..?” or “Might it be…?”Articulate your approach.
Explicitly name what’s difficult (maybe the activity itself).
Pivot prompt #1
Input: color sensing:
input.buttonA.onEvent(ButtonEvent.Click, function () {
light.clear()
})
input.buttonB.onEvent(ButtonEvent.Click, function () {
light.setAll(input.ambientColor())
})
forever(function () {
})
Pivot prompt #2
Input: velostat
// set up the velostat and wiring:
// https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ve4l8B4V112InWYsD8NXnqRUdxUZQAYjeTp3Ix2Yo0U/edit
// use the serial monitor to find these values
// if MakeCode is refusing to cooperate...
// use Arduino...
let THRESH1 = 800
let THRESH2 = 900
forever(function () {
// most pressure
if (pins.A3.analogRead() >= THRESH2) {
light.setAll(0xff0000)
}
// medium pressure
else if (pins.A3.analogRead() >= THRESH1) {
light.setAll(0xffff00)
}
// not enough pressure
else {
light.clear()
}
})
Pivot prompt #3
Input: Distance sensor
// For the CPX, use the green ultrasonic RCWL-1601 (3.3V)
// Trig to A2, Echo to A1
let distance = 0
forever(function () {
pins.A2.digitalWrite(false)
control.waitMicros(2)
pins.A2.digitalWrite(true)
control.waitMicros(10)
pins.A2.digitalWrite(false)
distance = pins.A1.pulseIn(PulseValue.High) / 58
// have the neopixel ring show "bar graph" up to 50
light.graph(distance, 50)
// if in a certain range
if (distance >= 5 && distance <= 10)
// play a sound!
music.baDing.play()
})
Pivot prompt #4
Output: MicroServo
// if you have errors, use EXTENSIONS -> servo
servos.A1.setAngle(0) // start at 0
// wait .5 second to get back to 0 in case it wasn't close
pause(500)
// on button A click, sweep forward
input.buttonA.onEvent(ButtonEvent.Click, function () {
servos.A1.setAngle(0)
// wait .5 second to get back to 0 in case it wasn't close
pause(500)
// iterate from 0 degrees to 180 degrees
// in steps of 1 degree
for (let pos = 0; pos <= 180; pos++) {
// tell servo to go to position in variable 'pos'
servos.A1.setAngle(pos)
// waits 5 ms for the servo to reach the position
pause(5)
}
})
// on button B click, sweep back
input.buttonB.onEvent(ButtonEvent.Click, function () {
servos.A1.setAngle(180)
// wait .5 second to get to 180 in case it wasn't close
pause(500)
// iterate from 0 degrees to 180 degrees
// in steps of 1 degree
for (let pos = 180; pos >= 0; pos--) {
// tell servo to go to position in variable 'pos'
servos.A1.setAngle(pos)
// waits 15 ms for the servo to reach the position
pause(5)
}
})
Elevator pitch
Elevator pitch
Your team will give a 90 second "elevator pitch" for the design you decide to pursue.
To help you prepare your elevator pitch, here is a template adapted from Steven Schmeiser. It is framed for pitching a product to seek investment capital, so you'll want to adjust the framing with this in mind:
COMPANY - who are you? this can help us understand your "backstory" and contextualize your project
NEED - what does your project seek to provide to its user?
SOLUTION - how does your project address the need?
MARKET - who do you imagine will be interacting with the project?
BUSINESS MODEL - optional for this course context
EXIT - optional for this course context
PEOPLE - who will you pull in to help design, build and/or test your project?
THE ASK - are there resources beyond the supplies already provided in the course that you'll need for the project?
Design inspiration
Design inspiration
Project 3: flex challenge (due 10/1)
Project 3: flex challenge (due 10/1)
Work in small groups to create an interactive tangible project using a new component on your Circuit Playground Express.
You can choose any of the components we saw today.
You should sense at least one type of input (e.g., light, touch, gesture, distance, etc.) and respond with at least one type of output (e.g., LED/neopixel, speaker, microservo).
If you use an external component, remember what you learned with paper circuits!
Use alligator clips to connect from the Circuit Playground Express to external components.
Requirements
Document, as a group, your process on your web sites (you can copy/paste or link to one group member's site), including successes and failures encountered along the way:
your design process
a description/sketch of your final proposed design
documentation of your build process
your final code
a final video or collection of photos that demonstrates the final product
Reflect, individually, on the project and how it relates to the topics of cognitive flexibility and belongingness, using the prompts below. You can choose to write the reflection (4-5 paragraphs) or record it as video/audio (3-5 minutes).
Look back on the project as a whole and consider the impactive of perspective-taking.
How did having multiple perspectives impact the project?
Were there any unexpected moments? How did you respond to them?
How did intergroup dynamics impact your learning?
Challenge yourself to step back and think about any parallels you can draw to your learning journey at large, using these prompts:
How does (not) having multiple perspectives impact your decision-making?
Can you think of ways that cognitive flexibility could help you stretch in considering what courses you take in and out of your (intended) major(s)?
Looking back, are there any times where you got stuck or spun your wheels when you could have paused to seek other solutions or perspectives? Do you think the outcome would have been different?
Can you think of a time when you were committed to a plan, but could have been more effective by pivoting to a new plan? What would you tell your former self?
Page updated
Report abuse