This chat includes a discussion of topics of interest to K-8 teachers who teach and/or integrate computer science.The Computer Science Teachers Association is a membership organization that supports and promotes the teaching of computer science and other computing disciplines. CSTA provides opportunities for K–12 teachers and students to better understand the computing disciplines and to more successfully prepare themselves to teach and learn.
Welcome to tonight’s #csk8 Let's Get This Year Started chat! Your moderators tonight are the K-8 representatives on the CSTA Board, @KristeenShabram & me, @visionsbyvicky
#csk8 is a structured chat. Questions are numbered Q1 for Question 1, Q2 for Question 2. Your answers should start with A1 for the answer to Q1, A2 to answer Q2, etc.
Before we get started with questions, please introduce yourself: Name, Location, Connection to K-8 CS education, and when your school year starts/started. #csk8
Hello, my name is Kristeen and I teach 7th and 8th grade Business and Technology in Omaha, NE. @VisionsByVicky and I are the K-8 Representatives on the CSTA Board. I am three weeks into the school year. We started on August 14. #csk8
Hi - I'm Bill and I support CS programs at 50 K-5 schools in San Francisco - our school year began a few weeks ago, though I worked all through the summer... #csk8
I am Sheena, a K-8 CS teacher in California for 9+ years. Teaching Python, Scratch, JavaScript, Arduino, micro:bit and more! In school for 2+ weeks already #csk8
A1: At the CSTA Conference this summer, I attended a session on EarSketch. I plan on integrating this in my classroom this year. #csk8
Check it out https://t.co/20uzjnrywZ
Looking for a fun after-school activity?
Explore STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) for free! Visit our blog for all 11 activities: https://t.co/hVan3nTS7J#CSK8#STEMed
A1: I learned about the LEGO duck challenge at a conference this summer. Lead it at a K-12 CS district PD and since a bunch of teachers have lead it in their classes. Shows multiple solutions to same problem, no 1 answer, no wrong answers. https://t.co/Aj5PZnxjsp#csk8
How to best teach Python and micro:bit - spent a lot of time doing a Foothill college PD program KCI Computer Science Crash Course over the summer https://t.co/6HzECxxHQd. Teaching teachers something you know is a good way to learn how to teach it even better #csk8
A1. I learned that kids can do amazing things with BBC micro:bit, especially if you spend about $20 more on accessories. Also enjoyed what can be done with it using microPython, including a real-time command line add-on. #csk8
Awesome! I wish I could take a course from you in Python! Interested in checking out your micro:bit resources too - I'm excited for the Scratch 3.0 microbit blocks! #csk8
Q2: Who/What really impacted your learning this summer? Give this person/event/book a shout out and share why/how they/it supported YOUR learning. #csk8
In the PD program, I gave teachers the choice to code the micro:bit using blocks or Python since so many were excited about learning Python for the first itme. In my classes, I teach Python as an elective, and the micro:bit in 5th grade with blocks #csk8
#csk8 powered speaker add-in board, geared motor controller, all sorts of add-on boards. Also u can make a number of cool things with just some cheap headsets (I get free ones from airline travel) by soldering on banana plugs or alligator clips. Pre-soldering helpful for in-class
Yes we hope to offer more of these workshops over the year, and hope you can attend. Hoping to put together some of the micro:bit resources together on my website, when I can make the time. #csk8
#csk8 A2. Hard to single out one, so I’ll just say the participants at the CSTA conference this summer. Great group of educators. Terrific experience and I look forward to next year’s conference.
Your high schoolers will enjoy the radio part - you can probably create some fun lessons of the different micro:bits sending messages to each other. If you have some time to do maker space kind of stuff, then I would definitely connect them to LEDs and motors, so much fun! #csk8
#csk8 That depends totally on how much time you have and how creative their projects. Yes, they can do a lot with the bare board, but even adding a servo can make for much more exciting opportunities. $2 for compatible servos.
A2: CSTA was incredible this year - I loved the focus on HOW to teach CS instead of just the "what" to teach. Moving beyond toys and programming languages is how we'll reach every student with CS. @csteachersorg#csk8
A2: I want to give a shout to @VisionsByVicky for taking me under her wing and showing me the ropes this summer as I joined the CSTA Board. I'm so grateful for everything she does for CSTA! #csk8
A2: special shoutout to @bathayer and @davidlbalmer. Before this summer, I thought I was all alone in the #agileschools movement. Finding a community has helped me empower more teachers to use agile as a tool for their students! #csk8
Q2: Who/What really impacted your learning this summer? Give this person/event/book a shout out and share why/how they/it supported YOUR learning. #csk8
#csk8 Python allows for somewhat more capable projects. For example, we can now buy a 30 LED Neopixel for $12, replacing our Blinkytape curriculum. You do lose Bluetooth, but the built-in radio is a better way to go anyway.
In reply to
@alfredtwo, @Sheena1010, @VisionsByVicky
A2: I also LOVED the @scratch conference at MIT - I will definitely be attending it again. Great to connect with a global Scratch community and learn directly from people building and reimagining the tool. Plus meeting Mitch Resnick in person was pretty sweet! #csk8
Welcome Naomi, we're on Q2: Who/What really impacted your learning this summer? Give this person/event/book a shout out and share why/how they/it supported YOUR learning. #csk8 for another minute.
#csk8 Would love to hear/learn more about #agileschools. We implemented agile software dev @Robomatter and have gotten to know a lot of people on the agile community.
In reply to
@Jennifer_Manly, @bathayer, @davidlbalmer, @Robomatter
A2: @LFlemingEDU made a learning impact with me and Tk-5th grade Ss/Ts I work w/ - w/ their new learning tangible tool of Hands-on Coding blocks to support unplugged activities and creative story algorithms! @handsoncodinghttps://t.co/0eFd3Rf6wK#csk8
In reply to
@VisionsByVicky, @LFlemingEDU, @handsoncoding
A3. Last year, learned the power of integrating in-school with after-school, and especially involving regular classroom teachers. Decided to focus https://t.co/LP2bL8AMzE more on PD and consulting vs direct delivery as a result. #csk8
A3: The Python GUI game went so well last year - am planning to use that format again and make more time in my elective for this end project. It was amazing to see what students were able to do at the end of the semester. #csk8
Teach coding and design in math classes with BlocksCAD! In the "Pizza Printer" exploration, students work with circumferences and volumes all while learning loops, variables, and modules! #STEMed#CSK8
Good call - though I am sure you will miss the direct student contact. You will however have much more reach, especially if the programs are done in-school. Best for the change #csk8
#csk8 We'll still have some direct delivery activities in the context of sponsored research. For example, Friday, I'll be introducing liquid handling robot programming (using snap4arduino) to a small group at Christa McAuliffe in Saratoga (NSF/Stanford project)
#csk8 We'll still have some direct delivery activities in the context of sponsored research. For example, Friday, I'll be introducing liquid handling robot programming (using snap4arduino) to a small group at Christa McAuliffe in Saratoga (NSF/Stanford project)
A4: Make more time for students to write out the algorithm - using flowcharts/ pseudocode. Teachers loved this unplugged activity before the coding part - but always have a hard time getting students to do that. So am going to just do a few more flowchart exercises. #csk8
A4: What needs to change from lessons learned more "Time" allowed at each rotation station for Ts/Students to discuss deeper learning connections. 12-15 minutes at each center was not enough time. #csk8
A4. Help Ts incorporate more of Seymour Papert's ideas, as well as doing more rigorous experimentation re impact of CS on other STEM fields. Eg: many Scratch programs look like flowcharts for BASIC programs! Turtle commands should be "body syntonic" not absolute (x, y)! #csk8
A4: After learning so much from @Todd_Lash and @misrael09 I need to - and can't wait to - bring more Universal Design for Learning into our elem CS curriculum and classrooms #UDL#csk8
A4: Since I did not have a classroom last year I can only go off of what I saw, but I would like to add more coding into CS classes or any class because it is something that I wish I knew more about going forward #csk8
A4: more time spent on ethical conversations. We’re equipping kids with the tools they need to build - we also need to help them understand the responsibility associated with creation. #csk8
Love the idea of integrating more of Papert's ideas. Finally got a chance to read Mindstorms this summer and it really changed a lot about what I thought I knew about CS education. Would love to hear how your incorporation goes! #csk8
#csk8 PBL, especially with tech, begs for block scheduling. Bells going off every 43 minutes (and that's on regular days, not minimum days) is a hindrance to concentration and learning
More people wanted it to stay the way it was. At least you can come once a month & you're always welcome to continue the conversations after the chat's over. #csk8
A3: I’m late answeringthis question but shout out to @wgrantsmith . He’s writing a book, and I’m helping to vet the book, and he’s such a talented writer and I am learning so much by doing this project with him. #csk8
A3: my BestLessonEver - an immersive cryptography experience! Working to develop two additional experiences for kids to have historical/ethical convos about CS! #csk8
Yes the well known edu 4 letter naughty word ---->>>>> = TIME!!! #csk8 Ss and Ts do not want to stop learning and continue onto next station.... Glad this type of learning is so much fun, creative and inspiring
Q6: What are your goals for your CS classes this year & how are you planning to get there? Please share your scope & sequence or pacing guides for your CS classes, if you have them. #csk8
Thank you. Yes I spent most of the summer working on my book. #csk8 folks, it is called Creative Coding in Python and available for pre-orders https://t.co/S1rhVhcSKY via @amazon. Out this December. Excited and nervous! #csk8
In reply to
@VisionsByVicky, @DuPriestMath, @wgrantsmith, @amazon
#csk8 I'm writing grant proposal to work on bringing CS into grades 5-6 science classrooms. Enable Ss to write programs to collect data as well as to code up computational models of phenomena. I hope to show that, in addition to learning some CS, they learn more science
A5: My school uses a “push-in” model, so I use the home room class spaces. Students have access to a laptops in a storage cabinet in each room. We are a kind of young school and the plan was made to not have a single designated computer lab. #csk8
A6: my goal is to bring what I know about CS into involved, interdisciplinary, eventually student-led projects. Taking small steps every week to get there. #csk8
#csk8 David Weintrop has written a lot about coding and science. How students can create computer simulations to learn how the relationship between things change with larger data sets.
A6: When I start teaching, my goal is to make technology a big part of learning and to teach coding because I wish someone would have taught that to me. I would get there by integrating some form of technology into a majority of my lesson plans #csk8
A5: AH!!! I can’t wait to share! I worked hard this summer to transform my space to be collaborative, creative, and student centered. There’s a few videos :) #csk8
A6: I’m hoping to refine activities and models to help my elementary Ss play around and better understand networking. That’s a weak area for me. Also am going to take a leap and employ Scratch 3 + micro:bit while still in beta. Telling my Gr5 Ss that we’ll be beta-testers! #csk8
Oh fun. Build a Raspberry Pi network. micro:bits are also good for some networking lessons. Unfortunately for me w/Linux machines no micro:bit w/Scratch3.0 - yet, anyway. When did you sneak into the chat? #csk8
Our goal is to have the students work on truly authentic community-embedded projects... I envision physical computing w/ Arduino or Raspberry pi, mobile app development, and web design will play big roles.. but it’s still early. Still planning. #csk8
A7:We share out a favorite food we like to eat, find a complimentary recipe of how it's made.Make the relationship of how a recipe is an algorithm.Showcase https://t.co/lbJvN8xnnn cooking algorithm video clip & have Ss/Ts replicate a recipe w/ retelling/diagramming sequence #csk8
A7: I've only seen one class, Kindergarten, so far. We started with the parts of the iPad. :) Will do the same w/1st grade. 2nd & up we start with why passwords & setting up a new password. #csk8
A7: Always start with my survey - finding out more about their coding skills and interests and why they signed up for my class. And of course an unplugged algorithm activity #csk8
A7. #csk8 Depending on age, I like to start by playing Turing Imitation Game. I have long maintained that AI should be elementary school subject. This gen of S's are ready. It's why anthropomorphism was always part of LOGO pedagogy. "I taught Turtle a new word, but it has a bug."
An archive of this chat will be posted in our CSTAK8 Facebook Group at https://t.co/9mq78UBnS8 Continue the conversation there or on Twitter using the #csk8 hashtag.
