A chat that offers middle school teachers a chance to have a collaborative discussion about a different topic each week. Our topics change from week to week, ranging from Common Core State Standards to Character Education. During the chat, participants exchanges ideas and resources. The chat group ranges in size each week from 10 to 50+ participants. Discussion can be general talking about instructional style or process to specific. Recently members of the chat group help each other create lessons.
Join the Leadership Challenge. Help your students develop skills that will prepare them for success in school, college & life! Sign up for free today: https://t.co/0eg4U8rCcx#mschat#edchat
The #mschat for Middle School educators is starting now and is focusing on Coding and Hour of Code if anyone wants to double chat, continue their discussions, and share their expertise there! #tdsbEd
Q1: Does your school promote computer science courses or build in time for your students to code? If yes, tell us about it!
If not, what do you think is holding you or your school up? #mschat
Hi all! I'm Sarah, ajunior math Education student at Elon University! I've taken two college Computer Science classes, moderate coding knowledge #ElonEd#mschat
A1: we build in touch-typing/computer time, & our tech person is FABULOUS. She’d provide support for anything I needed/wanted. Coding isn’t a big push yet. Potential’s there. #mschat
A1: The two schools I'm placed in now don't incorporate coding at all. They both have laptop carts that need to be reserved in advance and other technology is not readily available to students #ElonEd#mschat
A1 We also have an Innovation and Exploration class that kids learn about the design thinking process and choose an independent project which could include coding #mschat
A1 Most of the teacher preparation programs today are focusing on incorporating as much tech as possible. For my middle school major, I have taken a Java course that promotes coding literacy for all stages - from beginner to advanced. #mschat
A1: we offer robotics after school and can offer some #coding during the day. Most of the time it’s ferocious, technology comfortable Ts who push coding and #GeniusHour#mschat
Our manufacturing tech teacher uses Project Lead the Way I believe there is come computer work along with design activities for our Ss there as well #mschat
A2 My opening sci unit is #Physics based It would be great to incorporate some coding in that unit...better talk to @juliteach & man tech T for some advise! #mschat
Q2 Coding can be incorporated into any subject by having students create their own digital portfolios. Work from any subject can be displayed on a page that students design and code on their own. this can also help so parents all the amazing things their kids are doing. #mschat
A2: Coding is all about procedure so I've done "unplugged coding" activities where one student writes steps to solve a problem and then another student follows the procedure without knowing the original task #mschat#ElonEd
I believe coding could be used in all classes but it might require the students to educate some of us old school teachers on all of the possibilities with it.#mschat
A3: One of my students is one of the weakest based on traditional academics but is an amazing engineer & tech-tinkerer. Gives him opportunities to grow & shine. #mschat
I believe coding could be used in all classes but it might require the students to educate some of us old school teachers on all of the possibilities with it.#mschat
A3: Coding allows all Ss the opportunity to challenge themselves in areas they are interested in. It allows for all Ss to do and be successful. #mschat
A3 Coding is for ALL students because it can be customized for any student. Beginners can create simply programs that display phrases or ask simple Y/N questions, while more advanced students can take it a step further. #mschat
Q4: So you don’t have a lot of technology? That's OK! There are many unplugged activities for students to try. What are some of your favorite unplugged coding activities and resources? #mschat
A4: One of my peers came up with a math graphing activity where ss pair up and describe graphs to eachother using vocab like "roots" "increasing/decreasing" and have to recreate the graph then compare and dicuss #ElonEd#mschat
A4: @codeorg puts on some great free PD sessions about their online platform & unplugged coding. I like syntax stuff like Plant a Seed or Get the Teacher Out of the Room. #mschat#kidscode
I like any activity that promotes the 4C's of education (communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity). Here is the link to a great example https://t.co/K6XqWI8uSr#mschat
A4 I like any activity that promotes the 4C's of education (communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity). Here is the link to a great example https://t.co/K6XqWI8uSr …
#mschat
A4: Anything that allows our Ss to learn about using clear, detailed, and specific instructions allows for them to take an unplugged approach to coding. #mschat
A4 I like any activity that promotes the 4C's of education (communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity). Here is the link to a great example https://t.co/K6XqWI8uSr …
#mschat
A5: Coding Bat is one of the only sites I'm familiar with. It offers short coding problems.The site is great for practice but isn't designed for teaching content. I think upper middle to high school and through college would be good ages to use it with #ElonEd#mschat
A5 Wonder for the Dash and Dot robotics can be great for younger students. It is an easy way to introduce them to robotics. These robots are also amazing for refining fine motor skills. #mschat
A5: @CodeCombat is awesome for ES & MS. I’m also a fan of Swift Playground on iPad for ES & MS. Mad as already mentioned, @Sonic_Pi for ES, MS & HS. #mschat#codelife
A5: Once I had iPads in my room that had @gotynker them. Ss seemed to enjoy the simplicity of the coding, and got their monsters to do some cool things. I'm not very familiar with the app though. #mschat
Check out @Raspberry_Pi Certification to learn physical coding, hands on, for FREE over a weekend. I did it, loved it. You pay for travel, room & dinners. They even provide breakfast & lunch! https://t.co/NcehD7vofl#mschat
A6: My favorite that I have experienced is coding @ParrotEducation drones with @gotynker. Love the engineering behind designing code to get it to do tasks. #mschat
A6 Dash and Dot can be really fun and engaging for young Ss. You can program these robots to play music on a xylophone, so this activity can really be used for any level of coding Ss. Start by playing a scale, then when they have more practice, give them a song. #mschat
A7 Coding has to be brought into mainstream education. Even if teachers start slow by having kids code presentations, it will get them interested. Then Ss will be intrigued and self-motivated to learn more on their own and find ways to incorporate it into their education. #mschat
A7 Coding has to be brought into mainstream education. Even if teachers start slow by having kids code presentations, it will get them interested. Then Ss will be intrigued and self-motivated to learn more on their own and find ways to incorporate it into their education. #mschat
