Excited to be joining the #moedchat from OHIO! ;) I’m an 8th grade science teacher and love robotics. Also, love using @Sphero in the classroom to teach everything from engineering to genetics!
Excited to be joining the #moedchat from OHIO! ;) I’m an 8th grade science teacher and love robotics. Also, love using @Sphero in the classroom to teach everything from engineering to genetics!
A1: We, as leaders, need to “give permission” for teachers & students to embrace their creativity & think about learning differently. I also think MODELING learning through play is important. We had a #STEM “playground” for our #CCMS staff on a PD day. It was awesome! #MOedchat
A1 I'm 34 years old and I learn by playing around with stuff. There is no reason why learning through play has to end after primary. Kids of all ages love to play, just make it beneficial! #moedchat
A1: Learning through play means JOY, and joy brings deeper learning and retention. Students will have visuals to accompany the concepts. @Sphero helps builds those visuals. #moedchat
Agree! So important to offer opportunities for informal 'play' dates for teachers! The irresistibly charming @Sphero usually gains fans afterwards! #moedchat
A1: We, as leaders, need to “give permission” for teachers & students to embrace their creativity & think about learning differently. I also think MODELING learning through play is important. We had a #STEM “playground” for our #CCMS staff on a PD day. It was awesome! #MOedchat
Absolutely! I have my most engaging lessons when we are in an engineering challenge mode. No script, more play, deeper conversations, and manipulation of materials. Win for so many reasons. #moedchat
A2: Using engineering challenges with mix of materials/tools available to explore, build, test. From 3d printers to a laser cutter, @sphero,iPads & Apple Pencils, we blend tools. Today had sewing, 3d printing, laser cutting, and jig saw rolling in class #engaged#moedchat
I like to do a hands-on whole-part-whole approach. I want to grab their attention but I don't want to keep them in awe and have them think it's magic. I break it down, help with starter templates and reverse engineer and then watch them make new awesomesness . #moedchat
A2 I like to look at what things drive their interests, video games, YouTube, toys, these things can really get them focused. Challenges are always good for those competitive ones too #moedchat
A2: Using engineering challenges with mix of materials/tools available to explore, build, test. From 3d printers to a laser cutter, @sphero,iPads & Apple Pencils, we blend tools. Today had sewing, 3d printing, laser cutting, and jig saw rolling in class #engaged#moedchat
A2: I am a believer in the importance of #studentagency & the power of students having ownership in their learning. But, students need explicit instruction on HOW to learn! #STEM integration is one way to increase engagement, motivation, & agency among our students! #MOedchat
It is such a cool process to prototype WITH students. I’ve been super impressed with the depth of collaboration that I can have with 8th graders. The same kids that can be super goofy will blow my mind when I’m working side by side with them! #moedchat
A2- To me it really comes back to that big secret... wait for it - caring relationships. If you can build great relationships with Ss, they will be engaged in almost everything you do because they know you care. #moedchat
A2b I love giving kids whatever newest tool we have and telling them "I just got this, let's just see what you can do with it" then I sit back and observe #moedchat
I do that often as well with new tech. A quick, "you have X minutes to figure out how to make it Y" works wonders. We're to the point in the year where students are creating "how to" troubleshooting videos for their peers (and me!) #moedchat
Great questions! Stop by the #METC19 Playkerspace next Tuesday & Wednesday and those from 5 to 60+ playing & learning as if they were all kids! So much fun to see! #MOEdChat
Q3 My students are using Microbits to create inventions that solve problems - the design process is incredible - it is a PLTW course @microbit_edu@PLTW_MO#MOedchat
I agree. Seeing the code in the moment and realizing the subtle nuances to code is powerful. I watch a young man code @Sphero for sensing earthquakes on our shake table…it took days. HE LOVED IT! Write, test, observe, revise. #moedchat
I do the same thing! Introduced Logitech Crayon this week and told Ss I hadn't time to play with it yet, who wants to try it? Was blown away with some of the things they produced! #moedchat
A2b I love giving kids whatever newest tool we have and telling them "I just got this, let's just see what you can do with it" then I sit back and observe #moedchat
Wow! We are just beginning our journey with microbits. Students loved building and coding weather station and soil tester. Also had great experience with vehicles. #moedchat
In reply to
@ELanghorst, @MOedchat, @microbit_edu, @PLTW_MO
I do the same thing! Introduced Logitech Crayon this week and told Ss I hadn't time to play with it yet, who wants to try it? Was blown away with some of the things they produced! #moedchat
A2b I love giving kids whatever newest tool we have and telling them "I just got this, let's just see what you can do with it" then I sit back and observe #moedchat
You cannot substitute the hands-on experience, especially for tactile learners. To feel/use their own creation and then view their reaction is like no other #moedchat
It is hard for us to do that, but it is so worth it if you have the courage! Plus, they don't have to know that you have been playing with those same tools for days ;) #moedchat
However, it's so important. Our Ss need to see us as learners as well. We should all strive to be comfortable to say, I don't know, but I'll do some research and see what I can find. It's good for Ss to see that their questions are worth our time in finding answers #moedchat
A4 We begin with unplugged activities at younger grades, add physical bots & then use @codeorg to work through the CS Fundamentals courses to help scaffold learning. We always circle back to our favorite @sphero really loving the mini because it's so easy to connect. #moedchat
Did the same with multi-screen animations, yesterday. Showed them an example, talked about how it could be done and this is what they created: https://t.co/bn4YRaFlqI#moedchat
I do that often as well with new tech. A quick, "you have X minutes to figure out how to make it Y" works wonders. We're to the point in the year where students are creating "how to" troubleshooting videos for their peers (and me!) #moedchat
Can you see @Sphero at the bottom? We have this big shake table. Kids test on shoe box sized shake tables with our favorite little robot inside! @Sphero on the big table “senses” the movement. In practice tables…makes the shake! #moedchat
In reply to
@awall777, @debbiefuco, @SpheroEdu, @Sphero, @Sphero, @Sphero
A4 In kindergarten and first grade, it works to give directions to the kids and have them physically move around a room. This helps them understand that coding "tells" the computer or robot to do something. Swift Playground is also a game changer! #moedchat
I almost always create a starter template for them, "skeleton code" similar to providing skeleton notes in order to help teach notetaking. Plus, if I can't create it on my own, how could I expect them to? Don't want to discourage; especially first impressions #moedchat
A3 I think it makes the coding more realistic and tactile, it is much easier to feel and see what you are creating if it happens in "real life" #moedchat
A4: I love that @spheroedu also helps to reach all levels. Littles can use the Drawing feature while my HS kiddos can write their own text code. And there are SO many challenges!#moedchat
A4 (spoiler alert: it fits @SpheroEdu platform) I like going from drawing a program to block coding, helps to step up the kids to grasping the step by step thinking #moedchat
A4: We do a lot of early talking through the code. Like, “ I want @Sphero to do…So, I probably want to try…” Then, same with coding drones, @microbit_edu and more. Like read aloud, think aloud…I use code aloud. #moedchat
I have 5 #3dprinters in my classroom now. #grantwriting They are amazing tools to add to my 8thgraders tool kit! Also, another reason I’m happy to be married to a super patient guy! #moedchat
@SpheroEdu app is a goldmine! I use the #ThursdayLearnDay ideas a lot. They are great brain breaks or challenges. The sharing of lessons and codes on the app/site is great. #moedchat
What grade levels are you using Swift Playground with? I tried it but found it hard to visually see. Met a developer and shared. Have they changed the interface? #moedchat
Teaching about debugging is actually my favorite because it requires you to observe the mess, recognize what the intention was, find a way to clean it up and how to prevent it from "breaking" again. #moedchat
I'm going to be using a variation of the Ollie sprinting program next week with #BOLT and our PE Teacher who is brave enough to give it a try @Heckofateacher#moedchat
In reply to
@LLacrosse, @SpheroEdu, @Heckofateacher
Teaching about debugging is actually my favorite because it requires you to observe the mess, recognize what the intention was, find a way to clean it up and how to prevent it from "breaking" again. #moedchat
I’m going to admit that this tweet gave me the chills. Yikes! Brave, you are!!! I’m still not confident in my own coding for this, but it would be a great area of growth for me. #moedchat
A6 Sometimes, @Sphero can be driven around a floor map, through a community, spell words, do math problems, race through a maze, learn directions, carry messages, etc. #moedchat
Great point, Troy. My Kindy daughter likes to move and plan out what she will do before interacting with her device! For her the physical movement translates her brain’s ideas well so she can then code it! @kodeable and @codeorg are two of her favorites. #moedchat
A4 In kindergarten and first grade, it works to give directions to the kids and have them physically move around a room. This helps them understand that coding "tells" the computer or robot to do something. Swift Playground is also a game changer! #moedchat
Teaching about debugging is actually my favorite because it requires you to observe the mess, recognize what the intention was, find a way to clean it up and how to prevent it from "breaking" again. #moedchat
Slow motion capture? Another slight addiction. ;) We watch @Sphero crash in slow motion like it is our job! Great for Newton’s Laws and learning about contact forces and friction for sure. #moedchat
I have not, but that sounds pretty good to me! I have used blindfolds and told the kids to code each other to pick up stuff... #SafetyFirst#noonegothurt#moedchat
Slow motion capture? Another slight addiction. ;) We watch @Sphero crash in slow motion like it is our job! Great for Newton’s Laws and learning about contact forces and friction for sure. #moedchat
That looks like some serious fun! I have never heard of those, but WOW. That’s a way to get kids moving. I think I see a future grant. Thank you for sharing. Please let us know about the experience. #moedchat
It's cheesy, but at this point it's more like how haven't I used it?...see my twitter feed. ;-) I always ask myself that because it makes me take common practices in the classroom and flip it by finding clever ways to apply #sphero to it; forces me to think creatively #moedchat
A6 Put a solo cup on it or one of those small tissue boxes and then see what you can do with it, the bot allows limitless creativity if you just think of it as a toy #moedchat
Wow, so glad that I jumped into this chat! I have some great resources, podcast, and ideas to check out. Thank you for helping inspire me in Ohio. :) #moedchat
