#tnedchat Archive
TNedchat is a way for educators in Tennessee to share thoughts, resources, and information. The weekly chat is moderated by Jessica Warner (@jessawarner) and Samantha Bates (@sjsbates).
Thursday April 21, 2016
Welcome to ! Tonight we're talking about tech camps! A big thank you to for joining us tonight.
I'm so gald to join you for from the
I look forward to learning more about tech camps. !
We have several 24 we have created for students from age 8-18
So, , will you describe a tech camp?
I am excited to share about those and hear from some old friends about how they are learning and using tech
Sure , in this case it's a one week camp teaching a tech discipline like python, or Scratch
we have teachers all over middle Tn who are leading these camps for the
other teachers are joining as volunteers so they can learn a new skill such as HTML/CSS/JS
So, how does this model differ from a tech class?
Well it's one week long so the focus is on helping students get a taste. It's not comprehensive but it can give them a nice start
it also differs because there is some exploration/informal learning built into our camps
How can tech camps help students?
It helps demystify tech so they realize they can do tech as a career
I'm curious-how is transportation provided for students for these tech camp? What are the ages of the Ss?
you may not know this but middle TN has over 1500 open tech positions today.
https://t.co/sdTuJ7o9In
Hi, transportation is usually provided by parents but in MNPS many of our camps are on the bus route.
Do you only run these tech camps in the summer?
our camps are for students ages 8 to 18, rising 3rd graders to seniors
we are interested in becoming more involved with after school and weekend programs. has held code road
CodeRode is a Saturday program for girls in Middle TN, Memphis, and Kenya
Sounds like there's room for growth :) https://t.co/bvir5cTycH
CodeRode is a Saturday program for girls in Middle TN, Memphis, and Kenya
we also schedule field trips so older students can see 'tech at work'
This whole tech camp thing has going on sure does sound like one others should copy!
But the teacher peer mentor group is the thing we are doing which is nearest to my heart
teachers cannot help students get ready for the 21st century without knowing some 21st century skills
Where does the funding come from for all this?
help take the fear & add the fun to tech. Takes pressure of grading that happens in classrooms and allows more fun
The NTC was awarded funds from the leap grant. the goal was to increase use of the TNpromise programs
we still have people who do not know they can have 2 free years of college through TNpromise. I want every kid 2 know.
https://t.co/y8i6vuLn6v
There were many days I would watch 7th graders eyes light up like youngsters when I brought in computers
So how do you introduce coding to students at a tech camp? Or are they familiar already?
we have different levels of camp for students with differing experience levels
for our newest coders we use a creative computing approach with Scratch which is a drag and drop blockly program
Hate to run because I am finding this Tech Camp idea fascinating and it has my head spinning! Need to do some jobs around house!
It's all good; you'll be in the Story.
Thank you so much for sharing about the Tech Camps and all your work w/them. They sound awesome!
I would love to know how the teachers are getting their 21st century skills? Where do you go to learn coding?
Not gonna lie: I downloaded some apps for kids on my iPad to teach myself how to code.
...unless we're talking about HMTL, in which case MySpace and LiveJournal taught me how to code :)
do you wish you knew about more ways to learn the new tech so you could bring it back to your students?
OK, I'll answer one more...:) are all helping me teach and learn code to kids.
Yes!!! Most programs are for "I'm a serious adult learning to do serious tech stuff" people.
I can make a mean mouse-cursor-with-a-glittery-rainbow-tail.
it can seem that way until you find the right resource. All of my best resources were ref by a live person
the person to person connection is vital in every type of learning including tech
That's something every teacher needs to hear. Harder when you teach every student in a school.
It's applicable to teachers who need to learn those skills also. They need mentors
that's why the NTC created Teachers' Tech on Tap. It's a peer mentor group for teachers who are interested in technology
all of the teachers are welcome to attend. We only have one more meeting for the school year. Fri May 6 at 5 pm
I wonder if that could also be done online?
Like a mentorship program with no geographical boundaries.
I forgot the most important thing Teachers Tech on 5/6 and raspberryjam on 4/26 are free to attend reg at https://t.co/JdhVKF6NGG
have you found there is something synergistic about meeting others to 'talk shop' in person?
That's why I looooove edcamps. And there's also coffee and beer meetups as PD.
I believe in the power of incidental learning but I also think it can be engineered. That's my goal for teacher peer
similar concept only once per month and trying to bring in people from industry so we get varied perspectives.
There's value both in pursued learning as well as incidental learning.
is coming to an end, but a huge thank you to of for talking about tech camps!
