This is the official Twitter account for #OklaEd, thehashtag that brings OK educators together. #OklaEd is not political & promotes constructive dialogue.
I’m Mackenzie Kendall Greer a preservice teacher at OU, a great resource for teaching code in classrooms is https://t.co/gAOHNT0ADd some great resources for teachers! #oklaed
Hey y’all! Madison Wilcoxson! A junior at the University of Oklahoma. Special Education major with HQ’s in Social Studies and Elementary Education! #oklaed
A1: CS is only the tiniest step above basic logical thought. As soon as kids understand, "You can have a chocolate if you clean up your room," they can start to understand programming concepts. #oklaed
A1: Early elementary school would work best. By upper elementary, there are robot competitions and cool stuff to be involved in! If they don't already know something, they're behind. #oklaed
A1: we should start teaching Computer Science in Kindergarten or Pre-K. It’s never too early to start teaching our students skills that will help them pave the way through to their futures with everything being so technology heavy nowadays #oklaed#CSedWeek
A1: before they ever enter a school. But K At the latest. You should see my 2 year old on a computer. You should hear her monkey imitation. Seriously it’s precious. #oklaed
Carri Hicks, 4th grade Math & Science Teacher, We use a variety of resources to engage all levels here's a low risk resource w tons of info. #oklaed#CSEdWeekhttps://t.co/DAKDLVX2t5
I think we can start teaching CS concepts as soon as students enter the education system! CS concepts aren’t just learning and typing code. They are also logical and design thinking concepts that can be taught (in hands-on and entertaining ways!!) as early as Kinder! #oklaed
Early childhood, there are clear standards starting in PK and K, when we grow/build on those skills throughout the years Ss will be prepared to do great things using CS concepts in the later years #oklaed
Renee Bell, Del City High School, AP Biology teacher. A1: not sure pre-k is the place for CS but definitely as soon as they start making connections and thinking through problems. #oklaed
A1: #oklaed should start integrating concepts from CS from the get-go. As a former K & 1st grade teacher, students are very adept at learning patterns and are eager to code. Pipecleaners w pony beads "coding" bracelets were always a hit! #CSEdWeek
I think we definitely start at the earliest level. I know my friend, @sunnydays622, starts coding with her Pre-K kiddos. It’s amazing to see what they can do by the time they get to me in first great. Exposure is key #oklaed
Hey y’all! Madison Wilcoxson! A junior at the University of Oklahoma. Special Education major with HQ’s in Social Studies and Elementary Education! #oklaed
A2 - This is not my wheel house, so I don’t really know. I do know that we have some amazing tech teachers who are teaching coding, website building, film editing, 3D animation, and more! #oklaed#csedweek
A1: Parents are already introducing their children to technology (iPhones, pads, etc) at any early age. The sooner we incorporate learning with it the better. #oklaed
A2: It depends on the T and the school. I work w/ many Ts that have fully integrated CS skills in the classroom (i.e., teaching coding w/beebots or using apps to create books), I have others that need further support to get going #oklaed
We are starting with the introduction of EasyTech Curriculum in our Elementary. We are also introducing our students to the #everybodycancode curriculum. #oklaED
A2: I'm not familiar with how or when our district implements the CS standards but I do know that we are a technology embracing district and whatever is in the best interest of the child is when and how we do it #oklaed
A2: Curriculum oversight is department and site specific. Tech coaches throughout the district, and a myriad of offering ways to integrate technology. I will say our computer science teachers @ Altus High School are 💯💯💯💯#oklaed#CSedWeek
Can I say that just because we teach CS concepts, it doesn’t mean kids (especially young kids) need to be in front of a screen all day. We can teach concepts without all day iPad access. 🤷🏼♀️ #OklaEd#csedweek
Thought/Argument can be taught in a variety of ways. Schemed and sorted out on paper, then rolled into some cool programming app for debugging. #oklaed
A2: These are amazing! Super sad to not be in the classroom this year to implement. We have bee-bots and pro-bots that I'm sure are being used at length for various aspects of these standards. #oklaed#CSEdWeek
Also conceptually speaking being a life long techie the way a student’s brain works using technology to problem solve is universal. It is the type of thinking we want across the board, that’s why I LOVE integrating tech in my ELA and Social Studies subjects. #oklaed
A2: It depends on the T and the school. I work w/ many Ts that have fully integrated CS skills in the classroom (i.e., teaching coding w/beebots or using apps to create books), I have others that need further support to get going #oklaed
A2) We have CS courses, robotics club, Career Tech opportunities. At the MS we have computer classes, STEM classes. Looking to include more and become more defined in pathways. #oklaed
A3: STEAM is an objective with action steps within our district strategic plan. It hasn’t easy but we are progressing in this area at all levels. #oklaed
A2 I think Ts are still learning as we have additional tech they are gradually becoming more interested now using it authenticity...but we need more convo about standards. #OklaEd
A3: #ipswarriors are introducing coding in the lower grades, 1:1 iPads in Elem. Chromebooks in Secondary. We offer CS electives in HS, LEGO League in MS. We continue to develop CS strategies and courses yearly. #oklaed
From our very own @_levi_ at @oksde —
ISTE are more about tech-integrated instruction in any curriculum. Think of ISTE as interactional technology. The CS standards focus on the foundational concepts and practices of Computer Science. #oklaed#CSEdWeek
A3: @DCAntlers has technology integrated into our mission statement. The district has been very supportive of leading the way for our students in preparing them for jobs we can't even fathom. #oklaed#CSEdWeek
A1: There are so many devices and activities that don’t require screen time. Beebots, probots and more. Anyone use something else in PK-1? #CSforALL#CSedWeek#oklaed
Can I say that just because we teach CS concepts, it doesn’t mean kids (especially young kids) need to be in front of a screen all day. We can teach concepts without all day iPad access. 🤷🏼♀️ #OklaEd#csedweek
A3) We are looking to define pathways more clearly and identify the career clusters of interest for our students. Expanding the use of technology in courses and encouraging our Ts to be continual learners. #oklaed
Q2: I am a pre-service teacher, but as my Lesson plan project for my Learning with Educational Technologies Class, I did a 3rd grade lesson using standard 3.AP.A.01 compare multiple algorithms for the same task! #oklaed#CSEdWeek
A3: My district now provides robotics programs at ALL of our campuses. We are implementing STEM rooms across the district. Middle school is offered a STEM class. Hoping to expand STEM classes to all levels! #oklaed
A3: We have great career tech programs, Bio-Med, and are 1-1 yet I feel like until we address some of the antiquated course offerings for students we won’t be giving them the equity they need. #oklaed
A3: I don't know exactly what our district is doing, but our school provided a pile of opportunities to work in many areas of tech, both in and out of class. #oklaed
late to the party Jimmy in Cushing #oklaed. What Im doing is using #Bootstrapworld to introduce Coding into my Alg1 with the goal of offering dual math/cs credit in the one course next year!
Oh and #ipswarriors are creating MakerSpaces in each building and we have scheduled STEAM time in our after school program 4 days a week #oklaed#CSforAll
Agreed. But many teachers struggle with just getting start, they see the importance just need to get over the learning curve. I recently released a #passingnotes episode with @MrRogersTech about steps Ts can take to get going #oklaed
A3: Bringing technology into the classroom to enhance the learning process is key. Exposure to careers and opportunities within the fields further sparks their interests. Connect passionate students with institutions that have strong STEM programs #CSedWeek#oklaed
A4: Not an specific CS resource but as a parent, I use https://t.co/pI0l4krpYy as a great resource to supplement and review apps my kiddos use #oklaed#CSEdWeek
A3: Merely having a few course offerings is not enough. Comp science concepts need to be embedded in our T’s, S’s and our front offices’ daily practices. #oklaed#CSedWeek
A3: well, I teach 4th but I do have these discussions. And often. I work for one of the best districts in the state and beyond.. so I trust that they’re meeting and exceeding this at the higher levels. #oklaed
#oklaed A3) Since our job is to support districts, I can only highlight the great work of folks who do Project Lead The Way and https://t.co/JiBQ6RLC63
A4: I am obsessed with @Seesaw in the early childhood classroom right now. It is so cool how Ss can use the app to demonstrate their knowledge on academic concepts through the use of CS strategies. I also have a lot of Ts using beebots to teach early coding #oklaed
A4: One of my favorite resources for helping students learn Computer Scienec Standards is Swift playgrounds! It has a kid-friendly interface and does a remarkable job explaining every step of learning to code. #oklaEd#CSEdWeek
I think there are a lot of boardgames that sort of follow these kinds of rules - its just hard to see and make connections for younger students. #oklaed
College majors gaining the most in popularity:
Exercise science
Computer science
Nursing
Health and medical
Computer and electrical engineering
College majors losing the most in popularity:
History
Religion
Area studies
Humanities
Languages and literatures other than English
I agree! There needs to be more training and support for teachers, though. I have teachers in my building that stress out just thinking about any of the Google apps (drive, docs, and so on....). #oklaed
A4b- Everyone should really check out @stanforddschool. Their design thinking approach is phenomenal!! Unfortunately 280 characters is not enough to explain, but go check out their website! #oklaed#csedweek
A4b: I love the use of makerspaces to teach CS concepts. I just recently heard from Enid PS on how they are using makerspaces in the early grades #oklaed
As a profession we have to move beyond demanding PD for everything. When did our students ever ask for PD when exploring technology? They usually just dive in. #oklaed
A4) I think our librarians are an effective team of teachers which are an underutilized resource in our schools. They have MakerSpaces, tech and more that can be an extension of what you create in the classroom. @Akordeliski@kelseymbarker#oklaED
A3 As part of our newest DoDEA grant @dodeagrants, we’ve established two HS STEM classes that take the concepts they (students) are learning into elem/ms classes weekly; they reteach. Also aquarium visit/lessons #oklaED#oklaED
A4 - Honestly, didn’t even know their were standards, BUT I am hoping this means we are moving away from Computer Applications as a required HS credit. Our Ss are waaaayyy past learning Microsoft word by the time they get to HS. #oklaed#csedweek
A3: I’m a pre-service teacher, so I can’t speak for a specific district, but I will say that CS should be embedded in as many courses and subjects as possible—having a few CS classes offered isn’t enough! #oklaed
A4 in the #bootstrapworld Algebra course they have design function and contract worksheets where students workout how to name, determine inputs, the rule/expression, domain and range of functions totally worth it whether we type it into the computer or not #oklaed
She had it out at Thanksgiving. She's an elementary teacher. It would definitely take thought to progress through it, but such a fun way to look at coding. #oklaed
Yes! Makerspaces, simple circuitry - check out @chibitronics, @microbit_edu, creative storytelling, etc. Sometimes we specialize too quickly and exclude many who would normally be interested. #oklaed
In reply to
@TwyllaHester, @chibitronics, @microbit_edu
Enrich Oklahoma's social fabric with local control in #oklaed
Subsidiarity recognizes principals know better than politicians and nobody loves children more than their parents.
This is a true statement. But sometimes, us teachers want to know every nook and cranny of how to use and incorporate a thing and all of the possible places that it can go off the rails before we even take a sniff at using it with students...#oklaed
A4: I'm going to be hugely unpopular, but as a HS Bio Science teacher, I think our kids spend to much screen time as it is. I would ❤️ for them to utilize critical thinking skills and tech as tools , not as a crutch. But that is where they are js #oklaed
Enrich Oklahoma's social fabric with local control in #oklaed
Subsidiarity recognizes principals know better than politicians and nobody loves children more than their parents.
https://t.co/vvO8eEMmEI
We did a survey of career cluster interests for our Ss so that I can see what courses would be most beneficial for them. First year in the bldg. Good things happening. #oklaed
In reply to
@mrterborg, @chibitronics, @microbit_edu
I would politely push back here: they use screen in ways that are not constructing knowledge (which translates to tons of wasted opportunities for learning/using tech for good) #oklaED
A5 The best thing about it is that it is embedded in current instruction. May stress some people out to think about it, but reflecting on how instruction can be adjusted to incorporate these thought processes is critical #oklaed
Excellent. My thinking was to integrate tech into the gen ed classes rather than career clusters. (Think of it as a pre-career cluster) then go deeper as needed. #oklaed
In reply to
@TwyllaHester, @chibitronics, @microbit_edu
A5)First thought for the ISTE CT Standards- Defining Computational Thinking- I think teachers will run away if they don't understand what it truly mean.. It doesn't mean : TEACH Coding...#oklaed
If they are going to be on the screen, they should use it constructively. This requires habits. Granted, many elite (read California private) type schools don't have a lot of screens. #oklaED
This is absolutely true. Folks need to dive in, especially when it comes to tech. However, I see this as a prime reason why experienced educators are leaving. So how do you accelerate growth, be inclusive of all levels of tenure, and still meet the needs of kids?
In reply to
@TeachFromHere, @ChristineTeel, @edu_sanders70
Anything that caters to a variety of learning techniques! We can’t forget in all the tech ed buzz that our students still have different ways of learning. One may not be picking up a concept via coding, but give them printed bubbles to flowchart it out and it may click! #oklaed
Currently working on that as well, but I'm just now getting tech into their hands at the HS. Increasing the number of Chromebooks available and encouraging use. #oklaed
In reply to
@mrterborg, @chibitronics, @microbit_edu
Coming from Texas schools, this is a huge difference I noticed. Teacher learning was a high priority - I chose most of the PD (don’t we talk about choice for our S’s?), I was given a sub, and it was during school hours only. From what I’ve seen, it’s not that way here. #oklaed
In reply to
@ShariGateley, @TeachFromHere, @edu_sanders70
A6- I think most of ELA is about inquiry, critical thinking, logical thought, argument, and creativity (or it should be). We do this every single day. Shoot - even my kids who want to do video game design have to understand the components of storytelling. #oklaed#csedweek
I would disagree because CS and computational thinking isn't about screens, but about the critical thinking processes involved. Thinking about the coding required in Bio (DNA, cell replication, etc) #oklaed#CSEdWeek
It's your first year. It all takes time. Much longer than I anticipated here. Check out @RoboWunderkind It's designed for K-6/8 but it could be used in HS (perhaps?) #oklaed
In reply to
@TwyllaHester, @chibitronics, @microbit_edu, @RoboWunderkind
A6: Inquiry based learning is my favorite approach. There's so much value in self discovery. Even if there's an error in reasoning, research indicates Ss are creating stronger connections through doing. #oklaed#CSEdWeek
A5 interested to see responses...I’m not an experts on this. my thought would be start early with more concrete coding (PreK-1), move to graphics (K-2/3...maybe longer) , and gradually move to more abstract. #OklaEd
It is also very scary as Ts haven’t been trained in CS. However Ts know how to teach and in my experience with Junior Botball, they are amazing and see the important skills it teaches. @Dell4Good#scaryelemteacher#CSedWeek#oklaed@JuniorBotball
This is absolutely true. Folks need to dive in, especially when it comes to tech. However, I see this as a prime reason why experienced educators are leaving. So how do you accelerate growth, be inclusive of all levels of tenure, and still meet the needs of kids?
In reply to
@TeachFromHere, @ChristineTeel, @edu_sanders70
A7 - No real questions, but would argue we need to add the extra letter & make it STEAM. The arts are equally important - need creativity and communication! #oklaed#csedweek
True...experience, cognitive development, critical thinking skills etc...vary from student to student. It would be hard to move forward w/out the prerequisite skills. #OklaEd
A7: I don't have any questions but I do need to take the time to seek out more information about engaging students in CS and STEM as well as seek out more PD opportunities for my Ts on the topic #oklaed
No, you're pushing back. We need people to push back. It cannot be a crutch but it needs to be used for the routine, boring, iterative things. Let people be creative @Mathgarden#oklaed
In reply to
@Biobellrocks, @jasonbengs, @Mathgarden
#oklaed teachers and leaders from across the state coming together to share best practices, resources, innovation and learn from one another is how we improve our education system and have a further impact on our students. Glad to be here and learn from everyone! #CSedWeek
Curriculum integration / makerspace / storytelling. Not tech for tech sake. That's important but we're past that. Let them specialize as they get into HS. #oklaed
A7: Still looking for ideas on strengthening older Ts confidence introducing tech and CS concepts. Most of my more experienced, rural Ts need more direction implementing. #oklaed
@room20awesome I love Beebots Pk-1 and then move to text base CS. As our Ss are learning syntax in school, text based is easy for them. #oklaed#CSforALL#CSEdWeek
A5 interested to see responses...I’m not an experts on this. my thought would be start early with more concrete coding (PreK-1), move to graphics (K-2/3...maybe longer) , and gradually move to more abstract. #OklaEd
We shouldn't need to be trained in CS. Especially in elementary. We need the integration. Graphical coding makes it easy. Let the kids run with it. #oklaed
In reply to
@GoodgameCarol, @Dell4Good, @JuniorBotball
A6 Computational Thinking in Kinder is basic understanding of pattern, sequence etc. Students use instruments to make patterns, use KomaKoma to think about sequence ...#OklaEd
A7: My only question is around T engagement. What do Ts truly need to be successful at integrating the new standards? PD, time, a crash course in ideas? I found once I started integrating #STEM in my lessons, it unleashed a whole new passion for teaching. #oklaed#CSEdWeek
No you're spot on. Just because its on the computer doesn't make it innovative. A worksheet on the computer is still just a worksheet. If you look at the new CS OAS standards they point out that CS is more than just Word processing #oklaed
In reply to
@mrterborg, @Biobellrocks, @jasonbengs, @Mathgarden
We shouldn't need to be trained in CS. Especially in elementary. We need the integration. Graphical coding makes it easy. Let the kids run with it. #oklaed
In reply to
@GoodgameCarol, @Dell4Good, @JuniorBotball
This is where we need an integration manual. We have too many things to do. We also need it building / district wide. Individual silos don't work well. #oklaed
Have to cut loose a little early. I am looking forward to reviewing the chat. #oklaed Looks like good information and a great opportunity to refocus our CS efforts.
A7: Asking as a pre-service teacher, what are some of the ways anyone on here has introduced CS to their students? How did they react? How could I incorporate CS into a severe/profound Special Education class? #oklaed#CSEdWeek
A8: Ts should be able to integrate CS standards into their already awesome contact lessons. Having tech integration specialists to assist with this in our district is a plus #oklaed
PLTW critical thinking puzzle creation by my daughter in Pre-engineering. 5 different pieces that create a cube, designed on paper, cut out of wood and glued. No computer- unplugged #oklaed
A8 - Honestly, I think the concepts are naturally a part of ELA. Analysis, critical thinking, inquiry, logic, argumentation, creativity, communication through writing, etc. I add design challenges in every unit (@stanforddschool) so Ss prototype/test, etc. #oklaed#csedweek
We micromanage them far too often and far too young. Get them independent as possible as soon as possible yet teach them to ask for help / work together. #oklaEd
@mrterborg I think Ts are already doing some amazing things with CS that they didn’t know they were doing. I think both text based CS and graphical need to have PDs. #oklaed#CSEd#CSedWeek
We shouldn't need to be trained in CS. Especially in elementary. We need the integration. Graphical coding makes it easy. Let the kids run with it. #oklaed
In reply to
@GoodgameCarol, @Dell4Good, @JuniorBotball
I guess some of my push back is that we have a lot of PDs that go nowhere. There's a lot to do. However, if coding is a district goal then yes, we need PDs. Make sense? #oklaed
A8: I have so many ideas. ELA has a natural partnership in challenging traditional plots through experimentation. Think 3 little pigs and the Big Bad Wolf. That could lend itself to an entire lesson. #oklaed#CSEdWeek
A8 In K I usually start with a text (fiction or non) and integrate all subjects and learning activities...creates meaning and increased understanding of material. #oklaed
A3: Merely having a few course offerings is not enough. Comp science concepts need to be embedded in our T’s, S’s and our front offices’ daily practices. #oklaed#CSedWeek
A8 for starters, English & History Ts can use EBSCO & other online databases for research. SS Ts can use spreadsheets and lite coding to do stat analysis. Art Ts can do vector graphics and music composition. #oklaed
I believe CS naturally fits into other subject areas. Critical thinking, and problem solving for example are 2 key concept areas from it that can apply to any school subject. I think we can add other subjects to foster students’ excitement about CS! #CSEdWeek#oklaed
A9: Since I’m not a teacher, I can o my say I truly believe including CS in all levels and content areas has value. The kids we are teaching need to know CS standards to be successful in this growing world! #oklaed
But "training" has received a bad name. Years of horrible "sit and get" PD has led to PD being a joke and, at best, a meme. So how do you inspire teachers to persist and get excited about CS? The answer... coaching...support... hmm, dare I say, respect.
Adding in CS in other areas requires Ts to think outside the box. As admin, we need to provide the resources and time for them to investigate and plan. It must be intentional on our part. #oklaed
A9: I think that CS can be integrated into pretty much anything. Since our society is so technology-based, CS is a foundation for students to succeed in the digital age that we live in. #oklaEd#CSEdWeek
