• Picture of MacGyver TV character in bright color
  • What is Netlogo headline: A place to explore, play and learn with image of fish tank genetic drift and lighting in computer graphics from netlogo models
  • Image of a netlogo model of ant behavior. Shows model with variables in sliders and a link to netlogo website
  • Let's share your favorite model and a screenshot of a Google jam board
  • Headline Code is simply talking to the computer and getting it to do what you want and a picture of a computer art image with orange sky tree and flowers

Lesson Plan for Exploring NetLogo

Lesson Overview:

  • Watch a brief introduction video to NetLogo (found on the student lesson page)
  • Watch a brief video explanation how to explore NetLogo
  • Students spend 30 minutes (or as long as you feel appropriate) exploring NetLogo models
  • Students fill out worksheet about the models they explored on the NetLogo site OR they post what they shared on a Jamboard (if remote) or on Posters in your classroom.
  • On the next class session, discuss as a group what they explored.  What they liked and didn't like.  What they learned or discovered.  Did anything surprise them?

Required setup for teacher:  Pick how students will share what they learned with you and the class.

  • Do you want to set up a Jamboard if remote?
  • Do you have butcher paper or supplies to create posters in your classroom?
  • Do you want students to draw about what they learned on paper and submit?
  • Do you want students to do the worksheet?

Exploration Worksheet:

Google Doc Worksheet - Please make a copy on your drive and share with students.  Make sure each student gets a copy!

Questions or Support:

If you need assistance with this lesson, or something doesn't work, me at clarebhakta at ninjapandas.com

Lesson Plan for Creating (coding) in NetLogo

Lesson Overview:

  • Code is simply talking to the computer in a language the computer understands.  Today, we learn some of that language in NetLogo!
  • Coding is all about making and fixing mistakes.  Watch how mistakes are made and corrected in the videos today.
  • Do not be hard on yourselves when you make mistakes, that is part of the puzzle.
  • Together as a class, get everyone to do at least 1 thing successful with code.  Some will love it, some will hate it.  That is part of exploration.

  • Explore the video on How to Code in NetLogo Browser page
  • Students can code directly on the lesson page.
  • The buttons on the lesson page have color charts and shape charts and a code cheat sheet to help you get started.
  • Day 1 - students explore and use the materials to change turtles and patches on the screen. (please note, their work doesn't save, so screenshots of what they do are a good idea, this is what the worksheet collects)
  • Day 2 - students are asked to make a scene in NetLogo (I would only go this far with students who really like it, perhaps as an extra credit assignment.  I was unable to get an entire remote class to do this assignment successfully, so adjust your expectations accordingly)

Important tips for teachers

  • This is not a hands off lesson for most students.  Some will get it, but many will need help.
  • You don't have to have the answers, but you should show students how you find them.
  • If students (or yourself) get frustrated, it is ok to stop and take a break.  The answer may appear when you are not so frustrated.
  • If your students don't like coding in NetLogo, no need to force them.  There are other ways to talk to computers.
  • Congratulate your students when they do get a line of code to work for the first time. From here on out, they can say they have experience with code.

Worksheets:

Day 1 Worksheet Play in Netlogo code

Day 2 Worksheet Make a Scene in NetLogo code

Please make a copy on your drive and share with students.  Make sure each student gets a copy!

Questions or Support:

If you need assistance with this lesson, or something doesn't work, me at clarebhakta at ninjapandas.com