Do the Makey Makey and You Turn a Cucumber into a Touch Pad!!???

I watched a video of a 4th grade classroom doing a science unit on electricity and magnetism. These students were able to use coding to make a cucumber a touch pad! It was insane!

This use of technology was something I had never seen before. The students use this device called the "Makey Makey" (talk about a strange name!). This device performed almost as an open circuit where the students had to complete the circuit and then anything they touched became a touch pad. For example they created a game of racing cucumbers, each student would hold onto the Makey Makey in order to complete the circuit and then touch the cucumbers which would then move the cucumbers on the program they created. MIND BLOWING! This opened my eyes up to the possibilities of technology. I always knew students could type an essay or make a power point on google, but I had never realized the type of technology that is available to increase the learning of the students. These students learned the meaning of conduction, circuit, how to code and so much more.

One of the coolest parts of the whole project was how excited the students were. They were ENGAGED, which is key. If you are able to find something the students are interested in or passionate about, the learning will follow just like that. The students were able to explain the program they had built using proper vocabulary. I wonder how available this sort of technology is to classrooms? I imagine this technology is expensive, but the idea can translate across any field. As long as the students are excited and they have a choice, the learning will follow even if you can't get the same technology
. The technology is great for assisting and enhancing the material; however, if the fundamentals are not there, then the technology means nothing.

here is the link to the project if you are interested in watching! https://melsylvester.coetail.com/2015/04/14/course-5-final-project-creating-and-coding/